Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

Efficacy of Liposomal Bupivacaine Scalp Nerve Block for Postoperative Pain Management After Supratentorial Craniotomy

China118 participantsStarted 2024-12-01

Plain-language summary

This is a prospective, randomized, controlled trial conducted at Beijing Tiantan Hospital to evaluate the efficacy and safety of liposomal bupivacaine for scalp nerve block in managing postoperative pain after elective supratentorial craniotomy. A total of 118 eligible patients (aged 18-64, ASA I-III) will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two groups. The intervention group will receive a scalp nerve block using liposomal bupivacaine. The control group will receive a scalp nerve block using standard 0.5% bupivacaine. All patients will undergo standardized general anesthesia. The primary outcome is postoperative pain intensity, measured by the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at multiple time points: 2, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes include the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, patient satisfaction, cumulative opioid consumption, and the incidence of adverse events. The study aims to determine if a single administration of liposomal bupivacaine provides superior and prolonged analgesia compared to conventional bupivacaine, potentially improving pain management and recovery for craniotomy patients. The study duration is from October 2024 to May 2027.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 64 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: * Adults aged 18-64 years. Scheduled for elective supratentorial craniotomy under general anesthesia. ASA physical status I-III. Preoperative GCS score of 15. Ability to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Chronic pain syndromes, opioid tolerance, or psychiatric disorders. Coagulopathy or infection at the block site. Allergy to local anesthetics. BMI \<15 or \>35.

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

NRS pain scores

Timeframe: 2, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07344181

SponsorBeijing Tiantan Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12-01

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Postoperative Care trials