Clinical Trial: Ultrasound-Guided Axillary or Infraclavicular Nerve Block for Upper Limb Surgery

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Onset Time of Brachial Plexus Anesthesia With the Axillary or Infraclavicular Approach Under Real-Time Ultrasound Guidance: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Brief Summary:

This study aims to detect differences in onset time of brachial plexus (i.e., arm) anesthesia using two different nerve block techniques.

Using ultrasound guidance, axillary (i.e., at the armpit) and infraclavicular (i.e., below the collarbone) blocks will be performed to patients undergoing upper limb surgery.

The investigators will analyze how long it takes for anesthesia to be adequate for pain-free surgery, thus determine the optimal technique for this kind of surgery.


Detailed Summary:

Real-time ultrasound guidance has substantially reduced the risk of pneumothorax and/or vascular puncture during infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks. The role of this technique has thus been expanded to overlap those procedures for which an axillary nerve block would be commonly considered as first choice.

A reference block for upper limb surgery thanks to its safety profile and clinical efficacy, the axillary approach may be more painful or unpleasant for some patients.

The investigators aim to determine possible differences in onset time and patient acceptance between the two techniques.


Sponsor: University of Parma

Current Primary Outcome: Onset time of brachial plexus sensory block [ Time Frame: q5min up to 30 min after the block ]

Original Primary Outcome: Same as current

Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Onset of brachial plexus motor block [ Time Frame: q5min up to 30 min after the block ]
  • Patient satisfaction (3-point scale) [ Time Frame: End of surgery ]
  • Anesthesia-related procedural pain (0-10 numerical rating scale) [ Time Frame: End of block placement ]
  • Rescue analgesic requirements during surgery [ Time Frame: During surgery ]


Original Secondary Outcome: Same as current

Information By: University of Parma

Dates:
Date Received: July 25, 2008
Date Started: May 2008
Date Completion:
Last Updated: July 14, 2009
Last Verified: July 2009