Effect of Crossed Legged Position on Ultrasound Measured Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Length in Parturients.

A Comparison of the Ultrasound Measured Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Length in Parturients in the Standard Sitting and Crossed Leg Positions: an Observational Study

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT04277988

Enrollment

Registered

2020-02-20

Start date

2016-03-31

Completion date

2016-12-31

Last updated

2020-02-20

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pregnancy

Keywords

Maternal Analgesia, Ultrasonography Lumbar Spine

Brief summary

To investigate if sitting in flexed cross legged position for neuraxial techniques in term pregnant patients widens the size of the ultrasound acoustic window as measured by the visualized posterior longitudinal ligament length, during lumbar spine ultrasonography using longitudinal paramedian view, in comparison to the standard sitting flexed position.

Detailed description

This is a prospective observational study involving a total of 30 healthy term gestation pregnant patients with singleton fetuses.Patients will be randomly allocated to sit crossed leg or in standard position first. Using ultrasonography, the acoustic window for lumbar spinal anesthesia at L3-4 will be evaluated in both traditional sitting and crossed leg positions. Ultrasonography will be performed sequentially to measure the best visualized length of posterior longitudinal ligament,ligamentum flavum and interlaminar distance in the paramedian view.The scanned image will be saved to be remeasured by a third observer. Patients will be asked to score their comfort level while sitting in both positions.

Interventions

DEVICEUltrasonography

Length of Posterior Longitudianl Ligament, Ligamentum Flavum and Interlaminar distance visible in paramedian longitudinal view during lumbar spine ultrasonography in cross legged position will be compared to standard sitting position.

Study design

Observational model

COHORT

Time perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

FEMALE

Age

18 Years to 40 Years

Healthy volunteers

Yes

Inclusion criteria

Term gestation Singleton pregnancy 18 years or older Patients having elective cesarean delivery or induction of labor or in early labor

Exclusion criteria

* Allergy to ultrasound jelly * Spinal Deformities/Previous spinal surgery * No contraindication to neuraxial placement * Any fetal concerns * Morbid obesity * Language barrier

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
PLL length	Up to Five minutes	Length of the Paravertebral Longitudinal Ligament, as measured by the intrinsic ultrasound caliber tool in mm.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
LF length	Up to Five minutes	Length of the Ligamentum Flavum as measured by the intrinsic ultrasound caliber tool in mm.
ILD length	Up to Five minutes	Length of the interlaminar distance, as measured by the intrinsic ultrasound caliber tool in mm.
Patient Comfort	Up to 5 minutes	Patient comfort level measured on a 1-5 Likert Scale

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026