Onset of Sensory Block After Thoracic ESP Block

Conditions studied

Breast Cancer Surgery, ESPB

About this study

The goal of this observational study is to to evaluate the changes in cold sensitivity and the onset of sensory block after performing a thoracic ESP block. It reflects the time it takes for the local anaesthetic to spread into the paravertebral space leading to changes in cold sensitivity in the chest. The study population are patients undergoing simple quadrantectomy or partial resection with or without sentinel lymphnode removal, in the operating rooms of Santa Maria Goretti Hospital in Latina. This study is observational because it simply describes and records the effects of a procedure (the ESP block) on treated patients during a period of observation. Before surgery, unilateral thoracic ESP block (T4 level) with a sterile, ultrasound-guided technique will be performed. A timer will be started to mark the time for subsequent evaluations. At 1,3,5 and after every 5 minutes following the block up to 40 minutes or until induction of general anaesthesia, the cold sensitivity of the chest will be explored.

Interventions

• Procedure: ESP block — The ESPB will be performed at the T4 level, monolaterally (according to the surgical side), with 30ml volume of 0.5% Ropivacaine injected with a 20-gauge, 50-mm-long needle. The technique used is the standard ultrasound-guided, sterile procedure. Soon after performing the block, a timer will be started to mark the time for subsequent evaluations. At 1,3,5 and after every 5 minutes following the block until 40 minutes or until general anaesthesia is induced, the cold sensitivity of the chest will be explored.

Primary outcomes

• The onset of sensory block after thoracic ESP block after one minute (One minute after ESPB is performed)
• The onset of sensory block after thoracic ESP block after three minutes (3 minutes after ESPB is performed)
• The onset of sensory block after thoracic ESP block after five minutes (5 minutes after ESPB is performed)
• The onset of sensory block after thoracic ESP block after 10 minutes (10 minutes after ESPB is performed)
• The onset of sensory block after thoracic ESP block after 15 minutes (15 minutes after ESPB is performed)
• The onset of sensory block after thoracic ESP block after 20 minutes (20 minutes after ESPB is performed)
• The onset of sensory block after thoracic ESP block after 25 minutes (25 minutes after ESPB is performed)
• The onset of sensory block after thoracic ESP block after 30 minutes (30 minutes after ESPB is performed)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• Ospedale Santa Maria Goretti, Via Lucia Scaravelli, Latina, Italy 04100 Italy