Ultrasound-guided auricularis magnus nerve block to reduce pain after middle ear surgery

Evaluation of Ultrasound-Guided Auricularis Magnus Nerve Block for Postoperative Pain Control in Ear Surgery

Not applicable Interventional Kocaeli University · NCT06869967

This study will test whether an ultrasound-guided auricularis magnus nerve block reduces postoperative pain and bleeding in adults having middle ear surgery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment56 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorKocaeli University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Istanbul)
Trial IDNCT06869967 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Middle ear surgery is common in ENT and can provoke sympathetic responses that raise blood pressure and heart rate, increasing the risk of hemorrhage and impairing the surgical field. This interventional trial applies an ultrasound-guided auricularis magnus nerve block perioperatively and compares outcomes to a control group. The protocol uses a small, targeted local anesthetic injection under ultrasound visualization to improve analgesia and limit side effects. Primary outcomes include postoperative pain scores and intraoperative hemodynamic/bleeding measures in adults undergoing elective canal-wall-down mastoidectomy or related procedures.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults over 18 with ASA physical status I–II scheduled for elective canal-wall-down mastoidectomy or similar middle ear surgery who can attend the participating Istanbul site are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients on anticoagulants, with infection at the block site, allergies to the planned drugs, ASA IV–V, or those who refuse or cannot cooperate are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the nerve block could lower postoperative pain, reduce intraoperative bleeding, improve surgical field quality, and decrease opioid needs after middle ear surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks have shown benefit for perioperative analgesia in other procedures, but use of the auricularis magnus block specifically for middle ear surgery is relatively novel and not yet well-established.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients undergoing CWD and Mastodectom
* Patients undergoing elective surgery
* ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) physical status classification I-II
* Patients over 18 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

* Anticoagulant use
* Allergy to the drugs to be used
* ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) physical status classification IV-V
* Presence of infection in the area where the block will be applied
* Patient's refusal to accept the block application or inability to cooperate with the patient

Where this trial is running

Istanbul

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 Post Operative PainAnalgesiaRegional AnesthesiaEar SurgeryAuricularis Magnus Nerve Block
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.