Machine learning approach to needle insertion site identification for spinal anesthesia in obese patients

Ultrasonography for neuraxial anesthesia is increasingly being used to identify spinal structures and the identification of correct point of needle insertion to improve procedural success, in particular in obesity. We developed an ultrasound-guided automated spinal landmark identification program to assist anesthetists on spinal needle insertion point with a graphical user interface for spinal anesthesia.

Forty-eight obese patients requiring spinal anesthesia for Cesarean section were recruited in this prospective cohort study. We utilized a developed machine learning algorithm to determine the needle insertion point using automated spinal landmark ultrasound imaging of the lumbar spine identifying the L3/4 interspinous space (longitudinal view) and the posterior complex of dura mater (transverse view). The demographic and clinical characteristics were also recorded.

The first attempt success rate for spinal anesthesia was 79.1% (38/48) (95%CI 65.0 - 89.5%), followed by successful second attempt of 12.5% (6/48), third attempt of 4.2% (2/48) and 4th attempt (4.2% or 2/48). The scanning duration of L3/4 interspinous space and the posterior complex were 21.0 [IQR: 17.0, 32.0] secs and 11.0 [IQR: 5.0, 22.0] secs respectively. There is good correlation between the program recorded depth of the skin to posterior complex and clinician measured depth (r = 0.915).

The automated spinal landmark identification program is able to provide assistance to needle insertion point identification in obese patients. There is good correlation between program recorded and clinician measured depth of the skin to posterior complex of dura mater. Future research may involve imaging algorithm improvement to assist with needle insertion guidance during neuraxial anesthesia.

This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov registry ( NCT03687411 ) on 22 Aug 2018.