Plasma Levobupivacaine Levels following FICB - Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Plasma Levobupivacaine Levels following Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block for Proximal Femoral Fracture
IRAS ID
224567
Contact name
Hal Robinson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Grampian Health Board
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
2299, Research Registry
Duration of Study in the UK
5 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
A commonly used technique to help provide pain relief is performing a nerve block. This technique involves a local anaesthetic (numbing agent) being injected into the area that is painful in order to relieve pain by blocking pain signals sent by nerves. \n\nElderly patients with hip fractures admitted to hospital routinely receive a type of nerve block called a Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block (FICB) as part of their anaesthetic for surgery. The nerve block is performed immediately before surgery in the anaesthetic room and involves injecting a local anaesthetic called levobupivicaine into an area at the top of the thigh to provide pain relief. \n\nOver time local anaesthetic is absorbed from the site of injection into the blood. In order to work, enough local anaesthetic must be injected into the correct space. As well as acting locally on the nerve, some of this anaesthetic will be absorbed into the bloodstream and can cause toxic effects. Currently there is very little research describing how long it takes for the local anaesthetic to reach these peak concentration levels in the plasma (fluid part of blood), and even fewer studies focusing on an elderly population. The aim of this study is to measure the plasma levels of levobupivacaine and identify a rapid technique for monitoring local anaesthetic concentration after FICB in elderly patients with hip fractures.\n
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
17/NS/0048
Date of REC Opinion
12 May 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion