Evaluating the effect of epinephrine on bleeding during sinus surgery

Does the Addition of Epinephrine to Bilateral Ultrasound Guided Pterygopalatine Ganglion Block Reduce Bleeding During Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)? A Pilot Study

Phase1; Phase2 Interventional University of Florida · NCT03970655

This study is testing if adding epinephrine to a specific type of pain relief can help reduce bleeding during sinus surgery for people with chronic sinus problems.

Quick facts

PhasePhase1; Phase2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment80 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 90 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Florida Academic / other
Locations1 site (Gainesville, Florida)
Trial IDNCT03970655 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to assess the impact of adding epinephrine to ultrasound-guided pterygopalatine ganglion blocks on intra-operative bleeding during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis. FESS is a common procedure for patients with chronic sinus issues, and minimizing surgical bleeding is crucial for safety and efficiency. The study will be randomized, double-blinded, and controlled, comparing the effects of two different anesthetic combinations with epinephrine on blood loss and surgical time. The goal is to determine if this approach can enhance surgical outcomes by reducing complications associated with excessive bleeding.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 to 90 who are scheduled for bilateral functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Not a fit: Patients requiring revision or unilateral surgery, or those with chronic pain conditions or bleeding disorders, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to safer and more efficient sinus surgeries with reduced bleeding and complications.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific combination of epinephrine and ultrasound-guided blocks is novel, similar approaches to minimizing bleeding in surgical procedures have shown promise in other studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient presenting for bilateral FESS
2. Adult patients (\>18 and \< 90 years old)
3. Patient consents to participate
4. No underlying chronic pain condition
5. No underlying bleeding diathesis

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient refuses to consent
2. Patient requires revision or unilateral surgery
3. Patient requires surgery in addition to FESS
4. Age younger than 18 or older than 90 years
5. Any underlying chronic pain condition
6. History of bleeding diathesis
7. Presence of any other factor which, at the discretion of any member of the study team, makes the patient a poor candidate for block placement.
8. Presence of any other factor which, at the discretion of any member of the study team, makes the patient a poor candidate for research participation.
9. Vulnerable patient population

Where this trial is running

Gainesville, Florida

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 Chronic Rhinosinusitis
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.