Superior Hypogastric Nerve Plexus Block With Bupivacaine After Robotic Resection of Endometriosis

Description

Endometriosis is a condition that causes significant pelvic pain and affects 10-15% of reproductive age women. Treatment options area both medical and surgical for pain relief, however with surgical options, past studies have demonstrated a higher risk of surgical complications as well as higher postoperative pain scores in women with endometriosis. Despite attempts to limit narcotic pain medications with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols, persistent opioid use after surgery is a national crisis, and it is important to explore multimodal options for pain relief. Various studies have shown improvement in pain with use of superior hypogastric nerve blocks in gynecologic surgery, but these effects have not yet been examined in the setting of a minimally invasive endometriosis resection. The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if a superior hypogastric nerve plexus block with 0.25% bupivacaine hydrochloride can decrease postoperative pain and opioid requirements in patients undergoing robotic assisted resection of endometriosis for the first week after surgery. Researchers will perform a superior hypogastric nerve plexus block by either injecting 0.25% bupivacaine hydrochloride (investigative treatment) or normal saline (placebo) in subjects who are undergoing a robotic assisted resection of endometriosis. To determine if postoperative pain is reduced, the subject will be asked to rate their pain score on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 0 hours, 2 hours and 4 hours postop while in the Post-anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). They will then document their pain score each day on a form provided to them for 7 days after surgery. To determine the effect of this research study on postoperative opioid requirements, the subject will be asked to fill out a form documenting how many tablets of an opioid medication they took each day for a total of 7 days after surgery.

Conditions

Endometriosis

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Endometriosis is a condition that causes significant pelvic pain and affects 10-15% of reproductive age women. Treatment options area both medical and surgical for pain relief, however with surgical options, past studies have demonstrated a higher risk of surgical complications as well as higher postoperative pain scores in women with endometriosis. Despite attempts to limit narcotic pain medications with enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols, persistent opioid use after surgery is a national crisis, and it is important to explore multimodal options for pain relief. Various studies have shown improvement in pain with use of superior hypogastric nerve blocks in gynecologic surgery, but these effects have not yet been examined in the setting of a minimally invasive endometriosis resection. The goal of this clinical trial is to determine if a superior hypogastric nerve plexus block with 0.25% bupivacaine hydrochloride can decrease postoperative pain and opioid requirements in patients undergoing robotic assisted resection of endometriosis for the first week after surgery. Researchers will perform a superior hypogastric nerve plexus block by either injecting 0.25% bupivacaine hydrochloride (investigative treatment) or normal saline (placebo) in subjects who are undergoing a robotic assisted resection of endometriosis. To determine if postoperative pain is reduced, the subject will be asked to rate their pain score on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 0 hours, 2 hours and 4 hours postop while in the Post-anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). They will then document their pain score each day on a form provided to them for 7 days after surgery. To determine the effect of this research study on postoperative opioid requirements, the subject will be asked to fill out a form documenting how many tablets of an opioid medication they took each day for a total of 7 days after surgery.

Superior Hypogastric Nerve Plexus Block With Bupivacaine for Postoperative Pain Reduction Following Robotic Assisted Resection of Endometriosis: A Randomized Control Trial

Superior Hypogastric Nerve Plexus Block With Bupivacaine After Robotic Resection of Endometriosis

Condition
Endometriosis
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Houston

Texas Childrens Hospital Pavilion for Women, Houston, Texas, United States, 77030

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • * 18-65 years old
  • * Scheduled to undergo a robotic assisted resection of endometriosis
  • * Subjects who are part of a vulnerable population will be excluded including those who are prisoners, younger than 18 years old, pregnant, individuals with mental disabilities or cognitive impairment.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 Years to 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Baylor College of Medicine,

Xiaoming Guan, PhD, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Department Chair of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

Study Record Dates

2025-07-31