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CompletedNCT06625606Updated Mar 31, 2026

Continuous Versus Single-Shot Spinal Anesthesia for Orthopedic Surgery

An interventional study of Bupivacaine 0.5% Injectable Solution and Bupivacaine 0.5% Injectable Solution in Post Operative Pain, sponsored by Benha University. Completed at 1 site in Egypt. Open to participants aged 60 Years to 75 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-03-31.

Sponsored by Benha University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
105
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
60 Years to 75 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

A study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA), single-shot spinal anesthesia (SSSA), and general anesthesia (GA) in patients over 60 years of age undergoing elective surgical repair of a fractured neck of femur. One hundred and five patients were randomly assigned to one of the three groups. The SSSA group received a single intrathecal injection of isobaric bupivacaine 0.5%, while the CSA group received multiple injections of the same anesthetic through a catheter placed in the subarachnoid space. The GA group received isoflurane anesthesia. Intraoperatively, blood pressure was monitored to assess the frequency of hypotension and the required dose of ephedrine. Additionally, the total dose of bupivacaine administered and the frequency of intraoperative fentanyl were recorded. Postoperatively, the duration of postoperative analgesia, pain scores, and need for additional pain medication were evaluated.

02

Conditions studied

  • Post Operative Pain

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03

In context

Pain, Postoperative

5,093 studies on the registry are indexed under Pain, Postoperative; 1,140 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 105 is above the median of 75 across 4,344 interventional studies indexed under Pain, Postoperative.

Browse Pain, Postoperative studies →

Lead sponsor

Benha University is the lead sponsor of 356 studies on the registry; 68 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
60 Years to 75 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade ≤III;
  • Patients were assigned for elective surgical intervention for Fixation of Neck Femur;
  • Patients were free of exclusion criteria.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade >III;
  • Patients who had uncontrolled hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus;
  • Patients who had uncompensated cardiac, renal, or hepatic diseases;
  • Patients with coagulopathy, spinal deformity, allergy, or contraindication for the used drugs;
  • Patients who refused to sign the informed consent were excluded from the study.
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Participant)
Enrollment
105 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Single-shot spinal anesthesia (SSSA)

    The patient's back was prepared for surgery. They were positioned on their side, with the operative side facing upward. A thin spinal needle was inserted into the L3-4 spinal interspace, after numbing the area. Once cerebrospinal fluid was confirmed, a small dose of isobaric bupivacaine was injected into the spinal canal.

    Drug: Bupivacaine 0.5% Injectable Solution

  • Active comparator
    Continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA)

    A thicker needle was inserted into the L3-4 spinal interspace. After confirming cerebrospinal fluid, a thin catheter was inserted into the spinal canal and secured. An initial dose of isobaric bupivacaine was injected, followed by additional doses as needed to maintain the block height.

    Drug: Bupivacaine 0.5% Injectable Solution

  • Active comparator
    General anesthesia

    General anesthesia was initiated with propofol and rocuronium. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane, with additional rocuronium and fentanyl as needed. Breathing was controlled by the ventilator, and muscle relaxation was reversed at the end of surgery.

    Drug: Isoflurane Inhalant Product

Interventions

  • DrugBupivacaine 0.5% Injectable Solution

    The patient's back was prepared for surgery. They were positioned on their side, with the operative side facing upward. The L3-4 spinal interspace was identified, and numbed, and a thin spinal needle was inserted. After confirming Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), 12.5 mg of isobaric bupivacaine 0.5% was injected into the spinal canal.

  • DrugBupivacaine 0.5% Injectable Solution

    The L3-4 spinal interspace was identified, numbed, and a thicker needle (Tuohy needle) was inserted. After confirming Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), a thin catheter was inserted into the spinal canal and secured. An initial dose of 1 ml isobaric bupivacaine 0.5% was injected, followed by additional doses as needed to maintain the block height.

  • DrugIsoflurane Inhalant Product

    General anesthesia was initiated with propofol and rocuronium. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane, with additional rocuronium and fentanyl as needed. Breathing was controlled by the ventilator, and muscle relaxation was reversed at the end of surgery.

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Proportion of patients reporting at least a 50% reduction in pain (measured by Numerical Rating Scale) post orthopedic surgery.

    Value of Continuous Spinal Anesthesia in Pain Reduction Post-operative manifested by Total dose of Post Operative analgesia.

    Time frame: 3 months

07

Study locations

1 site
  • Benha University
    Banhā, El Qalyoubia 13511, Egypt
08

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Mar 31, 2026, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
09

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT06625606
Lead sponsor
Benha University
Responsible party
Eman M Elafifi (Lecturer of Anesthesia, Pain & ICU, Benha University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Oct 3, 2024
Start date
Sep 10, 2024
Primary completion
Nov 15, 2024
Completion
Dec 1, 2024
Last update
Mar 31, 2026

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Mar 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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