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Comparison of US-Guided Paravertebral and Proximal Intercostal Nerve Blocks

NCT02911168 · Status: COMPLETED · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 20

Last updated 2025-11-25

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the proximal intercostal block to the more medial (classic) ultrasound-guided paravertebral block. The investigators hypothesize that the proximal intercostal block will allow for improved needle visualization, shorter block time, and improved safety profile compared to the classic paravertebral bock.

Conditions

Interventions

PROCEDURE

Proximal Intercostal Block

After identifying the correct intercostal space, the ultrasound probe will be moved medially to identify the transverse processes, then again laterally from the transverse processes to rest over the ribs so as to obtain the best view of ribs and pleura. A 10cm, 21G needle will be inserted in-plane at the caudal border of the probe. An attempt will be made to keep the needle tip and the target injection position (just under the internal intercostal membrane (IIM)) in view. Correct needle tip placement will be demonstrated by depression of the pleura/endothoracic fascia upon local anesthetic injection and by lack of retrograde spread of LA over the muscles or the ribs. The LA will be injected in 4 cc aliquots after negative aspiration of air, CSF and blood.

PROCEDURE

Paravertebral Block

After identifying the correct intercostal space, the ultrasound probe will be placed between the adjacent transverse processes in a longitudinal/parasagittal plane measuring 2.5cm from the midline. The best possible view of the transverse processes, the superior costotransverse ligament and pleura will be obtained. An attempt will be made to keep the needle tip and the target injection position (immediately beneath the costotransverse ligament) in view. Correct placement of the needle tip will be demonstrated by depression of the pleura upon injection of local anesthetic and by lack of retrograde spread of LA over the muscles or transverse processes. The LA will be injected in 4 cc aliquots after confirming negative aspiration of air, CSF and blood.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Kamen Vlassakov, MD · Brigham and Women's Hospital

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
85 Years
Sex
FEMALE
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2016-09-09
Primary Completion
2017-07-13
Completion
2020-01-07

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT02911168 on ClinicalTrials.gov