Postoperative PainNCT07441421
Perioperative Multimodal Analgesia for Supratentorial Craniotomy
A study testing Dexmedetomidine and Scalp-Nerve Block in people with Postoperative Pain and Analgesia, run by Beijing Tiantan Hospital at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of scalp nerve blocks and dexmedetomidine in reducing opioid use and preventing postoperative delirium in patients undergoing supratentorial brain tumor surgery. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Postoperative Pain, Analgesia, Supratentorial Brain Tumor
- What is being tested?
- Dexmedetomidine and Scalp-Nerve Block
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion, Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 2,000 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 9 Mar 2026to 31 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 65 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Aged from 18 to 65 years
- American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I to III
- Scheduled to undergo elective supratentorial tumor resection
Who cannot join
- Incision-area skin infection
- A history of previous craniotomy
- Allergy to study medications
- A history of preoperative change in consciousness or cognitive function
- Inability to communicate,
- Preoperative pain in the surgical region
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- Severe hepatic or renal dysfunction
- Severe bradycardia (heart rate<40 beats/min)
- Sick sinus syndrome or second- to-third degree atrioventricular block
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
China1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University
Beijing
Min Zeng, 8610-59976658
About this study
Official title: Perioperative Multimodal Analgesia for Supratentorial Craniotomy：Protocol for a 2× 2 Factorial Randomized Trial
This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of scalp nerve blocks and dexmedetomidine in reducing opioid use and preventing postoperative delirium in patients undergoing supratentorial brain tumor surgery. A total of 2000 patients will be randomly assigned to one of four groups, receiving either active treatments, placebos, or their combinations.
Read the detailed description
This single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial employs a 2x2 factorial design to evaluate two non-opioid interventions: preoperative scalp nerve blocks and perioperative dexmedetomidine infusion. Eligible patients scheduled for elective supratentorial tumor resection will be randomized into four groups: 1) scalp nerve blocks plus placebo dexmedetomidine infusion; 2) placebo scalp nerve blocks plus dexmedetomidine infusion; 3)both active treatments; and 4) double placebo.
- Conditions
- Postoperative Pain, Analgesia, Supratentorial Brain Tumor
- Being tested
- Dexmedetomidine, Scalp-Nerve Block
- Keywords
- multimodal analgesia, postoperative acute pain
- Medical subject headings
- Pain, Postoperative, Agnosia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
DexmedetomidineDrug
The 200ug dexmedetomidine will be diluted into a 50ml syringe and administered with 0.4ug/kg/h intraoperatively and 0.05 μg/kg/h for 48 hours after surgery.
Scalp-Nerve BlockProcedure or surgery
The 10ml 1.33% liposomal bupivacaine will be diluted into a 20ml syringe. As for scalp nerve block, each nerve will be blocked separately with 1-2 mL 0.67% liposomal bupivacaine.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Scalp nerve blocks plus placebo dexmedetomidine infusion | Experimental | Patients in this group will receive a scalp nerve block with liposomal bupivacaine before surgery. They will receive a continuous intravenous infusion of normal saline (placebo) at the same rate and via identical infusion pumps as used for the dexmedetomidine infusion in the active comparator group. Receives: Procedure: Scalp-Nerve Block |
| Placebo scalp nerve blocks plus dexmedetomidine infusion | Experimental | Patients in this group will receive a sham block (no local anesthetic or saline injected). They will receive a continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine, starting from anesthesia induction until dural closure at a rate of 0.4 μg/kg/h, followed by a maintenance dose of 0.05 μg/kg/h for 48 hours postoperatively. Receives: Drug: Dexmedetomidine |
| Both active treatments | Experimental | Patients in this group will receive scalp nerve block before surgery with liposomal bupivacaine. They will also receive a continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine intravenously at a rate of 0.4 μg/kg/h from anesthesia induction until dural closure, followed by a maintenance dose of 0.05 μg/kg/h for 48 hours postoperatively. Receives: Drug: Dexmedetomidine; Procedure: Scalp-Nerve Block |
| Double placebo | No intervention | Patients in this group will receive a sham scalp nerve block (no injection). The patients in this group will not receive scalp nerve block. From the start of surgery until 48 hours postoperatively, they will receive a continuous intravenous infusion of normal saline (placebo) at the same rate and via identical infusion pumps as used for the dexmedetomidine infusion in the active comparator group. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Incidence of persistent incisional pain at 3 months after surgery
Incidence of persistent pain at the surgical incision site at 3 months after supratentorial tumor resection.
Measured: 3 months after surgery
Incidence of postoperative delirium
Postoperative delirium is assessed by the combination of the Richmond Anxiety Scale (RASS) and the Confusion assessment method for intensive care unit (CAM-ICU) or the 3-minute diagnostic interview for CAM (3D-CAM) as applicable.
Measured: Postoperative 1-4 days
Secondary outcomes (1)
Cumulative sufentanil consumption delivered by patient-controlled intravenous analgesia during the first 48 h post-operatively
Cumulative sufentanil consumption delivered by patient-controlled intravenous analgesia during the first 48 h post-operatively
Measured: 48 hours postoperatively
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Mar 2026
- Study start9 Mar 2026
- Primary completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Postoperative PainStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 2,000 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Yuming Peng, Beijing Tiantan Hospital
- Investigators
- Yuming Peng, Dr, Principal investigator, Beijing Tiantan Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07441421
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 20260220
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 25 Feb 2026
- Last updated
- 15 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No