Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block Washout to Reverse Inadvertent Phrenic Nerve Blockade

NCT ID: NCT03677778

Last Updated: 2022-08-02

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

43 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2018-10-22

Study Completion Date

2022-07-07

Brief Summary

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One of the most frequently performed peripheral nerve blocks (the injection of local anesthetic near nerves to block sensation/ movement to a specific part of the body) is the interscalene brachial plexus block for upper extremity surgeries. This type of block can unmask underlying respiratory issues such as shortness of breath due to a well-known and typically insignificant side effect of temporary diaphragmatic paralysis.

The nerve block may be able to use saline solution to wash out the local anesthetic and potentially reverse this respiratory side effect. Specifically, the goal of this study is to determine if the injection of saline through the nerve block catheter reverses blockade of the phrenic nerve supplying the diaphragm, without affecting the ability of the nerve block to provide pain control after surgery.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Anesthesia, Local Phrenic Nerve Paralysis Upper Extremity Injury Phrenic Nerve Palsy on the Left Phrenic Nerve Palsy on the Right

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Investigators

Study Groups

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Placebo group

After surgery, in the post-operative recovery room, patients randomized to both the intervention and control groups will have 10cc 0.5% ropivacaine bolused via their nerve catheters. After 30 minutes, the following will be measured/assessed: spirometry data, pain scores (using the Numeric Rating Scale), and, if time is sufficient, bilateral diaphragmatic excursion via ultrasonography and brachial plexus motor and sensory exams. This control group will have no normal saline injected into their nerve catheter (no intervention). Then, both the control and treatment groups will have the following measured/assessed after 5, 15 and 30 minutes: spirometry data, pain scores (using the Numeric Rating Scale), and, if time is sufficient, bilateral diaphragmatic excursion via ultrasonography and brachial plexus motor and sensory exams. Investigators will be blinded to whether the patient is in the intervention or treatment group.

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

Placebo

Intervention Type OTHER

With the catheter covered, placebo group patients will go through the same steps as the treatment group, but no solution will be injected into the interscalene nerve block catheter.

Treatment group

After surgery, in the post-operative recovery room, patients randomized to both the intervention and control groups will have 10cc 0.5% ropivacaine bolused via their nerve catheters. After 30 minutes, the following will be measured/assessed: spirometry data, pain scores (using the Numeric Rating Scale), and, if time is sufficient, bilateral diaphragmatic excursion via ultrasonography and brachial plexus motor and sensory exams. This group will then have 30ml of normal saline injected into their nerve catheter. Then, both the control and treatment groups will have the following measured/assessed after 5, 15 and 30 minutes: spirometry data, pain scores (using the Numeric Rating Scale), and, if time is sufficient, bilateral diaphragmatic excursion via ultrasonography and brachial plexus motor and sensory exams. Investigators will be blinded to whether the patient is in the intervention or treatment group.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Normal saline injected via interscalene nerve catheter

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

With the catheter covered, treatment group patients will receive a normal saline (NS) bolus regimen (30cc 0.9% NS) via their interscalene nerve block catheter.

Interventions

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Normal saline injected via interscalene nerve catheter

With the catheter covered, treatment group patients will receive a normal saline (NS) bolus regimen (30cc 0.9% NS) via their interscalene nerve block catheter.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Placebo

With the catheter covered, placebo group patients will go through the same steps as the treatment group, but no solution will be injected into the interscalene nerve block catheter.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* All adult patients (18 years and over) scheduled for surgery requiring a continuous interscalene brachial plexus nerve block catheter as part of their anesthetic care.

Exclusion Criteria

* Concomitant life-threatening injuries and other concomitant injuries causing significant pain
* Pregnant
* Any condition impairing patient's ability to consent to participation in study, and an existing condition contraindicating a nerve block, i.e. nerve injury, existing bleeding disorder, infection in the vicinity of the block, and patient refusal.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Stanford University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Chi-Ho Ban Tsui

Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Ban Tsui, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Stanford University

Locations

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Stanford Health Care (SHC)

Palo Alto, California, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Urmey WF, Talts KH, Sharrock NE. One hundred percent incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis associated with interscalene brachial plexus anesthesia as diagnosed by ultrasonography. Anesth Analg. 1991 Apr;72(4):498-503. doi: 10.1213/00000539-199104000-00014.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 2006740 (View on PubMed)

Urmey WF, McDonald M. Hemidiaphragmatic paresis during interscalene brachial plexus block: effects on pulmonary function and chest wall mechanics. Anesth Analg. 1992 Mar;74(3):352-7. doi: 10.1213/00000539-199203000-00006.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 1539813 (View on PubMed)

Lenters TR, Davies J, Matsen FA 3rd. The types and severity of complications associated with interscalene brachial plexus block anesthesia: local and national evidence. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2007 Jul-Aug;16(4):379-87. doi: 10.1016/j.jse.2006.10.007. Epub 2007 Apr 19.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17448698 (View on PubMed)

Zink W, Graf BM. Local anesthetic myotoxicity. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2004 Jul-Aug;29(4):333-40. doi: 10.1016/j.rapm.2004.02.008.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15305253 (View on PubMed)

Katircioglu K, Ozkalkanli MY, Kalfaoglu H, Sannav S, Ozgurbuz U, Savaci S. Reversal of prilocaine epidural anesthesia using epidural saline or ringer's lactate washout. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2007 Sep-Oct;32(5):389-92. doi: 10.1016/j.rapm.2007.06.004.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17961836 (View on PubMed)

Park EY, Kil HK, Park WS, Lee NH, Hong JY. Effect of epidural saline washout on regression of sensory and motor block after epidural anaesthesia with 2% lidocaine and fentanyl in elderly patients. Anaesthesia. 2009 Mar;64(3):273-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.2008.05746.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19302639 (View on PubMed)

Sitzman BT, DiFazio CA, Playfair PA, Stevens RA, Hanes CF, Herman TB, Yates HK, Leisure GS. Reversal of lidocaine with epinephrine epidural anesthesia using epidural saline washout. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2001 May-Jun;26(3):246-51. doi: 10.1053/rapm.2001.22587.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11359224 (View on PubMed)

Ip VH, Tsui BC. Continuous interscalene block: the good, the bad and the refined spread. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2012 Apr;56(4):526-30. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-6576.2012.02650.x. Epub 2012 Feb 16.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22338616 (View on PubMed)

Courtney KR, Kendig JJ, Cohen EN. Frequency-dependent conduction block: the role of nerve impulse pattern in local anesthetic potency. Anesthesiology. 1978 Feb;48(2):111-7. No abstract available.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 306789 (View on PubMed)

Gerber LN, Sun LY, Ma W, Basireddy S, Guo N, Costouros J, Cheung E, Boublik J, Horn JL, Tsui BC. Clinical effect of normal saline injectate into interscalene nerve block catheters given within one hour of local anesthetic bolus on analgesia and hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2021 Feb;46(2):124-129. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2020-101922. Epub 2020 Nov 12.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 33184166 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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46830

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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