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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
Must not have
Any patient unable to correctly perform incentive spirometry as this is the primary outcome measure
Possessing any contraindication specific to cryoneurolysis such as a localized infection at the treatment site, cryoglobulinemia, cold urticaria and Reynaud's Syndrome
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up through study completion, an average of 1 year
Awards & highlights

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.
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.
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
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I have 1-6 rib fractures not near the spine, from the last 3 days.
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I am willing to undergo a cryoneurolysis procedure.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
Select...
I can correctly perform incentive spirometry.
Select...
I do not have infections, cryoglobulinemia, cold urticaria, or Reynaud's Syndrome at the treatment site.
Select...
My BMI is over 40.
Select...
I have been using opioids daily for more than 4 weeks.
Select...
I have multiple broken ribs causing chest instability.
Select...
I have a broken first rib.

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
1,136 Previous Clinical Trials
1,554,224 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
~4 spots leftby Sep 2025