Using cryoablation to improve pain control after rib fracture surgery

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 clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of cryoablation of intercostal nerves as an adjunct to surgical stabilization of multiple rib fractures. Patients undergoing surgery for rib fractures will be randomly assigned to receive either cryoablation or standard surgical treatment without cryoablation. The study will assess pain control outcomes, opioid consumption, and hospital length of stay to determine if cryoablation provides superior analgesia. The trial focuses on patients admitted to the trauma service with multiple displaced rib fractures.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* The patient is admitted to the trauma service.
* The patient has multiple displaced rib fractures (≥2 ribs), offered fixation, and consents to SSRF
* The patient is not being treated for chronic pain
* The patient is \>18 years of age.
* Surgery anticipated \<120 hours from injury

Exclusion Criteria:

* Age \< 18 years or ≥ 80 years
* Flail chest: either radiographic or clinical. Radiographic flail chest is defined on CT chest as ≥ 2 ribs each fractured in ≥ 2 places. Clinical flail is defined as visualization of a segment of chest wall with paradoxical motion on physical exam.
* Moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (Intra-cranial hemorrhage visualized on CT head with GCS at the time of consideration for enrollment \< 12)
* Prior or expected emergency exploratory laparotomy during this admission
* Prior or expected emergency thoracotomy during this admission
* Prior or expected emergency craniotomy during this admission
* Spinal cord injury
* Pelvic fracture that has required, or is expected to require, operative intervention during this admission
* The patient was unable to accomplish activities of daily living independently prior to injury (e.g., dressing, bathing, preparing meals)
* The patient is incarcerated
* The patient is known to be pregnant
* Unable to perform Video Assisted Thoracoscopy (VATS) at time of SSRF due to lung isolation or previous pathology

Where it's running

• Wake Forest University Health Sciences
  Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Bradely W. Thomas, MD — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
• Study coordinator: Bradely W Thomas, MD
• Email: Bradley.Thomas@wfusm.edu
• Phone: 704-355-3176

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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.