SONOPLEX-KIDS v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Variation in Sono-anatomy of the Paediatric Brachial Plexus study
IRAS ID
350023
Contact name
Richard Newton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Sussex NHS foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
VSAP-BP is a study designed to improve understanding of the anatomy of the upper arm in paediatric patients.
Anaesthetists often use ultrasound imaging to inject anaesthetic near nerves in the arm in order to block pain during and after an operation (regional anaesthesia). In order for the injection to be effective, the anaesthetist needs to know the location of the nerves in the arm. The nerves in the arm that carry pain signals sometimes vary in their positioning in adults, but no study has ever determined whether the nerves always lie in the same position in children.
Experience suggests that location of these nerves differs in children vs adults and that there is also variation between different aged children. Mapping the location of the nerves with ultrasound will help anaesthetists to accurately inject medication close to the nerves which will increase the likelihood of that injection providing anaesthesia and pain relief.
This study will aim to recruit 422 children between the age of 6 months and 18 years. It will be conducted at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Brighton. Patients will be recruited from those presenting for surgery at the hospital. Participants will have ultrasound scans of their upper arm (axilla) to map the nerves and blood vessels in this area. Depending on the age of the child, scanning will either be performed before or during anaesthesia, before their operation. The planned study period is 1 year.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SW/0040
Date of REC Opinion
28 May 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion