Infraclavicular or Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Blocks for Elbow Surgery

A Randomized Comparison of Infraclavicular and Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Blocks for Elbow Surgery

Status

Completed

Phases

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT02677506

Enrollment

150

Registered

2016-02-09

Start date

2013-01-31

Completion date

2016-07-31

Last updated

2017-12-12

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

Conditions

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Biceps Tendon Rupture

Keywords

elbow

Brief summary

This study compares the infraclavicular approach to supraclavicular approach of brachial plexus block for elbow surgery.

Detailed description

Traditionally, infraclavicular as well as supraclavicular approaches to brachial plexus have been recommended for elbow surgery. Supraclavicular approach is considered to have a more rapid onset. However, investigators have noticed that the supraclavicular approach needs more supplementation if it is used for elbow surgery. Therefore more and more anesthesiologists now choose the infraclavicular approach for elbow surgery (though both approaches are recommended in the text books). None of the published studies have addressed if one approach is indeed superior to the other specifically for elbow surgery. Therefore the investigators propose to undertake a study that will evaluate the two approaches to the brachial plexus specifically for elbow surgery.

Interventions

PROCEDURESupraclavicular

Brachial plexus block with supraclavicular approach

PROCEDUREInfraclavicular

Brachial plexus block with infraclavicular approach

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 80 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Patients scheduled for ambulatory elbow surgery under block * ASA 1-3

Exclusion criteria

* Narcotic dependent * Severe systemic illness * Refusal of block * localized infection

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Time to completion of block	30 minutes	A clock will be used to assess this outcome. Complete sensory block in all dermatomes will be tested with ice.

Secondary

Measure	Time frame	Description
Readiness for surgery	60 minutes	A clock will be used to assess this outcome. Complete sensory and motor block at the time of incision will be considered readiness of surgery.

Countries

Canada

Outcome results

None listed

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