---
title: Systemic Effects of Lidocaine Infusion for TAP Block Catheter
nct_id: NCT03971708
overall_status: COMPLETED
phase: NA
sponsor: University of Alberta
study_type: INTERVENTIONAL
primary_condition: Nephrectomy
countries: Canada
canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT03971708.md"
clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03971708"
ct_last_update_post_date: 2022-05-17
last_seen_at: "2026-05-12T06:48:04.313Z"
source: ClinicalTrials.gov (mirrored, no enrichment)
---
# Systemic Effects of Lidocaine Infusion for TAP Block Catheter

**Official Title:** Investigating Systemic Effects of Lidocaine Infusion for Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block Catheter

**NCT ID:** [NCT03971708](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03971708)

## Key Facts

- **Status:** COMPLETED
- **Phase:** NA
- **Study Type:** INTERVENTIONAL
- **Target Enrollment:** 80
- **Lead Sponsor:** University of Alberta
- **Conditions:** Nephrectomy
- **Start Date:** 2015-06
- **Completion Date:** 2020-12
- **CT.gov Last Update:** 2022-05-17

## Brief Summary

Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that is usually used for nerve blocks to sensory/motor blockade. However, lidocaine can also been given intravenously, and it has been shown that this method can be used to help alleviate chronic pain. We wish to investigate if lidocaine is infused via the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block catheter will exert systemic effect, hence reduce opioid consumption and pain score in patients compared with using local anesthetic such as ropivacaine.

## Detailed Description

Following IRB approval and written consents, patients undergoing nephrectomy were randomized into 2 groups: standard 0.2% ropivacaine infusion (control) and 0.4% lidocaine infusion for TAP catheter. The TAP catheters were placed by the surgeons under direct vision at the end of surgery before wound closure. All subjects had a general anesthetic in accordance to the discretion of the anesthesiologist in the operating room. At the end of surgery, all patients received a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in recovery for 48 hours. The primary outcome was the total opioid consumption at the first 27 hours post-operatively. The secondary outcomes were the total opioid consumption at 4/12/24/36/48/60 hours after the initiation of local anesthetic infusion, the numerical rating scale (NRS) at rest and on movement at 4/12/24/36/48/60 hours after the initiation of the local anesthetic infusion, the incidence of nausea and vomiting, and adverse effects.

The sample size calculation for this non-inferiority trial is based on our previous retrospective study on TAP in nephrectomy patients. A sample of 80 patients is needed, using a power of 90% with the two-sided significance level of 5%. All parametric data will be analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Non-parametric data will be analyzed using median and interquartile range. Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U test will be used to compare between groups.

## Eligibility

- **Minimum age:** 18 Years
- **Maximum age:** 80 Years
- **Sex:** ALL
- **Healthy Volunteers:** Yes

```
Inclusion Criteria:

* Elective nephrectomy
* patients consent to study
* ASA I to III

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient refusal
* Allergy to lidocaine,
* Patients with cardiac arrhythmias or on anti-arrhythmics or propranolol
* Wolf-Parkinson White syndrome
* Hepatic disease
```

## Arms

- **Ropivacaine** (OTHER) — This is the control where patients will receive ropivacaine via the TAP block infusion post-operatively.
- **Lidocaine** (ACTIVE_COMPARATOR) — This is the study arm where patients will receive lidocaine via the TAP block infusion post-operatively.

## Interventions

- **Lidocaine** (DRUG) — Local anesthetic
- **Ropivacaine** (DRUG) — Local anesthetic

## Primary Outcomes

- **Analgesic consumption** _(time frame: first 24 hours)_ — The amount of morphine equivalent consumption in the first 24 hours post-operatively

## Secondary Outcomes

- **Analgesic consumption** _(time frame: 4, 12, 36, 48, 72 hours)_
- **Pain score** _(time frame: 4, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72 hours)_

## Locations (1)

- University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

## Recent Field Changes (last 30 days)

- `status.overallStatus` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.primaryCompletionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.completionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `status.lastUpdatePostDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.phases` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `design.enrollmentCount` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.criteria` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.minAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.maxAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `eligibility.sex` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.primary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `outcomes.secondary` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.arms` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `armsInterventions.interventions` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `sponsor.lead` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `results.hasResults` — added _(2026-05-12)_
- `locations.university of alberta hospital|edmonton|alberta|canada` — added _(2026-05-12)_

---

*Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT03971708.md*  
*Source data (authoritative): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03971708*  
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