Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06143306

Addition of a Pectoserratus Block to Interscalene Block in Patients Undergoing Total Shoulder Replacement

The use of ISB in patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is the gold standard and results in significantly reduced pain scores and opioid use. However, patients still have pain and the majority require opioids postoperatively as the interscalene block (ISB) doesn't cover all of the dermatomes impacted during TSA. A pectoserratus block typically provides coverage to additional dermatomes that are impacted during TSA. Currently ISB is performed for every patient and perform a pectoserratus block to a portion of our patients undergoing TSA. The purpose of the study is to determine if the addition of the pectoserratus block to the ISB will results in improvement in pain control and decrease in opioid use, among patients undergoing TSA. This is a randomized prospective controlled trial. All patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty aged 18-85 will be considered eligible for the study. Participants will be randomized to one of 2 treatment groups. Group 1 will receive an ultrasound guided pectoserratus block with 25 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine. Group 2 will be the control and receive an ultrasound guided pectoserratus block with 25 mL of saline. The drug will be administered by the anesthesiologist in-charge of the participant's care or an anesthesiologist who is a part of the study team.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Age range

18 year–85 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 4

Primary location

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Candace Nelson

CONTACT

[email protected]

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty;
  • Patients aged 18-85 years old.

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients who have an exclusion to regional anesthesia such as pre-existing nerve damage to their brachial plexus or infection at the site of injection.
  • Patients who have exclusion to interscalene blockade such as severe lung disease.
  • Non-English speakers will be excluded because pain scales are not validated in other languages and there is lack of standardization of pain reporting.
  • Pregnant patients
  • Patients who are currently using opioids and patients with a diagnosis of chronic pain will be excluded.

Treatment and study plan

bupivacaine.

Drug

an ultrasound guided pectoserratus block with 25 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine

Saline

Drug

an ultrasound guided pectoserratus block with 25 mL of saline

Primary outcomes

  1. Maximum pain

    Time frame: 24 hours postop

    This measurement is the highest pain score within the first 24 hours post-op. Please change abbreviations for time frames to minutes, hours and years respectively. And the Scale is 0 being no pain to 10 being worst pain.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Opioid use

    Time frame: 24 hours postop, 48 hours postop

    Opioid use reported as MME

  2. Functional pain score

    Time frame: 24 hours postop, 48hours postop

    The scale used in a modified QOR (quality of Recovery) scale. It's 15 questions based off the adult QOR scale which assesses impact of pain on the patient's daily activities

  3. hospital length of stay

    Time frame: 5 days

    This is a standard post-operative outcome that relates to the surgical recovery period. Idon't know what options you have to select for time frame, but please either select post-op or explain this standard.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Candace Nelson

CONTACT

[email protected]

612-625-7116

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Minnesota

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
Nov 22, 2023
Registry last updated
Mar 17, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.