Comparing two pain management methods after robotic lung surgery

Title of Project: Liposomal Bupivacaine (Exparel) Versus Bupivacaine And Dexamethasone Intercostal Nerve Blocks For Robotic Thoracic Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Single-Blinded Clinical Trial

PHASE4 · The Cooper Health System · NCT03906617

This study is testing which pain relief method works better after robotic lung surgery by comparing a special numbing medicine to a combination of numbing medicine with two other drugs.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment34 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
SponsorThe Cooper Health System (other)
Locations1 site (Camden, New Jersey)
Trial IDNCT03906617 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates pain relief following robotic lung surgery by comparing two methods of analgesia: liposomal bupivacaine and a combination of bupivacaine with epinephrine and dexamethasone. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either treatment through intercostal nerve blocks and wound infiltration. The goal is to determine which method provides better pain control in patients undergoing robotic wedge resection or lobectomy for lung masses. This is a Phase 4 interventional study, indicating it is focused on assessing the effectiveness of these treatments in a real-world clinical setting.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients scheduled for robotic wedge resection or lobectomy for lung masses.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of opiate abuse, chronic pain syndrome, or those who are pregnant will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved pain management strategies for patients undergoing robotic lung surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While liposomal bupivacaine has been studied in various contexts, this specific comparison with bupivacaine/epinephrine + dexamethasone in robotic lung surgery is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* undergoing robotic wedge resection or lobectomy for lung mass(es)

Exclusion Criteria:

* emergency case
* history of opiate abuse
* chronic pain syndrome
* intravenous drug use
* chronic use of oral steroids
* pregnancy
* imprisonment
* body weight lower than 70 kg
* liver failure
* uninsured patients
* non-verbal patients or patients who are unable to rate their pain on a visual analogue pain scale
* history of allergic reaction to any of the drugs used in the study: bupivacaine, liposomal bupivacaine, dexamethasone

Where this trial is running

Camden, New Jersey

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: Robotic Lung Surgery

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.