Peripheral Nerve Block
Conditions
Brief summary
Background: Local anesthetic (LA) concentration and nerve block duration is sparsely described in a heterogenic study mass. Aim: To investigate the effect of LA concentration on peripheral nerve block duration in healthy volunteers. Methods: Randomization of 60 healthy volunteers who will receive 1 of 5 different volumes of LA (ropivacaine) using a constant dose. Primary endpoint: Sensory nerve block defined by insensitivity towards cold.
Detailed description
Background: Important factors for a safe and successful nerve block include volume, dose and concentration of local anesthetic (LA). Knowing the duration of peripheral nerve blocks is important to prevent pain breakthrough. With the advancements in ultrasound (US)-guided nerve block techniques it has been possible to substantially reduce the amount of LA required to perform a successful nerve block. This has reduced the risk of systemic toxicity. However, lowering LA volume may reduce nerve block duration, but the extent of this is sparsely described in a heterogenic study mass. Diluted and large volumes of LA seem to correlate with nerve block duration. Furthermore, increasing LA concentration seems to increase the level of motor block, but not the block duration. A long-lasting nerve block without dense motor block is preferable for optimized pain control and better opportunities to rehabilitate/ambulate. Aim: To investigate the effect of LA concentration on common peroneal nerve block duration in healthy volunteers. Methods: Randomization of 60 healthy volunteers who will receive 1 of 5 different volumes of LA (ropivacaine) using a constant dose (10mg). Primary outcome: Duration of sensory nerve block defined by insensitivity towards cold. Secondary outcome: Duration of motor nerve block defined by either paresis or paralysis. Explorative outcomes: Degrees of sensory and motor nerve block; Onset times of sensory and motor nerve block; Length of neural exposure to LA.
Interventions
Perineural injection using a peripheral nerve block catheter and a constant infusion rate (10mL/h)
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
1. Male or female from and above 18 years of age 2. ASA classification ≤ II
Exclusion criteria
1. BMI below 18 kg/m2 2. Former surgery to the lower extremity in which intervention is planned and surgery which may have caused neural damage to the common peroneal nerve/affected the sensory distribution area of the common peroneal nerve 3. Peripheral nerve disease 4. Allergy to LA 5. Pregnancy or breastfeeding 6. Enrolment in other investigational drug studies or recent clinical trials that may interfere with this study 7. Habitual use of any kind of analgesic treatment 8. Anatomic abnormalities preventing successful US-guided peripheral nerve catheter insertion
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Duration of sensory nerve block | 1-24 hours | Insensitivity towards cold. Testing will start after onset of sensory nerve block and will be done in intervals of 60 minutes hereafter and continue until return of normal sensation. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Duration of motor nerve block | 1-24 hours | Paresis or paralysis of ankle dorsiflexion. Testing will start after onset of sensory nerve block and will be done in intervals of 60 minutes hereafter and continue until return of normal sensation. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Onset of motor nerve block | 10-180 minutes | Paresis or paralysis of ankle dorsiflexion. Testing will start 10 minutes after end of LA infusion and continue every 5 minutes until onset of sensory nerve block is apparent. |
| Length of neural exposure to local anesthetic | 10 minutes | Ultrasound-guided measurement of the perineural spread of local anesthetic. From the most distal to the most proximal point. Measured in millimetres. |
| Degree of motor nerve block | 1-24 hours | Grading system using a 3-level scale and compared to the contralateral leg: 1) normal; 2) paresis; 3) paralysis. Testing will start after onset of sensory nerve block and will be done in intervals of 60 minutes hereafter and continue until return of normal sensation. |
| Degree of sensory nerve block | 1-24 hours | Grading system using a 4-level scale and compared to the contralateral leg: 1) normal; 2) different; 3) warmth; 4) no sensation. Testing will start after onset of sensory nerve block and will be done in intervals of 60 minutes hereafter and continue until return of normal sensation. |
| Onset of sensory nerve block | 10-180 minutes | Insensitivity towards cold. Testing will start 10 minutes after end of LA infusion and continue every 5 minutes until onset is apparent. |
Countries
Denmark