Upper Limb SurgeryNCT07353047
The Efficacy of Personalized Local Anesthetic Dosing Based on Ultrasound-Measured Nerve Cross-Sectional Area in Brachial Plexus Block: a Non-Inferiority Randomized Controlled Trial.
A study testing CSA-based dosing of Ropivacaine, Experience-based dosing of Ropivacaine and Weight-based dosing of Ropivacaine in people with Upper Limb Surgery, run by Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
This is a prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded, three-arm, non-inferiority clinical trial. The study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of an individualized dosing strategy for local anesthetic in brachial plexus blocks against two standard methods. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Upper Limb Surgery
- What is being tested?
- CSA-based dosing of Ropivacaine, Experience-based dosing of Ropivacaine and Weight-based dosing of Ropivacaine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 300 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 1 Feb 2026to 30 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age 18-80 years old, proposed for elective unilateral upper extremity surgery; ASA grade I-III; Planned to undergo ultrasound-guided interscalene sulcus brachial plexus block; Normal preoperative respiratory function; No history of neck surgery; No use of drugs that affect nerve conduction or opioids within 30 days prior to surgery
Who cannot join
- Local infection, coagulation dysfunction, neuropathy; Allergy to ropivacaine or amide local anesthetics; Severe hepatic and renal insufficiency; Pregnancy or lactation; Expected dosing required to exceed the maximum safe single safe dose of ropivacaine; Inability to cooperate with ultrasound measurements or nerve block operators.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
China1 site
Jianjun Qian
Yangzhou, Jiangsu
Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, 0514-87373694, sbyyiit@163.com
About this study
This is a prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded, three-arm, non-inferiority clinical trial. The study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of an individualized dosing strategy for local anesthetic in brachial plexus blocks against two standard methods. The experimental intervention uses ultrasound to measure the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the brachial plexus nerves to calculate a patient-specific dose of 0.5% ropivacaine. This is compared to a standard weight-based dosing regimen (2.5 mg/kg) and dosing based on the anesthesiologist's clinical experience. A total of 350 adult patients scheduled for elective unilateral upper limb surgery will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups. The primary outcome is the success rate of the nerve block 30 minutes after administration. Secondary outcomes include assessments of diaphragmatic function, postoperative pain scores, the incidence of complications (such as nerve involvement or systemic toxicity), and patient satisfaction. The hypothesis is that the CSA-based dosing method will be non-inferior to the conventional methods in achieving successful anesthesia while potentially optimizing drug dosage.
- Conditions
- Upper Limb Surgery
- Being tested
- CSA-based dosing of Ropivacaine, Experience-based dosing of Ropivacaine, Weight-based dosing of Ropivacaine
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
CSA-based dosing of RopivacaineDrug
Participants assigned to this group will receive an ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block. First, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the brachial plexus nerves at the interscalene groove will be measured in the short-axis view using ultrasound. The dose of 0.5% ropivacaine will then be calculated individually using the formula: Volume (mL) = CSA (mm²) × K, where K is a conversion coefficient (in mL/mm²) determined from a prior pilot dose-finding study. The total administered dose will not exceed the maximum recommended safe dose of ropivacaine (225 mg). The block will be performed by an experienced anesthesiologist under real-time ultrasound guidance.
Experience-based dosing of RopivacaineDrug
Participants assigned to this group will receive an ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block. The volume of 0.5% ropivacaine to be injected will be determined solely by the clinical judgment and experience of the attending anesthesiologist, reflecting standard real-world practice. The total administered dose will not exceed the maximum recommended safe dose of ropivacaine (225 mg). The block will be performed by an experienced anesthesiologist under real-time ultrasound guidance.
Weight-based dosing of RopivacaineDrug
Participants assigned to this group will receive an ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block. The dose of 0.5% ropivacaine will be calculated based on the participant's body weight using the standard formula: Dose (mg) = 2.5 mg/kg. The corresponding volume will then be administered. The total administered dose will not exceed the maximum recommended safe dose of ropivacaine (225 mg). The block will be performed by an experienced anesthesiologist under real-time ultrasound guidance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| CSA-based Dosing Group | Experimental | The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the brachial plexus nerves at the interscalene groove is measured using ultrasound in the short-axis view.
The dose of 0.5% ropivacaine is calculated individually using the formula: Volume (mL) = CSA (mm²) × Conversion Coefficient (mL/mm²). The conversion coefficient is derived from a pilot dose-finding study conducted prior to the main trial.
The total dose for any participant will not exceed the maximum recommended safe dose of ropivacaine (≤225 mg).
The nerve block is performed under ultrasound guidance by an experienced anesthesiologist. Receives: Drug: CSA-based dosing of Ropivacaine |
| Experience-based Dosing Group | Other | The dose of 0.5% ropivacaine is determined solely by the clinical judgment and experience of the attending anesthesiologist, reflecting common real-world practice.The nerve block is performed under ultrasound guidance by an experienced anesthesiologist. Receives: Drug: Experience-based dosing of Ropivacaine |
| Weight-based Dosing Group | Other | The dose of 0.5% ropivacaine is calculated based on the participant's body weight using a standard formula: Dose (mg) = 2.5 mg/kg.
