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Comparison Between Epidural Analgesia and Intrathecal Opioid Analgesia for Pain Management in Open Nephrectomy
Sponsor: University Hospital of Split
Summary
Nephrectomy is a surgical procedure of choice for patients suffering from renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Even though the laparoscopic approach is considered to cause fewer complications and reduce hospital stay, open surgery is still often performed. Open nephrectomy causes significant acute postoperative pain, and it can also lead to the development of chronic postoperative pain. Pain management is important for the overall recovery of patients undergoing major surgery such as open nephrectomy and it is a part of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program. In this prospective randomized clinical study, we plan to compare two different approaches to pain management regarding the level of acute pain (first 72 hours), side effects, systemic analgesics consumption, and hospital stay. Our hypothesis are that intrathecal opioid administration significantly reduces acute postoperative pain compared to epidural analgesia in patients undergoing open radical or partial nephrectomy. We also hypothesize that the intrathecal opioid administration is associated with a lower incidence of adverse effects compared to epidural analgesia and shorter ICU length of stay.
Official title: Comparison Between Epidural Analgesia and Intrathecal Opioid Analgesia for Pain Management in Open Nephrectomy: Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
40
Start Date
2025-01-15
Completion Date
2025-12-31
Last Updated
2025-03-10
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Epidural analgesia
After establishing standard non-invasive monitoring of vital functions (electrocardiogram, blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation) and securing intravenous access, the patient will be seated. After sterile field preparation, a local anesthetic (2% lidocaine) will be administered at the site of the planned puncture. The epidural space will be identified at the level of the tenth thoracic intervertebral space using the loss of resistance technique and an 18G Tuohy epidural needle. After placing the epidural catheter, 4 ml of local anesthetic Levobupivacaine 0.25% will be administered into the epidural space. After inducing general anesthesia, an additional 4 ml of Levobupivacaine 0.25% will be administered before the surgical incision. Subjects in the control group will receive an infusion of 0.125% Levobupivacaine for 24 hours after the procedure.
Intrathecal opioid analgesia
After establishing standard non-invasive monitoring of vital functions (electrocardiogram, blood pressure, peripheral oxygen saturation) and securing intravenous access, the patient will be seated. After sterile field preparation, a local anesthetic (2% lidocaine) will be administered at the site of the planned intrathecal puncture. Subsequently, at the selected site, the dura will be punctured using a spinal needle (25G Quincke spinal needle), and 0.3 mg of morphine will be administered to the patient. Following the intervention, the patient will be induced into general anesthesia.
Locations (1)
Univeristy Hospital of Split
Split, Croatia