Comparison of Labor Analgesia Efficacy Between Single-orifice and Multiorifice Wire-reinforced Catheters During Programmed Intermittent Epidural Boluses: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

(Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2023;48:61–66) Programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB) has been used since 2006 for labor analgesia. It is theorized that high-flow epidural catheters may be necessary for proper anesthetic spread dynamics within the epidural space. Epidural catheters have varying characteristics that may affect anesthesia administration. Studies show that multiorifice catheters were proven superior when compared with single-orifice catheters; however, due to flow dynamics, single-orifice catheters may be preferred to close-ended multiorifice catheters due to diffusion distance and area coverage. This study aimed to show a comparison between single-orifice and multiorifice catheters when used for intermittent high-rate bolus administration.