Which epidural catheter works best for Post-Surgery pain?
NCT ID NCT02159560
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested whether a multiport epidural catheter (with three side holes) provides better pain relief than a standard uniport catheter (with one end hole) after chest or upper abdominal surgery. Researchers enrolled 240 adults and measured how often the catheter failed, meaning patients needed extra pain medicine or the catheter had to be replaced. The goal is to find which design works best to keep patients comfortable.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Epidural catheter (device)
- What this could lead to
- If multiport catheters work better, this could improve pain control after surgery and reduce the need for extra pain medications.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed study, but results may not apply to all surgeries or patients. The difference between catheter types might be small.
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
-
240 people
The number who actually took part.
- Start date
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Jun 2014
- Finished
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Dec 2021
- 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
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18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * English speaking * Surgery in the thorax or upper abdomen * Age between 18 and 75 * Expected use of epidural analgesia for \>24 hours Exclusion Criteria: * Contraindication to epidural catheterization * Chronic use of opioids * Chronic pain * Allergy to the standard medications used * Body Mass Index \>40 * Delirium * Dementia
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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
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, United States
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