Clinical Research Directory

Suzetrigine-enhanced MultimOdal Opioid-sparing THerapy in Cardiac and Bariatric SURGery

This is prospective, randomized study. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether the addition of Suzetrigine to well established multimodal pain regimen for participants undergoing bariatric patients undergoing weight-loss surgery and cardiac patients undergoing sternotomy will reduce post-operative opioid consumption and pain scores.

Modulation of Periapical Inflammation Following Nano-sized Intracanal Medication. A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

The main cause of endodontic disorders is microbial infection. From the infected pulp tissue, microorganisms can penetrate into the deeper layers of root dentine and propagate a periapical tissue through the apical foramen and lateral canals causing apical periodontitis. Apical periodontitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the periapical area of teeth with a global prevalence of 52% among individuals and 5% at tooth level. At the periapical region, microbes and their products encounter the host immune defense. Innate immune cells combat bacteria through phagocytosis and release anti-microbial substances, while adaptive immune cells initiate both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. This immune activation also stimulates osteoclasts, leading to bone resorption and creating space for the inflammatory cells' infiltration . During periapical inflammation, immune cells migrate to the periapical area, where they release pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), along with anti-inflammatory cytokines like interleukin-10 (IL-10). These cytokines play crucial roles in modulating inflammation and tissue repair. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved small (18-22 nucleotides) single-stranded, noncoding RNAs. It has been well acknowledged that miRNAs influence gene expression at the posttranscriptional level by targeting mRNA 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTRs). Accumulating evidence has suggested that miRNA expression is related to the clinical and biological features of diverse diseases, and they can be potential biomarkers for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. miRNAs have revealed their critical roles in regulating various cellular functions, including proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, metabolism, and tumorigenesis, by targeting specific mRNAs. MiR-146a regulates innate immunity, inflammatory responses, and the antiviral pathway. Changes in miR-146a expression have been noted in many human diseases, including autoimmune disorders and cancers. In addition, miR-146a is an important biomarker of disease diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. It is a negative regulator of inflammatory responses by suppressing target gene expression. However, limited data is available regarding the functional role of miR-146a in modulating the inflammatory response of periapical tissues following root canal disinfection in endodontic retreatment cases. Eliminating microorganisms is the primary objective of root canal therapy in order to create an environment as free of bacteria as possible. However, not all root canal treatments are completely successful, and in some cases, the infection persists leading to development of secondary apical periodontitis in previously treated teeth. Disinfecting the root canal during retreatment is significantly more challenging due to the presence of persistent microorganisms that have settled in the root canal system. These microbes are often resistant to standard irrigations and antimicrobial agents leading to the formation of periradicular lesions. Such bacteria can survive for extended periods around the previously filled root canals. Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is the most widely used irrigant in root canal therapy due to its strong antibacterial effect and its ability to dissolve organic substances. Effective canal cleaning is difficult to achieve without the use of NaOCl at a sufficiently high concentration. However, NaOCl has several drawbacks, including its cytotoxicity which can lead to tissue damage and patient symptoms. Additionally, its strong oxidizing nature negatively affects the mechanical properties of dentin such as microhardness and elastic modulus. NaOCl should be used with caution in endodontic procedures to prevent hypochlorite accidents. Calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH)2) is the most widely utilized intracanal medication. It has the potential to dissolve tissue, acts as a physical barrier and generates hydroxyl ions, creating an extremely alkaline environment. It has been shown to be quite effective in the treatment of teeth with persistent periapical lesions. To provide optimal endodontic treatment, the root canal system should be thoroughly cleaned of soft-tissue debris, smear layer, and bacteria. Nanoparticles (NPs) have unique characteristics such as smaller sizes, increased surface area to volume ratio, and higher chemical reactivity and charge density leading to greater interaction with the environment and negatively charged bacterial cells, compared to their bulk counterparts. These advantages can be used to design highly anti-microbial agents with maximal therapeutic efficacy and minimal side effects.

