Multicenter Continuous Peripheral Nerve Block Surveillance Study

Multicenter Continuous Peripheral Nerve Block Surveillance Study Comparing Ultrasound Guided Catheter Placement to Non Ultrasound Guided Catheter Placement Techniques

This two tiered study is a multi-center, open label, surveillance study of the use of continuous nerve blocks with the ON-Q® C-bloc and either nerve stimulator or ultrasound guided continuous nerve block techniques. This study was developed to investigate specific aspects of complication rates related to continuous nerve block techniques in patients undergoing orthopedic surgical procedures.

Continuous peripheral nerve block techniques require the placement of catheters near target peripheral nerves. The placement of these catheters is guided by either ultrasound visualization, nerve stimulation or a combination of the two.

This surveillance study was designed to look at the rates of catheter placement related complications with the two techniques.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients having elective orthopedic surgery who are candidates for CPNB as part of their management program for postoperative pain
• Age >18
• Able to give consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Morbid obesity (BMI> 40)
• Uncooperative or having psychological or linguistic difficulties
• Previous damage to the nerve or plexus
• Significant comorbidities which the primary investigator feels would limit the quality and collection of data
• Allergy to local anesthetic agents including ropivacaine, bupivacaine and lidocaine