The corresponding volume is then administered. The nerve block is performed under ultrasound guidance by an experienced anesthesiologist. Receives: Drug: Weight-based dosing of Ropivacaine |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Block Success Rate
Measured: At 30 minutes after block completion
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Jan 2026
- Study start1 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Upper Limb SurgeryStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 300 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ju Gao, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07353047
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025ky401
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 13 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 20 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Efficacy of Personalized Local Anesthetic Dosing Based on Ultrasound-Measured Nerve Cross-Sectional Area in Brachial Plexus Block: a Non-Inferiority Randomized Controlled Trial.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07353047
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2025ky401
- Conditions
- Upper Limb Surgery
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 300 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Northern Jiangsu People's HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Feb 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is a prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded, three-arm, non-inferiority clinical trial. The study aims to compare the effectiveness and safety of an individualized dosing strategy for local anesthetic in brachial plexus blocks against two standard methods. The experimental intervention uses ultrasound to measure the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the brachial plexus nerves to calculate a patient-specific dose of 0.5% ropivacaine. This is compared to a standard weight-based dosing regimen (2.5 mg/kg) and dosing based on the anesthesiologist's clinical experience. A total of 350 adult patients scheduled for elective unilateral upper limb surgery will be randomly assigned to one of the three groups. The primary outcome is the success rate of the nerve block 30 minutes after administration. Secondary outcomes include assessments of diaphragmatic function, postoperative pain scores, the incidence of complications (such as nerve involvement or systemic toxicity), and patient satisfaction. The hypothesis is that the CSA-based dosing method will be non-inferior to the conventional methods in achieving successful anesthesia while potentially optimizing drug dosage.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| CSA-based Dosing Group | Experimental | Drug: CSA-based dosing of RopivacaineThe cross-sectional area (CSA) of the brachial plexus nerves at the interscalene groove is measured using ultrasound in the short-axis view. The dose of 0.5% ropivacaine is calculated individually using the formula: Volume (mL) = CSA (mm²) × Conversion Coefficient (mL/mm²). The conversion coefficient is derived from a pilot dose-finding study conducted prior to the main trial. The total dose for any participant will not exceed the maximum recommended safe dose of ropivacaine (≤225 mg). The nerve block is performed under ultrasound guidance by an experienced anesthesiologist. |
| Experience-based Dosing Group | Other | Drug: Experience-based dosing of RopivacaineThe dose of 0.5% ropivacaine is determined solely by the clinical judgment and experience of the attending anesthesiologist, reflecting common real-world practice.The nerve block is performed under ultrasound guidance by an experienced anesthesiologist. |
| Weight-based Dosing Group | Other | Drug: Weight-based dosing of RopivacaineThe dose of 0.5% ropivacaine is calculated based on the participant's body weight using a standard formula: Dose (mg) = 2.5 mg/kg. The corresponding volume is then administered. The nerve block is performed under ultrasound guidance by an experienced anesthesiologist. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Age 18-80 years old, proposed for elective unilateral upper extremity surgery; ASA grade I-III; Planned to undergo ultrasound-guided interscalene sulcus brachial plexus block; Normal preoperative respiratory function; No history of neck surgery; No use of drugs that affect nerve conduction or opioids within 30 days prior to surgery
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Local infection, coagulation dysfunction, neuropathy; Allergy to ropivacaine or amide local anesthetics; Severe hepatic and renal insufficiency; Pregnancy or lactation; Expected dosing required to exceed the maximum safe single safe dose of ropivacaine; Inability to cooperate with ultrasound measurements or nerve block operators.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| CSA-based dosing of RopivacaineParticipants assigned to this group will receive an ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block. First, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the brachial plexus nerves at the interscalene groove will be measured in the short-axis view using ultrasound. The dose of 0.5% ropivacaine will then be calculated individually using the formula: Volume (mL) = CSA (mm²) × K, where K is a conversion coefficient (in mL/mm²) determined from a prior pilot dose-finding study. The total administered dose will not exceed the maximum recommended safe dose of ropivacaine (225 mg). The block will be performed by an experienced anesthesiologist under real-time ultrasound guidance. | Drug | CSA-based Dosing Group |
| Experience-based dosing of RopivacaineParticipants assigned to this group will receive an ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block. The volume of 0.5% ropivacaine to be injected will be determined solely by the clinical judgment and experience of the attending anesthesiologist, reflecting standard real-world practice. The total administered dose will not exceed the maximum recommended safe dose of ropivacaine (225 mg). The block will be performed by an experienced anesthesiologist under real-time ultrasound guidance. | Drug | Experience-based Dosing Group |
| Weight-based dosing of RopivacaineParticipants assigned to this group will receive an ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block. The dose of 0.5% ropivacaine will be calculated based on the participant's body weight using the standard formula: Dose (mg) = 2.5 mg/kg. The corresponding volume will then be administered. The total administered dose will not exceed the maximum recommended safe dose of ropivacaine (225 mg). The block will be performed by an experienced anesthesiologist under real-time ultrasound guidance. | Drug | Weight-based Dosing Group |
Primary outcome
Block Success Rate
Time frame: At 30 minutes after block completion
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing CSA-based dosing of Ropivacaine, Experience-based dosing of Ropivacaine and Weight-based dosing of Ropivacaine in people with Upper Limb Surgery, run by Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital at 1 site in China.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Jan 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in China. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Ju Gao (18051063988, doctor2227@163.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Block Success Rate (time frame: At 30 minutes after block completion). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Jan 2026.