Skip to content

Effect of Liposomal Bupivacaine and Bupivacaine Hydrochloride for Superior Trunk Block of the Interscalene Brachial Plexus on Postoperative Diaphragmatic Function and Analgesia

Effect of Liposomal Bupivacaine and Bupivacaine Hydrochloride for Superior Trunk Block of the Interscalene Brachial Plexus on Postoperative Diaphragmatic Function and Analgesia in Shoulder Surgery: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Study

Status
Enrolling by invitation
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07587203
Enrollment
184
Registered
2026-05-14
Start date
2026-06-01
Completion date
2027-12-31
Last updated
2026-06-16

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

Conditions

Proximal Humerus Surgery, Rotator Cuff Surgery, Shoulder Arthroplasty, Shoulder Arthroscopy

Keywords

Liposomal Bupivacaine, Bupivacaine Hydrochloride, Superior Trunk Block of the Interscalene Brachial Plexus, Diaphragmatic Function, Shoulder Surgery

Brief summary

To compare the effects of 1.33% liposomal bupivacaine versus 0.375% bupivacaine hydrochloride for superior trunk block of the interscalene brachial plexus on postoperative diaphragmatic function and analgesic efficacy in shoulder surgery.

Interventions

DRUGLiposomal bupivacaine

The superior trunk was visualized distal to the convergence of the C5 and C6 nerve roots but proximal to the take-off of the suprascapular nerve. The block needle was advanced in-plane to the ultrasound beam in a lateral-to-medial direction under the deep cervical fascia and superficial to the middle scalene muscle, until the needle tip was immediately adjacent to the lateral border of the superior trunk. 1.33% Liposomal bupivacaine 10ml was injected.

DRUGBupivacaine Hydrochloride

The superior trunk was visualized distal to the convergence of the C5 and C6 nerve roots but proximal to the take-off of the suprascapular nerve. The block needle was advanced in-plane to the ultrasound beam in a lateral-to-medial direction under the deep cervical fascia and superficial to the middle scalene muscle, until the needle tip was immediately adjacent to the lateral border of the superior trunk. 0.375% Bupivacaine Hydrochloride 10ml was injected.

Sponsors

Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients scheduled for elective unilateral proximal humerus surgery, rotator cuff surgery, shoulder arthroplasty, or shoulder arthroscopy; * Visible diaphragmatic movement on the surgical side under ultrasound before anesthesia; * Patient provides informed consent; * Age 18-80 years, any gender; * ASA physical status I-III; * 18 kg/m² ≤ BMI ≤ 30 kg/m².

