Efficacy and Safety of Liposomal Bupivacaine and Ropivacaine in Upper Limb Surgery

January 13, 2025 updated by: Xiaguang Duan

Efficacy and Safety of Liposomal Bupivacaine and Ropivacaine in Upper Limb Surgery: a Randomized Controlled Trial

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of liposomal bupivacaine and ropivacaine when used in different brachial plexus blocks and epidural anesthesia for the management of pain associated with burn injuries, digital replantation, and upper limb fractures (including radial, ulnar, humeral, and carpal fractures), as well as hand fractures (including phalangeal and metacarpal fractures). The primary objective is to determine whether liposomal bupivacaine or ropivacaine reduces the required postoperative analgesic dosage in these patient populations.

Specifically, this study will compare brachial plexus blockade with either liposomal bupivacaine or ropivacaine, combined with general anesthesia, against general anesthesia alone to assess the effectiveness of these two local anesthetics in achieving postoperative analgesia.

Enrolled participants will be randomized to one of two treatment arms: either brachial plexus block followed by endotracheal intubation and general anesthesia or general anesthesia alone. Postoperative vital signs, analgesic requirements, and recovery parameters will be continuously monitored and recorded.

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

Study Design: This study employed a prospective, randomized, comparative, and double-blinded design to assess the superiority and non-inferiority of brachial plexus blockade combined with general anesthesia versus general anesthesia alone for postoperative analgesia in patients with upper limb injuries. Patient recruitment was conducted at Baogang Hospital, Inner Mongolia. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Baogang Hospital, Inner Mongolia, and adhered to the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki and the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) guidelines. All participants provided informed consent prior to enrollment.

Patients: Sixty patients aged two years or older with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classifications I to III, scheduled for surgery due to upper limb injuries between February 2025 and May 2025, were enrolled in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups, each containing 30 patients, receiving either brachial plexus blockade combined with general anesthesia or general anesthesia alone.

Randomization and Blinding：This study employed block randomization to generate the random allocation sequence. A block size of 6 was set, and the random sequence was generated using dedicated software (the blockrand package in R version 4.3.2). The allocation of the random sequence was performed by an independent third party, and allocation concealment was implemented using sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes. The research team remained blinded throughout the randomization process and was not involved in the generation or allocation of the random sequence.

Intervention：Upon arrival to the operating room, patients will be monitored with electrocardiography, blood pressure, and pulse oximetry. Patients will be placed in the prone position with their arms abducted and internally rotated. Ultrasound guidance will be used for all regional anesthesia procedures (SonoSite Edge II; Fujifilm SonoSite, Bothell, WA, USA) with a linear 13-6 MHz ultrasound probe (HFL50x; Fujifilm SonoSite, Bothell, WA, USA). For each block, a 5 mL test dose will be injected initially, followed by observation for clinical signs of a successful block. After confirming correct placement, the remaining dose of the anesthetic agent will be injected. Following administration of the regional anesthesia, general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation will be performed. Anesthesia induction will be achieved using propofol (1.5-2 mg/kg i.v.), rocuronium (1-2 mg/kg i.v.), and fentanyl (1-2 μg/kg i.v.). Anesthesia will be maintained using sevoflurane or desflurane, with inhaled concentration adjusted based on Bispectral Index (BIS) monitoring. A continuous infusion of remifentanil (0.05-0.2 μg/kg/min) will be administered, with adjustments to maintain blood pressure and heart rate within ±20% of baseline values. Following induction, patients will be mechanically ventilated in pressure-regulated volume control (PRVC) mode. The ventilator (Aestiva; GE Healthcare, Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA) settings will be: tidal volume 6-8 mL/kg, positive end-expiratory pressure 0 cm H2O, inspiratory to expiratory ratio 1:2, respiratory rate 16 breaths per minute (BPM), and fraction of inspired oxygen 41%.

