In short
Currently, there is 1 ongoing clinical trial investigating treatment approaches for abdominal wall pain. This trial is exploring how timing of pain management techniques during hernia repair surgery may help prevent chronic pain from developing after the procedure.
Clinical trial locations
Study on the Effect of Levobupivacaine in Reducing Chronic Pain After Open Inguinal Hernia Repair in Patients
This trial is investigating chronic pain that can develop after open inguinal hernia mesh repair surgery. The research focuses on a pain management technique called the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, which uses a local anesthetic called Levobupivacaine administered through injection to help control pain.
Main inclusion criteria: Patients eligible for this trial must be over 18 years old and scheduled to undergo open inguinal hernia mesh repair surgery. They need to have a symptomatic inguinal hernia confirmed by a doctor or imaging test. Participants must be able to provide written informed consent and have a health status classified as ASA I, II, or III, which ranges from healthy patients to those with severe systemic disease.
Main exclusion criteria: Patients are not eligible if they have not undergone the open inguinal hernia mesh repair surgery, do not experience chronic postsurgical pain, fall outside the specified age range, or are part of a vulnerable population requiring special protection or care.
Focus and goal: The study aims to compare the effects of administering the TAP block before the surgical incision versus after the incision on the development of chronic pain following surgery. Patients are observed for three months after their procedure to assess chronic pain occurrence. The goal is to determine whether the timing of the TAP block can help prevent long-term pain and reduce the need for ongoing pain medication. The trial uses a questionnaire three months post-surgery to evaluate pain levels and compare outcomes between the two treatment timing approaches.
Investigational treatment: The trial investigates the ultrasound-guided TAP block, which numbs the nerves in the abdominal wall. The research specifically examines whether this nerve block is more effective in reducing chronic pain when given before or after the surgical incision during open inguinal hernia repair. The local anesthetic used in the TAP block is Levobupivacaine, which works by blocking sodium channels in nerve cells to prevent pain signals from being transmitted.
Summary
Currently, only one clinical trial is actively recruiting patients for abdominal wall pain research, specifically focusing on chronic pain following hernia repair surgery. This trial is being conducted in Spain and represents an important investigation into pain management strategies. The research concentrates on optimizing the timing of regional anesthesia techniques to improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of chronic postsurgical pain. The study's focus on Levobupivacaine and the TAP block technique reflects ongoing efforts to refine pain management approaches in hernia surgery and potentially improve recovery experiences for patients undergoing this common procedure.
