New painkiller may reduce opioid use after skin graft surgery
NCT ID NCT03854344
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether a long-acting numbing drug called liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel) can reduce pain and opioid use after skin graft harvesting in burn patients. 74 adults with small burns received either Exparel, lidocaine, or a nerve block. Researchers measured pain scores and how much opioid pain medication they needed in the first 72 hours 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
- Liposomal bupivacaine (Exparel)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide better pain control and reduce opioid use after skin graft surgery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed Phase 4 study with only 74 participants. Results may not apply to all burn patients, and the pain relief may not be significantly better than standard treatments.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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
Locations
-
The University of Kansas Health System
Kansas City, Kansas, 66160, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Could a special dressing make skin grafts unnecessary for burns?
- Can tiny skin grafts heal wounds without leaving a second scar?
- Lab-Grown skin could transform burn healing