Pain relief showdown: which method helps liver surgery patients recover faster?
NCT ID NCT03214510
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jul 09, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This phase III trial compares two pain relief methods for patients undergoing open liver surgery for cancer: thoracic epidural analgesia and a four-quadrant TAP block. The study aims to see which method leads to a shorter hospital stay and better pain control. About 101 participants are being studied at MD Anderson Cancer Center.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Bupivacaine, Fentanyl, Hydromorphone Hydrochloride
- What this could lead to
- If this trial succeeds, it could show that one pain relief method is better for recovery after liver surgery, potentially leading to shorter hospital stays and less pain.
- What could go wrong
- This is a single-center trial with only 101 participants, so results may not apply to all patients. Both methods have known risks like infection or side effects from pain medications.
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
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M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.