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The Efficacy and Safety of Lower Limb Nerve Blocks in Postoperative Analgesia for the Free Flap Donor Sites

The Efficacy and Safety of Lower Limb Nerve Blocks in Postoperative Analgesia for the Free Flap Donor Sites

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03071185
Enrollment
60
Registered
2017-03-06
Start date
2017-01-20
Completion date
2022-11-15
Last updated
2022-11-25

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Elective Reconstructive Surgery, Pain, Post Operative

Keywords

free flap, nerve block, elective reconstructive surgery, dexmedetomidine, anterolateral thigh flaps

Brief summary

The use of free fibular flaps and anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps for repairing the oromandibular defects is well established, whereas few attentions were focused on postoperative analgesia for the donor area. Dexmedetomidine is a more selective and shorter-acting α2 adrenergic receptor. The purpose of this trial is to determine if using lower limb nerve blocks in patients undergoing free flap-based oromandibular reconstruction can significantly decrease use of pain medications and to evaluate the safety of lower limb nerve blocks. We also investigated the effect of adding dexmedetomidine as additive in femoral nerve blocks for postoperative analgesia. Patients with oromandibular defects who were scheduled for elective reconstructive surgery using free fibular or ALT flaps, were divided into three groups in a randomized, single-blind fashion. In Group PCA, only intravenous patient controlled analgesia (PCA) was used postoperatively. In Group PCA+B, both intravenous PCA and lower limb blocks were used. In Group PCA+B+D, both intravenous PCA and lower limb blocks with dexmedetomidine as additivewere used. Post-operative narcotic usage, post-operative pain score, post-operative anti-emetic usage, vital signs, onset and duration of sensory and motor block, the presence of adverse effects such as nausea and vomiting were recorded.

Detailed description

The use of free fibular flaps and anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps for repairing the oromandibular defects is well established, whereas few attentions were focused on postoperative analgesia for the donor area. Conventional postoperative pain management following oromandibular reconstruction consists of systemic opioids, which can cause nausea, vomiting, pruritus, urinary retention, constipation and respiratory depression. Adequate postoperative analgesia decreases the incidence of cardiopulmonary complications. Peripheral nerve blocks can attenuate the sensory innervations.The purpose of this trial is to determine if using lower limb nerve blocks in patients undergoing free flap-based oromandibular reconstruction can significantly decrease use of pain medications and to evaluate the safety of lower limb nerve blocks. Patients with oromandibular defects, who were scheduled for elective reconstructive surgery using free fibular or ALT flaps, were divided into three groups in a randomized, single-blind fashion. In Group PCA, only intravenous patient controlled analgesia (PCA) was used postoperatively. In Group PCA+B, both intravenous PCA and lower limb blocks were used.In Group PCA+B+D, both intravenous PCA and lower limb blocks with dexmedetomidine as additivewere used. For patients with fibular flaps harvested, femoral nerve block and common peroneal nerve with ropivacaine were administered. For patients with ALT flaps harvested, femoral nerve block with ropivacaine was administered. Post-operative narcotic usage, post-operative pain score, post-operative anti-emetic usage, vital signs, onset and duration of sensory and motor block, the presence of adverse effects such as nausea and vomiting were recorded.

Interventions

PROCEDUREfemoral nerve block, common peroneal nerve block

For patients with fibular flaps harvested, femoral nerve block and common peroneal nerve with ropivacaine were administered. For patients with ALT flaps harvested, femoral nerve block with ropivacaine was administered.

Sponsors

Xia Zhang
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
TRIPLE (Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Prior diagnosis or presumed diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial tumor. * Undergoing microsurgical oromandibular reconstruction with free fibular flaps and anterolateral thigh flaps. * Greater than 18 years old. * Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion criteria

* True allergy to local anesthetics or opioids. * History of addiction to narcotics within the last 24 months * History of chronic pain on opioids within the last 24 months. * Specific mental health issues such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. * Patients who are pregnant.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
duration of motor blockade48 hoursthe time of motor recovery
onset of sensory blockade48 hoursthe time to sensory blockade
onset of motor blockade48 hoursthe time to motor blockade
Post-operative Narcotic Usage48 hoursTotal intravenous sulfentanyl usage for rescue analgesia in first 48 hours post-operatively after free fibular flaps and anterolateral thigh flap reconstruction.
duration of sensory blockade48 hoursthe time of sensory recovery

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
vital signs48 hourshear rate, blood pressure, SPO2
Post-operative Pain Score48 hoursPost-operative Pain Score is defined using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), a patient reported pain score on a scale of 0-10.
adverse effects48 hourssuch as bradycardia, hypotension,respiratory depression, postoperative sedation
Post-operative Anti-emetic Usage48 hoursPost-operative Anti-emetic Usage is defined as the total amount of IV tropisetron administered to a patient during the first 48 hours post-operatively.

Countries

China

Contacts

Primary Contactxia zhang, Ph.D.,MD
zhangxiamd@126.com8624 31927811

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026