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IV Methadone Vs EXPAREL Erector Spinae Plane Blockade in Pediatric Subjects Undergoing Idiopathic Scoliosis Correction

A Single-center, Randomized, Single-blind Pilot Study to Evaluate Intravenous Methadone Versus EXPAREL Erector Spinae Plane Blockade in Pediatric Subjects Undergoing Adolescent and Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis Correction

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05730920
Acronym
AIMS
Enrollment
30
Registered
2023-02-16
Start date
2022-10-19
Completion date
2024-09-21
Last updated
2024-10-04

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

Conditions

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, Juvenile Idiopathic Scoliosis

Keywords

scoliosis, methadone, exparel, regional anesthesia, erector spinae plane block, pediatric

Brief summary

The goal of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial at a single institution comparing erector spinae plane blockade (ESPB) with liposomal bupivacaine (LB, Exparel) to intravenous (IV) methadone for managing pain in pediatric subjects undergoing adolescent and juvenile idiopathic scoliosis correction. Specifically, the goal is to enroll 15 subjects in each group and to complete data collection for all subjects. If this pilot study is successful, we plan to then design a larger scale study powered to compare specific outcomes between the two groups.

Detailed description

Enrolled subjects will be randomized to one of two groups: one group will receive intra-operative IV methadone as the primary means of controlling post-operative pain while the other group will instead receive intra-operative erector spinae plane blocks (ESPB) with liposomal bupivacaine (LB, Exparel) and bupivacaine hydrochloride as the primary means of controlling postoperative pain. All other aspects of peri-operative management will be standardized. Subjects and the post-operative care team will be blinded to which intervention was performed in order to reduce bias. Upon discharge, subjects will receive a wearable activity monitor and a daily journal in order to record post-discharge data. Subjects will receive weekly phone calls for data collection and then will have a final in-person clinic visit, at which point participation in the study will conclude.

Interventions

DRUGMethadone

IV Methadone

DRUGLiposomal bupivacaine (LB, Exparel)

LB and bupivacaine hydrochloride via erector spinae plane blocks

Sponsors

Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Dr. Casey Stondell, MD
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Caregiver)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
11 Years to 17 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Subjects whose parent(s) or guardian(s) has/have signed and dated the informed consent form (ICF) for the subject to participate in the study * Patients with a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic scoliosis (JIS) or adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) who will have posterior spinal fusion surgery * Male or female patients 11 to less than 18 years of age on the day of surgery. * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class 1-2. * Able to adhere to the study visit schedule and complete all study assessments.

Exclusion criteria

* Body mass index ≥35 at the time of screening * Contraindication to regional anesthesia (e.g., abnormal coagulation, infection at site) * Current opioid use at the time of screening * Current diagnosis of chronic pain * Allergy, hypersensitivity, intolerance, or contraindication to any of the study medications * Administration of liposomal bupivacaine (LB, Exparel) * Subject/parent/guardian primary language other than English or Spanish * Inability of patient to verbally express symptoms such as pain and side effects (as in moderate to severe developmental delay) * A prolonged QTc on preoperative EKG (QTc longer than 450 milliseconds) * History of Torsades de Pointes * Renal or hepatic impairment * Diagnosed active seizure disorder * Any other condition that causes patient to be ineligible for surgery, i.e. pregnancy.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Successful Enrollment and Data Collection of 30 Subjects2 yearsAssess the feasibility of completing a prospective randomized trial pilot study comparing Erector Spinae Plane Blockade (ESPB) with liposomal bupivacaine (LB) to intravenous methadone at a single institution in two years

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Opioid Consumption2 yearsAssess whether there is a difference in post-operative opioid consumption between the two study groups. This will evaluated by converting all long-acting opioids to daily morphine equivalents per unit of weight.
Pain Scores2 yearsAssess whether there is a difference in post-operative pain scores between the two study groups. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores with a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 10 will be used where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable
Length of Stay2 yearsAssess whether there is a difference in hospital length of stay between the two study groups

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

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