Erector spinae plane block for abdominal pain from gastrointestinal cancer

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This project will offer an erector spinae plane block (ESPB), a regional anesthetic technique, to adults with GI malignancy who present to Penn Medicine EDs with intractable abdominal pain. Eligible patients receiving ESPB will be enrolled as a prospective cohort and compared to a matched historical control group of similar patients treated with standard ED analgesia. The primary outcome is total opioid use over 24 hours measured in milligram morphine equivalents (MMEs), with secondary outcomes including hospital length of stay and pre/post-block pain, function, and satisfaction at 24 hours. The ESPB will be performed by ED providers per institutional protocols already in use at UPHS.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients age \> 18 years old with GI malignancy presenting to a Penn Medicine ED with intractable abdominal pain.
2. Same-day or recent CT scan of the abdomen / pelvis which demonstrates that the patient's abdominal pain can be reasonably attributed to a malignant source.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Allergy to ropivacaine or history of local anesthetic systemic toxicity.
2. Pregnancy
3. Incarcerated
4. Patients being admitted for serial abdominal examinations to determine their surgical course.
5. Altered mental status or inability for patient to consent for the procedure
6. Hemodynamic instability
7. Previously enrolled in the study

Where it's running

• Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
• Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
• Pennsylvania Hospital
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
• Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania -- Cedar Avenue
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Michael Shalaby, MD — University of Pennsylvania Department of Emergency Medicine
• Study coordinator: Umar Aulia, AB
• Email: umar.aulia@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
• Phone: 267-624-4394

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.