PAIN OUT: Improvement in Postoperative PAIN OUTcome

PAIN OUT is a multi-national, non-interventional registry and benchmark project, assessing and analysing clinical and patient-reported outcome data of postoperative pain.

Suzetrigine for Treatment and Reduction of Intense Discomfort After knEe Replacement PAIN

This is a prospective, randomized study. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if the addition of Suzetrigine, a new pain medication, to well established peri-operative pain regimen used for total knee replacement surgery will effect pain control. 1. Does Suzetrigine given pre-operatively decrease the total opioid consumed after total knee replacement surgery? 2. Dose Suzetrigine given pre-operatively decrease the visual analog pain scale pain scores after total knee replacement surgery? Study participants will be randomly assigned to receive either Suzetrigine medication or placebo medication.

Presacral Nerve Block Versus Sham Block on Post-operative Pain for Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

The study is a single-center parallel group randomized controlled trial comparing the administration of a presacral nerve block using 20mL of local ropivacaine 5.0mg/ml versus 20mL of normal saline (sham block) on post-operative pain following total laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Dextromethorphan for Treatment of Postoperative Pain

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Perioperative Dextromethorphan compared to Placebo for the Treatment of Postoperative Pain

Force Sensor Study

This research is to understand more about the forces that are involved on the tongue and other oropharyngeal structures during laryngeal surgery. This information will be used to determine if these forces can affect outcomes (pain, numbness, taste, etc) and whether factors such as procedure type, surgeon experience (i.e. resident, fellow, attending), and choice of surgical equipment affect these forces. This information may be used to reduce these forces and prevent these issues from happening during certain laryngeal surgeries. For the first 50 patients, force measurements will be taken and correlated to outcome measures . Surgeons will be blinded to the force measurements intra-operatively. For the next 50 patients, surgeons will be given force measurements in real-time intra-operatively allowing adjustments to be made. The impact of this adjustment on outcomes will be determined.

Dextenza in the Post-op Management of Vitreoretinal Surgeries

This study will assess the control of inflammation at days 1, 7, 14, and 21 days following the vitreoretinal surgical procedure analyzing two randomized study arms: Intracanalicular dexamethasone insert group or topical steroid drop group. Patients must be 18 years of age and older, of any race and either sex, requiring surgery with the procedure type of pars plana vitrectomy for either the indication of macular hole, epiretinal membrane removal, or vitreomacular traction.

Post-operative Cesarean Trial of Pain Control

This study plans to learn more about postoperative pain management after cesarean deliveries (C-sections). As a part of standard of care, the Children's Hospital Colorado's Colorado Fetal Care Center (CFCC) follows the standard Enhanced Recovery After Cesarean (ERAC) guidelines to manage pain following C-section delivery. In addition, the CFCC uses an FDA approved medical device called the ON-Q ® Pump, which continuously delivers local anesthetic medication to control pain in the area of your procedure. The local anesthetic used is bupivacaine, which is FDA approved for use to control local pain after C-sections. The CFCC has found a significant reduction in opioid use after adopting both of these procedures. The study aims to determine if the ERAC protocol or ON-Q ® Pump continuous infusion is responsible for lower opioid use by comparing bupivacaine (treatment) versus saline (placebo) groups.

Outcomes of Pulpotomy and Root Canal Treatment in Teeth With Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis

The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of total pulpotomy (TP), radicular pulpotomy (RP), and root canal treatment (RCT) in mandibular premolar and/or molar teeth diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, with respect to postoperative pain control and treatment success.Materials and Methods:A total of 99 mandibular premolar and molar teeth will be included in this study. The teeth will be randomly allocated into three groups (n = 33 per group): total pulpotomy, radicular pulpotomy, and root canal treatment.Root canal treatment will be performed using standardized endodontic protocols.Total pulpotomy will be carried out to the level of the canal orifices, followed by hemostasis achieved with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). A 3-mm-thick layer of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) will be placed as the pulpotomy material.Radicular pulpotomy will be performed by removing the pulp tissue a few millimeters apical to the canal orifices. Hemostasis will be achieved using 2.5% NaOCl, and a 3-mm-thick layer of MTA will be placed as the pulpotomy agent.All treated teeth will be restored with glass ionomer cement, followed by a composite resin restoration.Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) at the following time points: preoperatively, and at 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days postoperatively. Clinical and radiographic evaluations will be performed at 3, 6, and 12 months to assess treatment success and periapical health.

