Thermal quantitative sensory testing (QST) is a method to evaluate peripheral nerve blocks in a quantitative way. It assesses the neurosensory effects of local anesthetics, like nerve block intensity, duration, recovery, neurotoxicity, the effect of spread of local anesthetic solutions and the effect and the eventual neurotoxicity of adjuvants. We aimed at investigating, in a quantitative way, the block characteristics of 3 different commonly used local anesthetics on peripheral nerves through the application of thermal QST by measuring changes in sensory detection thresholds. Furthermore, we wanted to evaluate if QST could be of value for measuring gradual changes in block characteristics on the adjacent nerves at distance of the injection site in an US-ISB.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
45
An ultrasound guided ISB was performed with injection aimed to block the C5-root
Antwerp University Hospital
Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium
Presence of sensory block
Time frame: 24 hours after intervention
Degree of sensory stimulus detection threshold variation from baseline values
The higher the difference in detection threshold variation, the more intense the block. Measured as % change, where 100% change means no sensation on maximal QST stimulus (0°C for cold sensation and 50°C for warm sensation)
Time frame: 24 hours after intervention
Block duration
Time frame: 24 hours after intervention
Use of rescue medication
Time frame: 24 hours after intervention
Presence of motor block
Time frame: 24 hours after intervention
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