Optimal Timing of Intercostal Nerve Blocks During Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgeries

Summary

Intercostal nerve block, performed under the guidance of videoscope, is a part of standard anesthesia procedures for patients receiving Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgeries. In this double-blind, prospective, multi-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial the investigators aim to compare preemptive versus post-closure intercostal injection of ropivacaine in controlling post-video-assisted thoracotomy pain.

Conditions

• Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery
• Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Interventions

DRUG

Normal Saline

Blocking the nerves between the ribs with a local anesthetic is normally done as a part of routine care at the end of the surgery in one set of injections. Intervention group will receive injectate A at the beginning and injectate B and C prior to the closure. Control group receive injectate B at the beginning of surgery and injectate A and C prior to the closure and end of surgery. Injectate B contains 10 mL of 0.9% normal saline.

DRUG

Ropivacaine

Blocking the nerves between the ribs with a local anesthetic is normally done as a part of routine care at the end of the surgery in one set of injections. Intervention group will receive injectate A at the beginning and injectate B and C prior to the closure. Control group receive injectate B at the beginning of surgery and injectate A and C prior to the closure and end of surgery. Injectate A and C contain 9 and 24 mL of ropivacaine HCl 0.5%, respectively.

DRUG

Epinephrine

Blocking the nerves between the ribs with a local anesthetic is normally done as a part of routine care at the end of the surgery in one set of injections. Intervention group will receive injectate A at the beginning and injectate B and C prior to the closure. Control group receive injectate B at the beginning of surgery and injectate A and C prior to the closure and end of surgery. Injectate C contains 0.125 mL of epinephrine-1:1000 preparation.

DRUG

Dexamethasone

Blocking the nerves between the ribs with a local anesthetic is normally done as a part of routine care at the end of the surgery in one set of injections. Intervention group will receive injectate A at the beginning and injectate B and C prior to the closure. Control group receive injectate B at the beginning of surgery and injectate A and C prior to the closure and end of surgery. Injectates A and C both contain 1 mL of dexamethasone 4mg/mL preparation.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The VA Western New York Healthcare System

  collaborator FED

• University at Buffalo

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

85 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2016-09-28

Primary Completion

2022-03-30

Completion

2022-03-30

FDA Drug

Yes

Countries

• United States

Study Locations