Ultrasound Predictors of Difficult Spinal Anesthesia

The Use of Ultrasound to Predict a Difficult Spinal Anesthesia: a Prospective Single-blind Observational Study

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT05115591

Acronym

SPINAL-US

Enrollment

100

Registered

2021-11-10

Start date

2021-03-05

Completion date

2021-09-15

Last updated

2021-11-18

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

Conditions

Anesthesia, Procedural Complication

Keywords

Spinal Anesthesia, Ultrasound

Brief summary

This prospective observational study aims to investigate about the efficacy of spine ultrasound in predicting difficult spinal anesthesia

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTSpinal Ultrasound

Spinal Ultrasound is performed by an observer who records ultrasound characteristics of the intervertebral space chosen by the anesthetist who will practice spinal anesthesia

PROCEDURESpinal Anesthesia

Spinal anesthesia is performed by an anesthetist after the observer recorded ultrasound characteristics of the intervertebral space chosen by the anesthetist, who is blinded to the ultrasound evaluation.

Study design

Observational model

CASE_ONLY

Time perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Patients undergoing spinal anesthesia for elective surgery * ASA physical status score \< 4

Exclusion criteria

* Contraindications to regional anesthesia * ASA physical status score ≥ 4 * Patient's refusal or inability to sing the informed consent * Previous spine surgery affecting the intervertebral space chosen for spinal anesthesia

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Ultrasound View	10 minutes	Ultrasound visibility of Dura Mater complexes on the intervertebral space chosen for spinal anesthesia
Difficulty in performing spinal anesthesia	20 minutes	Difficult spinal anesthesia includes: failure, procedure lasting more than 400 seconds from the insertion of the needle to the deliquoration; a number of needle replacements greater than 10; a change of the clinician practicing spinal anesthesia.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Failure Rate	20 minutes	Failed Spinal Anesthesia
Duration	20 minutes	Spinal anesthesia duration (expressed in seconds) from the insertion of the needle to the deliquoration
Spinal needle replacements	20 minutes	Number of needle replacements

Countries

Italy

Outcome results

None listed

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