Effect of Injection Speed on Local Anesthetic Spread During Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block for Lung Nodule Localization

What this Trial Is About

This research aims to examine how different injection speeds affect the spread of local anesthetic during ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block ESPB in patients who are undergoing CT-guided lung nodule localization. The main question is whether injecting 30 ml of anesthetic over 30 seconds results in a different distribution compared to injecting the same volume over 180 seconds. Seventy-four patients scheduled for this procedure were randomly assigned to two groups to compare these injection speeds. Patients in both groups receive an ultrasound-guided ESPB before the CT-guided lung nodule localization. Using a high-frequency linear probe, the anesthetic solution, which includes ropivacaine and iodinated contrast, is injected between the transverse process and erector spinae muscles. The control group receives 30 ml of anesthetic over 180 seconds, while the experimental group receives the same volume over 30 seconds. After 30 minutes, CT scans with 3D reconstructions are performed to evaluate the spread of anesthetic. Participants undergo assessments including CT imaging to measure anesthetic spread to various spaces such as the paravertebral, intercostal, epidural spaces, and neural foramina. Sensory loss and pain scores are recorded, along with heart rate and blood pressure monitoring before and after the block at several time points. The study lasts through the procedure, with outcomes assessed 30 minutes to one hour after the block to understand the effects of injection speed on anesthetic distribution and patient response.

Different Injection Speed on Local Anaesthetic Spread of ESPB