Comparison of US-Guided Paravertebral and Proximal Intercostal Nerve Blocks

NCT02911168 | Completed DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2016P000174/MGH
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the proximal intercostal block to the more medial (classic) ultrasound-guided paravertebral block. The investigators hypothesize that the proximal intercostal block will allow for improved needle visualization, shorter block time, and improved safety profile compared to the classic paravertebral bock.

Conditions

Pain

Keywords

NERVE BLOCK; ANESTHESIA RECOVERY PERIOD; PAIN MANAGEMENT

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Ultrasound Image Quality Score

  The following will be assessed for each image and video, and saved during each block performed: 1. Best possible image of block anatomy (including the pleura, transverse process/rib, costotransverse ligament/internal intercostal membrane, as appropriate) as well as needle location. 2. Video of the space during injection, reflecting the injectate spread. The images will be rated by a separate regional anesthesiologist not involved in study, but proficient with both types of blocks and ultrasound imaging. 3. The following score 3 point scale will be used to rate visibility: 0=not visible, 1=hardly visible, 2=well visible, 3=very well visible. Maximum score possible=18 including both pieces of media.

  Evaluated at time of block

Secondary Outcomes (10)

• Block Performance Time

  Evaluated at time of block

• Imaging Time

  Established during block performance

• Needling Time

  Established during block performance

• Number of Needle Passes

  Established during block performance

• Distance of Injection Sites from Midline

  Established during block performance

Study Arms (2)

Proximal Intercostal Block

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

See Intervention Section

Procedure: Proximal Intercostal Block

Paravertebral Block

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

See Intervention Section

Procedure: Paravertebral Block

Interventions

Proximal Intercostal Block PROCEDURE

After identifying the correct intercostal space, the ultrasound probe will be moved medially to identify the transverse processes, then again laterally from the transverse processes to rest over the ribs so as to obtain the best view of ribs and pleura. A 10cm, 21G needle will be inserted in-plane at the caudal border of the probe. An attempt will be made to keep the needle tip and the target injection position (just under the internal intercostal membrane (IIM)) in view. Correct needle tip placement will be demonstrated by depression of the pleura/endothoracic fascia upon local anesthetic injection and by lack of retrograde spread of LA over the muscles or the ribs. The LA will be injected in 4 cc aliquots after negative aspiration of air, CSF and blood.

Also known as: PICB

Proximal Intercostal Block

Paravertebral Block PROCEDURE

After identifying the correct intercostal space, the ultrasound probe will be placed between the adjacent transverse processes in a longitudinal/parasagittal plane measuring 2.5cm from the midline. The best possible view of the transverse processes, the superior costotransverse ligament and pleura will be obtained. An attempt will be made to keep the needle tip and the target injection position (immediately beneath the costotransverse ligament) in view. Correct placement of the needle tip will be demonstrated by depression of the pleura upon injection of local anesthetic and by lack of retrograde spread of LA over the muscles or transverse processes. The LA will be injected in 4 cc aliquots after confirming negative aspiration of air, CSF and blood.

Also known as: PVB

Paravertebral Block

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 85 Years
• Sex: female
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Females age 18-85 years old
• ASA 1-3
• Patient scheduled for unilateral or bilateral mastectomy with or without reconstruction

You may not qualify if:

• Coagulopathy
• Patient refusal
• Allergy to local anesthetics

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Brigham and Women's Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

Location

Related Publications (18)

• Schnabel A, Reichl SU, Kranke P, Pogatzki-Zahn EM, Zahn PK. Efficacy and safety of paravertebral blocks in breast surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Br J Anaesth. 2010 Dec;105(6):842-52. doi: 10.1093/bja/aeq265. Epub 2010 Oct 14.

  PMID: 20947592 BACKGROUND

• Fleischmann K. Ultrasound-guided thoracic parvertebral blocks: anatomy , approaches and techniques. Asra. 2012.

  BACKGROUND

• Luyet C, Herrmann G, Ross S, Vogt A, Greif R, Moriggl B, Eichenberger U. Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral puncture and placement of catheters in human cadavers: where do catheters go? Br J Anaesth. 2011 Feb;106(2):246-54. doi: 10.1093/bja/aeq309. Epub 2010 Nov 25.

  PMID: 21112880 BACKGROUND

• Eason MJ, Wyatt R. Paravertebral thoracic block-a reappraisal. Anaesthesia. 1979 Jul-Aug;34(7):638-42. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1979.tb06363.x.

  PMID: 517716 BACKGROUND

• Naja Z, Lonnqvist PA. Somatic paravertebral nerve blockade. Incidence of failed block and complications. Anaesthesia. 2001 Dec;56(12):1184-8. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2044.2001.02084-2.x.