Continuous Brachial Plexus Block Procedure: Patients were positioned supine with the head slightly turned to the contralateral side to expose the supraclavicular fossa. The injection site was prepared using standard aseptic techniques. Under ultrasound guidance, a needle was advanced to the vicinity of the brachial plexus. Aspiration was performed to confirm the absence of blood return before the slow, incremental injection of either liposomal bupivacaine [adult dose: 133 mg (10 mL) to 266 mg (20 mL)] or ropivacaine [adult dose: 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine, administered via continuous infusion at a rate of 5-10 mL/h; pediatric dose: 0.1% ropivacaine at 0.1-0.2 mL/kg, administered via continuous infusion at 0.05-0.15 mL/kg/h]. Patient responses were closely monitored throughout the procedure.

Outcomes and Measures: Postoperative assessments were conducted in the ward by two nurses blinded to group assignment and specifically trained in the study protocols. These nurses performed in-person evaluations at the following time points: pre-treatment (baseline), and then postoperatively at 2 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours.

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 (Estimated)

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.
60

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.

Study Locations

  • China
    • Inner Mongolia
      • Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China, 014010
        • Inner Mongolia Baogang Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
          • Xiangyu Wang, MM

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

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age: Two years or older.
  • ASA Physical Status: American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification of I, II, or III.
  • Surgical Indication: Patients requiring surgical treatment for any of the following upper limb injuries: Burn injuries. Digital replantation. Upper limb fractures, including fractures of the radius, ulna, humerus, and carpal bones. Hand fractures, including fractures of the phalanges and metacarpals.
  • Patients scheduled to undergo either a continuous brachial plexus block combined with general anesthesia or general anesthesia alone.
  • Patients (or their legal guardians) provided voluntary written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Known allergy to local anesthetic agents.
  • Presence of infection or skin disease at the planned puncture site.
  • Severe coagulation disorders or current use of anticoagulant medications that cannot be safely discontinued for the procedure.
  • Presence of severe cardiopulmonary or neurological disease.
  • Inability to cooperate with regional or general anesthesia.
  • Pregnancy or lactation.
  • Presence of severe psychiatric illness or cognitive impairment that would hinder participation.
  • Long-term use of analgesic medications.

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: Quadruple

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: GA group
General anesthesia group. Anesthesia induction will be achieved using propofol (1.5-2 mg/kg i.v.), rocuronium (1-2 mg/kg i.v.), and fentanyl (1-2 μg/kg i.v.). Anesthesia will be maintained using sevoflurane or desflurane, with inhaled concentration adjusted based on Bispectral Index (BIS) monitoring. A continuous infusion of remifentanil (0.05-0.2 μg/kg/min) will be administered, with adjustments to maintain blood pressure and heart rate within ±20% of baseline values. Following induction, patients will be mechanically ventilated in pressure-regulated volume control (PRVC) mode. The ventilator (Aestiva; GE Healthcare, Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA) settings will be: tidal volume 6-8 mL/kg, positive end-expiratory pressure 0 cm H2O, inspiratory to expiratory ratio 1:2, respiratory rate 16 breaths per minute (BPM), and fraction of inspired oxygen 41%.
Device: General Anesthesia (GA)
Anesthesia induction will be achieved using propofol (1.5-2 mg/kg i.v.), rocuronium (1-2 mg/kg i.v.), and fentanyl (1-2 μg/kg i.v.). Anesthesia will be maintained using sevoflurane or desflurane, with inhaled concentration adjusted based on Bispectral Index (BIS) monitoring. A continuous infusion of remifentanil (0.05-0.2 μg/kg/min) will be administered, with adjustments to maintain blood pressure and heart rate within ±20% of baseline values. Following induction, patients will be mechanically ventilated in pressure-regulated volume control (PRVC) mode. The ventilator (Aestiva; GE Healthcare, Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA) settings will be: tidal volume 6-8 mL/kg, positive end-expiratory pressure 0 cm H2O, inspiratory to expiratory ratio 1:2, respiratory rate 16 breaths per minute (BPM), and fraction of inspired oxygen 41%.
Experimental: CBPB group
Patients were positioned supine with the head slightly turned to the contralateral side to expose the supraclavicular fossa. The injection site was prepared using standard aseptic techniques. Under ultrasound guidance, a needle was advanced to the vicinity of the brachial plexus. Aspiration was performed to confirm the absence of blood return before the slow, incremental injection of either liposomal bupivacaine [adult dose: 133 mg (10 mL) to 266 mg (20 mL)] or ropivacaine [adult dose: 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine, administered via continuous infusion at a rate of 5-10 mL/h; pediatric dose: 0.1% ropivacaine at 0.1-0.2 mL/kg, administered via continuous infusion at 0.05-0.15 mL/kg/h]. Patient responses were closely monitored throughout the procedure.
Device: General Anesthesia (GA)
Anesthesia induction will be achieved using propofol (1.5-2 mg/kg i.v.), rocuronium (1-2 mg/kg i.v.), and fentanyl (1-2 μg/kg i.v.). Anesthesia will be maintained using sevoflurane or desflurane, with inhaled concentration adjusted based on Bispectral Index (BIS) monitoring. A continuous infusion of remifentanil (0.05-0.2 μg/kg/min) will be administered, with adjustments to maintain blood pressure and heart rate within ±20% of baseline values. Following induction, patients will be mechanically ventilated in pressure-regulated volume control (PRVC) mode. The ventilator (Aestiva; GE Healthcare, Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA) settings will be: tidal volume 6-8 mL/kg, positive end-expiratory pressure 0 cm H2O, inspiratory to expiratory ratio 1:2, respiratory rate 16 breaths per minute (BPM), and fraction of inspired oxygen 41%.
Device: Continuous Brachial Plexus Block
Patients were positioned supine with the head slightly turned to the contralateral side to expose the supraclavicular fossa. The injection site was prepared using standard aseptic techniques. Under ultrasound guidance, a needle was advanced to the vicinity of the brachial plexus. Aspiration was performed to confirm the absence of blood return before the slow, incremental injection of either liposomal bupivacaine [adult dose: 133 mg (10 mL) to 266 mg (20 mL)] or ropivacaine [adult dose: 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine, administered via continuous infusion at a rate of 5-10 mL/h; pediatric dose: 0.1% ropivacaine at 0.1-0.2 mL/kg, administered via continuous infusion at 0.05-0.15 mL/kg/h]. Patient responses were closely monitored throughout the procedure.

