Journal Article

Longitudinal neural exposure to local anesthetic and nerve block duration: a retrospective analysis of experimental data from healthy volunteer trials

Lundstrøm, Lars Hyldborg, Rothe, Christian, Lange, Kai Henrik Wiborg, Madsen, Mikkel Herold, Christiansen, Claus Behrend

2020

Overview

Background and objectivesCharacteristics of a nerve block depend on the distribution of local anesthetic (LA) close to the nerve. The relationship between longitudinal distribution of LA and nerve block characteristics has not been investigated in viv o, but one in vitro study showed decrements in action potential amplitudes with increasing exposure length. We describe the influence of longitudinal neural exposure to LA on nerve block duration adjusted for other likely influential factors.MethodsWe analyzed data from an ethical board approved prospective consecutive collected dataset of 180 healthy volunteers with a common peroneal nerve block (2.5–20 mL, 5–40 mg of ropivacaine). Data were retrieved from three independent randomized controlled trials. The longitudinal neural exposure to LA in millimeters was evaluated using ultrasound. Interventional covariates and demographics were retrieved. Nerve block duration, the dependent variable in the primary assessment, was defined as time of insensitivity to a cold stimulus and was evaluated blinded to all other covariates. Using a multiple linear mixed-effects model, we explored the association between neural exposure to LA and nerve block duration.ResultsWe found a significant positive association between longitudinal neural exposure to LA and block duration (p<0.01). A 10% increase in longitudinal exposure resulted in an 8.7 (2.5; 15) min increase in block duration. LA dose was associated to block duration (p<0.001) but LA volume had no impact (p=0.93).ConclusionsLongitudinal neural exposure to LA was significantly associated with nerve block duration. LA dose was the strongest determinant for block duration whereas LA volume had no influence.

• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group Ltd,Copyright by American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine,BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subject: Anesthesia / Anesthesia, Local - methods / Anesthetics, Local - administration & dosage / Catheters / Cold / Female / Healthy Volunteers / Humans / interventional pain management / Investigations / Local anesthesia / lower extremity / Male / Nerve Block - methods / Original research / Pain / Pain management / Pharmacodynamics / postoperative pain / Postoperative period / Prospective Studies / Regional anesthesia / Retrospective Studies / Ultrasonic imaging / ultrasound in pain medicine / upper extremity / Volunteers / Young Adult