Intraoperative Ansa Cervicalis Nerve (ACN) Stimulation

Launched by VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · Dec 6, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at a technique called intraoperative stimulation of the ansa cervicalis nerve, which is a nerve that helps control certain neck muscles. Researchers want to see how this stimulation affects the muscles that can help keep the airway open in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing problems during sleep. They are particularly interested in how different patients' anatomy might influence the effectiveness of this treatment.

To participate in this study, you need to be an adult aged 18 or older and scheduled for a specific type of surgery called neck dissection, which is often performed to treat head and neck cancer. Unfortunately, if you have a previous neurological condition that affects your ability to consent, or if you've had prior neck surgery that impacted the neck muscles, you won’t be eligible for this trial. If you decide to participate, you’ll undergo the nerve stimulation during your surgery and help researchers learn more about this treatment’s potential benefits.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adult patient (≥18 years old).
• • Scheduled for uni- or bilateral neck dissection (BND) for cervical lymphadenectomy of level IV and other indicated procedures for management of head and neck cancer.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Unable to consent for research due to a pre-existing neurologic condition as determined by PI.
• • Unable to consent for research due to language barriers.
• • History of prior neck surgery with transection of the infrahyoid strap muscles as determined by clinical history.

Trial Officials