Clinical Research Directory

Optimized Costoclavicular Block for Elderly Proximal Humeral Fracture Surgery

Background: Proximal humeral fractures are common in elderly patients and often require surgical fixation (open reduction and internal fixation). Traditional regional anesthesia techniques, such as the interscalene brachial plexus block, may provide incomplete pain relief in the medial upper arm area and carry a high risk of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis, which can lead to breathing difficulties. Objective: This study aims to evaluate whether an optimized nerve block strategy-ultrasound-guided costoclavicular brachial plexus block combined with superficial cervical plexus block and T2 thoracic paravertebral block-improves anesthetic success and reduces diaphragm dysfunction compared to the traditional interscalene approach in elderly patients undergoing proximal humeral fracture surgery. Study Design: This is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind (participants and outcome assessors), superiority clinical trial. Population: A total of 356 elderly patients (aged ≥65 years) with unilateral proximal humeral fractures scheduled for open reduction and internal fixation via an anterior surgical approach will be enrolled from three centers in Shanghai, China. Intervention: Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to one of two groups: * Experimental Group (Optimized Strategy): Receives ultrasound-guided costoclavicular brachial plexus block + superficial cervical plexus block + T2 thoracic paravertebral block (0.375% ropivacaine 20 mL for brachial plexus, 0.25% ropivacaine 10 mL for each of the other blocks). * Control Group (Traditional Strategy): Receives ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block + superficial cervical plexus block + T2 thoracic paravertebral block (same drug regimen). All nerve blocks will be performed under ultrasound guidance by a single anesthesiologist. Patients and outcome assessors will be blinded to group assignment; the performing anesthesiologist cannot be blinded due to the distinct anatomical approaches. Main Outcomes: * Primary Outcome: Nerve block success rate, defined as no pain or only mild pain requiring no rescue analgesics (e.g., intravenous opioids, conversion to general anesthesia, or local infiltration) during surgery. * Key Secondary Outcomes: Rate of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis (assessed by ultrasound M-mode); rate of conversion to general anesthesia; postoperative pain (NRS, 0-10) at 24 hours; perioperative stress biomarkers (cortisol, ACTH, IL-6, HMGB-1, CRP, galectin-3); and postoperative shoulder function recovery. Safety Monitoring: Adverse events, including unplanned conversion to general anesthesia, respiratory depression, pneumothorax, and severe hemidiaphragmatic paralysis, will be recorded and managed according to predefined protocols. An independent Data Monitoring Committee will review safety data and conduct interim analyses for futility. Study Duration: The study is expected to take approximately 24 months from first patient enrollment to final follow-up completion. Ethical Approval: This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Shanghai Tongren Hospital. Approvals from the ethics committees of the other participating centers (Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital and Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital) will be obtained before study initiation at those sites.

Continuous Adductor Canal Block in Outpatient Total Knee Arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a frequent performed surgery. Many institutions are implementing outpatient programs for this surgery and adequate pain management is an important feature. Analgesic duration of single shot nerve blocks is limited to no more than 24h. Conversely, the use of continuous nerve block (CNB) through a perineural catheter and infusion of local anesthetic may increase duration of analgesia and provide better outcomes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate effectiveness and safety of using CNB in patients undergoing primary TKA, and its effects on patients' quality of recovery. We hypothesize that continuous adductor canal block would lead to a better quality of recovery in patients undergoing primary TKA.

FAB Block vs. Placebo for Hip Arthroplasty Patients

Hip arthroplasty surgery can be associated with significant pain. A regional anesthesia technique, the femoral articular branch block (FAB), has recently been proposed to collectively block terminal femoral and accessory obturator nerve branches to the hip joint with a single injection, theoretically blocking most of the innervation relevant to hip arthroscopy while sparing the main femoral nerve branches to the quadriceps muscles. The investigators aim to demonstrate the analgesic benefits of FAB. The investigators hypothesize that FAB will reduce opioid consumption and improve postoperative quality of recovery in patients having hip arthroplasty. This is a randomized, controlled, double-blind study and half the patients will be randomized to receive the femoral articular branch block and the other half of patients will be randomized to receive a placebo block. A comparison of pain will be made between both groups.

BiFeS vs. iPACK in Postoperative Knee Arthroplasty Analgesia

The Biceps Femoris Short Head (BiFeS) block is a new fascial plane block technique targeting the sensory innervation of the posterolateral capsule of the knee while preserving motor function. The aim of this study is to evaluate the postoperative analgesic efficacy of the BiFeS block combined with the adductor canal block (ACB) in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty, compared to ACB + iPACK block. The study is planned as a prospective, randomized, double-blind, parallel two-group trial. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive ACB + iPACK (Group A) or ACB + BiFeS (Group B). Postoperative pain scores (VAS), opioid consumption, early mobilization, and quality of recovery (QoR-15) outcomes will be compared.