Can a common numbing drug speed up bariatric surgery recovery?
NCT ID NCT03211455
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether giving lidocaine through a vein during weight-loss surgery helps patients recover faster and need less strong pain medicine. 180 adults scheduled for bariatric surgery received either lidocaine or a placebo (salt water). Researchers measured how much painkiller they used and how quickly they were ready to leave the hospital.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- lidocaine
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a way to reduce pain and opioid use after weight-loss surgery, helping patients recover faster.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is completed but results are not yet widely confirmed. Lidocaine may not work better than placebo, and there are risks like side effects from the drug.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 3
Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.
- Participants
-
180 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Dec 2017
- Finished
-
May 2019
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 75 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * scheduled bariatric surgery Exclusion Criteria: * any contra-indication for lidocaine administration * pregnancy * ASA class 4 * psychiatric disorder * chronic opioid consumption
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Bariatric surgery candidate are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
-
University Hospital of Caen
Caen, 14033, France
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Can cooking classes curb dangerous pregnancy weight gain?
- Can Weight-Loss surgery patients skip the opioids?
- Can testosterone shield muscle during rapid weight loss?
- Can Weight-Loss surgery weaken protein digestion in older adults?
- Can tailoring bypass length to the individual improve Weight-Loss surgery?
- A nerve block may ease pain after gastric bypass and reduce opioid use