Methadone and Interscalene Block for Shoulder Surgery

Status unconfirmed · Phase 4

Conditions studied: Pain

In brief

Patients undergoing shoulder surgery may experience moderate-to-severe pain during the first 2-3 days following the operative procedure. Two methods are used to control pain in the early postoperative period. First, an interscalene nerve block (ISB) can be placed prior to surgery to block the pain fibers that supply the shoulder. Although an ISB provides effective analgesia for several hours after surgery, the block is associated with the potential for transient or permanent nerve injury. Furthermore, the ISB can wear off suddenly, resulting in the abrupt onset of severe pain. A second method of pain control involves the use of opioids. Opioids can provide potent pain relief following surgical procedures. However, the agents that are commonly used by anesthesiologists and surgeons only produce pain relief for 2-4 hours, which leads to fluctuations in the levels of pain control. Recent data suggest that the use of a long-acting opioid like methadone in the operating room, which provides analgesia for 24-36 hours, may improve pain control after surgery. The aim of this clinical trial is to compare postoperative pain scores and analgesic requirements in patients randomized to receive either an ISB or methadone at the start of shoulder arthroscopic surgery.

Key facts

Study ID
NCT03084588
Run by
Endeavor Health
People needed
100
Starts
2016-07-01
Expected to finish
2021-07-01
Last updated by the study team
2020-08-25

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 70. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: accepted.

You may qualify if…

You may not qualify if…

Where it is running

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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