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
Numerical Rating Scale(NRS)
Time Frame: At baseline (before therapy),At 2hours post-surgery, At 6hours post-surgery、At 12hours post-surgery、At 24hours post-surgery.
The NRS, Numerical Rating Scale, is a rating system from 0 to 10, where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents the worst possible pain.
At baseline (before therapy),At 2hours post-surgery, At 6hours post-surgery、At 12hours post-surgery、At 24hours post-surgery.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Total Postoperative Analgesic Consumption
Time Frame: At 24 hours post-surgery.
The total amount of analgesic medication (including opioids and non-opioids, converted to morphine equivalents if necessary) used by patients from the end of surgery up to 24 hours post-surgery.
At 24 hours post-surgery.
Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV)
Time Frame: At 24 hours after surgery
The incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting experienced by patients after surgery.
At 24 hours after surgery
Patient Satisfaction Score
Time Frame: At 24 hours after surgery
Patient satisfaction with postoperative analgesia was assessed using a structured satisfaction survey. This survey employed a 10-point numerical rating scale, where 0 indicated complete dissatisfaction and 10 represented the highest level of satisfaction. The survey instrument encompassed evaluations of several key dimensions, including pain control, comfort, and the level of trust in the medical team.
At 24 hours after surgery
Postoperative Recovery Status
Time Frame: From the end of anesthesia up to 24 hours post-surgery.
Assessment of patient recovery status, including consciousness level, respiratory status, circulatory status, and overall well-being after surgery.
From the end of anesthesia up to 24 hours post-surgery.

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.
Xiaguang Duan

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: Xiangyu Wang, MM, Inner Mongolia Baogang Hospital

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 (Estimated)

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.
February 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

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.
May 1, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

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.
May 10, 2025

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).
January 13, 2025

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.
January 13, 2025

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.
March 25, 2025

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.
March 25, 2025

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.
January 13, 2025

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.
January 1, 2025

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.
  • 2024-MER-319

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

Only IPD used in the results publication

IPD Sharing Time Frame

January 2026-January 2031

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

A proposal that describes planned analyses must be submitted or whether a data sharing agreement must be signed.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP
  • ICF
  • CSR

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

Yes

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

Yes

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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