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Single Versus Double Injection Costoclavicular Block

Not Applicable
Conditions
Upper Extremity Injury
Interventions
Other: Single injection
Other: Double injection
Registration Number
NCT03595514
Lead Sponsor
McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Brief Summary

In this trial, the objective is to compare single- and double-injection ultrasound-guided costoclavicular blocks. The rationale behind this idea is that a second local anesthetic injection, inside the costoclavicular space, may compensate for the dynamic cord dispersion seen with the single-injection technique. Thus the research hypothesis is that, compared to its single-injection counterpart, a double injection costoclavicular block will result in a shorter onset time.

Detailed Description

The costoclavicular block (CCB) constitutes a relatively novel technique for infraclavicular brachial plexus blockade, whereby local anesthetics (LAs) are injected inside the costoclavicular space. In this location, the 3 cords of the brachial plexus are very tightly clustered together; this topography would theoretically result in a very swift brachial plexus block Unfortunately, in two recent trials comparing CCB and conventional infraclavicular brachial plexus block, the authors were unable to detect differences in success rate, onset times and LA requirement between the 2 methods. It could be speculated that the explanation resides in dynamic cord dispersion. With CCB, the initial needle target lies in the middle of the 3 cords of the brachial plexus. However, with LA injection, the cords can quickly migrate away from each other. Thus, the anatomical benefits conveyed by the initial compact topography may be lost.

In this trial, the objective is to compare single- and double-injection ultrasound-guided costoclavicular blocks. The rationale behind this idea is that a second local anesthetic injection, inside the costoclavicular space, may compensate for the dynamic cord dispersion seen with the single-injection technique. Thus the research hypothesis is that, compared to its single-injection counterpart, a double injection costoclavicular block will result in a shorter onset time.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
90
Inclusion Criteria
  • age between 18 and 75 years
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists classification 1-3
  • body mass index between 18 and 30
Exclusion Criteria
  • adults who are unable to give their own consent
  • pre-existing neuropathy (assessed by history and physical examination)
  • coagulopathy (assessed by history and physical examination and, if deemed clinically necessary, by blood work up i.e. platelets ≤ 100, International Normalized Ratio ≥ 1.4 or partial thromboplastin time ≥ 50)
  • renal failure (assessed by history and physical examination and, if deemed clinically necessary, by blood work up i.e. creatinine ≥ 100)
  • hepatic failure (assessed by history and physical examination and, if deemed clinically necessary, by blood work up i.e. transaminases ≥ 100)
  • allergy to local anesthetic
  • pregnancy
  • prior surgery in the infraclavicular costoclavicular region
  • chronic pain syndromes requiring opioid intake at home

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Single InjectionSingle injectionLocal anesthetic injection with a mixture of 35 mL of lidocaine 1.0%-bupivacaine 0.25% with epinephrine 5 µ/mL and dexamethasone 2 mg, in the middle of the three cords of the brachial plexus
Single Injectionlidocaine, bupivacaine, epinephrine, dexamethasoneLocal anesthetic injection with a mixture of 35 mL of lidocaine 1.0%-bupivacaine 0.25% with epinephrine 5 µ/mL and dexamethasone 2 mg, in the middle of the three cords of the brachial plexus
Double InjectionDouble injectionLocal anesthetic injection with a mixture of 35 mL of lidocaine 1.0%-bupivacaine 0.25% with epinephrine 5 µ/mL and dexamethasone 2 mg, in the middle of the three cords of the brachial plexus as well as at the intersection of the subclavian artery and the medial cord.
Double Injectionlidocaine, bupivacaine, epinephrine, dexamethasoneLocal anesthetic injection with a mixture of 35 mL of lidocaine 1.0%-bupivacaine 0.25% with epinephrine 5 µ/mL and dexamethasone 2 mg, in the middle of the three cords of the brachial plexus as well as at the intersection of the subclavian artery and the medial cord.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Onset time of brachial plexus blockadeWithin 30 minutes of block performance

Onset until a minimal composite score of 14 points in a scale of 0-16 points, evaluating sensitive and motor function of each 4 terminal branches.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Performance time during the brachial plexus blockIntraoperative (During block performance)

the sum of: 1. the acquisition time of the sonographic image and 2. the time to perform block itself (from skin anesthesia to the end of LA injection)

Procedure pain during the brachial plexus blockIntraoperative (During block performance)

Pain reported during procedure, rated acording to a visual rating scale from 0 to 10 points (0= no pain and 10= worst imaginable pain)

Incidence of surgical anesthesiaThirty minutes after block performance

Incidence of surgeries performed without the supplemental use of local anesthetics infiltration, narcotics or general anesthesia

Number of needle passesIntraoperative (During block performance)

The initial needle insertion counted as the first pass. Any subsequent needle advancement that is preceded by a retraction of at least 10 mm counts as an additional pass

Incidence of Adverse eventsIntraoperative (During block performance)

Incidence of adverse events related to brachial plexus block ((paresthesia, vascular puncture, hematoma, Horner syndrome, pneumothorax)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Montreal General Hospital

🇨🇦

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

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