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Continuous Interscalene Block vs Liposomal Bupivacaine After Proximal Humerus Fracture Surgery

Phase 3
Conditions
Shoulder Fractures
Interventions
Drug: Liposomal bupivacaine
Drug: Standard bupivacaine
Registration Number
NCT05084573
Lead Sponsor
The University of Hong Kong
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of continuous interscalene block (CISB) using standard bupivacaine versus a single interscalene injection of liposomal bupivacaine (LB) on pain control following surgical fixation of proximal humerus fractures.

Detailed Description

Restricted range of motion following open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of proximal humerus fractures is a potential complication that severely limits functional outcomes . It must therefore be avoided by adequate pain control in order to allow for early mobilisation in addition to physiotherapy.

Interscalene block (ISB) is one of the most effective and widely used regional analgesic options shoulder surgeries. ISB can be delivered as a single injection or by continuous infusion via an indwelling catheter. While continuous interscalene block (CISB) offers a longer duration of analgesia as compared to a single injection of the same anaesthetic, it carries an inherent risk of catheter malposition, dislodgement, and infection.

As compared to standard bupivacaine (SB), liposomal bupivacaine (LB) is a formulation designed to prolong the duration of analgesia up to 72 hours via a single injection. While this could avoid the need for an indwelling catheter, results of studies comparing LB to CISB have been inconsistent.

The purpose of this is non-inferiority trial is to compare the effectiveness of a single injection of LB versus CISB with SB on pain control following ORIF of proximal humerus fractures. The study hypothesis is that LB is not unacceptably worse than CISB with regard to pain control in the first two postoperative days.

Patients providing informed consent will be screened for eligibility. All eligible patients will be randomly assigned in a double-blind manner (participant and investigator) and a 1:1 ratio to receive either LB or CISB.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
92
Inclusion Criteria
  • ASA I-III
  • Age between 18 and 80
  • Isolated Proximal humeral fracture (AO Types 31.A1-3 and B1-3 or Neer 2/3 part or greater tuberosity fracture equivalent)
  • Locking Plate fixation
  • Split deltoid minimal invasive approach
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Revision surgery
  • Impaired cognitive function (Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMT score) < 8)
  • 4 part fractures
  • Poor surgical reduction quality
  • Unable to attend rehabilitation
  • Preexisting shoulder problems
  • Fracture fixation stability unable to tolerate early passive motion exercise
  • Use of implants other than a locking plate for fracture fixation
  • Activity of daily living is dependent on others
  • Polytrauma
  • Use of deltopectoral approach
  • Patient unable to follow post-operative rehabilitation protocol with early mobilization
  • Allergy to amide local anaesthetics, paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), opioids
  • Respiratory Disease with limited respiratory reserve
  • Cardiac Disease: Any degree of Heart Block, Heart Failure
  • Neurological: Any Seizure Disorder
  • Psychiatric illnesses affecting pain perception e.g. severe depression and anxiety disorder
  • Alcohol or substance abuse
  • Chronic Pain, other than chronic knee pain
  • Daily use of strong opioids (morphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, ketobemidone, methadone, nicomorphine, oxycodone, or meperidine)
  • Impaired Renal Function (defined as preoperative eGFR < 30ml /min /1.73 m2)
  • Impaired Hepatic Function
  • Pregnancy
  • Inability to use PCA
  • Patient refusal to ISB
  • Patient refusal to study
  • Patients do not understand Cantonese
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Liposomal bupivacaineLiposomal bupivacainePatients will receive a single bolus interscalene injection of 10mL 1.33% LB followed by placement of indwelling (sham) catheter in the interscalene region. Upon arrival in the recovery room, a nurse will connect the catheter to a fixed-rate portable elastometric pump (Easypump®, B Braun, Germany) filled with 300mL normal saline (NS) at a default fixed rate of infusion of 5mL/hr. The syringe, catheter, pump and clamp will be covered by opaque black bags to conceal the milky appearance of LB. The catheter will be removed on postoperative day 2.
Standard bupivacaine CISBStandard bupivacainePatients will receive a single bolus interscalene injection of 10mL 0.25% SB followed by placement of indwelling (sham) catheter in the interscalene region. Upon arrival in the recovery room, a nurse will connect the catheter to a fixed-rate portable elastometric pump (Easypump®, B Braun, Germany) filled with 300mL 0.2% SB at a default fixed rate of infusion of 5mL/hr. The syringe, catheter, pump and clamp will be covered by opaque black bags to conceal the drug appearance. The catheter will be removed on postoperative day 2.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain at rest as measured by Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)At each post-op day 1-7

Numerical rating scale (NRS) at rest; 0 points (no pain) to 11 points (worst pain imaginable).

Pain on movement as measured by Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)At each post-op day 1-7

Numerical rating scale (NRS) during attempted passive forward shoulder flexion to 90 degrees; 0 points (no pain) to 11 points (worst pain imaginable).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
PCA morphine consumptionFrom immediately post-operation to post-op day 2

Amount of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine consumed (mg)

Incidence of ISB related complicationsIntraoperative to post-op day 3

Complications related to interscalene block

Intraoperative opioid consumptionIntraoperative

Intraoperative IV remifentanil consumption (mcg/kg/min)

Presence of neuropathic pain at follow-upAt post-op 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months

Presence of neuropathic pain by physical examination and neuropathic pain questionnaire, a 10-item mixed self-report/observer rated physical exam measure ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10, with a score of 4 or greater diagnostic of neuropathic pain

Region-specific physical functioning and symptomsAt post-op 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months

Physical function and symptoms measured by Shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH), an 11-item patient-reported measure with a total score ranging from 0 (no disability) to 100 (most severe disability).

Number of patients with side effects effects of PCA using morphineFrom immediately post-operation to post-op day 2

Side effects related to opioid use (Nausea/Vomiting, Dizziness, Constipation)

Rescue morphine consumptionFrom immediately post-operation to post-op day 2

Additional opioid used in addition to PCA morphine

Total length of stayThrough study completion, an average of 1 year

Duration of hospital stay (days)

Analgesic consumption after dischargeFrom post-op day 3 to day 7

Total analgesic consumption (dihydrocodeine) after hospital discharge (pill count)

Overall Benefit of Analgesia Score (OBAS)Immediate post-operation to post-op day 3

Patient-reported measure of pain, side effects, and satisfaction of post-operative analgesia; 7 questions rated from 0 (worst outcome) to 4 (best outcome)

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL)At post-op 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months

12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12), a patient-reported outcome measure of HRQOL comprised of a mental component (MCS) and physical component (PCS), each with a final score ranging from 0 (worst outcome) to 100 (best outcome).

Presence of chronic pain at follow-upAt 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months post-op

Presence of chronic pain by self-report

Patient satisfaction as measured by the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire General Satisfaction SubscaleAt post-op 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months

Patient satisfaction with healthcare provision as measured by the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire General Satisfaction subscale (PSQ18-GS), a two-item subscale with a final score ranging from 0 (lowest satisfaction) to 10 (highest satisfaction)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Queen Mary Hospital

🇭🇰

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

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