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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06299137

Ultrasound Guided Serratus Anterior Plane Block in ED Patients With Rib Fractures

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effectiveness of the Serratus Anterior Plane Block in patients with rib fractures. The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Determine if UG-SAPB results in an improved pain, incentive spirometry, and cough ability (PIC) score when compared to usual care over the first five hours. * Evaluate if UG-SAPB results in fewer opioid medications administered when compared to usual care over the first 24 hours.

Participants will undergo the Serratus Anterior Plane. Researchers will compare this to usual care to see if this intervention improves pulmonary function and reduces opioid requirements for ED patients with rib fractures.

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Key information

Conditions

Rib Fractures Acute Pain Fractures, Bone Neurologic Manifestations Opioid Use Pain Pain Acute Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Regional Anesthesia Signs and Symptoms Thoracic Injuries Wounds and Injuries

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Early Phase 1

Primary location

Rhode Island Hospital

Providence, Rhode Island, 02903, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Radiology confirmed anterior or lateral rib fractures either on X-ray or chest computed tomography CT
  • pain score of 5/10.
  • Patients must be able to verbalize how much pain they are having on an 11-point Numeric Rating Pain Scale
  • perform an incentive spirometry and be able to cough on command

Exclusion criteria

  • isolated rib fractures that do not include ribs T3-T9
  • penetrating trauma, pregnancy
  • requiring immediate surgical or procedural intervention
  • known allergy to amide-type local anesthetics
  • have a painful distracting injury

Treatment and study plan

Serratus Anterior Plane Block

Procedure

Patients who undergo randomization to the intervention arm will undergo the Serratus Anterior Plane Block.

Ropivacaine injection

Drug

For the Serratus Anterior Plane Block, Ropivacaine will be used as the anesthetic.

Other names: Ropivacaine

Primary outcomes

  1. PIC Score

    Time frame: 5 hours

    Determine if the SAPB results in an improved pain, incentive spirometry, and cough ability (PIC) score when compared to usual care over the first five hours. The PIC score is a scoring system that can be measured serially in patients with rib fractures to assess pulmonary function and to prognosticate clinical outcomes.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Total oral morphine equivalents over the first 24 hours

    Time frame: 24 hours

    Evaluate if UG-SAPB results in fewer opioid medications administered when compared to usual care over the first 24 hours.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Rhode Island Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Ultrasound Guided Serratus Anterior Plane Block in ED Patients With Rib Fractures,

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Mar 7, 2024
Registry last updated
Feb 18, 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.

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