An alternative approach to a frequently used nerve block in patients with a broken hip in the emergency department

ISRCTN ISRCTN74920258
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN74920258
Secondary identifying numbers SuprainguinalFICB14
Submission date
22/07/2016
Registration date
26/07/2016
Last edited
18/02/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
A hip fracture is where there is a break in the upper thigh bone (femur). They are very common, particularly in older adults, and are extremely painful. A nerve block is a type of treatment in which a local anaesthetic (numbing) fluid is injected into the area that is painful in order to relieve pain. A Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (FICB) is a type of nerve block in which the anaesthetic is injected into the space below the layer of muscle at the top of the leg. This study evaluates whether the use of a relative new way of administering this injection called a supra-inguinal FICB. This is where the anaesthetic is injected above the inguinal ligament (band of tissue in the groin) in order to decrease the need for morphine-like pain medications.

Who can participate?
Adults with a broken hip.

What does the study involve?
All participants receive pain management treatment with a supra-inguinal FICB. Each participant is asked to rate their pain with a number on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (most severe pain imaginable) before the injection and then 30, 60 and 120 minutes afterwards. Participants are assessed and reviewed by the medical staff so that their need for other pain medication (and what they had already been given), side effects and type of hip fracture can be recorded. Data from these patients is compared with data from the hip fracture patients who do not receive this nerve block, during the same study period.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no direct benefits or risks involved with participating, as the study does not change the treatment participants receive as part of their standard care.

Where is the study run from?
Academic Medical Center (Netherlands)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2014 to July 2015

Who is funding the study?
Academic Medical Center (Netherlands)

Who is the main contact?
Mr Milan Ridderikhof
m.l.ridderikhof@amc.uva.nl

Contact information

Mr Milan Ridderikhof
Scientific

Academic Medical Center
Meibergdreef 9
Amsterdam
1105 AZ
Netherlands

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-1561-7252
Phone +31 20 5663336
Email m.l.ridderikhof@amc.uva.nl

Study information

Study designProspective observational cohort study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCohort study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet No participant information sheet available
Scientific titleOpioid consumption in a supra-inguinal fascia iliaca compartment block compared to systemic analgesia in Emergency Department hip fracture patients, a cohort study
Study objectivesHypothesis as of 03/04/2017:
Administration of a supra-inguinal FICB would lead to a significant decrease in usage of opioid analgesics in elderly hip fracture patients, compared to systemic analgesia.

Original hypothesis:
Administration of the supra-inguinal FICB would cause a significant reduction in NRS pain scores.
Ethics approval(s)The Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the AMC waived the need for official ethics approval as the Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO) does not apply to the study.
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedHip fracture
InterventionEach patient will receive care as usual, which is pain treatment using a (supra-inguinal) FICB. NRS pain scores will be followed-up strictly and asked for at baseline, as well as 30, 60 and 120 in minutes after administration of the FICB while in rest and with careful movement of the injured extremity. Patients will be questioned whether they experience any adverse events, while continuous three-lead monitoring and pulsoxymetry is continued. Patients will be asked at each NRS-pain question whether they would like additional analgesia as well. Observation and follow-up ends at the moment of discharge from the Emergency Department. Patients will receive hip fracture care as usual (admittance and surgery).

Added 03/04/2017:
Data from the remaining hip fracture patients will be collected retrospectively from the electronic patient charts.
Intervention typeProcedure/Surgery
Primary outcome measureNumber of participants with a three-point decrease in Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores is measured prospectively for the FICB group at 30, 60 and 120 minutes after performing the nerve block and retrospectively from patient charts for those in the control group.
Secondary outcome measures1. Decrease in Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores for different fracture types is measured at 30, 60 and 120 minutes after administration of the FICB for the FICB group and retrospectively from patient charts for those in the control group
2. Need for additional opioid analgesics is measured by emergency department and anesthesiology staff members, as well as members of the research team at 30, 60 and 120 minutes for the FICB group and retrospectively from patient charts for those in the control group
3. . Occurrence of side effects is measured by emergency department and anesthesiology staff members, as well as members of the research team at 30, 60 and 120 minutes for the FICB group and retrospectively from patient charts for those in the control group
Overall study start date01/01/2014
Completion date31/07/2015

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participantsAt least 17 patients in order to detect a difference of 5 versus 9 mg of opioid usage.
Key inclusion criteria1. Adult (18 years or older) patients
2. Radiologically confirmed hip fracture

Removed 03/04/2017:
3. Will be treated with a supra-inguinal FICB in the ED
Key exclusion criteria1. Allergies for local anesthetics
2. Polytrauma patients
3. Not receiving a supra-inguinal FICB
Date of first enrolment01/05/2014
Date of final enrolment30/03/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Netherlands

Study participating centre

Academic Medical Center
Meibergdreef 9
Amsterdam
1105 AZ
Netherlands

Sponsor information

Academic Medical Center
Hospital/treatment centre

Meibergdreef 9
Amsterdam
1105 AZ
Netherlands

Phone +31 20 5663336
Email m.l.ridderikhof@amc.uva.nl
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03t4gr691

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

Academic Medical Center

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/06/2016
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot expected to be made available
Publication and dissemination planA manuscript with the results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/02/2020 Yes No

Editorial Notes

18/02/2019: Publication reference added.
03/04/2017: The following changes have been made to the record:
1. The scientific title has been changed (originally: Supra-inguinal fascia iliaca compartment block for analgesia in hip fracture patients in the Emergency Department: A case series)
2. The study design has been changed from case series to cohort study
3. The interventions and inclusion criteria have been updated
4. The target number of participants has been updated from 20 to 17