Comparing continuous and scheduled bolus infusions for post-surgical pain management

A Prospective Comparison of Pain and Analgesia in Patients With Continuous Peripheral Nerve Block Catheters Using Continuous Infusion or Scheduled Bolus Infusion

PHASE4 · Stanford University · NCT03230565

This study is testing whether continuous or scheduled doses of local anesthetic work better for managing pain after surgery in adults who receive nerve blocks.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment240 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorStanford University (other)
Locations1 site (Stanford, California)
Trial IDNCT03230565 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of continuous infusions versus scheduled bolus infusions of local anesthetic in managing postoperative pain for patients receiving nerve block catheters. By utilizing regional anesthetic techniques, the study seeks to evaluate how these two dosing regimens impact pain control, opioid requirements, and recovery times after surgery. The research will involve adult patients with varying physical statuses undergoing surgical procedures that require nerve blocks. The findings could provide insights into optimizing pain management protocols in postoperative care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adult patients with ASA physical status I, II, or III who are scheduled to receive nerve block catheters for postoperative analgesia.

Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, incarcerated, under 18 years old, have a BMI over 35, or have pre-existing neuropathy of the operative extremity may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved pain management strategies, reducing opioid use and enhancing recovery for postoperative patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the concept of scheduled bolus dosing has shown promise in some settings, this specific comparison has not been extensively studied, making it a novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patients presenting for nerve block catheters for post-operative analgesia
* ASA physical status I, II, or III.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnancy
* Incarceration
* Age \<18
* BMI \>35
* Pre-operative opioid use \>30 mg morphine equivalents per day
* Inability to communicate with investigators by telephone
* Pre-existing neuropathy of the operative extremity.

Where this trial is running

Stanford, California

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Surgical Procedure, Unspecified, Pain, Postoperative

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.