Pain Management ImprovementNCT06093776
Rib Fracture Cryoanalgesia
An observational study of Pain Management Improvement, run by Methodist Health System at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Rib fractures lead to poor patient outcomes and even death 3. Data suggests effective pain management is crucial to obtain favorable outcomes 4, 5Current outpatient treatment modalities are limited to oral or topical medications with low efficacy and high risk for opioid dependence. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Pain Management Improvement
- What is being tested?
- ioveraº system
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- How many people
- 5 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 5 Jun 2023to 12 Jun 2025
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
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 75 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: ≥18 years of age Acute pain attributed to rib fracture(s) Able to obtain consent
Who may be able to join
- 18 years of age Acute pain attributed to rib fracture(s) Able to obtain consent
Who cannot join
- <18 years of age Pregnant Incarcerated Confounding injuries or significant pain attributed to secondary injury Patients with any of the following: cryoglobulinemia; paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria; cold urticarial; Raynaud's disease; open and/or infected wounds at or near the treatment site
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Methodist Dallas Medical Center
Dallas, Texas, 75203
About this study
Rib fractures lead to poor patient outcomes and even death 3. Data suggests effective pain management is crucial to obtain favorable outcomes 4, 5Current outpatient treatment modalities are limited to oral or topical medications with low efficacy and high risk for opioid dependence. In-patient management with a thoracic epidural TEA is largely considered the gold standard, but the risks of TEA may outweigh the benefits 6 to 8.
Read the detailed description
Methodist Dallas Medical Center MDMC is an urban Level I Trauma Center that manages over 200 rib fracture cases annually. MDMC has a history of developing and using innovative analgesia techniques aimed at improving outcomes. In 2010 we first described the need for advancements in the treatment of rib fracture patients 1. Later, we validated the technique that is now used at hundreds of trauma centers around the world 2. Our surgical and research teams have a history of advocating for optimal management of rib fracture pain in order to prevent serious complications.
This study will seek to describe the effective use of cryoanalgesia as a feasible method of pain management in the rib fracture patient. With a small cohort and case series, we will describe and refine the procedure and preliminary efficacy of the FDA-approved iovera system in adult rib fracture patients. In order to ethically assess the clinical relevance of the iovera system, our objective will be accomplished by completing a case series
- Conditions
- Pain Management Improvement
- Being tested
- ioveraº system
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ioveraº systemDevice
the use of surgical procedure that produces lesions in peripheral nervous tissue through application of extreme cold
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Case Series | Prospective: Case Series The investigators will complete ioveraº system training (i.e., cadaveric demonstration) and work with our local surgical team to develop an effective procedure. The technique will then be refined and considered fully developed with three consecutive successful placements. Data reporting to the sponsor will occur once data for the first five successful interventions and the subsequent 14-day follow-ups are completed. Adverse event reporting to the IRB will occur in accordance with GCP standards. Due to the small sample size and short duration, patients lost to follow-up will be an indication for additional enrollment. No more than 10 total subjects will be enrolled. Receives: Device: ioveraº system |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain Assessment
Pain assessment using the Numeric Rating Scale for Pain NRS Pain McGill Pain Questionnaire [MPQ]), hospital LOS, ICU LOS, ventilator days, pain interference (using the Brief Pain Inventory [BPI]), sleep interference (using the Medical Outcomes Sleep Scale [MOS-Sleep]), sleep quality (using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]), quality of life assessment [14], adverse events, re-admissions, and patient satisfaction [15].
Measured: 14 days
Secondary outcomes (1)
Demographics
Demographics age, sex, ethnicity, injury characteristics injury severity score ISS, abbreviated injury scale [AIS], mechanism, cause of injury), comorbidities, diagnoses, procedures, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score (eye, verbal, motor, total), discharge status, discharge condition, emergency department and admission vitals, medication
Measured: 30 days
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted23 Oct 2023
- Study start5 Jun 2023
- Primary completion12 Jun 2025
- Study completion12 Jun 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (15)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Pain Management ImprovementStudies 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
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 5 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Methodist Health System
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Conner McDaniel, MD, Principal investigator, Methodist Heath System
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06093776
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 057.GME.2021.D
- Status last verified
- Jun 2025
- First submitted
- 26 Jul 2023
- Last updated
- 23 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- Yes
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: Study data or any protected health information will not be shared with anyone that is not delegated to the study. The PI is committed to disseminate research results in a timely fashion. Sharing of results generated by the data analysis during the course of the project will be through presentation at national scientific meetings and/or publication in open access journals. All information obtained will be source de-identified and presented on a large scale and not traceable to any one particular individual. Data will be shared with the sponsor after all identifiers are removed and a data use agreement fully executed prior to dissemination of any data.
Publications
Truitt MS, Mooty RC, Amos J, Lorenzo M, Mangram A, Dunn E. Out with the old, in with the new: a novel approach to treating pain associated with rib fractures. World J Surg. 2010 Oct;34(10):2359-62. doi: 10.1007/s00268-010-0651-9.
PubMed 20567973Truitt MS, Murry J, Amos J, Lorenzo M, Mangram A, Dunn E, Moore EE. Continuous intercostal nerve blockade for rib fractures: ready for primetime? J Trauma. 2011 Dec;71(6):1548-52; discussion 1552. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e31823c96e0.
PubMed 22182865Ibrahim-Zada I, Bell MT, Campion EM, Pieracci FM, Truitt MS. Delayed presentation of pulmonary hernia following surgical stabilization of severe rib fractures. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016 Aug;81(2):397-9. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000001102. No abstract available.
PubMed 27192468Beard L, Holt B, Snelson C, Parcha C, Smith FG, Veenith T. Analgesia of Patients with Multiple Rib Fractures in Critical Care: A Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the UK. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2020 Mar;24(3):184-189. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23375.
PubMed 32435097Ho AM, Ho AK, Mizubuti GB, Klar G, Karmakar MK. Regional analgesia for patients with traumatic rib fractures: A narrative review. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2020 Jan;88(1):e22-e30. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000002524. No abstract available.
PubMed 31688827Carrier FM, Turgeon AF, Nicole PC, Trepanier CA, Fergusson DA, Thauvette D, Lessard MR. Effect of epidural analgesia in patients with traumatic rib fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Can J Anaesth. 2009 Mar;56(3):230-42. doi: 10.1007/s12630-009-9052-7. Epub 2009 Feb 11.
PubMed 19247744McKendy KM, Lee LF, Boulva K, Deckelbaum DL, Mulder DS, Razek TS, Grushka JR. Epidural analgesia for traumatic rib fractures is associated with worse outcomes: a matched analysis. J Surg Res. 2017 Jun 15;214:117-123. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2017.02.057. Epub 2017 Mar 6.
PubMed 28624032Sheets NW, Davis JW, Dirks RC, Pang AW, Kwok AM, Wolfe MM, Sue LP. Intercostal Nerve Block with Liposomal Bupivacaine vs Epidural Analgesia for the Treatment of Traumatic Rib Fracture. J Am Coll Surg. 2020 Jul;231(1):150-154. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2019.12.044. Epub 2020 Feb 17.
PubMed 32081750Britt T, Sturm R, Ricardi R, Labond V. Comparative evaluation of continuous intercostal nerve block or epidural analgesia on the rate of respiratory complications, intensive care unit, and hospital stay following traumatic rib fractures: a retrospective review. Local Reg Anesth. 2015 Oct 27;8:79-84. doi: 10.2147/LRA.S80498. eCollection 2015.
PubMed 26604819Mohta M, Verma P, Saxena AK, Sethi AK, Tyagi A, Girotra G. Prospective, randomized comparison of continuous thoracic epidural and thoracic paravertebral infusion in patients with unilateral multiple fractured ribs--a pilot study. J Trauma. 2009 Apr;66(4):1096-101. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e318166d76d.
PubMed 19359920Cadaval Gallardo C, Martinez J, Bellia-Munzon G, Nazar M, Sanjurjo D, Toselli L, Martinez-Ferro M. Thoracoscopic cryoanalgesia: A new strategy for postoperative pain control in minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair. Cir Pediatr. 2020 Jan 20;33(1):11-15. English, Spanish.
PubMed 32166917Dekonenko C, Dorman RM, Duran Y, Juang D, Aguayo P, Fraser JD, Oyetunji TA, Snyder CL, Holcomb GW 3rd, Millspaugh DL, St Peter SD. Postoperative pain control modalities for pectus excavatum repair: A prospective observational study of cryoablation compared to results of a randomized trial of epidural vs patient-controlled analgesia. J Pediatr Surg. 2020 Aug;55(8):1444-1447. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2019.09.021. Epub 2019 Oct 26.