Temperature Rise Caused by Short or Long-wavelengths

Red light has been shown to be less harmful than blue light in vitro and in vivo. Although red light has been already introduced in the market and is currently being used in patients for several reasons, no data exist on the use of red light applied to restorative procedures. This study aims to specifically measure the in vivo temperature rise in simulated restorative procedures using blue light (standard) and red light and its post-operative sensitivity rates.

Opioid Use After Laparoscopic Salpingectomy

The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient-reported post-operative pain scores following minimally invasive tubal sterilization procedures to determine if a multimodal, non-opioid pain control regimen is non-inferior to a pain control regimen including opioids. The study team hypothesizes that with extensive counseling on pain management, multimodal medication use, and expectation with non-opioid methods can effectively eliminate the need for opioid prescriptions after laparoscopic salpingectomy.

Post-Operative Trigeminal Pain After Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the long-term effects of microvascular decompression (MVD) in patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). The main question it aims to answer is: Does undergoing post-operative dental treatment or other orofacial stimulation increase the likelihood of pain relapse after MVD for TN? Participants who have previously undergone MVD for TN as part of their standard medical care will be asked to complete surveys over phone call. These surveys will focus on their pain experiences, timing, anxiety attacks and nature of any pain relapses, and whether they have received dental treatments or other orofacial interventions during follow-up.

Post-cesarean Analgesia: Comparing Effectiveness of Staggered v. Simultaneous Therapies

Cesarean delivery is a commonly performed surgical procedure associated with worse postpartum pain when compared to vaginal birth. Uncontrolled postpartum pain is associated with increased neonatal and maternal risks. Multimodal non-opioid pain medications, including acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the preferred first-line therapies. There is no standard practice, however, on best dosing schedules (ie staggered or different time v. simultaneous or same time). This protocol describes a randomized clinical trial aimed to determine whether staggered dosing of acetaminophen and NSAIDs in superior to simultaneous dosing in controlling post-cesarean pain.

Investigation of the Effect of Distention Medium Temperature on Image Quality, Hyponatremia Risk, and Post-operative Pain in Operative Hysteroscopy

Minimally invasive applications are seen as the gold standard in today's gynecology practice and are frequently preferred by both patients and physicians. Less pain, shorter hospital stays, and better cosmetic results brought about by minimally invasive applications further increase their preference. One of these approaches is hysteroscopic interventions. Although hysteroscopy is a well-defined method, current research has focused on further reduction of pain. One of these methods is to warm the distention media at body temperature. theTaim of this study was to examine the effect of distention medium temperature on image quality, hyponatremia risk, and post-operative pain in operative hysteroscopy.

Low Versus Standard Pressure Pneumoperitoneum on Shoulder Tip Pain

This proposed study is a single-center, double blind, parallel group RCT comparing the use of low (10 mm Hg) versus standard pressure (15 mm Hg) pneumoperitoneum at the time of benign gynecologic laparoscopic surgery. Patients will be randomized to the control group (standard pressure) or the intervention group (low pressure) and surgeons will be blinded to the study pressure. Data on post-operative recovery and pain scores will be recorded for each patient.

QL vs LAI for Palatoplasty

This study will consist of patients ages 6-18 who are undergoing a surgery on the hard or soft palate of the mouth (palatoplasty), with removal of bone from the front of the hip (anterior iliac bone graft harvesting). The patients will be randomized to receive either a unilateral QL block by an anesthesiologist, or local anesthetic infiltration at the surgical incision by the surgeon. The primary aim will be assessing post-operative pain in the first 48 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes will include pain medication use in the first 48 hours after surgery, block resolution time, and evaluating any complications associated with the QL block or local anesthetic infiltration.

