Incidence of phrenic nerve palsy following interscalene versus supraclavicular nerve block catheter insertion

Incidence of phrenic nerve palsy following interscalene versus supraclavicular nerve block catheter insertion - The PHRENICUS-Trial (“Phrenic function in continuous supraclavicular versus interscalene ultrasound-guided nerve blockade”)

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00006147

Enrollment

120

Registered

2014-06-02

Start date

2014-07-30

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2025-04-07

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Incidences of phrenic nerve palsy following interscalene or supraclavicular nerve block catheters.

Interventions

Group 1: Interscalene nerve block catheter Group 2: Supraclavicular nerve block catheter

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to No maximum

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery indication for nerve block catheter, suspected acute postoperative pain, intraoperative pain reduction > 18 years of age, fully compliant. written formal consent for study inclusion

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: emergency surgery <18 years of age incompliant patients, patients without sufficient knowledge of german language preexisting nerve damages of phrenic nerve and brachial plexus nerve components, phrenic nerve palsies at the site of the planned surgery local infections severe coagulopathy local anesthetic allergy no indication for nerve block catheter

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Measurements for signs of phrenic nerve palsy are performed before nerve block, after nerve block, postoperatively in the PACU and at the first postoperative day. Ultrasound is used for evaluation of phrenic nerve dysfunction resulting in hemidiaphragmatic paresis. Using B-Mode, diaphragm is displayed at midaxillary line. Normal excursions are shown as cephalad move and inspirations are shown as caudal movement of diaphragm and are measured in cm in normal breathing maneuvers as well as during "sniffing maneuver". Moreover, paradoxic movements are investigated. Hemidiaphragmatic paresis is defined as paradoxic movement as well as incomplete movements of diaphragm during investigations using B-Mode and M-Mode for detailed analysis of movement.	—

Measure

Time frame

Measurements for signs of phrenic nerve palsy are performed before nerve block, after nerve block, postoperatively in the PACU and at the first postoperative day. Ultrasound is used for evaluation of phrenic nerve dysfunction resulting in hemidiaphragmatic paresis. Using B-Mode, diaphragm is displayed at midaxillary line. Normal excursions are shown as cephalad move and inspirations are shown as caudal movement of diaphragm and are measured in cm in normal breathing maneuvers as well as during "sniffing maneuver". Moreover, paradoxic movements are investigated. Hemidiaphragmatic paresis is defined as paradoxic movement as well as incomplete movements of diaphragm during investigations using B-Mode and M-Mode for detailed analysis of movement.

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Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Quality of regional anesthesia (loss of temperature discrimination/ sensory block , motor block), NRS values, local anesthetic consumption, overall analgesic consumption, patient satisfaction (PPP33-Questionnaire), accidental cervical plexus anesthesia, nerve damages, Horner's syndrome, Hoarseness, Spirometry parameters, infection rates, pneumothoraces, LA-intoxication Data is evaluated at time point mentioned above. Moreover, patients are contacted 1 week after the surgery for investigating prolonged complications.	—

Measure

Time frame

Quality of regional anesthesia (loss of temperature discrimination/ sensory block , motor block), NRS values, local anesthetic consumption, overall analgesic consumption, patient satisfaction (PPP33-Questionnaire), accidental cervical plexus anesthesia, nerve damages, Horner's syndrome, Hoarseness, Spirometry parameters, infection rates, pneumothoraces, LA-intoxication Data is evaluated at time point mentioned above. Moreover, patients are contacted 1 week after the surgery for investigating prolonged complications.

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Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactThorsten Steinfeldt

Universitätsklinikum Marburg Klinik für Anästhesie und Intensivtherapie

thorsten.steinfeldt@med.uni-marburg.de06421-5861385

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026