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Extended-release Epidural Morphine for Acute Post-operative Analgesia Following Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy in Children

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The Washington University

Status

Terminated

Conditions

Spastic Cerebral Palsy

Treatments

Drug: Control: Saline
Drug: Extended-release Epidural morphine (EREM) 80
Drug: Extended-release Epidural Morphine (EREM) 120

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT00955877
DeporDur2009

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this proposal is to improve the investigators' current Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) analgesia protocol by eliminating or minimizing the use of fentanyl in the post-operative period.

Children undergoing SDR for spastic cerebral palsy have significant post-operative pain. The procedure requires dissection of the lumbar back musculature and removal of the L1 lamina (the bony posterior part of the vertebra). The majority of the operation is intradural, and a water-tight dural closure at the termination of the operation is critical in order to prevent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the wound. In fact, these children must remain flat on their back for 48 hours to allow the dural incision to heal prior to mobilization. Thus, adequate pain control is essential not only for patient comfort, but also to prevent agitation and additional stress on the dural closure.

Currently, the investigators' patients undergoing SDR are treated for 48 hours with scheduled intravenous (IV) narcotic (continuous fentanyl infusion at 0.5-2.0 μg/kg/hour) in addition to the sedative/muscle relaxant Valium (0.2 mg/kg IV every 4 hours for 24 hours, then every 6 hours for 24 hours). The IV fentanyl, and to a lesser degree Valium, carries a real risk of hypotension and respiratory depression and requires frequent dose adjustments to achieve adequate analgesia.

By improving the current SDR analgesia protocol, the investigators hope to maximize patient safety and comfort while maintaining the effectiveness of the operation by minimizing the risk of CSF leak.

Full description

improve the investigators' current Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) analgesia protocol by eliminating or minimizing the use of fentanyl in the post-operative period.

Children undergoing SDR for spastic cerebral palsy have significant post-operative pain. The procedure requires dissection of the lumbar back musculature and removal of the L1 lamina (the bony posterior part of the vertebra). The majority of the operation is intradural, and a water-tight dural closure at the termination of the operation is critical in order to prevent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the wound. In fact, these children must remain flat on their back for 48 hours to allow the dural incision to heal prior to mobilization. Thus, adequate pain control is essential not only for patient comfort, but also to prevent agitation and additional stress on the dural closure.

Currently, the investigators' patients undergoing SDR are treated for 48 hours with scheduled intravenous (IV) narcotic (continuous fentanyl infusion at 0.5-2.0 μg/kg/hour) in addition to the sedative/muscle relaxant Valium (0.2 mg/kg IV every 4 hours for 24 hours, then every 6 hours for 24 hours). The IV fentanyl, and to a lesser degree Valium, carries a real risk of hypotension and respiratory depression and requires frequent dose adjustments to achieve adequate analgesia.

By improving the current SDR analgesia protocol, the investigators hope to maximize patient safety and comfort while maintaining the effectiveness of the operation by minimizing the risk of CSF leak.

Enrollment

13 patients

Sex

All

Ages

2 to 12 years old

Volunteers

No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

  • Receiving selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR)
  • Willingness to Participate

Exclusion criteria

  • Known Morphine Allergy
  • Inability to speak and read the English language

Trial design

Primary purpose

Treatment

Allocation

Randomized

Interventional model

Parallel Assignment

Masking

Quadruple Blind

13 participants in 3 patient groups, including a placebo group

DepoDur80
Experimental group
Description:
DepoDur will be administered at 80μg/kg (not to exceed 5 mg total/patient) under direct vision in the L1 laminectomy defect prior to wound closure.
Treatment:
Drug: Extended-release Epidural morphine (EREM) 80
DepoDur120
Experimental group
Description:
DepoDur will be administered at 120μg/kg (not to exceed 10 mg total/patient) under direct vision in the L1 laminectomy defect prior to wound closure.
Treatment:
Drug: Extended-release Epidural Morphine (EREM) 120
Control
Placebo Comparator group
Description:
Preservative-free normal saline (2.5ml) will be placed in the L1 laminectomy defect and also dispensed 1-2 levels above and 1-2 levels below using a flexible angiocatheter prior to wound closure.
Treatment:
Drug: Control: Saline

Trial contacts and locations

1

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Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

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