Erector Spinae Plane Block for Rib Fracture Analgesia in the Emergency Department

May 15, 2021 updated by: Dana Sajed, University of Southern California

Rib fractures, while in isolation are self-limited and benign, can be exquisitely painful. Poorly controlled rib fracture pain can compromise respiratory function leading to increased morbidity and mortality, especially in the elderly. Currently, opioid medications are the mainstay of analgesia but are associated with significant adverse effects, such as respiratory depression and delirium. In an effort to improve acute pain in the ED and concomitantly reduce opioid use, ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia has been implemented more frequently The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a relatively new ultrasound-guided procedure for thoracic analgesia.

Previously, the serratus anterior plane (SAP) block has been used for this indication. However, typical anatomical distribution limits the effectiveness of the SAP block to anterior rib fractures, while the majority of traumatic rib fractures are posterior, thus require a more central blockade such as the proposed ESPB. The ESPB can be done as a single injection into the superficial structures of the back under ultrasound guidance and as such, is a both a relatively safe and technically easy procedure to perform, especially in comparison to the more traditional alternatives of epidurals, paravertebral and intercostal injections.

There have been no prospective studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of the ESPB in the emergency department setting for acute rib fractures. The investigators hypothesize that the ESPB will provide improved acute pain scores in the emergency department compared to parental analgesia alone. Secondarily, investigators hypothesize that this will translate to less inpatient opioid requirements and improved incentive spirometry values.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Rib fractures, while in isolation are self-limited and benign, can be exquisitely painful. Poorly controlled rib fracture pain can compromise respiratory function leading to increased morbidity and mortality, especially in the elderly. Currently, opioid medications are the mainstay of analgesia but are associated with significant adverse effects, such as respiratory depression and delirium. Additionally, even short courses can predispose to life-long addiction perpetuating the opioid epidemic. In an effort to improve acute pain in the ED and concomitantly reduce opioid use, ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia has been implemented more frequently. As an example, ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks for hip fractures have a promising track record for reducing opioid use and improving pain scores. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a relatively new ultrasound-guided procedure for thoracic analgesia. It was first described in 2016 by Forero, et al., as an effective alternative to traditional neuraxial blockade for post-operative and chronic thoracic pain. A recent literature review by Kot et al., 2019 revealed six prospective studies in post-operative patients concluding that the ESPB was at least as effective as opioids in thoracic pain reduction, easy to use and with a low complication rate. One prospective study in post-operative breast surgery patients demonstrated a reduction in morphine by 65% compared to control. Most literature on the ESPB in the ED are case reports, which demonstrate its versatility in a myriad of clinical situations such as renal colic, acute herpes zoster, acute transverse process fractures, extensive burns, mechanical back pain, acute pancreatitis and acute rib fractures. This review found the ESPB to be effective at reducing pain scores for all reported indications with no complications. The ESPB is a particularly attractive multimodal form of analgesia in the ED where acute traumatic rib fractures are a common presentation. Usually the involuntary splinting from acute pain results in the typical pulmonary complications, but high doses of opioids and the subsequent respiratory depressive effects can lead to higher rates of atelectasis, pneumonia and respiratory failure. In order to combat this "between a rock and a hard place" scenario, regional analgesia has emerged as an effective means of improving both pain respiratory mechanics. Previously, the serratus anterior plane (SAP) block has been used for this indication. However, typical anatomical distribution limits the effectiveness of the SAP block to anterior rib fractures, while the majority of traumatic rib fractures are posterior, thus require a more central blockade such as the proposed ESPB. The ESPB can be done as a single injection into the superficial structures of the back under ultrasound guidance and as such, is a both a relatively safe and technically easy procedure to perform, especially in comparison to the more traditional alternatives of epidurals, paravertebral and intercostal injections. Another consideration of these technically more difficult procedures is that they are relatively contraindicated in the anticoagulated patient precluding a substantial number of elderly patients from their therapeutic benefits. The aforementioned reviews have supported the safety of the ESPB with no complications reported. Specifically, of the 10 case reports utilizing this block in the ED, none reported any complications. The 3 cases reported by Luftig et al, in 2018 specific to ED management of acute rib fractures were technically feasible, highly efficacious and safe. However, there have been no prospective studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of the ESPB in the emergency department setting for acute rib fractures. The investigators hypothesize that the ESPB will provide improved acute pain scores in the emergency department compared to parental analgesia alone. Secondarily, the investigators hypothesize that this will translate to less inpatient opioid requirements and improved incentive spirometry values.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
40

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: Dana Sajed
  • Phone Number: 858 361 4685
  • Email: sajed@usc.edu

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age >=18
  • At least 1 acute rib fracture. Acute defined as within 7 days of presentation.
  • Numerical pain score on presentation at least 5 out of 10. This will identify patients that justify the invasive procedure.
  • Admitted to hospital for at least 24 hours of observation.
  • Be able to consent and participate in study by assuming necessary positioning for intervention

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Hypotension/shock (shock index >1.0, SBP < 90)
  • Distracting injury not amenable to ESPB as determined by the enrolling physician. (i.e extremity fracture, burn, laceration, contusion, joint dislocation, etc.)
  • Examples of patients not able to consent/participate are intubated patients or patients in spinal precautions (i.e c-collar)
  • Known hypersensitivity to local anesthetic
  • Evidence of infection at the proposed site of injection

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: ESPB Block
Patients with rib fracture randomized to block group
Procedure: Erector Spinae Plane Block
Nerve block with local anesthetic in the erector spinae plane
Other Names:
  • Nerve Block
  • Erector Spinae Block
Active Comparator: Standard Care
Patients with rib fracture receiving IV analgesia/standard care
Drug: IV Analgesia
IV analgesia, typically Morphine/Opioid medications
Other Names:
  • Morphine
  • Opioid

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
To determine the effectiveness of the ESPB for pain management of acute rib fractures in the emergency department using a 10 point isual analog scale
Time Frame: 0, 1, 2 and 24 hours assessment
Change in pain level from fractures as measured using a visual analog scale
0, 1, 2 and 24 hours assessment

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Southern California

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Tom Mailhot, MD, LAC+USC Medical Center

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Anticipated)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
July 1, 2021

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
June 30, 2022

Study Completion (Anticipated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 31, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
May 12, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 15, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
May 19, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
May 19, 2021

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 15, 2021

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
May 1, 2021

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • HS-21-00066

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

No

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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