Use of Ultrasound in Upper Extremity Blocks.
Does Ultrasound Guidance Improve the Success of Brachial Plexus Block? A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.
1 other identifier
interventional
N/A
1 country
1
Brief Summary
Many patients undergoing surgery on their hand receive a form of anesthetic called "axillary brachial plexus block". This involves the injection of local anesthetic (freezing medication) around the nerves that supply the upper limb, which are located in the arm pit. The technique currently used by physicians performing this procedure is far from perfect, and in up to 1 of every 5 patients it does not work well enough to allow surgery, and a different form of anesthetic may need to be used. In an attempt to improve these results, we have recently developed a new technique, using ultrasound imaging to "see" the nerves prior to giving the injection. Our initial results are very promising, implying that this may be a highly successful and safe approach. The purpose of this study is to determine if this technique is indeed more successful. In order to do that, we will ask 110 patients for their participation. They will be divided in two groups, at random. One group will receive the standard technique (transarterial, using a small needle to find the artery that is close to the nerves). The other group will receive the injection after identifying the nerves with ultrasound imaging. They will all receive the same type of medication, and they will be tested every 5 minutes for half an hour to determine if the block has been successful, according to pre-established criteria. Their pain control will be assessed after the surgery and they will be called 24 hours and 1 week after the surgery to assess their recovery and rule out any possible complications.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
Started Aug 2002
Typical duration for not_applicable
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
Study Start
First participant enrolled
August 1, 2002
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
August 1, 2005
CompletedFirst Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
September 20, 2005
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
September 22, 2005
CompletedDecember 5, 2008
September 1, 2005
September 20, 2005
December 4, 2008
Conditions
Interventions
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- ASA PS 1-3
- to 80 years of age
- to 100 kg of body weight
- elective upper extremity procedure amenable to brachial plexus block
- estimated surgical time \> 1 hr
You may not qualify if:
- Any medical contraindication to brachial plexus block ( allergy to local anesthetics, coagulopathy, loco-regional malignancy or infection, neurological deficit in the area to be blocked, severe respiratory disease)
- Inability to read, write or speak English
- Chronic pain longer than 6 months
- Chronic opioid use
- History of drug abuse
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
University Health Network
Toronto, Ontario, M5T2S8, Canada
MeSH Terms
Interventions
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
Vincent WS Chan, MD
University Health Network, Toronto
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- DOUBLE
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
September 20, 2005
First Posted
September 22, 2005
Study Start
August 1, 2002
Study Completion
August 1, 2005
Last Updated
December 5, 2008
Record last verified: 2005-09