Exclusion criteria

* Coagulopathy; * Allergy to local anesthetics; * Infection at the puncture site; * History of chronic pain or opioid use; * Severe respiratory disease; * Pregnancy; * Diabetes and peripheral neuropathy; * Inability to understand assessment scales.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The incidence of hemi-diaphragmatic paralysis( Partial plus complete diaphragmatic paralysis) after superior trunk block of the interscalene brachial plexusBefore block and before leaving the PACU after surgeryObserve diaphragmatic movement through the hepatic or splenic acoustic window and measure the amplitude of diaphragmatic excursion on the anesthetized side using M-mode (average of 3 waveforms). Diaphragmatic Function Evaluation\[4,5\]: A decrease in diaphragmatic excursion amplitude during deep breathing of \<25% compared to pre-block is defined as normal diaphragmatic movement. A decrease of 25%-75% is defined as partial diaphragmatic paralysis. A decrease of \>75% is defined as complete diaphragmatic paralysis.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
The incidence of hemi-diaphragmatic paralysis( Partial plus complete diaphragmatic paralysis) after superior trunk block of the interscalene brachial plexusPostoperative 24 hoursObserve diaphragmatic movement through the hepatic or splenic acoustic window and measure the amplitude of diaphragmatic excursion on the anesthetized side using M-mode (average of 3 waveforms). Diaphragmatic Function Evaluation\[4,5\]: A decrease in diaphragmatic excursion amplitude during deep breathing of \<25% compared to pre-block is defined as normal diaphragmatic movement. A decrease of 25%-75% is defined as partial diaphragmatic paralysis. A decrease of \>75% is defined as complete diaphragmatic paralysis.
Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores during activity and at restPostoperative 30 minutes, 1 hour, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours, 60 hours, and 72 hoursPain intensity at the surgical site will be assessed using the 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "the worst pain imaginable." Patients will self-report their pain intensity at rest (Resting NRS) and during active movement (Dynamic NRS)
The area under the pain intensity-time curve (PI-AUC)Postoperative periods (0-24 hours, 24-48 hours, 48-72 hours)The Pain Intensity-Area Under the Curve (PI-AUC) will be calculated as a summary measure of overall pain burden over time. The AUC for each patient will be computed for three consecutive postoperative periods based on the serial NRS scores (both resting and dynamic) collected during those intervals. A smaller AUC indicates better overall analgesic control during the specified period.
Postoperative recovery quality (QoR-15 score)Postoperative days 1, 2, and 3Patient-reported recovery quality will be assessed using the 15-item Quality of Recovery (QoR-15) questionnaire. This validated tool evaluates physical comfort, physical independence, psychological support, emotional state, and pain. Scores range from 0 (extremely poor recovery) to 150 (excellent recovery). The upward trend of the QoR-15 score signifies a progressive and comprehensive improvement in a patient's postoperative recovery experience across physical, emotional, and functional domains.
Analgesia satisfaction (OBAS score)Postoperative days 1, 2, and 3Patient satisfaction with analgesia and its associated side effects will be evaluated using the Overall Benefit of Analgesia Score (OBAS). The OBAS is a composite score (range 0-28, lower is better) incorporating assessments of pain intensity, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, sedation, itching, and patient satisfaction. The downward trend of the OBAS score indicates a progressively more favorable balance between analgesic efficacy and the burden of treatment-related side effects, representing an increasing net benefit of the analgesia regimen.
Morphine equivalent consumptionPostoperative periods of 0-24 hours, 24-48 hours, and 48-72 hoursThe total consumption of all opioid analgesics administered to the patient (including patient-controlled analgesia and rescue doses). All opioid doses will be converted to intravenous morphine milligram equivalents (MME) using standard conversion ratios for summation and comparison. A lower morphine equivalent consumption indicates better analgesic efficacy and a longer duration of action for liposomal bupivacaine.
The cumulative dosage of rescue analgesic medication (calculated as morphine equivalent in mg)0-24 hours, 24-48 hours, and 48-72 hours after the first postoperative administration.This refers specifically to the summed dose of supplemental (rescue) opioid analgesics administered upon patient request for breakthrough pain. The cumulative dose for each period will be calculated and expressed in intravenous morphine milligram equivalents (MME). A lower morphine equivalent consumption indicates better analgesic efficacy and a longer duration of action for liposomal bupivacaine.
Incidence of adverse events: Vascular injury, hoarseness, Horner's syndrome, SpO2 below 90% without oxygen supplementation after leaving PACU, dyspnea, numbness of fingers, dyskinesia.Postoperative 72 hoursVascular injury: Evidence of hematoma or vascular puncture during needle placement. Hoarseness: Patient-reported or clinician-identified voice change suggestive of recurrent laryngeal nerve involvement. Horner's syndrome: Presence of ptosis, miosis, and/or anhidrosis on the blocked side. Diaphragmatic paralysis: defined by a reduction in diaphragmatic excursion amplitude \>25% from baseline on ultrasound assessment performed post-block. SpO2 \<90% on room air after PACU discharge: Oxygen saturation falling below 90% while breathing room air, occurring after the patient has been discharged from the PACU, and not related to other obvious causes. Dyspnea: Subjective sensation of shortness of breath or labored breathing. Finger numbness: Persistent numbness or loss of sensation in the fingers of the blocked upper limb. Motor difficulty: Persistent weakness or inability to perform specific voluntary movements in the blocked upper limb.
Telephone follow-up for pain NRS scorePostoperative 3 monthsPatients will be contacted by telephone at 3 months after surgery. They will be asked to self-report their current average pain intensity over the past 24 hours at the surgical site using the 11-point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, 0-10), where 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "the worst pain imaginable." This assesses the potential long-term impact of the analgesic intervention on persistent postoperative pain.

Countries

China

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Jun 17, 2026