Managing acute chest pain after combat-related thoracic injuries in Ukraine

Management of Acute Pain After Thoracic Combat Trauma: A Multicenter Study in Ukraine

NA · Lviv National Medical University · NCT07380789

This study will test whether cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation better controls severe chest pain and speeds recovery in adults with combat-related chest injuries treated at Ukrainian hospitals.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 60 Years
SexAll
SponsorLviv National Medical University (other)
Locations1 site (Rivne)
Trial IDNCT07380789 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This prospective multicenter trial compares two minimally invasive nerve-targeting procedures—cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation—in adults with acute thoracic combat injuries at tertiary centers in Vinnytsia, Rivne, and Lviv. Both procedures target intercostal nerves to provide localized analgesia and are performed under imaging and clinical monitoring to minimize risks. Key outcomes include pain scores (VNRS), opioid consumption, pulmonary function tests, functional recovery, quality of life, and procedure-related safety during the acute recovery period. Eligible participants are adults with moderate-to-severe chest pain (VNRS ≥4) who can provide informed consent and do not meet exclusion criteria such as severe coagulopathy or infection at the intervention site.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults with recent combat-related thoracic injuries who have moderate-to-severe chest pain (VNRS ≥4), can give informed consent, and meet procedural safety criteria are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with severe coagulopathy, active infection at the intervention site, allergy to local anesthetics, inability to perform spirometry, or chest pain not originating from intercostal nerves may not receive benefit from these interventions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, these procedures could provide faster, targeted pain relief with reduced opioid use and fewer pulmonary complications, improving recovery after thoracic combat injuries.

How similar studies have performed: Both cryoablation and radiofrequency ablation have shown pain relief and opioid-sparing effects in other thoracic and neuropathic pain settings, but direct comparative data in acute combat-related thoracic trauma are limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥18 years
* Thoracic trauma from combat-related injuries
* VNRS ≥4 for acute thoracic pain
* Ability to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe coagulopathy
* Infection at intervention site
* Allergy to local anesthetics
* Inability to perform spirometry

Where this trial is running

Rivne

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: Pain Management, Thoracic Trauma, Pulmonary Function, Quality of Life, Functional Outcome, Depression in Adults, Neuropathic Pain, Hypoesthesia

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.