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Cryoanalgesia for Rib Fractures

Phase 4
Waitlist Available
Led By Brian M Ilfeld, MD, MS
Research Sponsored by University of California, San Diego
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Having a total of 1-6 rib fractures at least 3 cm distal to the costo-transverse joint sustained within the previous 3 days (bilateral fractures are acceptable, but the total of the two sides combined must not exceed 6 fractures)
Accepting of a cryoneurolysis procedure
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up through study completion, an average of 1 year
Awards & highlights

Study Summary

This trial is testing whether freezing the nerve near the rib fracture site can provide longer-term pain relief and improve pulmonary function compared to a sham procedure.

Who is the study for?
Adults over 18 with 1-6 recent rib fractures who want regional anesthesia can join this trial. It's not for those on opioids, pregnant, unable to communicate or follow instructions, with mental incapacity, flail chest, a chest tube, certain conditions like cold allergies or Reynaud's Syndrome, obesity (BMI >40), or severe pain from other causes.Check my eligibility
What is being tested?
The study tests if cryoanalgesia—a technique that freezes nerves—can better manage pain and improve lung function in rib fracture patients compared to standard nerve blocks with local anesthetic. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either the freezing treatment or a sham procedure.See study design
What are the potential side effects?
Cryoanalgesia might cause temporary numbness or skin changes at the site of application. There could also be discomfort during the procedure and risks associated with nerve freezing such as damage to surrounding tissues.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
Select...
I have 1-6 rib fractures not near the spine, from the last 3 days.
Select...
I am willing to undergo a cryoneurolysis procedure.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~through study completion, an average of 1 year
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and through study completion, an average of 1 year for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Outcome measures can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Secondary outcome measures
Brief Pain Inventory
Brief Pain Inventory [partial]
Day of discharge
+5 more

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: CryoneurolysisActive Control1 Intervention
Active cryoneurolysis: 3 mL of normal SALINE will be injected into the muscle superficial to the nerve followed by an ACTIVE cryoneurolysis procedure using 2 cycles of 2-minute gas activation separated by 1-minute defrost periods.
Group II: ShamPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Sham cryoneurolysis: 3 mL of ropivacaine 0.5% (with epinephrine) will be injected perineurally to provide the intercostal nerve block followed by a SHAM cryoneurolysis procedure with a probe that vents the nitrous oxide prior to reaching the probe tip using 2 cycles of 2-minute gas activation separated by 1-minute defrost periods.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

University of California, San DiegoLead Sponsor
1,120 Previous Clinical Trials
1,521,387 Total Patients Enrolled
Brian M Ilfeld, MD, MSPrincipal InvestigatorUniversity California San Diego
19 Previous Clinical Trials
1,521 Total Patients Enrolled

Media Library

Cryoneurolysis (Other) Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04198662 — Phase 4
Traumatic Rib Fracture(s) Research Study Groups: Cryoneurolysis, Sham
Traumatic Rib Fracture(s) Clinical Trial 2023: Cryoneurolysis Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04198662 — Phase 4
Cryoneurolysis (Other) 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04198662 — Phase 4

Frequently Asked Questions

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

In what way is Cryoneurolysis typically employed by medical professionals?

"Cryoneurolysis is frequently employed to treat hypotension, and can also be utilized for unresponsive bradycardia, pupil dilation, as well as open angle glaucoma (OAG)."

Answered by AI

Is it possible to enroll in this investigation currently?

"As detailed on clinicaltrials.gov, this study has concluded its recruitment phase and is no longer searching for new participants. This trial was first posted April 3rd 2020 and last edited November 28th 2022, but there are still 439 other trials that continue to accept volunteers at the present moment in time."

Answered by AI

How many volunteers have enrolled in this research?

"Currently, this clinical trial is inactive and has not been updated since November 28th 2022. However, there are 349 trials actively recruiting patients with fractures or broken bones, as well as 90 additional studies seeking participants for cryoneurolysis treatments."

Answered by AI

Is Cryoneurolysis a secure procedure for people to undergo?

"The safety of cryoneurolysis has been verified through Phase 4 trials, leading to a score of 3."

Answered by AI

Have any prior investigations explored Cryoneurolysis?

"Currently, there are 90 ongoing Cryoneurolysis trials with 19 of these studies in the final phase. 128 medical facilities across Karachi and Sindh have opened their doors to researchers seeking more understanding about this treatment."

Answered by AI
~4 spots leftby Apr 2025