Brachial Plexus Block in Post-Op Pain Control After Distal Upper Extremity Fracture: A Prospective Randomized Study



Status:Recruiting
Conditions:Chronic Pain
Therapuetic Areas:Musculoskeletal
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - 90
Updated:4/21/2016
Start Date:January 2013
End Date:December 2016
Contact:Abraham Goch
Email:Abraham.Goch@nyumc.org

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Efficacy of Brachial Plexus Block in Post-Operative Pain Control After Distal Upper Extremity Fracture: A Prospective Randomized Study

Despite the plethora of literature suggesting that regional blockade provides adequate
andimproved postoperative pain control, function and improved intraoperative and
postoperative safety in proximal upper extremity surgery, little is known of its benefits
for the treatment of forearm and distal radius fractures . The purpose of this randomized,
prospective, study is to determine if brachial plexus blockade with general anesthesia is
superior to general anesthesia alone in immediate and long-term pain control in patients
undergoing operative fixation of distal upper extremity fractures.

The purpose of this study is to compare two (2) different types of anesthesia treatments
that are used during surgery for broken arms for post-surgery pain relief. One group will
receive general anesthesia (state of total unconsciousness) the other group will get
sedation (medicine injected into patient's vein that helps patient fall asleep), and a nerve
block (injection of anesthetic drug into the nerves going to patient's arm in order to make
patient's arm numb).

Both forms of anesthesia are used for a variety of surgeries to the arm including shoulder
and elbow surgeries. Currently it is thought that there are advantages and disadvantages to
both types. The advantage of not using the nerve block in addition to general anesthesia
(current standard or care) is that it decreases the potential risk for bleeding, infection
and nerve injury. Alternatively, the advantage of using the nerve block with sedation
(research-related procedure) is that it can potentially offer better post-operative pain
control. This study will examine whether there is added benefit with the addition of nerve
block for anesthesia for decreasing pain after surgical treatment of lower arm fractures.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients at least 18 years old.

2. Male or Female

3. All racial and ethnic groups

4. Fractures and fracture/dislocations of the elbow, forearm, wrist and hand

5. Montaggia and Galleazzi variants

6. Patients who opt for surgical treatment of their fractures.

7. Patients who consent to be randomized.

8. Patients who are willing to follow-up for a minimum of 52 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients younger than 18 years old.

2. Patients who are unwilling to follow-up for a minimum of 52 weeks.

3. Limitation in upper extremity function that would affect outcome scoring

4. Neurologic condition that could interfere with pain sensation

5. Patients with a contraindication to one of the anesthesia protocols

6. Patients who refuse a specific anesthesia protocol
We found this trial at
1
site
550 1st Ave
New York, New York 10016
(212) 263-7300
Principal Investigator: Nirmal Tejwani, MD
Phone: 212-598-6460
New York University Langone Medical Center NYU NYU Langone Medical Center, a world-class, patient-centered, integrated,...
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mi
from
New York, NY
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