Agreement Between Artificial Intelligence and Anesthesiologists in Ultrasound-Guided Axillary Brachial Plexus Block

NCT07532278 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 121
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 100
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the agreement between artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted target point identification and experienced anesthesiologists during ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block. Ultrasound guidance is widely used in regional anesthesia to improve block success and safety. However, accurate identification of anatomical structures and optimal injection points remains operator-dependent. Artificial intelligence-based systems have the potential to assist clinicians by identifying anatomical landmarks in real time. In this study, AI-generated target points will be compared with those determined by experienced anesthesiologists. The level of agreement between the two methods will be analyzed. Secondary outcomes will include block performance parameters and image quality. The findings of this study may contribute to understanding the clinical utility of AI in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia.

Conditions

Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Block and Artificial Intelligence

Keywords

Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia; Axillary Brachial Plexus Block; Artificial Intelligence; Ultrasound Imaging; Anatomical Structure Recognition; Agreement Analysis

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Agreement in Target Point Identification Between Artificial Intelligence and Anesthesiologists

  Agreement between artificial intelligence (AI) and experienced anesthesiologists in identifying target injection points will be evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Target points will be defined using coordinate-based measurements on real-time ultrasound images.

  During block procedure (ultrasound imaging)

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Proportion of Measurements Within Clinically Acceptable Agreement

  During block procedure

• Agreement in Nerve Identification

  During block procedure

• Spatial Difference Between Target Points

  During block procedure

Study Arms (1)

Patients Undergoing Ultrasound-Guided Axillary Brachial Plexus Block

Patients undergoing upper extremity surgery in whom ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block is performed as part of routine clinical practice. Real-time ultrasound images will be evaluated simultaneously by an artificial intelligence system and experienced anesthesiologists. No additional intervention will be performed on patients.

Procedure: Ultrasound-Guided Axillary Brachial Plexus Block (Routine Clinical Practice)

Interventions

Ultrasound-Guided Axillary Brachial Plexus Block (Routine Clinical Practice) PROCEDURE

Ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block performed as part of routine clinical care. No additional intervention is introduced for the purposes of the study. Real-time ultrasound images obtained during the procedure will be analyzed by an artificial intelligence system and experienced anesthesiologists.

Patients Undergoing Ultrasound-Guided Axillary Brachial Plexus Block

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult patients aged 18-80 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III undergoing upper extremity surgery under ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block in routine clinical practice. Only patients with adequate real-time ultrasound imaging of the axillary region allowing identification of relevant anatomical structures will be included.

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18 and 80 years
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III
• Patients scheduled for upper extremity surgery under ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block as part of routine clinical practice
• Ability to obtain adequate real-time ultrasound imaging of the axillary region prior to block performance
• Provision of written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Inability to clearly visualize the axillary artery and at least one peripheral nerve (median, ulnar, radial, or musculocutaneous) on ultrasound imaging
• Presence of significant ultrasound artifacts impairing image interpretation
• History of previous surgery in the axillary region causing anatomical distortion
• Anatomical deformities or significant anatomical variations in the axillary region
• Inadequate ultrasound image quality due to severe obesity or other technical limitations
• Failure to obtain real-time ultrasound imaging prior to block performance
• Withdrawal of informed consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Gaziantep City Hospital: lead

Central Study Contacts

Muhammed Gökhan Abay

CONTACT

+905379479745; abay.25@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Specialist Physician, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 9, 2026
• First Posted: April 15, 2026
• Study Start: April 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 15, 2026
• Last Updated: April 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share