Ultrasound Guided Serratus Anterior Versus Erector Spinae Block in Pain Alleviation in Acute Herpes Zoster

Launched by MINIA UNIVERSITY · Jun 20, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating two different methods to help relieve severe pain caused by acute herpes zoster, commonly known as shingles. Shingles can cause intense pain that doesn't always get better with regular pain medications. The trial will compare two techniques, called ultrasound-guided serratus anterior block and erector spinae block, to see which one is more effective in managing this pain.

To participate in the trial, adults aged 30 to 75 who have had a painful shingles rash for less than a week and are experiencing significant pain (rated 4 or higher on a scale of 0 to 10) despite treatment with antiviral medications and pain relievers may be eligible. However, individuals with certain conditions, such as diabetes or infections at the injection site, will not be able to join. Participants can expect to receive one of the pain relief procedures, and the trial is not yet recruiting volunteers, so there will be more information available when it begins. Your involvement could contribute to finding better ways to manage pain for those suffering from shingles.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adult population between 30 and 75 years old.
• • Unilateral painful thoracic herpetic eruption of less than one week duration.
• • VAS more than or equal 4, persistent pain in spite of proper antiviral and analgesic therapy, (800 mg oral acyclovir, 5 times per day, for one week), pregabalin 300 mg per day, acetaminophen 1000 mg per day, topical calamine lotion).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Diabetic patients.
• • Painful herpetic eruptive vesicles more than one week.
• • Abdominal herpetic eruptions.
• • Non-compliant on anti-viral (bulbar palsy for example).
• • Co-malignancy or radiotherapy.
• • Steroid therapy \> 5 mg prednisolone or its equivalent.
• • Infections or hematoma at site of injection.
• • Coagulopathy (chronic kidney or liver disease, clopidogrel use).