Multifidus Cervicis Plane Block Vs. Sham Block For Posterior Cervical Spine Fusion Surgery (NCT05996133) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingPhase 4
Multifidus Cervicis Plane Block Vs. Sham Block For Posterior Cervical Spine Fusion Surgery
United States38 participantsStarted 2023-12-12
Plain-language summary
The goal of this randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial is to assess the benefit of administering a Multifidus Cervicis Plane (MCP) block compared to a sham block as a method of postoperative pain control in patients undergoing posterior cervical spine fusion surgery. The main question it aims to answer is if the MCP block group will have reduced maximum pain scores during the first 24 postoperative hours compared to the sham block group.
Participants will receive preoperative bilateral MCP blocks on the back of their neck using the standard of care local anesthetic solution that consists of 30 mLs 0.25% Bupivacaine + 0.5 mL (5 mg) preservative-free Dexamethasone + 0.1 mL Epinephrine (MCP block group). Researchers will compare the MCP block to the preoperative sham block which consists of injecting 3 mL of normal saline into the same area (Sham block group) to compare the postoperative pain scores between the groups as a main objective. The secondary objectives are:
* Postoperative opioid consumption during hospitalization and at 2 weeks after discharge.
* The amount and type of non-opioid analgesics used during hospitalization.
* The occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and the use of antiemetics.
* Hospital and Post Anesthesia Care Unit length of stay (LOS).
* Monitor the safety of the study interventions during hospitalization and readmissions within 30 days of discharge.
* Patient satisfaction with pain management and overall satisfaction with the surgery experience.
Who can participate
Age range
40 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
. Patients 40-80 years old, males and females, of any race and any ethnic group.
. Patients are scheduled for elective primary posterior cervical spine fusion surgery (CSFS) to be performed by one of the spine surgeons in the study.
. Ability to speak and read English
. Patients with American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status score I- IV
Exclusion criteria
. Emergency posterior CSFS.
. Revision surgery or history of previous cervical spine surgery
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.
. History of allergy to local anesthetics or steroids.
. Patients who are coagulopathic at the time of surgery
. Patients with contraindications to MCP blocks, including but not limited to anatomical abnormality or previous surgical intervention that limits or prevents receiving the blocks
. Infection at the site of the block.
. Weight \< 40 kg to avoid local anesthetic toxicity.
. Patients on chronic or continuous opioid use of \> 50 MME (morphine milli-equivalent) per day for at least 30 days within 90 days prior to surgery.