Optimizing Catheter Insertion Technique for Ultrasound-guided Continuous Peripheral Nerve Blocks

Pain, Postoperative Clinical Trial

Official title: Optimizing Catheter Insertion Technique for Ultrasound-guided Continuous Peripheral Nerve Blocks

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Continuous peripheral nerve blocks (CPNB; also known as "perineural" catheters) provide target-specific pain control for a variety of surgeries. There has been increasing interest in the use of ultrasound guidance for regional anesthesia, and many techniques using ultrasound alone for perineural catheter insertion have been described. Catheters may be placed at various points along the brachial plexus (for upper extremity procedures) or in proximity to the femoral and/or sciatic nerve (for lower extremity procedures). To date, the optimal ultrasound scanning technique, catheter insertion endpoint, catheter placement location per indication, for the majority of ultrasound-guided continuous peripheral nerve blocks remain unknown. This study will help provide important information related to optimal ultrasound scanning techniques and will help identify ways to improve the success rates, onset times, and analgesic effectiveness of these techniques for real patients undergoing surgical procedures.

Clinical Trial Description

Primary Aim: To determine if there is an optimal scanning technique for ultrasound-guided perineural catheter insertion that will result in the most accurate tip placement in proximity to the target nerve or plexus.

Secondary Aim: To determine if there is an optimal location for ultrasound-guided perineural catheter insertion along a target nerve or plexus that will result in maximum local anesthetic infusion benefits. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Pain, Postoperative

• NCT number: NCT01459523
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: VA Palo Alto Health Care System
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: October 2011
• Completion date: May 2014