A comparison of the need for opiate pain relief medication after elective hip replacement surgery between patients given Local Anaesthetic Infiltration to the new joint and then an infusion of either local anaesthetic or placebo around the new joint

ISRCTN ISRCTN24271997
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN24271997
Secondary identifying numbers RR11/ 9781
Submission date
07/08/2011
Registration date
17/01/2012
Last edited
10/05/2018
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Musculoskeletal Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Hip replacements (hip arthroplasty) are associated with high levels of pain after the operation. Many anaesthetic techniques have been tested in an attempt to reduce this problem. However, the need for opiate analgesia (pain relief) after the operation remains high. This is associated with the potential for multiple side effects such as nausea, constipation and drowsiness. The use of continuous wound infiltration with local anaesthetic has been investigated with some success. However, more opiate was required when mobilisation commenced. In addition to wound infiltration, a method of intra-articular infusion (joint injection) may reduce the need for opiate medication when the joint is mobilised. The aim of this study is to find out whether a pain pump delivering continuous intra-articular infusion of local anaesthetic provides pain relief and improves mobility in patients following hip replacement.

Who can participate?
Patients attending for elective primary hip arthroplasty at Chapel Allerton Hospital.

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. One group are treated with a pain pump that delivers a continuous intra-articular infusion of local anaesthetic following hip replacement. The other group receive an infusion of placebo (salt solution) via the same pump. All patients receive an infiltration of local anaesthetic into the joint at the end of surgery and also receive the current standard anaesthetic technique for hip replacement surgery.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Benefits include potentially better pain control and reduced need for opiates and therefore fewer side effects, earlier mobilisation, earlier hospital discharge and reduced rate of medical complications. If the study changes future practice for the better, the patient will benefit if undergoing further joint replacements. Any positive outcomes from this study will impact on a large number of patients. The drugs and doses to be used in this study have been used frequently in other studies and there are no reports of serious side effects.

Where is the study run from?
Chapel Allerton Hospital (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2011 to October 2013

Who is funding the study?
The Leeds General Infirmary Challenge Fund (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Mr Martin Stone

Contact information

Mr Martin Stone
Scientific

Chapel Allerton Hospital
Orthopaedic Department
Chapeltown Road
Leeds
LS7 4SA
United Kingdom

Study information

Study designSingle-centre double-blinded randomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleThe efficacy of continuous intra-articular infusion of local anaesthetic agent following elective primary hip arthroplasty: a single-centre double-blinded randomised controlled trial
Study acronymLIA
Study objectives1. To determine whether the use of a continuous intra-articular infusion of local anaesthetic reduces the need for post operative opiate use in patients undergoing hip replacement
2. To determine:
2.1. Whether patients receiving continuous infusion of local anaesthetic mobilise earlier than those in the control group
2.2. Whether patients receiving continuous infusion of local anaesthetic are more comfortable when they mobilise compared to controls
3. To compare time to discharge in the two groups
4. To compare the rate of side effects/complications lower in the two groups
Ethics approval(s)West Leeds Research Ethics Committee, September 2011
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPrimary hip arthroplasty
InterventionThe total duration of treatment is 48 hours from the time of surgery and the total duration of time in the study is for 6-12 weeks from time of discharge.

1. Attendance at pre-assessment clinic (no additional visit to a patient not in the study), study information given to potential trial participants.
2. Admission to orthopaedic unit and written consent obtained
3. Administration of standard anaesthetic technique (spinal +/- sedation or light general anaesthetic) as for non-trial patients
4. Standard hip replacement performed as for non-trial patients
5. Study intervention performed; local anaesthetic mixture infiltration (ropivacaine 300mg, ketorolac 30mg and adrenaline 0.5mg) and insertion of pain pump device
6. Treatment group receive a 48h infusion of 0.25% bupivicaine via the pain pump device into the tissues surrounding the new joint. Placebo group receive an infusion over 48h of 0.9% saline in the same way.
7. Patient care in recovery area as for non-trial patients
8. Assessment of pain using standardised pain scoring technique
9. Physiotherapy session and routine observations and ward care including analgesia and antiemetics if needed as for non-trial patients
10. Routine blood test on morning after surgery as for non-trial patients
11. Removal of pain pump device at 48h
12. Routine follow up clinic appointment as for non-trial patients
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)Adrenaline, bupivicaine, ketorolac, ropivacaine
Primary outcome measureA 30% reduction in the number of patients requiring opiate analgesia in the 48 hours post-operative period in the treatment group compared to the placebo group.
1. Pain is measured using a 10-point Visual Analogue Score (VAS)
2. The case report file for each study participant includes data collection on pain scores, opiate and other analgesia requirements and anti-emetic use.
Secondary outcome measures1. Pain scores postoperatively as measured using a 100mm Visual Analogue Score (VAS)
2. Time to first mobilisation in hours
3. Time to independent mobilisation in hours
4. Time to fulfill discharge criteria in days
5. Time to hospital discharge in days
6. Urinary retention post operatively indicated by requirement for urinary catheter
7. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) / pulmonary embolism (PE) rate at up to outpatient follow up (6-12 weeks post operation)
8. Side effects and general medical complications
Overall study start date01/10/2011
Completion date01/10/2013

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants70, 35 randomised to either the treatment or placebo groups
Key inclusion criteria1. All patients fit to undergo elective primary hip replacement at Chapel Allerton Hospital
2. Patients who are able to give informed consent
3. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 1-3
Key exclusion criteria1. Any patient already taking opioid analgesics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)
2. Allergy/sensitivity to local anaesthetics agents
3. Allergy/sensitivity to NSAIDs
4. Allergy/sensitivity to adrenaline
5. Patients taking anti-coagulant medication
6. Severe liver disease
7. Severely impaired renal function
8. Severe heart failure
9. Active cerebrovascular bleeding
10. Severe coagulation disorders
11. Severe asthma or previous bronchospasm with NSAIDs
12. Porphyria
13. Active peptic ulcer disease or acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleed
14. Any patient unable to consent or understand the pump function
15. Bilateral hip replacements
16. Pregnancy/lactation
17. Patients already enrolled in another study
Date of first enrolment01/10/2011
Date of final enrolment01/10/2013

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Chapel Allerton Hospital
Leeds
LS7 4SA
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (UK)
Hospital/treatment centre

c/o Mr Neville Young
Research and Development Department
34 Hyde Terrace
Leeds
LS2 9LN
England
United Kingdom

Website http://www.leedsteachinghospitals.com/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/00v4dac24

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

Leeds General Infirmary - Challenge Fund (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Editorial Notes

10/05/2018: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator
01/03/2016: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator