Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

R.E.C.K versus Exparel for pain control during robotic kidney removal

Official title: Efficacy of Ropivacaine Epinephrine Clonidine Ketorolac (R.E.C.K) vs Exparel in Robotic Nephrectomy: a Randomized, Prospective Trial

Run by Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NCT07092566 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This will test whether intraoperative R.E.C.K or Exparel gives better pain control and reduces opioid use in adults having robotic partial or radical nephrectomy.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment170 (estimated)
SponsorWake Forest University Health Sciences
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Charlotte, North Carolina)
StatusRecruiting
StartedNovember 14, 2025
Main results expectedOctober 2027
Study endsOctober 2027
Registry record updatedJuly 13, 2026
Trial IDNCT07092566 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults (≥18 years) scheduled for robotic partial or radical nephrectomy who can consent and are not chronic opioid users are ideal candidates.

Probably not a fit

Patients who are pregnant, have known allergies to the study drugs, are chronic opioid users, or are deemed unsuitable by the investigator are unlikely to benefit from participation.

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

What this trial studies

This single-center, prospective, randomized phase 3 trial compares intraoperative R.E.C.K (ropivacaine with epinephrine, clonidine, and ketorolac) to Exparel (liposomal bupivacaine) in adults undergoing robotic partial or radical nephrectomy. Investigators will record intraoperative opioid use from the medical record and capture post-anesthesia care unit and inpatient pain scores using the Numerical Rating Scale along with oral and IV opioid and over-the-counter analgesic intake and length of stay. After discharge, participants will log time-stamped pain scores and self-administered analgesics in a provided take-home diary. The goal is to determine whether any improvements with Exparel justify its higher cost compared with the R.E.C.K cocktail.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to better post-operative pain control or reduced opioid consumption and potentially shorter hospital stays for patients undergoing robotic nephrectomy.

How similar studies have gone: Other studies of liposomal bupivacaine and multimodal local anesthetic cocktails have shown mixed results, so a direct randomized comparison in robotic nephrectomy is relatively novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Ability to understand and willingness to sign an IRB-approved informed consent
2. Age ≥ 18 years at the time of consent.
3. Planned robotic partial or radical nephrectomy

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Determined not to be a candidate to receive R.E.C.K or Exparel per the enrolling investigator
2. Known pregnancy
3. Chronic opioid use within 30 days (as per patient report) prior to randomization (defined as ≥ 30 MME/day)
4. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements as determined by the investigator.
5. Known allergy to R.E.C.K. and/or Exparel

Where it's running

  • Levine Cancer
    Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Roy Ornob, MD — Wake Forest University Health Sciences

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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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.