NCT01122693

Brief Summary

The use of ultrasound imaging techniques in regional anaesthesia is rapidly becoming an area of increasing interest. It represents one of the largest changes that the field of regional anaesthesia has seen. For the first time, the operator is able to view an image of the target nerve directly, guide the needle under real-time observation, navigate away from sensitive anatomy, and monitor the spread of local anaesthetic (LA).The key to successful regional anaesthesia is deposition of LA accurately around the nerve structures. In the past, electrical stimulation which relied on surface landmark identification, was used for this. However, landmark techniques have limitations; variations in anatomy and nerve physiology , as well as equipment accuracy have had an effect on success rates and complications. However, alongside the enthusiasm of ultrasound guidance in regional anaesthesia, there should be a degree of informed scepticism. The widespread use of the various techniques of ultrasound-guided regional blocks without adequate training raises the danger of malpractice and subsequent impaired outcome. Adequate education in the use of regional block techniques under ultrasound guidance is essential. Recent technical developments have achieved higher ultrasound frequencies and better image resolution, as well as better post-processing and user-friendliness. The purpose of this study is to determine whether new technical features such as reference images, higher ultrasound frequencies, better image resolution and smaller size and weight of the ultrasound probes may improve outcome (clinical benefits) and may show an increased efficacy and safety. And if the new technology of ultrasound images improves the training quality of trainees and novices in the art of ultrasound-guided blocks.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
90

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2010

Geographic Reach
1 country

2 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 1, 2010

Completed
4 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 10, 2010

Completed
3 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

May 13, 2010

Completed
1.1 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 1, 2011

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 1, 2011

Completed
Last Updated

February 4, 2016

Status Verified

February 1, 2016

Enrollment Period

1.4 years

First QC Date

May 10, 2010

Last Update Submit

February 3, 2016

Conditions

Keywords

Regional AnesthesiaPain MedicineUltrasoundNerve Blocks

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Reduction in time to perform the catheter placement in regional anesthesia

    first three days

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Improvement in performance: Incidence of complications

    first three days

  • Improvement of success rate regarding correct catheter placement

    first three days

Study Arms (3)

standard 2D ultrasound images

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Device: eZono - high-quality 2D ultrasound imagesDevice: standard 2D ultrasound images

high-quality 2D ultrasound images

EXPERIMENTAL
Device: eZono - high-quality 2D ultrasound imagesDevice: standard 2D ultrasound images

nerve stimulation techniques

ACTIVE COMPARATOR
Device: eZono - high-quality 2D ultrasound imagesDevice: standard 2D ultrasound images

Interventions

higher ultrasound frequencies, better image resolution, better post-processing and user-friendliness.

high-quality 2D ultrasound imagesnerve stimulation techniquesstandard 2D ultrasound images

current standard in two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound images

high-quality 2D ultrasound imagesnerve stimulation techniquesstandard 2D ultrasound images

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Patients at the age of 18 and above who need a regional anesthesia catheter for postoperative pain management after elective orthopedic surgery

You may not qualify if:

  • Participation in another trial according to the German Drug Law 30 days to and during the study
  • Lacking willingness to save and hand out data within the study
  • Accommodation in an institution due to an official or judicial order
  • (Unclear) history of alcohol or substances disabuse
  • Absent knowledge of German language
  • Analphabetism
  • Allergy to local anesthesia or other ingredients of the intravenous solutions
  • For women: Pregnancy or positive pregnancy test within the preoperative screening
  • Operation due to case of emergency, polytrauma or pathologic fracture
  • American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) classification greater than III
  • Peripheral or central edema
  • AIDS (according to the CDC-classification of HIV-infection: category C)
  • Immunosuppression therapy
  • History of bleeding tendency (e.g. von-Willebrand-disease, thrombocytopenia)
  • Derailed metabolic disorder (e.g. Diabetes mellitus (Glucose \> 300 mg/dl) during the preoperative screening)
  • +7 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (2)

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Klinik für Anästhesiologie

Berlin, State of Berlin, 10117, Germany

Location

Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine Campus Charité Mitte / Campus Virchow-Klinikum

Berlin, State of Berlin, 10117, Germany

Location

Study Officials

  • Claudia Spies, MD Prof.

    Charite University, Berlin, Germany

    STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Univ. Prof. Dr. med. Claudia Spies, Department of Anesthesiology and Operative Intensive Care Medicine Campus Charité Mitte / Campus Virchow-Klinikum

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

May 10, 2010

First Posted

May 13, 2010

Study Start

January 1, 2010

Primary Completion

June 1, 2011

Study Completion

July 1, 2011

Last Updated

February 4, 2016

Record last verified: 2016-02

Locations