Randomized control trial of a holographic needle guidance technique for thoracic epidural placement

The Microsoft HoloLens is a head-mounted mixed reality device, which allows for overlaying hologram-like computer-generated elements onto the real world. This technology can be combined with preprocedural ultrasound during thoracic epidural placement to create a visual of the ideal needle angulation and trajectory in the users' field of view. This could result in a technically easier and potentially safer alternative to traditional blind landmark techniques.

Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) HoloLens-assisted thoracic epidural technique (intervention-group H) or (2) traditional thoracic epidural technique (control-group C). The primary outcome was needling time (defined as skin puncture to insertion of epidural catheter) during the procedure. The secondary outcomes were number of needle punctures, number of needle movements, number of bone contacts, and epidural failure. Procedural pain and recovery room pain levels were also evaluated.

Eighty-three patients were included in this study. The primary outcome of procedure time was reduced in the HoloLens group compared with control (4.5 min vs 7.3 min, p=0.02, 95% CI), as was the number of needle movements required (7.2 vs 14.4, p=0.01), respectively. There was no difference in intraprocedure or postprocedure pain, bone contacts, or total number of needle punctures. Three patients in the control group experienced epidural failure versus one patient in the HoloLens group.

This study shows that thoracic epidural placement may be facilitated by using a guidance hologram and may be more technically efficient.

NCT04028284.