Clinical Trials Logo

Clinical Trial Summary

Ultrasound guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block (BPB) has been extensively studied and recommended as a sole anesthetic for upper extremity surgeries. The efficacy of ultrasound-guided (USG) SeTB for surgical anesthesia of the entire upper extremity and cadaver anatomic study evaluating the spread of the injectate after a simulated SeTB is further confirmed from the results of our previous research. Although the results in our previous study are encouraging, there is a paucity of data on sensorimotor blockade and incidence of hemidiaphragmatic palsy after a SeTB, and no data comparing SeTB with a supraclavicular BPB techniques which this study aims to evaluate. We hypothesise that USG SeTB is superior to supraclavicular BPB in anesthetising the entire upper extremity from the shoulder to hand.


Clinical Trial Description

Ultrasound guided supraclavicular brachial plexus block (BPB) has been extensively studied and recommended as a sole anesthetic for upper extremity surgeries. The supraclavicular BPB is often touted to be the 'spinal of the upper extremity' as it produces anesthesia of the entire upper extremity except for the T2 dermatome. However, based on clinical experience, such a claim is grossly unsubstantiated. This is evident from the finding that supraclavicular BPB is associated with 2-36% inferior trunk or ulnar nerve sparing. In addition, since the suprascapular nerve takes off more proximally from the superior trunk and the supraclavicular BPB is performed distally at the supraclavicular fossa, the effect of supraclavicular BPB on the suprascapular nerve, which predominantly supply the shoulder and proximal humerus, is not known and has not been objectively documented. Nonetheless, supraclavicular BPB has been successfully used for shoulder surgery albeit with a large local anesthetic (LA) volume (50-60 ml) or combined with interscalene BPB, a hybrid BPB technique using 30-50 ml LA volume, for proximal humerus fracture surgeries. But such high LA volume is invariably associated with potential complications in the high risk population and therefore not used in contemporary clinical practice. Since all major nerves supplying the upper extremity, including suprascapular nerve, passes through the trunks of the brachial plexus, we proposed that by selectively identifying and blocking the three trunks of the brachial plexus with small doses of LA-selective trunk block (SeTB), it is feasible to produce anesthesia of the entire upper extremity, i.e., from shoulder to hand. This is further confirmed from the results of our research evaluating the efficacy of ultrasound-guided (USG) SeTB for surgical anesthesia of the entire upper extremity and cadaver anatomic study evaluating the spread of the injectate after a simulated SeTB. Although these are encouraging results, there is a paucity of data on the sensorimotor blockade and incidence of hemidiaphragmatic palsy comparing SeTB and supraclavicular BPB techniques which this study aims to evaluate. We hypothesize that USG SeTB is superior to supraclavicular BPB in anesthetizing the entire upper extremity from shoulder to hand. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT05649644
Study type Interventional
Source Chinese University of Hong Kong
Contact Cheuk Man Cheung, RN, BN, MSc
Phone +85255696157
Email cheukmancheung@cuhk.edu.hk
Status Recruiting
Phase N/A
Start date May 18, 2023
Completion date July 31, 2024

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Recruiting NCT04397484 - Prospective RCT Lidocaine & Levobupivacaine on Block Dynamics After Subparaneural Popliteal Sciatic Nerve Block Phase 4
Completed NCT05045300 - Paraneural Sheath & Fascial Compartments Surround Brachial Plexus at Supraclavicular Fossa During Selective Trunk Block
Completed NCT06069011 - Direct Access Physiotherapy in the Pediatric Emergency Department N/A
Active, not recruiting NCT06045741 - Virtual Reality - A New Vision on Pain
Completed NCT04375007 - Factors Related to the Number of Visits to PT in PHC
Not yet recruiting NCT05545917 - Advanced Practice Physiotherapy Care in Emergency Departments N/A
Recruiting NCT05895032 - Trial of an Exercise Intervention for Children With Haemophilia N/A
Completed NCT04904029 - Digital Assessment Routing Tool (DART): Pilot Study N/A
Completed NCT04506879 - Popliteal SNB:Evaluation of Block Dynamics After Subparaneural Injection Below CPN & TN N/A
Completed NCT03004989 - Experiences of Participating in Return to Work Group Programmes N/A
Recruiting NCT03560063 - The Hip Arthroplasty Positioning Improvement Study N/A
Not yet recruiting NCT06283407 - ICF-based Comparison on Musculoskeletal Health in Poland and Spain
Completed NCT03014128 - Musculoskeletal Pathologies of the Upper Extremity in Surgical Device Mechanics
Completed NCT04773405 - Minimum Effective Volume for Selective Trunk Block N/A
Completed NCT05849506 - Touch on One Thumb, RSI on the Other Thumb: Which Surgery Shows Better Results
Completed NCT05412199 - Which Technique is More Effective for People With Hamstring Tightness in Terms of Balance, Flexibility, and Performance? N/A
Recruiting NCT06109753 - Ergonomic Benefits From Robotically Assisted Laparoscopy for Hysterectomies and Other Indications
Completed NCT04370184 - USG Imaging of Brachial Plexus Sheath & Its Fascial Compartments at Costoclavicular Space & Infraclavicular Fossa
Completed NCT04135976 - Applicability of the ICF in Primary Care Physiotherapy Units in the Health Service of Castille and Leon (Spain)
Completed NCT03626389 - Clinical Course of Patients Receiving Physiotherapy Services in Primary Health Care