PubMed 31699436Farley P, Griffin RL, Jansen JO, Bosarge PL. Quantifying Pain Associated With Rib Fractures. J Surg Res. 2020 Feb;246:476-481. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2019.09.032. Epub 2019 Oct 24.
PubMed 31668607Burckhardt CS, Anderson KL. The Quality of Life Scale (QOLS): reliability, validity, and utilization. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2003 Oct 23;1:60. doi: 10.1186/1477-7525-1-60.
PubMed 14613562Jenkinson C, Coulter A, Bruster S. The Picker Patient Experience Questionnaire: development and validation using data from in-patient surveys in five countries. Int J Qual Health Care. 2002 Oct;14(5):353-8. doi: 10.1093/intqhc/14.5.353.
PubMed 12389801
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 23 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Rib Fracture Cryoanalgesia
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06093776
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 057.GME.2021.D
- Conditions
- Pain Management Improvement
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 5 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Methodist Health SystemUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc
- Study start
- 5 Jun 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 12 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 12 Jun 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 23 Oct 2023 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Rib fractures lead to poor patient outcomes and even death 3. Data suggests effective pain management is crucial to obtain favorable outcomes 4, 5Current outpatient treatment modalities are limited to oral or topical medications with low efficacy and high risk for opioid dependence. In-patient management with a thoracic epidural TEA is largely considered the gold standard, but the risks of TEA may outweigh the benefits 6 to 8.
Detailed description
Methodist Dallas Medical Center MDMC is an urban Level I Trauma Center that manages over 200 rib fracture cases annually. MDMC has a history of developing and using innovative analgesia techniques aimed at improving outcomes. In 2010 we first described the need for advancements in the treatment of rib fracture patients 1. Later, we validated the technique that is now used at hundreds of trauma centers around the world 2. Our surgical and research teams have a history of advocating for optimal management of rib fracture pain in order to prevent serious complications.
This study will seek to describe the effective use of cryoanalgesia as a feasible method of pain management in the rib fracture patient. With a small cohort and case series, we will describe and refine the procedure and preliminary efficacy of the FDA-approved iovera system in adult rib fracture patients. In order to ethically assess the clinical relevance of the iovera system, our objective will be accomplished by completing a case series
Study design
- Observational model
- Case only
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Case Series | – | Device: ioveraº systemProspective: Case Series The investigators will complete ioveraº system training (i.e., cadaveric demonstration) and work with our local surgical team to develop an effective procedure. The technique will then be refined and considered fully developed with three consecutive successful placements. Data reporting to the sponsor will occur once data for the first five successful interventions and the subsequent 14-day follow-ups are completed. Adverse event reporting to the IRB will occur in accordance with GCP standards. Due to the small sample size and short duration, patients lost to follow-up will be an indication for additional enrollment. No more than 10 total subjects will be enrolled. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- ≥18 years of age Acute pain attributed to rib fracture(s) Able to obtain consent
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- 18 years of age Acute pain attributed to rib fracture(s) Able to obtain consent
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- <18 years of age Pregnant Incarcerated Confounding injuries or significant pain attributed to secondary injury Patients with any of the following: cryoglobulinemia; paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria; cold urticarial; Raynaud's disease; open and/or infected wounds at or near the treatment site
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| ioveraº systemthe use of surgical procedure that produces lesions in peripheral nervous tissue through application of extreme cold | Device | Case Series |
Primary outcome
Pain Assessment
Time frame: 14 days
Pain assessment using the Numeric Rating Scale for Pain NRS Pain McGill Pain Questionnaire [MPQ]), hospital LOS, ICU LOS, ventilator days, pain interference (using the Brief Pain Inventory [BPI]), sleep interference (using the Medical Outcomes Sleep Scale [MOS-Sleep]), sleep quality (using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI]), quality of life assessment [14], adverse events, re-admissions, and patient satisfaction [15].
1 secondary outcome
Demographics
Time frame: 30 days
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 23 Mar 2026.
- Background: PubMed 20567973Truitt MS, Mooty RC, Amos J, Lorenzo M, Mangram A, Dunn E. Out with the old, in with the new: a novel approach to treating pain associated with rib fractures. World J Surg. 2010 Oct;34(10):2359-62. doi: 10.1007/s00268-010-0651-9.
