Recruiting

Pectoserratus Block & Interscalene Block

Sponsor:

University of Minnesota

Code:

NCT06143306

Conditions

Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

bupivacaine.

Saline

Study Details

Brief summary:

The use of ISB in patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) is the gold standard and results in significantly reduced pain scores and opioid use. However, patients still have pain and the majority require opioids postoperatively as the interscalene block (ISB) doesn't cover all of the dermatomes impacted during TSA. A pectoserratus block typically provides coverage to additional dermatomes that are impacted during TSA. Currently ISB is performed for every patient and perform a pectoserratus block to a portion of our patients undergoing TSA. The purpose of the study is to determine if the addition of the pectoserratus block to the ISB will results in improvement in pain control and decrease in opioid use, among patients undergoing TSA. This is a randomized prospective controlled trial. All patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty aged 18-85 will be considered eligible for the study. Participants will be randomized to one of 2 treatment groups. Group 1 will receive an ultrasound guided pectoserratus block with 25 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine. Group 2 will be the control and receive an ultrasound guided pectoserratus block with 25 mL of saline. The drug will be administered by the anesthesiologist in-charge of the participant's care or an anesthesiologist who is a part of the study team.

Conditions

Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Study ID

NCT06143306

Start date

Aug 14, 2024

Status verified date

Mar, 2026

Completion date

May 1, 2027

Anticipated

Primary completion date

Oct 30, 2026

Anticipated

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: All

Age: 18 - 70+

Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty or reverse total shoulder arthroplasty;
  • Patients aged 18-85 years old.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients who have an exclusion to regional anesthesia such as pre-existing nerve damage to their brachial plexus or infection at the site of injection.
  • Patients who have exclusion to interscalene blockade such as severe lung disease.
  • Non-English speakers will be excluded because pain scales are not validated in other languages and there is lack of standardization of pain reporting.
  • Pregnant patients
  • Patients who are currently using opioids and patients with a diagnosis of chronic pain will be excluded.

Study Design

Enrollment

110 participants

Anticipated

Allocation

Randomized

Intervention Model

Parallel Assignment

Primary purpose

Supportive Care

Interventions and Outcome Measures

Arms

experimental: Bupivacaine group

Patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty or reverse total shoulderarthroplasty aged 18- 85, randomized to the experimental group.

placebo comparator: control group

Patients undergoing total shoulder arthroplasty or reverse total shoulderarthroplasty aged 18- 85, randomized to the control group.

Interventions

bupivacaine.

an ultrasound guided pectoserratus block with 25 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine

Saline

an ultrasound guided pectoserratus block with 25 mL of saline

Primary outcome measure

  • Maximum pain [ Time Frame: 24 hours postop ]

Central Contacts and Locations

Central contacts

Locations

University of Minnesota

Recruiting

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, 55455

Contacts

Candace Nelson

nelso377@umn.edu

More Information

Sponsor

University of Minnesota

Last update posted

Mar 17, 2026

Last verified

Mar, 2026

Trial information was received from ClinicalTrials.gov and was last updated on 2026-09-10. This information was provided to ClinicalTrials.gov by University of Minnesota on 2026-03-17.