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The MDK Study: Using a Combination of Methadone-dexmedetomidine-ketamine for Postoperative Pain Control in Patients Undergoing Complex Spine Surgeries.

The MDK Study: Using a Combination of Methadone-dexmedetomidine-ketamine for Postoperative Pain Control in Patients Undergoing Complex Spine Surgeries.

Status
Enrolling by invitation
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07365800
Enrollment
248
Registered
2026-01-26
Start date
2026-04-24
Completion date
2027-06-01
Last updated
2026-06-11

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

Conditions

Spine Surgery

Brief summary

This study will investigate whether a combination of three anesthetic medications will reduce intraoperative and postoperative pain in patients undergoing complex spine surgery, and whether it will reduce the use of opioid pain medication after surgery.

Detailed description

Dexmedetomidine, methadone and ketamine offer benefits when used as adjuncts in complex spine surgeries. Dexmedetomidine is reported to attenuate intraoperative stress responses without interfering with neuromonitoring while potentially improving postoperative pain control and reducing opioid consumption in complex spine surgery. Methadone use intraoperatively improves postoperative pain control and reduced opioid requirements following complex spine surgery. Consensus guidelines from the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, the American Academy of Pain Medicine, and the American Society of Anesthesiologists support the use of ketamine in acute pain management in surgeries like spine surgery. Perioperative ketamine use in spine surgery results in lower pain scores and reduced opioid utilization postoperatively. The use of dexmedetomidine, methadone and ketamine as adjuncts may improve postoperative pain control while reducing opioid requirements, lowering stress responses, and without significantly impacting neuromonitoring in complex spine surgery or increasing drug related adverse events.

Interventions

DRUGMethadone-dexmedetomidine-ketamine combination

Combination of Methadone-dexmedetomidine-ketamine administered during spine surgery for intra- and post-operative pain management.

Sponsors

University of Missouri-Columbia
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 79 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age 18-79 years of age * Patients undergoing complex spine surgery, defined as 3 or more levels * English-speaking * Able to consent for themselves

Exclusion criteria

* Patients who are unable to consent to study participation in English * Patients who are unable to consent for themselves. * Patients with prolonged QT syndrome * Pregnancy Additional screening measures: * Preoperative ECG will be performed in preoperative holding as part of standard of care to assess for prolonged QTc prior to administration of methadone as part of SOC. * Pregnancy test will be performed as part of SOC on the day of surgery.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Effect of the MDK combination during surgery on postoperative opioid consumption72 hours postoperativelyDetermine if use of dexmedetomidine, methadone, and ketamine given together intraoperatively has an effect on postoperative opioid consumption following complex spine surgery of 3 or more levels

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Effect of MDK combination on overall postoperative pain scores.72 hours after surgeryDetermine whether dexmedetomidine, methadone, and ketamine given together intraoperatively has an effect on overall postoperative pain scores following complex spine surgery compared to standard therapy. Pain scores using the visual analog scale, collected by nursing staff during hospital stay, will be used.
Incidence of opioid-related adverse events72 hours postoperativelyEvaluate incidence of opioid related adverse events in patients treated with intraoperative combination of methadone, dexmedetomidine and ketamine compared to standard therapy. The number of adverse events per group will be collected.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 12, 2026