Ultrasound Guidance Versus Electrical Stimulation for Perineural Catheter Insertion

University of California, San Diego180 enrolled

Overview

This research study is to determine the relative times for perineural catheter placement with the use of ultrasound versus electrical stimulation. The perineural catheter is placed next to the nerves through which local anesthetic is placed to provide pain control following surgery. This study may determine if one method is associated with increased success rate and patient comfort.

Primary Specific Aim: To determine if the relative times for perineural catheter placement with the use of ultrasound versus electrical stimulation. Hypothesis: Compared with the use of electrical stimulation, the use of ultrasound guidance when inserting a perineural catheter is associated with a decreased time of placement. Secondary Specific Aim: To determine if other possible benefits of perineural catheter placement associated with the use of ultrasound guidance versus electrical stimulation. Hypothesis: Compared with the use of electrical stimulation, the use of ultrasound guidance when inserting a perineural catheter is associated with an increased surgical block success rate and catheter-placement success rate, as well as decreased patient discomfort and incidence of venous puncture.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

180

Conditions

Postoperative Pain

Interventions

perineural mepivicaine catheter placed via ultrasound or electrical stimulationPROCEDURE

Patients will be randomized to one of two groups: catheter placement via ultrasound or nerve stimulation. Placement of the catheter will be timed by research staff and discomfort level asked after placement of catheter. If the catheter is not placed by the randomized method within 15 minutes, the practitioner my switch to the alternate method. Patients will be called the morning after surgery by research staff to assess discomfort levels.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * undergoing surgery with a planned perineural catheter for postoperative analgesia * catheter in the interscalene, infraclavicular, popliteal, or femoral anatomic location * age 18 years or older Exclusion Criteria: * pregnancy * inability to communicate with the investigators and hospital staff * incarceration

Locations (1)

UCSD Medical Center

San Diego, California, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

The primary outcome measurement will be the time of placement for a perineural catheter using either ultrasound-guided method or electrical stimulation method.

Time frame: 30 minutes

Secondary Outcomes

Pain and discomfort as assessed by a 0-10 scale (0=no pain/discomfort and 10=worst pain/discomfort imaginable) by the research coordinator.

Time frame: After catheter placement and Postoperative day 1

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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