Actively Recruiting
Spinal Anesthesia For Enhanced Recovery After Liver Surgery
Led by University of Manitoba · Updated on 2026-02-05
128
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
690 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This project proposes to compare epidural versus spinal anesthesia in patients having liver resection surgery. The investigators hypothesize that spinal anesthesia will result in improved blood pressure control postoperatively and reduce the amount of intravenous fluids required after surgery. Spinal anesthesia is expected to provide the same pain control benefits as epidurals, with faster recovery of function. Spinal anesthesia may be a simple and effective way to improve and enhance the recovery in the increasing number of patients requiring liver resection.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Spinal Anesthesia For Enhanced Recovery After Liver Surgery
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Male or female adults aged 18 years and older with no upper age limit
- American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification I to III
- Scheduled for elective liver resection surgery via subcostal or midline laparotomy under general anesthesia
- If combined surgery planned, additional procedure should not add more than one hour to liver resection time
- Willing and able to comply with all study procedures and available for study duration
- Signed and dated informed consent provided
- Body mass index (BMI) between 17 and 40 kg/m²
- Negative pregnancy test at screening and baseline for women of childbearing potential; not breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed within 7 days after surgery
- Able to communicate clearly with study staff
- Voluntary participation with ability to provide written informed consent
You will not qualify if you...
- Emergency surgery
- Age under 18 years
- Planned laparoscopic liver resection
- Planned laparotomy incision other than right subcostal, midline, or extended midline
- Known unresectable disease before consent
- Prior liver transplant, hepatic resection, or living-donor hepatectomy
- Major open abdominal or thoracic surgery within 30 days before current surgery
- Contraindications to spinal or epidural anesthesia, including coagulation abnormalities, bleeding disorders, recent infections, neurologic disorders affecting spinal cord or lower body, intracranial hemorrhage within 90 days, or technical issues preventing epidural placement
- Significant cardiac arrhythmias or severe cardiovascular disease (NYHA class III-IV)
- Fluid overload conditions like pulmonary edema or acute heart failure
- Acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease as defined by specific criteria
- Severe hypernatremia or hyperchloremia
- Chronic pain or opioid use within 30 days before surgery, or history of substance abuse
- Recent or prolonged use of high-dose glucocorticoids
- Known allergy or sensitivity to study medications or materials
- Altered mental status or communication barriers that could affect pain assessment or questionnaire completion
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3E 0Z2
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
A
Alex Grunfeld, MD
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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