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NCT Number: NCT07757984

Regional Nerve Block for Upper Extremity Surgery in Patients With Sarcopenia

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the impact of sarcopenia (muscle loss) on the efficacy of regional nerve blocks and postoperative recovery in patients undergoing upper extremity surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are:

1. Does sarcopenia affect the onset time and success rate of peripheral nerve blocks? 2. How does sarcopenia influence postoperative pain control and opioid consumption compared to patients receiving pure general anesthesia?

Participants will undergo a preoperative muscle assessment, which includes a chair stand test and a brief ultrasound of the thigh muscle. Researchers will then observe and record their nerve block onset time (if applicable), postoperative pain scores, and recovery metrics during their hospital stay up to postoperative day 2.

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Key information

Conditions

Sarcopenia Atrophy Muscular Atrophy Nerve Block Nervous System Diseases Neurologic Manifestations Neuromuscular Manifestations Pathological Conditions, Anatomical Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

50 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age>=50 years old
  • ASA I-III
  • Receiving upper limb surgery under general anesthesia

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe cognitive impairment or inability to cooperate with pain and motor assessment
  • Pre-existing neuropathy of the musculocutaneous, median, radial or ulnar nerve
  • (for nerve block group) Contraindications to regional nerve blockade

Treatment and study plan

sarcopenia

Other

Patients identified with sarcopenia based on preoperative muscle assessment.

Non-sarcopenia

Other

Patients with normal muscle mass based on preoperative muscle assessment.

General Anesthesia

Procedure

received general anesthesia alone

Nerve Block

Procedure

general anesthesia combined with nerve block

Primary outcomes

  1. time to first rescue analgesia

    Time frame: From the completion of surgery up to Postoperative Day 2

Secondary outcomes

  1. Nerve block onset

    Time frame: From the completion of local anesthetic injection up to 30 minutes

  2. Nerve block duration

    Time frame: From the successful onset of sensory block to the patient's first report of pain at the surgical site, assessed up to postoperatively day 2

  3. Intraoperative Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) and Heart Rate (HR)

    Time frame: During surgery (From the induction of anesthesia to the end of surgery, an average of 2 hours)

    Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) measured in mmHg and Heart Rate (HR) measured in beats per minute, assessed continuously using standard non-invasive or invasive hemodynamic monitors.

  4. Postoperative NRSFrom the end of surgery up to 48 hours postoperatively.

    Time frame: From the end of surgery up to postoperative day 2

  5. Total opioid consumption

    Time frame: From the end of surgery up to postoperative day 2

  6. Incidence of Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST)

    Time frame: From the initiation of nerve block up to 24 hours postoperatively

    LAST is defined as the occurrence of adverse central nervous system signs (e.g., altered mental status, seizures, tinnitus) or cardiovascular signs (e.g., arrhythmias, profound hypotension, cardiac arrest) following the administration of local anesthetics. It will be assessed clinically by the attending anesthesiologist and recorded as a binary outcome (Yes/No).

  7. Incidence of postoperative delirium

    Time frame: From the end of surgery up to postoperative day 2

    The incidence of postoperative delirium will be assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). The CAM diagnostic algorithm evaluates four features: (1) acute onset and fluctuating course, (2) inattention, (3) disorganized thinking, and (4) altered level of consciousness. Delirium is considered present if features 1 and 2 are observed, along with either feature 3 or 4. The outcome will be recorded as a binary variable (Yes/No).

  8. ICU stay

    Time frame: From ICU admission up to postoperative day 2

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Yi Ting Chen

CONTACT

[email protected]

+886 965853825

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Chang Gung Memorial Hospital

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Aug 11, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 11, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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