SONAR-Qual
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Snapshot Obstetric National Anaesthetic Research Project - qualitative study
IRAS ID
354939
Contact name
Duncan Wagstaff
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2025/03/132, Data Protection; 180230, Edge
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 3 days
Research summary
Caesarean section (CS) is the most commonly performed inpatient surgical procedure globally, representing approximately 28% of deliveries in the UK (178,000 births). Neuraxial anaesthesia (NA) (either spinal, epidural or combined spinal-epidural) is established as the preferred form of anaesthesia, being used for 92% of CS in the UK. A recent systematic review estimated that in 14.6% of patients, it is inadequate requiring provision of supplemental analgesia or conversion to general anaesthesia. Inadequate NA can lead to severe pain and discomfort during CS, and in some cases may be associated with serious sequelae such as maternal depression, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and impacts on neonatal health. Furthermore, pain during CS under NA is the most successful medicolegal claim against obstetric anaesthetists.
This study aims to build on existing research by exploring the perspectives and experiences of patients of the adequacy of neuraxial anaesthesia during Caesarean section and associated after-effects.
To achieve these objectives, a qualitative study will be conducted through interviews with patients. Participants will be recruited via the main SONAR-1 study, they will have given their consent to be contacted with information regarding SONAR-qual. Patients will be recruited from NHS hospitals across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The sample will include approximately 36 patients who have undergone a Caesarean section and neuraxial anaesthesia.REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SC/0314
Date of REC Opinion
26 Sep 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion