Clinical Research Directory

Effects of Erector Spinae Plane Block on Postoperative Pain Following Lumbar Fusion Surgery

The purpose of this study is to determine if the method for injecting local anesthesia affects patients' pain and opioid usage after surgery. The investigators will compare subcutaneous anesthesia, injections of anesthesia under the skin, to a method called erector spinae plane block (ESPB). An ESPB injection involves placing local anesthesia along the muscles and bones in the back, using a special type of x-ray called fluoroscopy for guidance. The Investigators will use patient reported outcomes (PROs) and track subjects' opioid usage to find out if there is a difference between ESPB and subcutaneous anesthesia. The investigators hypothesize that patients who get ESPB injections will use less opioids and report less pain after lumbar fusion surgery compared to patients who receive subcutaneous anesthesia injections.

Effect of Fasting on Patient Outcomes After Wide-Awake, Local Anesthesia-only, No Tourniquet (WALANT) Procedures

The purpose of this study is to determine whether eating solid food prior to undergoing a wide awake local-only no tourniquet (WALANT) procedure reduces anxiety in patients or has any effect on outcomes. Patients will be split randomly into two groups and told whether to eat or fast before their procedure. We will then compare levels of anxiety and nausea on the day of the procedure as well as satisfaction with the procedure and other outcome measures at follow-up visits. Our hypothesis is that patients who are instructed to eat before their WALANT procedure will have less anxiety, nausea, and overall higher satisfaction compared to those who are instructed to fast prior to their procedure.

Targeted Nerve Injection to the Knee (Nerve to Vastus Medialis): Comparing Two Adductor Canal Block Approaches

This randomized, double-blinded volunteer study compares two ways of performing the adductor canal (AC) nerve block at the mid-thigh to see which approach more reliably numbs the anteromedial knee. One approach is the traditional AC block placed near the saphenous nerve; the other separately targets the nerve to vastus medialis (NVM) in addition to the saphenous nerve. Healthy adult participants receive both blocks in one visit (one on each leg), with the order randomized. The primary outcome is change in quadriceps strength (a proxy for vastus medialis anesthesia) measured by load-cell dynamometry. Secondary outcomes include cutaneous sensory mapping (pinprick and cold) and the percentage of a standardized, marked knee-incision line covered by sensory block. The study uses ultrasound guidance and a standard dose of chloroprocaine, with routine monitoring to minimize risks.

Effect of Silver Diamine Fluoride on Local Anesthesia in Hypomineralized Molars

The purpose of this randomized, controlled clinical study is to evaluate if application of 38% SDF increases the efficacy of local anesthesia during operative dentistry on permanent molars affected by molar-incisor hypoplasia (MIH). The goal is to determine if pre-operative application of SDF results in improved local anesthesia and decrease in procedural pain in MIH affected teeth, thereby addressing an important challenge in routine clinical practice and contributing to the development of a treatment protocol for MIH affected molars.

Split Face Study of the Duration of Local Anesthetics - Fourth Arm

This is a research study to compare how long injectable pain medications (anesthetics) commonly used in dermatologic surgery are effective for. The investigators will investigate the role of anesthetic volume on the duration of action at highly vascular sites.

Bicarbonate Addition to Lidocaine-Epinephrine in Surgery Under WALANT

Distal upper limb and distal lower limb surgery performed under local anesthesia using the WALANT technique (Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet) has become standard practice in ambulatory orthopedic surgery. Current infiltration mixtures used by orthopedic surgeons include lidocaine-epinephrine with the addition of 8.4% bicarbonate to reduce injection-related pain and improve analgesia duration. However, the clinical benefit of bicarbonate addition remains insufficiently supported by evidence and may increase preparation complexity and risk, including potential solution crystallization. The aim of the ROPIWA-2 trial is to investigate whether omission of bicarbonate from the local infiltration mixture is noninferior to bicarbonate addition with respect to early postoperative quality of recovery on postoperative day 1. We hypothesize that removing bicarbonate does not impair postoperative quality of recovery after ambulatory hand and foot surgery under WALANT. Expected benefits include confirmation of a simpler, ready-to-use anesthetic solution that is easier and safer to use, without reducing patient comfort or recovery. The expected risks are those normally associated with this type of procedure.

Comparing Different Doses of Corticosteroids in Local Infiltration Analgesia (LIA) for Total Knee Arthroplasty

This study aims to compare the efficacy of different doses of glucocorticoids in local infiltration analgesia (LIA) during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) through a prospective single-center randomized controlled trial, and to explore the safety and feasibility of high-dose glucocorticoids. Through this research, the investigators hope to provide an optimized solution for post-TKA pain management, improve patients' postoperative recovery and quality of life, and offer scientific evidence for pain management following TKA.

Do Therapy Dogs Improve Behavior and Reduce Anxiety in Pediatric Dental Patients?

The goal of this clinical trial is to assess whether the presence of a certified therapy dog during dental procedures that require an injection reduces anxiety and improves behavior in pediatric dental patients. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the presence of a certified therapy dog during dental procedure requiring an injection reduce anxiety and improve behavior in pediatric dental patients? * How do the parents of pediatric dental patients who participate in the study view the use of a certified therapy dog in their child's treatment? * Does the presence of a certified therapy dog result in different concentrations of microbes in the treatment room? All participants will receive standard of care. Researchers will compare the group with a therapy dog present to a group who does not have a therapy dog present to see if heart rate, oxygen saturation, percentage of nitrous oxide administered, and Frankl scores differ between the groups.

A Pilot Study of Local Anesthesia for Inguinal Hernia Surgery in Older Adults

The purpose of this study is to collect data about local versus general anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair in Veterans aged 60 years for planning a larger, multisite randomized clinical trial. Approximately 80 participants will be enrolled and can expect to be on study for 6 months.

Intralipid® 20% for Reversal of Local Anesthetics

In order to determine if Intralipid 20% can be used to reverse the effects of local anesthetics, the investigators will recruit 18 volunteers who will be asked to come to HSS for two study visits. Small amounts of local anesthetics will be injected into the volunteers' thighs during both visits. During one visit volunteers will receive Intralipid 20% and during the other visit they will receive a saline solution. The study team will measure how quickly normal sensation returns to the thighs when the volunteers get Intralipid 20% compared to saline.

Hypobaric L5-S1 Study

Patients going through total hip or knee replacement (arthroplasty) have to be put under spinal anesthesia to prevent them from feeling any pain during surgery. Spinal anesthesia means having a small needle inserted between the bones of the lower lumbar spine (vertebrae). The choice of space used is decided by the anesthesiologist in charge of patient care. The space between these bones is often narrowed by arthritis or other age-related degenerative spine disease in patients having total hip or knee replacement surgery. The lowest L5-S1 (Lumbar 5- Sacral 1) space is the largest one and often least affected by arthritis, which makes it the easiest option. Despite this, it is not currently the most common space used for spinal anesthesia, because it is hard to find by palpation (feeling the bones through the skin), and because there is concern that local anesthetic will not always spread up high enough from this lowest space, which is needed for a successful spinal anesthesia. How far it spreads depends on the amount (dose) and density of local anesthetic given. There are two types of local anesthetic: one called isobaric, which has the same density as CSF (Cerebro-Spinal Fluid), and another called hypobaric, which has lower density than CSF. Isobaric local anesthetic spreads evenly throughout the CSF irrespective of patient positioning. However, a larger dose is required to achieve adequate anesthesia for surgery. Using larger doses, leads to a very long duration of sensory and motor block, far in excess of that required for surgical completion which leads to a slower recovery from anesthesia. Hypobaric local anesthetic, on the other hand, floats in CSF like oil on water. This allows anesthesiologists to use a smaller dose while still being sure that it will spread high enough to achieve adequate anesthesia for surgery. The smaller doses in turn allow for faster recovery of normal movement and feeling in the legs of patients after surgery. It has been observed that all of these dilemma can be solved by: 1. Using ultrasound imaging to find and mark the space, and 2. Injecting hypobaric local anesthetic. The goal of this observational study is to determine the success rate of spinal anesthesia with a lower dose of hypobaric bupivacaine injected into the L5-S1 space, when done on total hip or knee arthroplasty patients at Toronto Western Hospital.

Cervical Sympathetic Block in Patients With Cerebral Vasospasm

The purposes of this study are twofold: 1) to assess the effect of a cervical sympathetic block on cerebral blood flow in patients suffering from cerebral vasospasm, after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage; 2) to evaluate the effect of the sympathetic block on the recovery of the neurological function.

Local Anesthetic Response in Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Healthy Volunteers

Local anesthetic resistance is commonly reported by patients with EDS. However, there are no objective data on the occurrence of local anesthetic resistance in EDS patients and in healthy volunteers. We propose to collect such objective data on the frequency of drug resistance and whether any problems with local anesthesia are due to initial ineffectiveness or due to its effects dissipating too soon.

Investigating the Effect of Pericapsular Nerve Group (PENG) Block on Postoperative Pain After Peri-acetabular Osteotomy

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of PENG blockade on postoperative pain after either ropivacaine 5 mg/mL or saline (placebo) in patients undergoing PAO. The hypothesis of this study is that PENG block with ropivacaine reduces postoperative pain compared to placebo (saline).

EIT Evaluation of Pulmonary Ventilation With Different Ropivacaine Concentrations in Intercostal Nerve Blockade

This study aims to find out how different strengths of the anesthetic drug ropivacaine affect lung breathing function when used in intercostal nerve block (a type of local anesthesia) for breast quadrantectomy surgery. Researchers will use a non-invasive imaging technique called electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to monitor lung ventilation in real time. Why is this study being done? Intercostal nerve block is a common anesthesia method for breast surgeries, but the ideal strength of ropivacaine that balances effective pain relief with safety for lung function is not fully clear. EIT can help measure how each drug strength affects breathing by showing changes in lung airflow. What will happen in the study? Participants: 72 adults scheduled for breast quadrantectomy, aged 18-80, will be randomly assigned to receive one of three ropivacaine strengths (0.25%, 0.375%, or 0.5%) during intercostal nerve block. Procedures: After anesthesia, EIT will monitor lung ventilation before and after the block. Researchers will measure: How much each lung side contributes to breathing during quiet and deep breaths. How quickly the anesthesia works, pain levels during surgery, and any side effects (like difficulty breathing or allergic reactions). Who can join? Adults having elective breast quadrantectomy. ASA physical status I-II (generally healthy to mildly ill). BMI \<35 kg/m². No history of nerve block allergies, breathing problems, or certain lung diseases. What are the possible benefits? The study may help doctors choose the best ropivacaine strength to ensure good pain control while minimizing risks to lung function, especially for same-day surgery patients. What are the risks? Potential risks include rare side effects from the anesthetic (like allergic reactions or low blood pressure) or temporary breathing changes, which will be closely monitored. How is the study designed? This is a double-blind, randomized trial (neither patients nor doctors know which drug strength is used) at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center.

ESP Block Versus Wound Infiltration for Laminectomy

Spinal surgery is often burdened by perioperative pain and its treatment presently represents a challenge for anesthetists. An inadequate intra and postoperative analgesic therapy leads to a delay in the mobilization of the patients, prolonged hospital stay and thromboembolic complications, as well as the onset of chronic pain syndromes . Effective pain treatment can help improve surgical outcome for patients undergoing spinal surgery. From the pathophysiological point of view pain in vertebral surgery can originate from different anatomical structures: vertebrae, discs, ligaments, dura mater, facet joints, muscles and skin-subcutis. The terminal innervation of these tissues originate from the dorsal branches of the spinal nerves, and this represents a target a multimodal approach to perioperative analgesia in vertebral surgery. Systemically administered drugs such as NSAIDs, opioids, ketamine, intravenous lidocaine could benefit from the addition of locoregional therapies such as neuraxial blocks (anesthesia peridural or subarachnoid) or as shown more recently by other anesthesia techniques locoregional ultrasound-guided In recent years the anesthesiological interest has focused on the Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB). First described by Forero et al, it is a paraspinal interfascial block targeting the dorsal and ventral branches of the spinal nerves just after their emergence from the spinal cord. In the ultrasound-guided technique the local anesthetic is injected between the deep fascia of the muscle itself and the transverse processes of the vertebrae at the level interested. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of ESPB when compared to wound infiltration in patients undergoing laminectomy

Empathy Through Pain Control: Lidocaine Paracervical Block for IUD Placements

The goal of this research study is to learn more about how different uses of a numbing medication might affect pain levels while getting an IUD placed. The investigators are also studying participants opinions of their clinicians' empathy. The investigators are inviting patients who arrive at their clinic visit seeking an IUD. Usually, at University of California, San Diego (UCSD), for patients who have never delivered a baby, clinicians use a buffered paracervical block for before IUD placement. The purpose of this research study is to investigate whether a "buffered" (2 cc of sodium bicarbonate, 18 cc of 1% lidocaine) paracervical block (numbing medication given on both sides of the cervix) is effective in reducing pain during IUD placement in individuals with prior C-sections, the difference between buffered and unbuffered for nulliparous patients, and whether a medicated gel reduces pain with the paracervical block.

