Three Variants of the PENG Block With and Without Perineural Adjuvants in Older Adults (NCT07330999) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingNot Applicable
Three Variants of the PENG Block With and Without Perineural Adjuvants in Older Adults
Poland120 participantsStarted 2026-02-13
Plain-language summary
This study will compare three versions of the Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) block in adults aged 65 years and older who are undergoing hip surgery. The PENG block is a regional anesthesia technique used to reduce pain around the hip joint and may improve early recovery after surgery.
All patients in the study will receive the PENG block using 20 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine. They will then be randomly assigned to one of three groups:
Group 1: PENG block using ropivacaine only (no additional medications). Group 2: PENG block using ropivacaine with 4 mg of dexamethasone injected near the nerves.
Group 3: PENG block using ropivacaine with 25 micrograms of dexmedetomidine injected near the nerves.
Dexamethasone and dexmedetomidine are medications that may increase the duration and quality of regional anesthesia. It is not known whether adding one of these medications provides longer-lasting or better pain relief compared to using ropivacaine alone.
The main purpose of this study is to determine whether the addition of dexamethasone or dexmedetomidine improves the effectiveness of the PENG block in relieving pain after hip surgery. The study will evaluate pain levels, opioid consumption, time to first rescue pain medication, need for additional analgesia, and recovery outcomes. Safety, side effects, and any block-related complications will also be monitored.
The investigators hypothesize that adding either perineural dexamethasone or dexmedetomidine will result in longer and more effective pain relief compared with the standard PENG block without an adjuvant.
This research may help identify the most effective form of the PENG block for older adults undergoing hip surgery and contribute to improved pain management, reduced opioid use, and better postoperative recovery.
Who can participate
Age range
65 Years – 100 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:
* Age 65 years or older
* Scheduled for elective or emergency hip surgery (e.g., hip fracture fixation or hip arthroplasty)
* ASA physical status I-III
* Planned use of a PENG block as part of perioperative analgesia
* Ability to communicate pain intensity using the NRS scale
* Written informed consent obtained from the patient or legal representative
Exclusion Criteria:
* Refusal or inability to provide informed consent
* Known allergy, intolerance, or contraindication to any of the study medications: ropivacaine, dexamethasone, dexmedetomidine
* Pre-existing neurological deficit or neuropathy in the affected limb
* Coagulopathy or laboratory abnormality that contraindicates regional anesthesia: INR \>1.5, or platelet count \<100,000/µL, or therapeutic anticoagulation that cannot be safely paused
* Infection at or near the needle insertion site
* Severe hepatic or renal impairment
* Chronic opioid therapy (\>30 days of daily opioids before surgery)
* Cognitive impairment or delirium that prevents reliable pain assessment
* BMI \>40 kg/m² (due to potential technical difficulty and reduced accuracy of ultrasound guidance)
* Previous regional block affecting the target area for the current surgery
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Participation in another interventional clinical trial within 30 days
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.