Regional Blocks for Lateral Condyle Fractures

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES · Jan 7, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how to better manage pain after surgery for children with specific types of arm fractures, known as lateral condyle fractures. The researchers want to find out if giving a special nerve block before surgery helps reduce pain more effectively than the standard care. Children who qualify for the study will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one will receive the nerve block, and the other will follow the usual preoperative care. Regardless of the group, all children will receive the same pain medication after their surgery, and their pain levels will be measured using a simple faces scale that helps them express how they feel.

To be eligible for this study, children should have a closed lateral condyle humerus fracture that is not complicated by other injuries or conditions. The trial is open to all children aged between 4 and 12 who meet these criteria. Participants will need to visit the hospital twice: once for surgery and again for a follow-up visit. This study aims to improve pain relief strategies, potentially leading to less need for stronger pain medications, like opioids, and greater satisfaction for both the patients and their families.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Isolated lateral condyle humerus fracture
• • Closed lateral condyle humerus fracture
• • Weiss classification type II and III (\>2mm displacement) lateral condyle fractures
• • Fractures treated with open reduction percutaneous pinning requiring fixation
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Open fractures
• • Fractures with concomitant vascular or neurologic deficit
• • Pathologic fractures
• • Those presenting with concomitant injuries
• • Swelling requiring post-operative hospitalization for monitoring
• • Any known history of allergies to ropivacaine or oxycodone
• • Patients with developmental delay that would preclude participation in the visual analog Faces Pain Scale-Revised