Combined Spinal/Epidural (CSE) Saline Duration/Spread

Effect of Epidural Saline on Duration and Spread of Subsequent Spinal Analgesia/Anesthesia Using a CSE Technique

An attempt is being made to see if by injecting a set volume of sterile saline into the epidural space during the treatment of labor pain with a combined spinal/epidural (CSE) increases the amount of pain relief obtained and makes the labor analgesia lasts longer. Subjects are in the study from the time their CSE is placed until they request additional pain medication from the spinal dose of numbing medicine wearing off.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age greater than 12 years of age
• ASA status 1 or 2
• cervical dilation < 6cm

Exclusion Criteria:

• ASA assigned 3 or 4
• advanced labor (> 6cm cervical dilated)
• distorted epidural anatomy