Can an epidural pump beat IV painkillers after liver surgery?
NCT ID NCT02523443
First seen Jul 22, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial compares two ways to control pain after open liver surgery: an epidural pump that delivers pain medicine near the spine, versus a standard IV pump. About 230 adults having elective open liver resection will be randomly assigned to one method. The goal is to see which approach provides better pain relief, especially during movement, in the days after surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) compared to intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA)
- What this could lead to
- If PCEA proves better, it could become the preferred method for managing pain after liver surgery, improving recovery and mobility.
- What could go wrong
- This is a single trial at one center, and epidurals carry risks like infection or bleeding. Results may not apply to all patients or hospitals.
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 LIVER CANCER are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Locations
-
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, 10021, United States
-
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (Consent Only)
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, United States
-
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center @ Commack (Consent Only)
Commack, New York, 11725, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Virtual reality goggles may help kids face the dentist with less fear
- Smart pain tracking may ease recovery after C-Sections
- Ear stimulation may quiet pain — scientists scan the brain to find out how
- Could a drop of breast milk ease needle pain in premature babies?
- Could a two-vein embolization trick turn inoperable liver tumors into operable ones?
- Nerve block could cut opioid need after hip fracture surgery