None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
The erector spinae block is a newly described regional anaesthetic technique which has the potential to be applied to a wide range of surgeries. It is potentially an alternative to a paravertebral block, an older, effective but much more technically difficult block. One of the benefits of the paravertebral block is that it profoundly blocks the somatosensory evoked potentials of the area that it provides analgesia to[Richardson, et al. The Effect of thoracic paravertebral blockade on Intercostal somatosensory evoked potentials. Anesth Analg 1998:87;373-76]. This potentially reduces the stress response to surgery, and the likelihood of chronic pain following surgery. For the erector spinae block to replace the paravertebral block in clinical practice, it is important to show that it is not only equivalent in terms of analgesia, but should also be equivalent in its ability to block the somatosensory evoked potentials. The aim of this study is to determine whether or not the erector spinae block effects somatosensory evoked potentials in healthy volunteers.
Interventions
10 healthy volunteers will have a single shot erector spinae block administered by an experienced regional anaesthetist. The block will be undertaken in the recovery room with the usual ANZCA mandated monitoring for a major regional anaesthesia block (ECG, BP and pulse oximetry). 30ml of 0.375% ropivacaine will be used for the erector spinae block which will be undertaken under ultrasound guidance, with the local injected under the erector spinae muscles at the T4-T5 level. Somatasensory evok
10 healthy volunteers will have a single shot erector spinae block administered by an experienced regional anaesthetist. The block will be undertaken in the recovery room with the usual ANZCA mandated monitoring for a major regional anaesthesia block (ECG, BP and pulse oximetry). 30ml of 0.375% ropivacaine will be used for the erector spinae block which will be undertaken under ultrasound guidance, with the local injected under the erector spinae muscles at the T4-T5 level. Somatasensory evoked potentials will be measured in the dermatomes, at the level of the block and 3 levels either side of the block, to account for potential spread of the block. The somatosensory evoked potential monitoring will be undertaken by a neurophysiology company experienced in the monitoring of somatosensory evoked potentials for spinal surgery.
Sponsors
Waikato hospital
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Single group
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Healthy volunteers who have no contraindication to receiving local anaesthetic or an erector spinae block and who have signed written consent.
Exclusion criteria
Allergy to local anaesthetic Infection at the site of proposed nerve block
Outcome results
None listed