By InvitationPhase 4

The MDK Study: Using a Combination of Methadone-dexmedetomidine-ketamine for Postoperative Pain Control in Patients Undergoing Complex Spine Surgeries.

United States248 participantsStarted 2026-04-24

Plain-language summary

This study will investigate whether a combination of three anesthetic medications will reduce intraoperative and postoperative pain in patients undergoing complex spine surgery, and whether it will reduce the use of opioid pain medication after surgery.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 79 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 18-79 years of age * Patients undergoing complex spine surgery, defined as 3 or more levels * English-speaking * Able to consent for themselves Exclusion criteria: * Patients who are unable to consent to study participation in English * Patients who are unable to consent for themselves. * Patients with prolonged QT syndrome * Pregnancy Additional screening measures: * Preoperative ECG will be performed in preoperative holding as part of standard of care to assess for prolonged QTc prior to administration of methadone as part of SOC. * Pregnancy test will be performed as part of SOC on the day of 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.

What they're measuring

Effect of the MDK combination during surgery on postoperative opioid consumption

Timeframe: 72 hours postoperatively

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07365800

SponsorUniversity of Missouri-Columbia

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-12

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Spine Surgery trials

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 79 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.