Clinical Research Directory

Analgesic Efficacy of Different Liposomal Bupivacaine Doses in the Adductor Canal Block for Total Knee Arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty is a commonly performed orthopaedic surgery for the treatment of end-stage osteoarthritis when conservative management becomes ineffective. TKA is associated with significant acute postoperative pain and many patients experience severe postoperative pain despite the use of multimodal analgesia. Poor acute postoperative pain control impacts rehabilitation, prolongs recovery and increases opioid consumption and chronic post-surgical pain. Liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel, Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc, Parsippany, New Jersey, USA) is a multivesicular formulation of bupivacaine that prolongs drug release and can extend the duration of analgesia. The adductor canal block (ACB) has been shown to reduce pain intensity and opioid consumption after total knee arthroplasty. The use of liposomal bupivacaine in the adductor canal block has recently been FDA-approved. However, the results of its efficacy from existing clinical trials have been mixed. In addition, the doses in the clinical trials have been different, and the optimal dose for perineural application of liposomal bupivacaine is unclear, including for the adductor canal block. In this project, the investigators propose to conduct a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of different doses of liposomal bupivacaine in the adductor canal block on acute postoperative pain intensity and opioid consumption after robotic assisted total knee arthroplasty. The investigators will also assess secondary outcomes including knee functional scores, chronic pain and quality of recovery.

Interpectoral-pectoserratus Plane Block for Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement Via Right Anterior Minithoracotomy

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the analgesic effect of locoregional anaesthesia, specifically the interpectoral pectoserratus plane (IPP-PSP) block, in comparison to a placebo (sham block) after Aortic Valve Replacement via Right Anterior Minithoracotomy (AVR-RAT). The main question the trial aims to answer is: Can the IPP-PSP block effectively reduce opioid consumption within the first 48 hours after AVR-RAT surgery? The purpose is to understand the impact of the IPP-PSP block on postoperative pain. Therefore, the aim is to investigate the influence of the IPP-PSP block on the amount of pain medication administered during the patients' first 48 hours after surgery. Participants, who are scheduled for AVR-RAT surgery, will be randomly assigned to receive either the IPP-PSP block or the sham block. Researchers will compare opioid consumption among other outcomes, including differences in pain scores, incidence of nausea and vomiting, quality of recovery, quality of life, and the length of hospital stay between the two groups. Patients will be monitored during their hospitalization, and a follow-up phone call will be conducted 30 days after surgery.