NCT07174440

Contrast and Anesthetic Level With Lumbar Erector Spinae Plan (ESP) Block

Erector Spinae Plane Block in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Spine Fusion Surgery: Iohexol Spread, Extent of Block and Efficacy

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 32 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 21 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

As per usual care for spine surgery, participants will have their back cleaned with alcohol and a needle will be placed using ultrasound for the ESP block. Through the needle, a small catheter will be placed in the participants back and the needle removed. Approximately one hour prior to the start of surgery, a numbing medication (ropivacaine, similar to Novocaine) in combination with dexmedetomidine (a pain medicine that is used in nerve block and that is not a narcotic) and contrast dye (iohexol) will be injected through the catheter. Participants will then go through the QST procedure (test of buzzing sensation and temperature sensation through pads applied to their skin) to assess the numb areas and then head to the operating room. In the operating room, the catheter will be removed after the surgeon obtains baseline CT scan images of the spine. Once surgery is completed, investigators will record pain scores over the next four days in the hospital and the amount of pain medication needed for controlling pain related to the surgery.

Conditions

• Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Ropivacaine (Epidural analgesia)	The block solution will consist of 1% ropivacaine 3 mg/Kg ideal body weight (IBW) mixed with dexmedetomidine 0.5 mcg/Kg IBW and diluted with 10 mL iohexol 300 mg/mL and normal saline for a total volume of 40 mL. All medications used are standard of care
DRUG	Dexmedetomidine	The block solution will consist of 1% ropivacaine 3 mg/Kg ideal body weight (IBW) mixed with dexmedetomidine 0.5 mcg/Kg IBW and diluted with 10 mL iohexol 300 mg/mL and normal saline for a total volume of 40 mL. All medications used are standard of care
DRUG	Iohexol	The block solution will consist of 1% ropivacaine 3 mg/Kg ideal body weight (IBW) mixed with dexmedetomidine 0.5 mcg/Kg IBW and diluted with 10 mL iohexol 300 mg/mL and normal saline for a total volume of 40 mL. All medications used are standard of care except for iohexol which is used for study purposes.
PROCEDURE	QST Procedure	The QST procedure (test of buzzing sensation and temperature sensation through pads applied to your skin) to assess the numb areas.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-09-15
• Primary completion: 2027-01-25
• Completion: 2027-01-25
• First posted: 2025-09-16
• Last updated: 2026-03-11

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States