New painkiller injection could cut opioid use after chest surgery
NCT ID NCT03737292
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether a long-acting form of the numbing drug bupivacaine (liposomal bupivacaine) provides better pain relief than the standard version after minimally invasive chest surgery. Forty adults undergoing thoracoscopic procedures will receive one of the two drugs injected between their ribs. Researchers will measure drug levels in the blood and track pain, opioid use, and recovery for up to 3 months. The goal is to see if the liposomal version can safely reduce pain and opioid-related complications.
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) and plain bupivacaine
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could lead to better pain management after chest surgery, reducing the need for opioids and their side effects.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase study with only 40 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The long-term benefits and safety are still uncertain.
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
-
Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
RECRUITINGHershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States
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