Actively Recruiting
Contrast and Anesthetic Level With Lumbar Erector Spinae Plan (ESP) Block
Led by University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center · Updated on 2026-03-11
32
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
71 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
As per usual care for spine surgery, participants will have their back cleaned with alcohol and a needle will be placed using ultrasound for the ESP block. Through the needle, a small catheter will be placed in the participants back and the needle removed. Approximately one hour prior to the start of surgery, a numbing medication (ropivacaine, similar to Novocaine) in combination with dexmedetomidine (a pain medicine that is used in nerve block and that is not a narcotic) and contrast dye (iohexol) will be injected through the catheter. Participants will then go through the QST procedure (test of buzzing sensation and temperature sensation through pads applied to their skin) to assess the numb areas and then head to the operating room. In the operating room, the catheter will be removed after the surgeon obtains baseline CT scan images of the spine. Once surgery is completed, investigators will record pain scores over the next four days in the hospital and the amount of pain medication needed for controlling pain related to the surgery.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Contrast and Anesthetic Level With Lumbar Erector Spinae Plan (ESP) Block
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Adult patients aged 21 to 75 years
- ASA status I to III
- Planned lumbar spine fusion involving no more than three levels
- Ability to walk before surgery
You will not qualify if you...
- Previous lumbar spine surgery
- Metastatic cancer involving the lumbar spine
- eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73m2
- Active liver disease such as hepatitis or cirrhosis
- Known allergy to ropivacaine, dexmedetomidine, or iohexol
- Cognitive impairment preventing ability to rate pain
- Taking 30 mg or more morphine equivalent daily before surgery
- Pregnancy
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center
Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44106
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
S
Sena Ulucay, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NA
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
PREVENTION
Number of Arms
1
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