Lidocaine vs. Lidocaine With Dexmedetomidine for Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA) in Upper Limb Surgery

This study compares lidocaine alone vs. lidocaine with dexmedetomidine in Intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) for upper limb surgery in terms of pain scores and duration of analgesia

Dexmedetomidine Added to Bupivacaine for ESP Block in Children Undergoing Lower Abdominal Surgeries

This study aims to evaluate the effect of adding dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks on the duration of postoperative analgesia in pediatric patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery. Effective postoperative pain control in children remains a clinical challenge, and regional anesthesia techniques such as the ESP block have shown promise in improving outcomes. In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, pediatric patients scheduled for elective lower abdominal surgeries will be assigned to receive either bupivacaine alone or bupivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine as part of an ultrasound-guided ESP block. The primary outcome is the duration of postoperative analgesia, defined as the time from the block until the first request for rescue analgesia. Secondary outcomes include total analgesic consumption and postoperative pain scores

Simethicone as Part of ERAS in Bariatric Surgery Patients

By conducting this study, we hope to assess if simethicone (also known as Gas Relief or GasX) has an effect on improving gas pain and bloating specifically in patients undergoing foregut procedures to include bariatric procedures (sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass), hiatal hernia, and gastric surgery. The purpose of this research is to gather information on the safety and effectiveness of simethicone. Simethicone (more commonly known as Gas Relief or Gas-X) relieves pressure, bloating, and fullness commonly referred to as gas. It is FDA approved. The use of this medication in this research study is consistent with labeling indications.

Subpectoral Bupivacaine for Pain Management in Adolescent Reduction Mammaplasty

The main question this randomized control trial aims to answer is: • Is the use of intraoperative subpectoral bupivacaine associated with decreased post-operative pain in adolescent patients who undergo bilateral reduction mammaplasty Participants will be randomized into the study group that intraoperatively receives 30cc of subpectoral bupivacaine injections or into the control group that intraoperatively receives 30cc of injectable saline subpectorally. All participants will keep a pain log and pain medication log at home for the first week following surgery. Researchers will compare to see if patients who receive subpectoral bupivacaine have lower pain scores in the PACU, and lower use of narcotics post-operatively when compared to the control group who receive injectable saline.

Comparing Perioperative Outcomes in Pain Control

This project consists of a randomized controlled study design. Study candidates will include all patients 18 years or older, who were evaluated at UCSD and found to have an orthopaedic injury requiring surgery. Patients who consent to study participation will be randomized to receive either the multimodal pain management protocol or standard oral hydrocodone-acetaminophen for post-operative pain management. Data on opioid usage, pain control, and functional status will be collected for each participant. After 3 years of data collection, investigators will analyze this data to provide further insight in determining appropriateness of pain regimens that reduce the overall opioid consumption. Given the widespread opioid epidemic, it is imperative to develop alternative means to appropriately manage pain in orthopaedic surgery patients.

Cosmetic Outcome of Electrocautery, Scalpel and PEAK PlasmaBlade for Surgical Breast Incisions

This study will compare the cosmetic scar result from the use of scalpel, electrocautery, and pulsed electron avalanche knife (PEAK) PlasmaBlade (PPB) for the initial skin incision for total mastectomy procedures without immediate breast reconstruction. It is hypothesized that there will be no significant difference in mastectomy scar cosmesis. The purpose and objectives of this study are: 1. To evaluate and compare the cosmetic scar result from the use of scalpel, standard electrocautery, or PEAK PlasmaBlade for initial incision for total mastectomy procedures without immediate breast reconstruction. 2. To inform future equipment choices for breast surgery including potential elimination of scalpels and their attendant risks.

Bioequivalence of Two Formulations of Parecoxib in Healthy Volunteers Under Fasting Conditions

A randomized, single-dose, two-way crossover study to evaluate bioequivalence of two formulations of parecoxib after intravenous bolus of parecoxib in healthy volunteers under fasting conditions