©2022 Stanford Medicine
Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block Washout to Reverse Inadvertent Phrenic Nerve Blockade
Not Recruiting
Trial ID: NCT03677778
Purpose
One of the most frequently performed peripheral nerve blocks (the injection of local
anesthetic near nerves to block sensation/ movement to a specific part of the body) is the
interscalene brachial plexus block for upper extremity surgeries. This type of block can
unmask underlying respiratory issues such as shortness of breath due to a well-known and
typically insignificant side effect of temporary diaphragmatic paralysis.
The nerve block may be able to use saline solution to wash out the local anesthetic and
potentially reverse this respiratory side effect. Specifically, the goal of this study is to
determine if the injection of saline through the nerve block catheter reverses blockade of
the phrenic nerve supplying the diaphragm, without affecting the ability of the nerve block
to provide pain control after surgery.
Official Title
Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block Washout to Reverse Inadvertent Phrenic Nerve Blockade
Stanford Investigator(s)
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria:
- All adult patients (18 years and over) scheduled for surgery requiring a continuous
interscalene brachial plexus nerve block catheter as part of their anesthetic care.
Exclusion criteria:
- Concomitant life-threatening injuries and other concomitant injuries causing
significant pain
- Pregnant
- Any condition impairing patient's ability to consent to participation in study, and an
existing condition contraindicating a nerve block, i.e. nerve injury, existing
bleeding disorder, infection in the vicinity of the block, and patient refusal.
Intervention(s):
other: Placebo
procedure: Normal saline injected via interscalene nerve catheter
Not Recruiting
Contact Information
Stanford University
School of Medicine
300 Pasteur Drive
Stanford,
CA
94305
Lynn K Ngai, MD
6505750386