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Ultrasound-guided Rectus Sheath Block for Post-operative Pain Control Following Umbilical Hernia Repair

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Pain
Interventions
Procedure: rectus sheath block
Procedure: local anesthetic infiltration
Registration Number
NCT00836134
Lead Sponsor
Seattle Children's Hospital
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of local infiltration to an ultrasound guided nerve block placed by the anesthesiologist for children undergoing umbilical hernia repair.

This is a double-cohort, double blinded, randomized study comparing local infiltration to ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block in children 1 to 17 years of age undergoing epigastric or umbilical hernia repair.

We will first compare pain scores to see if one method is more adequate then the other in providing post-op analgesia. Our second aim is to compare morphine consumption between the two groups.

Our third aim is to measure the levels of local anesthetic in the blood following local anesthetic infiltration or USGRSB.

Detailed Description

Healthy children, aged 1 to 17 years of age, undergoing elective umbilical hernia repairs will be considered for this study. After informed consent/assent has been obtained, the subject will be randomized into one of two groups. Group A will receive local infiltration of 0.25% bupivacaine by the surgeon at the end of the subject's surgery. Group B will undergo an ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block using 0.25% bupivacaine prior to incision by an anesthesiologist skilled in the performance of this block.

All subjects will receive a standardized anesthetic for their surgery. Subjects assigned to Group A (local infiltration) will receive 2mcg/kg of fentanyl prior to incision for intra-operative pain management. Subjects assigned to Group B will have their Rectus Sheath Block and no fentanyl will be given at this time.

Fentanyl is a short-acting opioid analgesic. It's duration of action in the dose we will be using is approximately one hour which is close to the expected length of surgery. Therefore, it is not expected to influence the pain management after surgery.

Pain scores will be assessed by a member of the research team. They will be blinded to which technique the subject has been randomized to. This person will not be involved in the direct care of the subject. These observations will be made using an age-appropriate scoring system (FLACC or FACES scale). Scoring will be done every 5 minutes when the subject is in the recovery room and every 30 minutes when they are in Phase II. This will be done until the subject is discharged from the hospital.

Families will be followed by phone for 48 h post discharge, to collect data on medication use.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria
  • Children between 1 ≤ 17 years of age
  • ASA I (normal healthy children) and II (Children with mild systemic disease that has no functional effects)
  • Having elective umbilical hernia repair
Exclusion Criteria
  • Children < 1 year of age or > 17 years of age
  • Family has no telephone for follow up phone call
  • Allergy or sensitivity to bupivacaine or morphine
  • Any coagulation abnormalities
  • Emergency surgery

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
1rectus sheath blockrectus sheath block
2local anesthetic infiltrationlocal anesthetic infiltration
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
pain scores4 hours
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
morphine consumption4 hours
plasma bupivacaine levels0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60 minutes after injection

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Seattle Children's Hospital

🇺🇸

Seattle, Washington, United States

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