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NCT03708198 · ClinicalTrials.gov registry record · Phase 4

Pharmacokinetics of Single-Dose Liposomal Bupivacaine in Surgeon Performed Intercostal Nerve Blocks

A Phase 4 study, sponsored by University of Virginia.

Completed
Registry status
Phase 4
Development phase
15
Enrollment target

NCT03708198: Completed Phase 4 study, sponsored by University of Virginia.

NCT03708198 is a Phase 4 study that has completed, run by University of Virginia. The registered enrollment target is 15 participants, below the 518-participant average among 9,235 other Phase 4 trials with a reported enrollment target (97% lower). According to ClinicalTrials.gov, the official US trial registry.

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The verdict

NCT03708198, a Phase 4 study, has completed, sponsored by University of Virginia.

COMPLETED
Registry status
Phase 4
Development phase
15 participants
Enrollment target

Study Summary

Post-surgery pain management is critical for ensuring timely patient recovery and minimizing complications. Part of the multimodal approach to managing severe acute pain in the days following surgeries is the use of nerve blocks. The relatively short-lived effect of commonly used local anesthetics recently prompted the development and subsequent approval of a liposomal formulation of bupivacaine (Exparel; Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Parsippany, New Jersey). It has demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetics compared to bupivacaine HCl(hydrochloride), with a slower release into blood stream of up to 96 hours after administration, following a single dose wound infiltration at the end of various surgeries. Studies using other modes of administration reported similar results. Thoracic surgeries pose an exceptional challenge as they are one of the most painful surgeries and poor pain-management contributes to reduced quality of life and severely delayed recovery. The anesthesiology protocol within the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) program at medical centers across the world aim to increase patient comfort after surgery while reducing complications and use of opioids. As a common part of this protocol, intercostal nerve blocks with liposomal bupivacaine are regularly utilized for reduction of post-thoracotomy pain and studies show that it may be just as or more effective than bupivacaine HCl for treatment of pain, decreasing hospital stays and reducing the incidence of complications. Despite its frequent use in the surgical room for nerve blocks, the pharmacokinetics of a single dose injection of liposomal bupivacaine at the intercostal nerves has never been investigated. The aim of this study is to assess the pharmacokinetics of liposomal bupivacaine injected at the intercostal nerves. The results of this small-scale study will aid in the development of larger such studies in the future, and may aid in the standardization of post-thoracotomy pain management. Specifica

Primary Outcome

the tmax, or the time until the maximum concentration

Interventions

  • DRUG Liposomal Bupivacaine

Trial Details

FieldValue
Enrollment Target 15 participants
Start Date 2018-06-11
Est. Completion 2020-08-11
Phase Phase 4
University of Virginia

449 total trials

What the finished NCT03708198 record still lists

NCT03708198 is an interventional study that assigns participants to a tested intervention. The registry caps enrollment at 15 participants, a relatively small participant target, below the 518-participant average among 9,235 other Phase 4 trials with a reported enrollment target (97% lower).

The record links to 0 conditions, and to 1 intervention - of which Liposomal Bupivacaine is the first listed.

NCT03708198 does not publish any study locations in the registry export this page uses.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is clinical trial NCT03708198 about?

NCT03708198 is a clinical study titled "Pharmacokinetics of Single-Dose Liposomal Bupivacaine in Surgeon Performed Intercostal Nerve Blocks". Post-surgery pain management is critical for ensuring timely patient recovery and minimizing complications. Part of the multimodal approach to managing severe acute pain in the days following surgeries is the use of nerve blocks. The relatively short-lived effect of commonly used local anesthetics r...

What is the current status of trial NCT03708198?

This trial is currently completed. It is a Phase 4 study. The enrollment target is 15 participants. The study started on 2018-06-11. Estimated completion is 2020-08-11.

What interventions are being tested in trial NCT03708198?

The interventions under investigation include: Liposomal Bupivacaine (DRUG).

Who is sponsoring clinical trial NCT03708198?

This trial is sponsored by University of Virginia, which has 449 total clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How this trial's enrollment target compares

Where NCT03708198's enrollment target sits among peer trials

15 1880th of 2000 higher than 100 of 2,000 other Phase 4 trials

participants (enrollment target), bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more other Phase 4 trials. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source ClinicalTrials.gov registry export · 2026-08-08

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Source: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03708198, the US trial registry maintained by the National Library of Medicine. NCT03708198 (small enrollment · none site footprint · completed) retrieved and formatted by PlainTrial, see methodology.