Assessing the Enhanced Precision: The Value of Impedance in Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Blocks (Axillary, Interscalene, Popliteal Sciatic), an Exploratory Prospective Observational Study

Impedance can have an impact on nerve block during loco-regional anesthesia, particularly when using techniques such as nerve stimulation or ultrasound guidance to locate and block specific nerves. Impedance refers to the resistance to electrical current flow within tissue, and it can affect the ability to stimulate nerves or visualize them using ultrasound. The aim of this research is to assess the impedance across different tissue type during an axillary peripheral nerve block (skin, fat, fascia, muscle, nerve proximity). The results of this study would help clinicians performing nerve block to enhance the precision of needle placement, thus increase the success rate of nerve block and reduce adverse events such as intraneural or intravascular injections.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Impedance Axillary Nerve Block Interscalene Nerve Block Popliteal Sciatic Nerve Block Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Blocks

Age range

18 year–90 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Lebanese American University Rizk Hospital

Beirut, Lebanon

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Assaf, M.D. Anesthesiology

CONTACT

[email protected]

+961 3 970 762

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

Individuals aged 18 years to 90 years old
No infection at the injection site
Patient signed the study consent form
No contraindications for nerve block
No allergies to any of the drugs used
Patient able to communicate effectively

Exclusion criteria

Patients not meeting the inclusion criteria
Patients with bleeding disorders or undergoing anticoagulation therapy
Pregnant patients
Patients with mental incapacity
Any medical conditions posing severe risks during the procedure

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Assess the impedance across different type of tissue during axillary, popliteal and interscalene nerve block

Time frame: Two years

Measure impedance at different locations, different tissue types and different distances from the nerve (as recorded on the nerve stimulator)

Study contacts

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

Assaf, M.D. anesthesiology

CONTACT

[email protected]

+961 3 970 762

Michel Youssef Akiki, M.D. anesthesiology resident

CONTACT

[email protected]

+ 961 71159586

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Lebanese American University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Assessing the Enhanced Precision: The Value of Impedance in Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Blocks, an Exploratory Prospective Observational Study

Important dates

Study start: 2024
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Oct 1, 2024
Registry last updated: May 20, 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.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Not Yet Recruiting