Highlights
- •EpiFaith™ is a novel loss of resistance syringe for locating the epidural space.
- •The EpiFaith™ signals when there is a loss of resistance.
- •We report on the clinical use of the EpiFaith™ loss of resistance syringe.
- •Three of four anesthesiologists rated it more highly than using their usual syringe.
Abstract
Background
The EpiFaith® syringe is a novel loss-of-resistance syringe that utilizes a spring-loaded
plunger that automatically moves forward within the syringe when there is a loss of
resistance. We evaluated the syringe in a clinical setting among a cohort of pregnant
women receiving neuraxial labor analgesia.
Methods
In a non-randomized observational study, four anesthesiologists used the EpiFaith®
syringe 10 times each while placing epidural catheters for labor analgesia. The anesthesiologists
scored each placement on an 11-point Likert scale (−5 = absolutely worse, 0 = the
same, and 5 = absolutely better than using their regular loss-of-resistance syringe
technique).
Results
All 40 neuraxial placements correctly located the epidural space. Air was used in
the syringe in 35 of the 40 cases. In 50%, 27.5% and 22.5% of cases the anesthesiologists
reported that using the EpiFaith® syringe was better than, the same as, or worse than
using their regular syringe, respectively. There were no inadvertent dural punctures.
Conclusions
This feasibility study found that three of the four anesthesiologists scored the EpiFaith®
syringe as better or the same as using their regular loss-of-resistance syringe. More
extensive studies are required to determine if the EpiFaith® syringe reduces adverse
outcomes such as unintentional dural punctures.
Keywords
To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
Purchase one-time access:
Academic & Personal: 24 hour online accessCorporate R&D Professionals: 24 hour online accessOne-time access price info
- For academic or personal research use, select 'Academic and Personal'
- For corporate R&D use, select 'Corporate R&D Professionals'
Subscribe:
Subscribe to International Journal of Obstetric AnesthesiaAlready a print subscriber? Claim online access
Already an online subscriber? Sign in
Register: Create an account
Institutional Access: Sign in to ScienceDirect
References
- The Episure syringe: a novel loss of resistance syringe for locating the epidural space.Anesth Analg. 2007; 105: 1164-1166
- Dural puncture epidural technique improves labor analgesia quality with fewer side effects compared with epidural and combined spinal epidural techniques: a randomized clinical trial.Anesth Analg. 2017; 124: 560-569
- The learning curve associated with the epidural technique using the Episure™ AutoDetect™ versus conventional glass syringe: an open-label, randomized, controlled, crossover trial of experienced anesthesiologists in obstetric patients.Anesth Analg. 2013; 116: 145-154
- A pilot study to compare the Episure™ Autodetect™ syringe with the glass syringe for identification of the epidural space in parturients.Anesth Analg. 2008; 106: 541-543
Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 26, 2021
Accepted:
March 15,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
