Ultrasound-guided Dual TAP Block: Magnetic Resonance (MR) Evaluation of the Distribution of Local Anesthetic

Bispebjerg Hospital

Status: Completed

Conditions: Pain, Postoperative

Treatments: Drug: Bupivacaine; Procedure: Injection

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01305603

BBH-USG-PNB-1

Details and patient eligibility

About

Using Magnetic resonance (MR) scanning and ultrasonography the investigators wish to investigate, in what way a known volume of local anesthetic injectate will be distributed in the transverse abdominis plane (TAP) in young healthy male volunteers. The investigators compare the anatomical distribution of the local anesthetic injectate in the TAP when performing an ultrasound-guided classical TAP block and a Dual TAP block. The investigators also want to compare the spread of anesthetized frontal dermatomes when performing an ultrasound-guided classical TAP block and a Dual TAP block.

Full description

There has been much debate as to what extent the classical TAP block will anesthetize more than the frontal dermatomes (TH10-Th12/L1). Some cadaver studies have been performed with injection of dye in the classical TAP. However, it is still not clear whether a single injection of local anesthetic in the classical TAP block position will reach the more cephalad and medial intercostal TAP plexus (Th6-Th9). In this study the investigators use MR scanning and ultrasonography to investigate in what way a known volume of local anesthetic injectate will be distributed in the transverse abdominis plane (TAP) in young healthy male volunteers. The investigators compare the anatomical distribution of the local anesthetic injectate in the TAP when performing an ultrasound-guided classical TAP block and a Dual TAP block. The investigators also want to compare the spread of anesthetized frontal dermatomes when performing an ultrasound-guided classical TAP block and a Dual TAP block.

Enrollment: 10 patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• healthy male
• 18 years old or more
• had no previous abdominal surgery
• no regular medication
• no coagulation disorders
• no claustrophobia

Exclusion criteria

• if the volunteer is not able to accept an uncomplicated administration of a classical (single) or dual TAP block

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: Triple Blind

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10 participants in 2 patient groups

Dual TAP block

Active Comparator group

Description:

Dual TAP block on one side on the abdomen. Classical (or single) TAP on the contra lateral side of the abdomen; supplemented with a sham injection to ensure double blindness.

Treatment:

Procedure: Injection

Drug: Bupivacaine

Classical (or single) TAP block

Active Comparator group

Description:

Dual TAP block on one side on the abdomen. Classical (or single) TAP on the contra lateral side of the abdomen; supplemented with a sham injection to ensure double blindness

Treatment:

Procedure: Injection

Drug: Bupivacaine