Epidural vs. Dural Puncture Epidural in Labor Analgesia

August 28, 2026 updated by: Burak Omur, Medipol University

Comparison of Standard Epidural and Dural Puncture Epidural Techniques in Labor Analgesia

Childbirth is an intense physical and psychological experience. Epidural analgesia (EP) remains the gold standard in labor pain management. However, continuous refinements are aimed at enhancing analgesic quality and mitigating adverse effects. In recent years, the dural puncture epidural (DPE) technique has gained popularity. In this technique, the dura is intentionally punctured with a spinal needle before the epidural catheter is placed, but no intrathecal medication is administered. This historically controlled study evaluates the clinical outcomes of a protocol transition from standard high-dose epidural to low-dose DPE. The primary objective is to compare total analgesic consumption and success rates of labor analgesia between the two techniques. The secondary objectives include the assessment of hemodynamic parameters, motor block characteristics, adverse effects (such as paresthesia and hypotension), and overall maternal satisfaction

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The maternal pain experience encompasses psychological and emotional components, highlighting the necessity for patient-centered assessment approaches. While standard epidural and combined spinal-epidural (CSE) techniques are common, they carry risks such as inadequate sacral coverage, motor block, or fetal bradycardia. The dural puncture epidural (DPE) technique aims to combine the advantages of EP and CSE while minimizing their disadvantages. By creating a dural hole, DPE facilitates the translocation of epidural medications into the subarachnoid space, aiming to accelerate the onset of analgesia and improve block quality.This single-center, historically controlled study consists of two consecutive cohorts managed before and after a change in the clinical protocol. Group 1 (retrospective control) received standard concentration epidural analgesia. Group 2 (prospective intervention) received the low-dose DPE technique. The study hypothesizes that the low-dose DPE technique provides non-inferior analgesic efficacy with significantly reduced total bupivacaine consumption and a superior side-effect profile compared to the standard high-dose EP technique. Outcomes evaluated include total bupivacaine consumption, adequate analgesia success (NRS < 4), maternal hemodynamic changes, incidence of adverse effects including paresthesia, and patient satisfaction. Note on outcome reporting: serial intrapartum measurements of maternal blood pressure, maternal heart rate and fetal heart rate were not documented on the routine anesthesia monitoring forms used during the retrospective control period. The registered secondary outcome of maternal hemodynamic and fetal heart rate variation could therefore not be compared between the two cohorts. Baseline values recorded before the procedure were available for all 100 participants and are reported as baseline characteristics, together with the incidence of hypotension and of fetal bradycardia. No registered outcome has been removed from this record.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
100

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of healthy pregnant women (ASA physical status I-II) with a singleton pregnancy at 37-42 weeks of gestation, who planned a vaginal delivery and requested labor analgesia during active labor (cervical dilation ≥ 4 cm) at a single university hospital.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II
  • Gestational age 37-42 weeks
  • Planned vaginal delivery
  • Request for labor analgesia during active labor with cervical dilation ≥ 4 cm

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Multiple gestations
  • Diagnosis of preeclampsia/eclampsia
  • Severe systemic disease
  • Contraindications to epidural analgesia (e.g., coagulopathy, infection at the injection site)
  • History of opioid dependence
  • Refusal to participate in the study protocol
  • Missing data in medical records for the retrospective group

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Standard Epidural Analgesia
Patients in this retrospective control group received the standard concentration epidural analgesia. Using an 18-G Tuohy needle, the epidural space was identified and a catheter was advanced. No dural puncture was performed. A loading dose consisting of 0.125% bupivacaine (25 mg) and fentanyl (40 µg) in a total volume of 20 mL was administered via the catheter.
Procedure: Standard Epidural Analgesia
Administration of conventional epidural analgesia using an 18G Tuohy needle for catheter placement and subsequent administration of a standardized dose of bupivacaine with fentanyl.
Dural Puncture Epidural (DPE) Analgesia
Patients in this prospective intervention group received the low-dose DPE technique. After identifying the epidural space, the dura mater was punctured using a 27-G spinal needle until the clear return of cerebrospinal fluid was visualized. No intrathecal medication was administered, the spinal needle was withdrawn, and the epidural catheter was positioned. A loading dose consisting of 0.0625% bupivacaine (12.5 mg) and fentanyl (40 µg) in a total volume of 20 mL was applied.
Procedure: Dural Puncture Epidural Analgesia
Administration of epidural analgesia that incorporates a dural puncture with a 27G spinal needle prior to epidural catheter placement, followed by administration of a lower concentration of bupivacaine with the same dose of fentanyl.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Total Analgesic Consumption
Time Frame: From the initiation of epidural analgesia until delivery.
Cumulative bupivacaine consumption measured in milligrams.
From the initiation of epidural analgesia until delivery.
Adequate Analgesia Achievement
Time Frame: Assessed at 15 minutes post-procedure and during hourly follow-ups until delivery.
Proportion of participants achieving a target Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) score of less than 4
Assessed at 15 minutes post-procedure and during hourly follow-ups until delivery.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Incidence of Adverse Effects
Time Frame: Continuously monitored from the initial epidural dose until delivery.
Recording of adverse effects including nausea, vomiting, pruritus, hypotension, and paresthesia
Continuously monitored from the initial epidural dose until delivery.
Requirement for Supplemental Analgesia
Time Frame: From the initiation of epidural analgesia until delivery.
Total number of supplemental boluses required during labor
From the initiation of epidural analgesia until delivery.
Maternal Satisfaction
Time Frame: Assessed in the early postpartum period.
Documented patient satisfaction levels regarding the childbirth experience
Assessed in the early postpartum period.
Post-Dural Puncture Headache
Time Frame: Up to 1 week postpartum.
Incidence and severity of post-dural puncture headache in the postpartum period.
Up to 1 week postpartum.
Incidence and Severity of Motor Block
Time Frame: Monitored throughout the procedure until delivery.
Occurrence and degree of motor block, evaluated by the Modified Bromage Scale.
Monitored throughout the procedure until delivery.
Maternal Hemodynamic and Fetal Heart Rate Variations
Time Frame: Continuously monitored throughout the procedure.
Variation in maternal blood pressure, heart rate, and fetal heart rate changes.
Continuously monitored throughout the procedure.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Medipol University

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Burak öMÜR, Medipol University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 10, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
October 20, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 20, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 18, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 23, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 27, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
September 1, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 28, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • Epidural vs DP epidural

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

only IPD used in the results publication

IPD Sharing Time Frame

Beginning 6 months after publication of the results article and ending 5 years after publication.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Requests should be directed to the corresponding author (bomur@medipol.edu.tr). De-identified individual participant data underlying the published results will be shared with investigators who provide a methodologically sound proposal, at the discretion of the study investigators.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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