Does catheter length matter? study tests 4 cm vs 5 cm for better labor pain relief
NCT ID NCT04946032
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looked at whether leaving 4 cm or 5 cm of the epidural catheter inside the spine works better for pain relief during labor in non-obese women. About 200 women in active labor were randomly assigned to one of the two lengths. The goal was to see which length provides more reliable pain control and fewer complications.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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200 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2021
- Finished
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Jul 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 50 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * All women aged 18 years and above. * In established second stage of labor. * 3-7 cm dilation at time of insertion. * Women with BMI \< 40 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: * Known contraindication to epidural insertion. * Inability or unwillingness to provide written consent. * Previous difficult epidural insertion. * Previous failed epidural. * Imminent instrumental or operative delivery. * Dural puncture. * Combined spinal epidural analgesia. * High BMI \> 40 kg/m2
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Mount Sinai Hospital
Toronto, Ontario, M5G1X5, Canada
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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