- Background: PubMed 22182865Truitt MS, Murry J, Amos J, Lorenzo M, Mangram A, Dunn E, Moore EE. Continuous intercostal nerve blockade for rib fractures: ready for primetime? J Trauma. 2011 Dec;71(6):1548-52; discussion 1552. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e31823c96e0.
- Background: PubMed 27192468Ibrahim-Zada I, Bell MT, Campion EM, Pieracci FM, Truitt MS. Delayed presentation of pulmonary hernia following surgical stabilization of severe rib fractures. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016 Aug;81(2):397-9. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000001102. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 32435097Beard L, Holt B, Snelson C, Parcha C, Smith FG, Veenith T. Analgesia of Patients with Multiple Rib Fractures in Critical Care: A Survey of Healthcare Professionals in the UK. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2020 Mar;24(3):184-189. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23375.
- Background: PubMed 31688827Ho AM, Ho AK, Mizubuti GB, Klar G, Karmakar MK. Regional analgesia for patients with traumatic rib fractures: A narrative review. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2020 Jan;88(1):e22-e30. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000002524. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 19247744Carrier FM, Turgeon AF, Nicole PC, Trepanier CA, Fergusson DA, Thauvette D, Lessard MR. Effect of epidural analgesia in patients with traumatic rib fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Can J Anaesth. 2009 Mar;56(3):230-42. doi: 10.1007/s12630-009-9052-7. Epub 2009 Feb 11.
- Background: PubMed 28624032McKendy KM, Lee LF, Boulva K, Deckelbaum DL, Mulder DS, Razek TS, Grushka JR. Epidural analgesia for traumatic rib fractures is associated with worse outcomes: a matched analysis. J Surg Res. 2017 Jun 15;214:117-123. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2017.02.057. Epub 2017 Mar 6.
- Background: PubMed 32081750Sheets NW, Davis JW, Dirks RC, Pang AW, Kwok AM, Wolfe MM, Sue LP. Intercostal Nerve Block with Liposomal Bupivacaine vs Epidural Analgesia for the Treatment of Traumatic Rib Fracture. J Am Coll Surg. 2020 Jul;231(1):150-154. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2019.12.044. Epub 2020 Feb 17.
- Background: PubMed 26604819Britt T, Sturm R, Ricardi R, Labond V. Comparative evaluation of continuous intercostal nerve block or epidural analgesia on the rate of respiratory complications, intensive care unit, and hospital stay following traumatic rib fractures: a retrospective review. Local Reg Anesth. 2015 Oct 27;8:79-84. doi: 10.2147/LRA.S80498. eCollection 2015.
- Background: PubMed 19359920Mohta M, Verma P, Saxena AK, Sethi AK, Tyagi A, Girotra G. Prospective, randomized comparison of continuous thoracic epidural and thoracic paravertebral infusion in patients with unilateral multiple fractured ribs--a pilot study. J Trauma. 2009 Apr;66(4):1096-101. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e318166d76d.
- Background: PubMed 32166917Cadaval Gallardo C, Martinez J, Bellia-Munzon G, Nazar M, Sanjurjo D, Toselli L, Martinez-Ferro M. Thoracoscopic cryoanalgesia: A new strategy for postoperative pain control in minimally invasive pectus excavatum repair. Cir Pediatr. 2020 Jan 20;33(1):11-15. English, Spanish.
- Background: PubMed 31699436Dekonenko C, Dorman RM, Duran Y, Juang D, Aguayo P, Fraser JD, Oyetunji TA, Snyder CL, Holcomb GW 3rd, Millspaugh DL, St Peter SD. Postoperative pain control modalities for pectus excavatum repair: A prospective observational study of cryoablation compared to results of a randomized trial of epidural vs patient-controlled analgesia. J Pediatr Surg. 2020 Aug;55(8):1444-1447. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2019.09.021. Epub 2019 Oct 26.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. Study data or any protected health information will not be shared with anyone that is not delegated to the study. The PI is committed to disseminate research results in a timely fashion. Sharing of results generated by the data analysis during the course of the project will be through presentation at national scientific meetings and/or publication in open access journals. All information obtained will be source de-identified and presented on a large scale and not traceable to any one particular individual. Data will be shared with the sponsor after all identifiers are removed and a data use agreement fully executed prior to dissemination of any data.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Conner McDaniel, MD principal investigator
Methodist Heath System
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Pain Management Improvement, run by Methodist Health System at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 23 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain Assessment (time frame: 14 days). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT06093776, which also lists 15 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 23 Mar 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 3 Nov 2026.