Skip to content

Needle-Guided vs Free-Hand Technique in Performing Brachial Plexus Blockade

A Randomized Controlled Study Comparing Needle-Guided vs Free-Hand Technique in Performing Brachial Plexus Blockade

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT02380183
Enrollment
70
Registered
2015-03-05
Start date
2014-10-31
Completion date
2015-06-30
Last updated
2019-03-12

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

Conditions

Needle Guidance; Nerve Blocks

Keywords

anesthesia, nerve block, needle guidance

Brief summary

This is an openly randomized controlled parallel group study evaluating the effectiveness of using a guided approach and free-hand approach in performing upper extremity regional blocks. Potential subjects for this study are the patients who are scheduled for upper extremity surgeries requiring supraclavicular and interscalene brachial plexus blocks at Montefiore Medical Center. Rotating residents who are participating in the study will be randomly assigned either to perform block under guided approach (with the help of needle guidance) or free-hand without the needle guidance. All the blocks will be single injection blocks utilizing the in-plane technique for needle insertion which is the usual protocol in our institution. Each resident will be performing one interscalene block with the device and one without the device and one supraclavicular block with device and one without the device. An independent observer will be present during the case and will be responsible for recording the time taken to perform the block, number of times the needle has been redirected and the number of times the needle is reinserted. This observer will also administer the satisfaction questionnaire. Number of time needle is redirected and number of times reinserted is also a self reported assessment by the physician who is performing the block. Efficacy of the block will be assessed by the standard of care practiced at our center.

Detailed description

Objectives 1. The primary end point of the study is to evaluate the time taken to complete blocks with and without the use of the needle guidance device. (Start time is considered as the first skin touch by the needle until the completion of the block. Completion of the block is defined as withdrawing the needle completely out of the body). The principal investigator/co-investigator and an independent observer will be recording the time taken to complete the block. 2. Ease of the technique- (Will be assessed with a short questionnaire survey at the end of the procedure). Immediately after the block is finished, the performing physician will be requested to fill out the questionnaire. 3. Number of times needle needs to be re-directed. This is self a reported measurement. The person performing the block, investigators (attending physician) and an independent observer will be recording number of times the needle was manipulated. 4. Number of times needle was pulled out entirely out of the body and reinserted. This is also a self reported measurement. 5. Efficacy of the blocks performed will be assessed (This is part of the routine standard of care assessing the blocks.) 6. Total amount of time taken to complete the whole procedure (Starting from the first time the ultrasound probe was placed on the patient to the withdrawal of the needle after completing the procedure)

Interventions

DEVICECivco Needle Guidance Device

Needle guidance device will be used while nerve block is performed.

Sponsors

CIVCO Medical Solutions
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Montefiore Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Age ≥18 years old * ASA 1-3 for upper extremity surgery receiving interscalene or supraclavicular blockade * Able to understand and sign the informed consent

Exclusion criteria

* Patient refusal of regional anesthesia * Any contraindications to regional anesthesia * Any anatomical or neurological disorders (also applicable to the diagnosis made by the anesthesiologist prior to randomization of the patient) * Any other condition /diagnosis by the anesthesiologist that could compromise performing the block

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Needle Time;Needle insertion to needle withdrawal, up to 20 minutesneedle insertion to needle withdrawal

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Nerve Block Procedure Timetime from ultrasound contact with skin to needle withdrawal, up to 20 minutesHow long the procedure takes in minutes, starting from ultrasound contact with skin to needle withdrawal.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Intervention
Civco needle guidance device will be used while the nerve block is performed. Civco Needle Guidance Device: Needle guidance device will be used while nerve block is performed.
36
Standard of Care
Needle guidance device will not be used while nerve block is performed; nerve block is performed by hand alone.
34
Total70

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicStandard of CareTotalIntervention
Age, Continuous50 years53 years56 years
Race and Ethnicity Not Collected0 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
34 Participants70 Participants36 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
20 Participants38 Participants18 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
14 Participants32 Participants18 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 360 / 34
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 360 / 34
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 360 / 34

Outcome results

Primary

Needle Time;

needle insertion to needle withdrawal

Time frame: Needle insertion to needle withdrawal, up to 20 minutes

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
InterventionNeedle Time;106 seconds
Standard of CareNeedle Time;197 seconds
Secondary

Nerve Block Procedure Time

How long the procedure takes in minutes, starting from ultrasound contact with skin to needle withdrawal.

Time frame: time from ultrasound contact with skin to needle withdrawal, up to 20 minutes

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
InterventionNerve Block Procedure Time86 seconds
Standard of CareNerve Block Procedure Time126 seconds

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