Scientists snip skin during surgery to decode pain
NCT ID NCT04224870
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study took small skin samples from 12 adults during long surgeries (over 4 hours) to measure chemical reactions and genes linked to pain. The goal is to better understand how pain starts at the incision site, which could lead to safer pain relief options. Participants also filled out short pain questionnaires after surgery.
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 help researchers develop better pain management strategies with fewer side effects than opioids.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, observational study (12 participants) that only collects tissue samples. It does not test any treatment, so it may not lead to direct patient benefits.
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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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National Institutes of Health Clinical Center
Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States
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