Tunneling catheters may cut infection risk in pain management

NCT ID NCT01016925

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study looked at 338 adults having knee or hip surgery with a femoral nerve catheter for pain relief. Half had the catheter tunneled a short distance under the skin, the other half did not. Researchers checked the catheter tip for bacteria after removal to see if tunneling lowers colonization. The goal is to find a simple way to reduce infection risk.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to
If successful, this could show that tunneling reduces catheter-related infections, leading to safer pain management after surgery.
What could go wrong
This is a completed study focused on colonization, not infection rates. The results may not change current practice if the difference is small or not clinically meaningful.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for BACTERIAL COLONIZATION are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Infections

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Rouen University Hospital

    Rouen, 76031, France

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.