Comparing two types of bupivacaine for pain relief in wrist surgery

Randomized Controlled Trial of Supraclavicular Bupivacaine Vs. Supraclavicular Liposomal Bupivacaine for Orthopedic Wrist Surgery

Phase 3 Interventional University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · NCT06179004

This study is testing whether a new type of bupivacaine can provide better pain relief than the standard version for adults having wrist surgery.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Academic / other
Locations1 site (Chapel Hill, North Carolina)
Trial IDNCT06179004 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of liposomal bupivacaine compared to standard bupivacaine in providing pain relief for patients undergoing orthopedic wrist surgery, specifically distal radius fracture repair. The study will involve adult participants over the age of 18 at the University of North Carolina, where a supraclavicular nerve block will be administered to assess postoperative pain management. By rigorously collecting perioperative data, the investigators hope to improve pain control and reduce variability in care practices at their institution.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older scheduled for distal radius fracture repair at the University of North Carolina.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to regional anesthesia, significant peripheral neuropathy, or those who are pregnant may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved pain management strategies and reduced opioid use for patients undergoing wrist surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While liposomal bupivacaine has been approved for use, its specific efficacy in this context has limited data, making this study a novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age greater than or equal to 18
* Scheduled for orthopedic wrist surgery at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindications to regional anesthesia
* Emergent surgery Open fractures will be treated emergently and will not allow adequate lead time for enrollment in this study. Also, open fractures are usually accompanied by other traumatic injuries that would confound the pain related outcomes in this study.
* Significant peripheral neuropathy or neurological disorder affecting the upper extremity
* Pregnancy Pregnant women have physiologic changes that make them more sensitive to local anesthetics. That would introduce a confounding element in interpreting the effectiveness of the peripheral nerve blocks being studied.
* Cognitive or psychiatric condition that might affect patient assessment and/or inability to provide informed consent.

Where this trial is running

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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 Distal Radius FracturesWrist Fractures
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.