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Distance for Interscalene Block

What is the Maximal Effective Distance for Interscalene Block?

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01568463
Enrollment
25
Registered
2012-04-02
Start date
2012-02-29
Completion date
2014-03-26
Last updated
2018-01-10

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

Conditions

Inter Scalene Block, Post Operative Analgesia, Regional Anesthesia

Keywords

Inter-scalene Block, Regional Anesthesia, shoulder surgeries

Brief summary

Patients experience significant postoperative pain following shoulder surgery, Single shot interscalene block is used in ambulatory shoulder surgery for its advantages that include significant reduction in acute pain and analgesic requirements, prolonged time to first analgesic request, decreased incidence of nausea, as well as earlier hospital discharge.The process of nerve block requires several needle passes, with each of them being at risk of causing nerve injury either by direct trauma or intraneural injection even with the use of the ultrasound. These facts raised concerns and several authors stated that maybe the anesthesiologists should be more careful, keep a safe distance from the nerve, and inject the local anesthetics into fascial planes containing the nerve and not attempt to place the needle in close proximity to the nerve. This study is designed to determine the maximal effective distance away from the nerve for the injection to be effective.

Interventions

None listed

Sponsors

University Health Network, Toronto
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 85 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* ASA physical status I-III * 18-85 years of age, inclusive * surgery less than 3 hours

Exclusion criteria

* contraindications to brachial plexus block (e.g., allergy to local anesthetics, coagulopathy, malignancy or infection in the area) * existing neurological deficit in the area to be blocked * pregnancy * history of neck surgery or radiotherapy * severe respiratory disease * inability to understand the informed consent and demands of the study

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Success of the inter-scalene block at 20 minutes after injection at a specific distance of the needle tip from the outer sheeth of the nerve20 mins

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
The proportion of inadequate and failed blocks.the block success will be assessed for each patient every 5 min for 20 mins in the block room beginning when the needle exits the skin
The duration of block, defined as the time from the completion of block performance to the time of the request for the first postoperative analgesic.during the first 24 hours post operative
The amount of pain and level of satisfaction,every 30 minutes starting at post anesthesia care unit admission till 120 minutes
The onset time of sensory and motor blockthe block success will be assessed for each patient every 5 min for 20 mins in the block room beginning when the needle exits the skin
The presence of hoarseness.up to 24 hours post operative
The presence of other complications such as hematoma, infection, pneumothorax.up to 24 hours post operative and 7 days post op
The presence of a Claude-Bernard-Horner Syndromeup to 24 hours post operative

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026