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Cryoablation vs. ESP Catheter for Rib Fractures

This study is comparing two ways to manage pain from broken ribs: cryoablation and an ESP catheter. Cryoablation involves injecting lidocaine and freezing the nerves near the ribs. An ESP catheter delivers bupivacaine and ropivacaine through a small tube near your spine. The goal is to see if cryoablation provides better pain control seven days after the procedure compared to the ESP catheter, and to also look at opioid use and functional pain scores after 30 days. You may be able to join if you are over 18 and have more than one broken rib. The study is currently recruiting participants.

Study design
This interventional study plans to enroll 48 participants. It compares two different pain management methods for rib fractures.
What's involved
You would receive either cryoablation or an ESP catheter. Your pain levels would be measured seven days after the procedure, and opioid use and functional pain scores would be assessed after 30 days.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for pain scores up to 7 days and for opioid use and functional pain scores up to 30 days after the procedure.

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NCT06347874

Cryo Rib Fracture Study

Recruiting
PHASE4Ages 18+InterventionalTreatment
University of Minnesota
~48 participants
Updated 2026-02-17 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:CryoablationESP Catheter

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Maximum pain score on POD (Post Operative Day) 7
Measured over 7 days post procedure
+9 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Rib Fractures

Explore related trials

Rib Fracture

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Minnesota1

Study leadership

  • Neil Hanson · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Minnesota

Who to contact

Candace Nelson
[email protected]
Email the study team

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Patients who are over 18 who have more than one ribs fractured.

Exclusion

Patients who have an exclusion to regional anesthesia.
Patients who are pregnant via self-report or pregnancy test if they take one.
Non-English speakers
Patients who have cold urticaria
Patients with bilateral fractures
Patients currently intubated

What this trial measures

  • Maximum pain score on POD (Post Operative Day) 77 days post procedure

    Maximum pain score on POD (Post Operative Day) 7

  • Opioid Use30 days post procedure

    Opioid Use measured in MMEs

  • Functional Pain Scores30 days post procedure

    Functional Pain Scores on POD 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,and 30

  • Number of Patients using opioids at POD 3030 days post procedure

    , Number of Patients using opioids at POD 30

  • Length of hospital stay30 days post procedure

    Length of hospital stay measured in days:hours:minutes

  • Number of patients returned home by POD 3030 days post procedure

    Number of patients returned home by POD 30

  • time to first ambulation30 days post procedure

    time to first ambulation measured in days:hours:minutes

  • number of patients admitted to ICU30 days post procedure

    number of patients admitted to ICU

  • number of patients that required mechanical ventilation30 days post procedure

    number of patients that required mechanical ventilation

  • Pulmonary Function Testing.30 days post procedure

    Pulmonary Function Tests include spirometry. For patients with pulmonary function testing, the test results between the two groups.