Multiport epidural catheters reduced the incidence of inadequate analgesia and required less manipulation compared to uniport catheters in laboring patients.
RCT (n=500)
randomized
No
Does a multiport epidural catheter reduce inadequate analgesia compared to a uniport epidural catheter in laboring patients?
Multiport epidural catheters are preferable for laboring patients as they reduce the incidence of inadequate analgesia and require less manipulation compared to uniport catheters.
The relative incidence of technical difficulties associated with multiport (three lateral ports) and uniport (single distal port) epidural catheters remains controversial.As part of a continuing institutional evaluation of epidural catheter insertion, 500 parturients were randomized to have either a multiport or a uniport epidural catheter inserted 6 cm into the epidural space. Multiport epidural catheters were associated with inadequate analgesia less often and required manipulation less often than uniport epidural catheters. The incidences of intravenous cannulation, subsequent catheter dislodgement, and catheter replacement were similar for each catheter type. No multiport epidural catheter was associated with multicompartment placement. We conclude that multiport epidural catheters are preferable for use in laboring patients since they reduce the incidence of inadequate epidural analgesia. (Anesth Analg 1997;84:1276-9)
DʼAngelo et al. (1997) conducted an RCT in Labor (n=500). Multiport epidural catheter vs. Uniport epidural catheter was evaluated on Inadequate analgesia. Multiport epidural catheters reduced the incidence of inadequate analgesia and required less manipulation compared to uniport catheters in laboring patients.