  PMID: 11736777 BACKGROUND

• Lonnqvist PA, MacKenzie J, Soni AK, Conacher ID. Paravertebral blockade. Failure rate and complications. Anaesthesia. 1995 Sep;50(9):813-5. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1995.tb06148.x.

  PMID: 7573876 BACKGROUND

• Naja MZ, Ziade MF, Lonnqvist PA. Nerve-stimulator guided paravertebral blockade vs. general anaesthesia for breast surgery: a prospective randomized trial. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2003 Nov;20(11):897-903. doi: 10.1017/s0265021503001443.

  PMID: 14649342 BACKGROUND

• Mehta Y, Arora D, Sharma KK, Mishra Y, Wasir H, Trehan N. Comparison of continuous thoracic epidural and paravertebral block for postoperative analgesia after robotic-assisted coronary artery bypass surgery. Ann Card Anaesth. 2008 Jul-Dec;11(2):91-6. doi: 10.4103/0971-9784.41576.

  PMID: 18603748 BACKGROUND

• Richardson J, Cheema SP, Hawkins J, Sabanathan S. Thoracic paravertebral space location. A new method using pressure measurement. Anaesthesia. 1996 Feb;51(2):137-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1996.tb07700.x.

  PMID: 8779368 BACKGROUND

• Pusch F, Wildling E, Klimscha W, Weinstabl C. Sonographic measurement of needle insertion depth in paravertebral blocks in women. Br J Anaesth. 2000 Dec;85(6):841-3. doi: 10.1093/bja/85.6.841.

  PMID: 11732516 BACKGROUND

• O Riain SC, Donnell BO, Cuffe T, Harmon DC, Fraher JP, Shorten G. Thoracic paravertebral block using real-time ultrasound guidance. Anesth Analg. 2010 Jan 1;110(1):248-51. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181c35906. Epub 2009 Nov 21.

  PMID: 19933536 BACKGROUND

• Ben-Ari A, Moreno M, Chelly JE, Bigeleisen PE. Ultrasound-guided paravertebral block using an intercostal approach. Anesth Analg. 2009 Nov;109(5):1691-4. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0b013e3181b72d50.

  PMID: 19843811 BACKGROUND

• Burns DA, Ben-David B, Chelly JE, Greensmith JE. Intercostally placed paravertebral catheterization: an alternative approach to continuous paravertebral blockade. Anesth Analg. 2008 Jul;107(1):339-41. doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e318174df1d.

  PMID: 18635506 BACKGROUND

• Renes SH, Bruhn J, Gielen MJ, Scheffer GJ, van Geffen GJ. In-plane ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block: a preliminary report of 36 cases with radiologic confirmation of catheter position. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2010 Mar-Apr;35(2):212-6. doi: 10.1097/aap.0b013e3181c75a8b.

  PMID: 20301827 BACKGROUND

• Marhofer P, Kettner SC, Hajbok L, Dubsky P, Fleischmann E. Lateral ultrasound-guided paravertebral blockade: an anatomical-based description of a new technique. Br J Anaesth. 2010 Oct;105(4):526-32. doi: 10.1093/bja/aeq206. Epub 2010 Aug 3.

  PMID: 20685684 BACKGROUND

• Abdallah FW, Brull R. Off side! A simple modification to the parasagittal in-plane approach for paravertebral block. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2014 May-Jun;39(3):240-2. doi: 10.1097/AAP.0000000000000086.

  PMID: 24682082 BACKGROUND

• Karmakar MK, Li X, Kwok WH, Ho AM, Ngan Kee WD. Sonoanatomy relevant for ultrasound-guided central neuraxial blocks via the paramedian approach in the lumbar region. Br J Radiol. 2012 Jul;85(1015):e262-9. doi: 10.1259/bjr/93508121. Epub 2011 Oct 18.

  PMID: 22010025 BACKGROUND

• Vlassakov K, Vafai A, Ende D, Patton ME, Kapoor S, Chowdhury A, Macias A, Zeballos J, Janfaza DR, Pentakota S, Schreiber KL. A prospective, randomized comparison of ultrasonographic visualization of proximal intercostal block vs paravertebral block. BMC Anesthesiol. 2020 Jan 9;20(1):13. doi: 10.1186/s12871-020-0929-x.

  PMID: 31918668 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain; Agnosia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Perceptual Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases

Study Officials

• Kamen Vlassakov, MD

  Brigham and Women's Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: BASIC SCIENCE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 12, 2016
• First Posted: September 22, 2016
• Study Start: September 9, 2016
• Primary Completion: July 13, 2017
• Study Completion: January 7, 2020
• Last Updated: November 25, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-11

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)