Ultrasound Guided Serratus Anterior Plane Block in ED Patients with Rib Fractures

Early Phase 1

Recruiting

• Conditions: Rib Fractures; Pain Acute; Regional Anesthesia; Opioid Use
• Interventions: Procedure: Serratus Anterior Plane Block; Drug: Ropivacaine injection

• Registration Number: NCT06299137
• Lead Sponsor: Rhode Island Hospital

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effectiveness of the Serratus Anterior Plane Block in patients with rib fractures. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Determine if UG-SAPB results in an improved pain, incentive spirometry, and cough ability (PIC) score when compared to usual care over the first five hours.

* Evaluate if UG-SAPB results in fewer opioid medications administered when compared to usual care over the first 24 hours.

Participants will undergo the Serratus Anterior Plane. Researchers will compare this to usual care to see if this intervention improves pulmonary function and reduces opioid requirements for ED patients with rib fractures.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-03-01
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-03-06
• Study First Posted: 2024-03-07
• Study Start: 2024-07-01
• Status Verified: 2025-03
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-03-05
• Last Update Posted: 2025-03-10
• Primary Completion: 2025-10-01
• Study Completion: 2025-10

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 40

Inclusion Criteria

• Radiology confirmed anterior or lateral rib fractures either on X-ray or chest computed tomography CT
• pain score of 5/10.
• Patients must be able to verbalize how much pain they are having on an 11-point Numeric Rating Pain Scale
• perform an incentive spirometry and be able to cough on command

Exclusion Criteria

• isolated rib fractures that do not include ribs T3-T9
• penetrating trauma, pregnancy
• requiring immediate surgical or procedural intervention
• known allergy to amide-type local anesthetics
• have a painful distracting injury

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Intervention arm (Undergoes SAPB)	Serratus Anterior Plane Block	Patients randomized to this arm will receive the Serratus Anterior Plane block.
Intervention arm (Undergoes SAPB)	Ropivacaine injection	Patients randomized to this arm will receive the Serratus Anterior Plane block.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
PIC Score	5 hours	Determine if the SAPB results in an improved pain, incentive spirometry, and cough ability (PIC) score when compared to usual care over the first five hours. The PIC score is a scoring system that can be measured serially in patients with rib fractures to assess pulmonary function and to prognosticate clinical outcomes.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Total oral morphine equivalents over the first 24 hours	24 hours	Evaluate if UG-SAPB results in fewer opioid medications administered when compared to usual care over the first 24 hours.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Rhode Island Hospital; 🇺🇸 Providence, Rhode Island, United States