Liposomal Bupivacaine Versus Plain Bupivacaine After Intercostal Injections For Pain Management After Thoracoscopy

Launched by MILTON S. HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER · Nov 8, 2018

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying two types of local anesthetics—liposomal bupivacaine (called Exparel) and plain bupivacaine—used to manage pain after minimally invasive thoracic surgeries, like VATS lobectomy or robot-assisted procedures. The goal is to see how these medications work in the body and how they affect pain relief in patients after surgery. Researchers want to find out if liposomal bupivacaine can help reduce the need for opioids and lower pain levels both right after surgery and over the following months.

To be eligible for this trial, participants need to be adults over 18 years old who are scheduled for specific types of thoracic surgeries. Unfortunately, those under 18, pregnant women, and individuals with certain medical conditions or previous surgeries on the same side of the body won't be able to participate. If you join the trial, you can expect to receive one of the two medications during your surgery and will be monitored closely for pain levels and any side effects afterward. This study aims to improve pain management, which could lead to better recovery experiences for patients after surgery.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• 1. Male or female patients over age 18 undergoing minimally invasive thoracic surgeries including but not limited to:
• • 1. VATS wedge resection /segmentectomy
• • 2. VATS lobectomy.
• • 3. Robot assisted thoracoscopic wedge resection/segmentectomy.
• • 4. Robot assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy procedures.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Patients under18 years of age
• • 2. Patients weighing less than 48 kg
• • 3. Pregnant and lactating females will be excluded from the trial
• • 4. Patients preoperatively taking narcotics for chronic pain in proximity to surgical site
• • 5. Patients with previous ipsilateral thoracic surgery
• • 6. Patients undergoing pleurectomy/mechanical pleurodesis.
• • 7. Patients with high likelihood of conversion from thoracoscopic procedure to open thoracotomy as determined by an operating surgeon
• • 8. Patients with pre-existing painful conditions (CRIPS, fibromyalgia, neuropathy)
• • 9. Patients unable to reliably communicate pain scores such as patients with dementia, alterations in mental status
• • 10. Patients with hypersensitivity to local anesthetics and pain medications used in the study
• • 11. Patients with previous thoracic spine surgeries
• • 12. Patients with increased creatinine (over 1.5mg/dl)
• • 13. Patients with liver dysfunction
• • 14. Non-English speaking patients