Comparing bupivacaine and placebo for pain control after mastectomy

Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo Controlled Trial of Locally Instilled Bupivacaine in the Surgical Bed After Unilateral Mastectomy Without Reconstruction

Phase 3 Interventional Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · NCT03351348

This study is testing if adding a numbing medication called bupivacaine can help people feel less pain after having a mastectomy compared to just using standard pain medications.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment165 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Academic / other
Locations7 sites (Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 6 other locations)
Trial IDNCT03351348 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of bupivacaine, a numbing medication, in managing post-operative pain for patients undergoing unilateral mastectomy. Participants will receive either bupivacaine at the surgical site along with standard pain medications or standard medications alone. The goal is to determine if the addition of bupivacaine can improve pain management and reduce reliance on opioids after surgery. The study will assess patient-reported pain scores to compare outcomes between the two groups.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older scheduled for unilateral mastectomy with or without sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Not a fit: Patients who are non-English speaking, undergoing bilateral mastectomy, or have certain pre-existing conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to better pain management and reduced opioid use for patients after mastectomy.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with bupivacaine for post-operative pain control, suggesting this approach may be effective.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients ≥ 18 years of age
* Patients undergoing unilateral mastectomy with or without SLNB or axillary dissection
* Patients scheduled for surgery at the JRSC or MSK Monmouth
* Previously enrolled patients \> 6 months from contralateral mastectomy

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who are non-English speaking
* Patients having any immediate breast reconstructive procedure
* Patients are having bilateral mastectomy
* Patients who report a baseline pain score \> 3, unrelated to a breast procedure
* Patients who take long acting opioid medication use
* Patients will be excluded if they are having their mastectomy performed with tumescence
* Patients weighing \< 40kg as 20cc of bupivacaine 0.5% is greater than the maximum allowed dose
* Patients within 6 months of previous enrollment for surgery for contralateral mastectomy

Where this trial is running

Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 6 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Breast CancerBupivacaineMastectomySentinel lymph node biopsy SLNB17-576
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.