Which pain block works best for colon surgery?
NCT ID NCT02591407
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study compared two ways to manage pain during and after colorectal surgery: a TAP block (an injection into the abdominal wall) versus epidural anesthesia (an injection near the spine). About 200 adults having elective colon or rectal surgery for cancer or diverticulitis took part. The goal was to see which method provided better pain control and patient satisfaction.
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
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
200 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jan 2016
- Finished
-
Dec 2017
- 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 years and older
- 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: * Patients undergoing elective open and minimally invasive (laparoscopic and robotic) colon and rectal surgery for colorectal neoplasia, diverticulitis, and other diseases of the colon and rectum; * Surgical procedure either through standard open or minimal invasive approach (laparoscopic or robotic); * Patients \> 18 years of age; * Able to provide informed written consent * Patients capable of completing questionnaires at the time of consent Exclusion Criteria: * Documented allergic reaction to morphine, hydromorphone, lidocaine, bupivicaine and/or fentanyl; * Contra-indication to placement of epidural catheter (spinal stenosis, spinal fusion, elevated International Normalized Ratio (INR), anticoagulation, patient refusal, etc) or TAP block (patient refusal); * Urgent or emergent surgery precluding epidural catheter placement or TAP block; * Systemic Infection contraindicating epidural catheter placement or TAP block; * Unwillingness to participate in follow up assessments; * Prisoners * Pregnant women
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Colon cancer 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
-
Saint Joseph Mercy Hospital
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48106, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Gut bacteria may hold clues to dozens of diseases
- Immunotherapy added to standard treatment aims to save the anus in Ultra-Low rectal cancer
- Can MRI and computer models predict how well cancer drugs reach tumors?
- Can a personalized menu keep cancer patients stronger through chemotherapy?
- Can surgeons spare nerves and still cure colon cancer?
- Can a simple checklist cut unnecessary antibiotics for diverticulitis?