Empathy Through Pain Control: Buffered Compared to Unbuffered 1% Lidocaine During IUD Placement

The goal of this research study is to learn more about how different uses of a numbing medication might affect pain levels while getting an IUD placed. The investigators are also studying patients' opinions of their clinicians' empathy. The investigators are inviting patients who have never given birth who arrive at their clinic visit seeking an IUD. Usually, at University of California, San Diego (UCSD), for patients who have never delivered, clinicians numb both the sides of the cervix with a lidocaine-based paracervical block. The purpose of this research study is to compare perceptions of pain between buffered (2 cc of sodium bicarbonate, 18 cc of 1% lidocaine) vs. unbuffered paracervical block (20 cc 1% lidocaine) during IUD placement for nulliparous women.

Empathy Through Pain Control: Lidocaine Gel vs. Placebo Prior to IUD Placement

The goal of this research study is to learn more about how different uses of a numbing medication might affect pain levels while getting an IUD placed. The investigators are also studying patients' opinions of their clinicians' empathy. The investigators are inviting patients who have never given birth who arrive at their clinic visit seeking an IUD. Usually, at University of California, San Diego (UCSD), for patients who have never delivered, clinicians numb both the sides of the cervix with a lidocaine-based paracervical block. The purpose of this research study is to compare perceptions of pain between lidocaine-infused gel and non-medicated gel inserted into the vagina before paracervical block and IUD placement for nulliparous women.

The Use of Electrical Stimulation for Determination of Epidural Catheter Placement

The aim of this study is to address the problem of epidural failure. The investigators theorize epidural failure can be due to inappropriate catheter movement and this may be related to the length of which the epidural catheter is inserted. The investigators will use electrical stimulation to determine if the catheter moved in the sacral direction with insertion.

Obstetric Placement Study Using EST

Combined spinal-epidural (CSE) is an established technique for providing labour analgesia to obstetric patients which provides rapid onset but unsustained analgesia. The epidural catheter can be used to extend and provide continuous pain relief, however during single-segment needle-through-needle CSE, the catheter is untested. This study aims to confirm placement of epidural catheters of anesthesia through the epidural stimulation test (EST) which was first described by the PI of the study for confirming placement of epidural catheters approximately 20 years ago.

Electrical Epidural Stimulation Test for Detecting Epidural Catheter Reactivation in Obstetric Population

Following labor, epidural or combined spinal-epidural (CSE) catheters are kept in place and deactivated. However, many women opt for procedures such as tubal ligation, which may require epidural anesthesia as a method of pain relief. Our study aims to confirm the ability to predict reactivation of epidural catheter in postpartum females through the electrical epidural stimulation test (EST) which was first described by the PI of this study approximately 20 years ago.

SiFi vs FNB Local Anesthesia for Hip Fracture Surgeries

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare two commonly used local/regional anesthesia techniques in adults patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: • the impact of both interventions on patient level of pain. • impact on postoperative analgesics administered Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two local/regional anesthesia techniques, either femoral nerve block (FNB) or suprainguinal fascia iliaca block (SiFi). Both techniques are the usual practice at the hospital, and we are NOT aiming to experiment on new anesthesia technique in this study.

Preoperative Block for Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery

The purpose of this clinical trial study is to compare the analgesic effects of ultrasound-guided intermediate cervical plexus block Versus cervical erector spinae block in patients undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery. * The main questions it aims to answer are: * The primary outcome will be recording postoperative pain intensity using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). * The secondary outcomes will be measuring the performance time, onset of the sensory block, intraoperative fentanyl consumption, time to the first call for rescue analgesia (nalbuphine), postoperative total nalbuphine consumption, and postoperative complications such as nausea, vomiting, hypotension, and bradycardia. * We will compare two blocks to a placebo. * Participants will: * undergo ultrasound-guided intermediate cervical plexus block or cervical erector spinae block or a placebo * Be assessed for pain after 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h postoperatively