Imran Technique for Spinal Anesthesia and Lumbar Puncture

Imran's Approach: A Quasi-Experimental Prospective Comparative Study of an Alternative Positioning Technique for Spinal Anesthesia and Lumbar Puncture

This quasi-experimental prospective clinical trial was conducted to compare the conventional sitting position with the Imran Technique, a novel ergonomic patient-positioning method, for spinal anesthesia and lumbar puncture. A total of 200 adult participants requiring spinal anesthesia for surgical procedures or diagnostic lumbar puncture were allocated into two groups. The study aimed to evaluate procedural success, procedural efficiency, patient comfort, operator ergonomics, and procedure-related complications associated with the two positioning techniques.

This quasi-experimental prospective clinical trial was designed to compare the conventional sitting position and the Imran Technique during spinal anesthesia and lumbar puncture procedures. Adult participants aged 18 to 65 years who required spinal anesthesia for surgical procedures or diagnostic lumbar puncture were enrolled and allocated into two groups.

Participants in the control group underwent the procedure using the conventional sitting position, while participants in the intervention group underwent the procedure using the Imran Technique. The primary outcome measure was first-attempt procedural success. Secondary outcome measures included total procedural time, positioning-to-needle insertion time, number of needle attempts, needle redirections, intervertebral space changes, overall procedural success, need for operator assistance, patient comfort, ability to maintain position, operator strain, accessibility of the intervertebral space, and procedure-related complications.

The study was conducted at the Intensive Care Unit of the Department of Anaesthesiology, POF Hospital, Wah Cantt, Pakistan, following Institutional Review Board approval and written informed consent procedures.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult participants aged 18 to 65 years
• Participants requiring spinal anesthesia for surgical procedures or diagnostic lumbar puncture
• Participants medically suitable for spinal anesthesia or lumbar puncture
• Participants able to assume and maintain the assigned procedural position
• Participants who provided written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age below 18 years or above 65 years
• Previous spinal surgery
• Significant spinal deformity
• Local infection at the puncture site
• Coagulopathy or bleeding disorders
• Raised intracranial pressure
• Severe hemodynamic instability
• Inability to maintain the assigned procedural position
• Refusal to participate or inability to provide informed consent