MedPath

Single Versus Multiple Injections for Axillary Plexus Block

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Upper Extremity
Interventions
Drug: Multiple injection local anesthetic
Drug: Single injection local anesthetic
Registration Number
NCT03378323
Lead Sponsor
Hôpital du Valais
Brief Summary

Patients will be randomized to one of two groups:

1. Multiple injection group: Axillary brachial plexus block with multiple injections, with the arm abducted, performed with the aid of ultrasound;

2. Single injection group: Axillary brachial plexus block with a single injection, with the arm placed behind the head and the elbow flexed, performed with the aid of ultrasound

Detailed Description

The study will be proposed to all patients undergoing formarm or hand surgery under axillary brachial plexus block. Patients will be randomized to one of two groups The first group - multiple injection group - will receive an ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block with the traditional technique, i.e. multiple injections of local anesthetic in proximity to the 4 nerfs that innervate the arm. The arm will be abducted during the block procedure.

The second group - single injection group - will receive an ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block with the arm placed behind the head and the elbow flexed. In this position the different nerfs group around the axillary artery where they will be blocked with a single injection of local anesthetic.

All patients will receive the same type and amount of local anesthetic: 30 ml of a mixture of ropivacaine 0.5 % + mepivacaine 1 %.

The primary outcome measure is the time needed for the performance of the block. Secondary outcomes are: success rate of the block at 30 minutes after the injection, needling time, time to first analgesic request, postoperative opioid consumption, pain scores at 12 and 24 hours postoperatively, block-related complications, and patient satisfaction. These outcomes are further defined in the section below.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adult patients who undergo forearm or hand surgery under axillary brachial plexus block
Exclusion Criteria
  • History of allergic reaction to local anaesthetics
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Renal or hepatic insufficiency
  • Coagulation disorders

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Multiple injection local anestheticMultiple injection local anestheticUltrasound guided axillary plexus block with multiple injections of local anesthetic
Single injection local anestheticSingle injection local anestheticUltrasound guided axillary plexus block with a single injection of local anesthetic
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Performance time10 minutes

Time in minutes from ultrasound probe placement to end of local anesthetic injection

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Time to first analgesic request24 hours

Time in minutes to first analgesic request postoperatively

Block-related complications24 hours

Infection, bleeding, neurological problems, pain during the 24 postoperative hours

Pain scores at 12 hours postoperatively12 hours

Measured on a visual analogue scale between 0 and 10 (0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable)

Needling time15 minutes

Time in seconds to complete the block

Patient satisfaction24 hours

Assessed by numerical rating scale on a scale between 0 (= completely dissatisfied) and 10 (= completely satisfied)

Pain scores on postoperative day 124 hours

Measured on a visual analogue scale between 0 and 10 (0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable)

Postoperative opioid consumption on postoperative day 124 hours

intravenous morphine equivalent consumption during the 24 postoperative hours

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hopital du Valais

🇨🇭

Sion, Switzerland

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