CompletedPhase 4

Intrapleural Bupivacaine for Ipsilateral Shoulder Pain After Thoracotomy

Canada42 participantsStarted 2017-07-01

Plain-language summary

While thoracic epidural could control incisional pain after thoracotomy, an excruciating ipsilateral shoulder pain happens post thoracotomy and could affect up to 85% of thoracotomy patients. It is often difficult to manage and relatively resistant to opioids. The investigators postulate that in the presence of a functioning thoracic epidural, intrapleural bupivacaine administered through the chest tube could be effective in reducing post thoracotomy ipsilateral shoulder pain.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 80 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and Female, between 18 and 80 years, ASA 1-3, Scheduled for open thoracotomy Exclusion Criteria: * ASA \>3, morbid obesity BMI\>40, Previous cardiac or ipsilateral thoracic surgery, Renal or hepatic failure, anemia, allergy to local anesthetics, contraindications to receive regional anesthesia, patient refusal, reiteration due to complication

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in VAS scores

Timeframe: from 0 hour to 24 hour

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03862404

SponsorMcGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2019-02-15

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Post Thoracic Surgery trials