A dose finding study for pain relief of a broken hip
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A dose finding study for ultrasound guided anterior psoas compartment blocks in patients with a fractured neck of femur
IRAS ID
950
Eudract number
2009-013462-25
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
00926666
Research summary
The aim of this clinical trial was to determine the effective dose of local anaesthetic to provide pain relief to patients with a broken hip using ultrasound to guide needle insertion. The hospital mortality for patients with a fractured hip admitted from home in the UK is 14.3%. Patients scheduled for emergency surgical fixation or replacement of a broken hip were recruited prior to surgical fixation.The trial was divided into sequential two parts; the results of part A was the amount of local anaesthetic required to relieve the pain of a broken hip in 95% of patients. Part B determined the duration of pain relief provided by the amount of local anaesthetic from part A and blood levels of local anaesthetic.In parts A and B a nerve block to numb the nerves supplying the hip joint was administered using ultrasound to guide the injection of local anaesthetic. The patient was then observed for 30 minutes during which time the feeling in the upper leg and pain scores were recorded.In part A the amount of local anaesthetic for each patient was determined by the response of the previous patient. The amount of local anaesthetic was increased for an unsuccessful block or decreased for a successful block.In part B the amount of local anaesthetic was the same for all patients (calculated from the results of part A). In order to determine the duration of pain relief pain scores were recorded hourly for up to 24 hours. Blood samples were taken before the pain relieving nerve block and at 5, 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes afterwards to measure local anaesthetic blood levels.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
09/S0703/87
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jul 2009
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion