Can Chronic Post-surgical Pain be Reduced by Preserving Intercostobrachial Nerve During Axillary Lymph Node Dissection? : A Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT ID: NCT05198622

Last Updated: 2022-02-01

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

UNKNOWN

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

182 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-01-30

Study Completion Date

2022-10-01

Brief Summary

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Intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) is a cutaneous nerve that provides sensation to the lateral chest, upper medial arm and axilla. It arises from the second intercostal nerve and leave intercostal space at the level of midaxillary line. It then pierces the serratus anterior muscle and enters axilla. Intercostobrachial nerve is encountered during axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) while mobilizing axillary contents laterally off the chest wall and tends to tether axillary contents to the lateral chest wall. Many surgeons routinely sacrifice it as doing so makes mobilization easier and allow exposure of long thoracic neve. Currently there is no consensus on the usefulness of preserving intercostobrachial nerve.

According to a 2020 systemic review and meta-analysis, prevalence of CPSP/ PPSP following breast cancer surgery ranged from 2% to 78% and pooled prevalence was found to be 35%. Higher prevalence was associated with ALND. Several risk factors have been identified which contribute to the development of PPSP. These include; Preexisting pain, preoperative opioid exposure, genetics, psychological factors such as anxiety, depression or catastrophizing, intensity of acute postoperative pain and nerve injury during surgery.

As a result of nerve injury, damaged and non-damaged nerve fibers start generating action potential spontaneously. These are considered ectopic inputs as they do not arise from peripheral terminals. These inputs lead to the development of central sensitization, which is a state of exaggerated functional response of neurons involved in the pain pathway. This increased sensitization results due to increased membrane excitability, enhanced synaptic efficacy and decreased inhibition.

The aim of the present trial is to investigate the effect of ICBN preservation on chronic/ persistent post surgical pain (CPSP/ PPSP). This will be achieved through a randomized control trial with CPSP/ PPSP as a primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures will include Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL), operating time, lymph node yield, functional status of ipsilateral shoulder, post-operative complications and post-operative use of opioid analgesics.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Intercostobrachial Nerve Injury

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Intercostobrachial Nerve Preservation Arm

Intercostobrachial nerve preserving axillary lymph node dissection will be carried out. Post-operatively, the patients will be monitored in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU). Acute Post-Operative pain will be controlled using a standardized pain management regimen in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) analgesia ladder. The patients will be discharged from PACU and admitted to surgical ward once numerical rating score (NRI) is below 4.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Intercostobrachial Nerve Preserving Axillary Lymph Node Dissection

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

A single standardized technique will be used in all of the patients. For patients undergoing mastectomy, ALND will be carried out using the incision given for mastectomy. A separate incision may be required for patients undergoing breast conservation surgery. Flaps of skin and subcutaneous tissue will be raised and dissection will be carried out till the edge of pectoralis major muscle. Clavipectoral fascia will be opened to gain access to axillary fat and the nodes. These will be removed en block and the intercostobrachial nerve will be completely preserved during this dissection.

All of the surgeons carrying out the intervention would have completed formal training (Fellowship Level) in breast surgery.

Intercostobracial Nerve Sacrifice Arm

Intercostobrachial nerve sacrificing axillary lymph node dissection will be carried out. Post-operatively, the patients will be monitored in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU). Acute Post-Operative pain will be controlled using a standardized pain management regimen in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) analgesia ladder. The patients will be discharged from PACU and admitted to surgical ward once numerical rating score (NRI) is below 4.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Intercostobrachial Nerve Sacrificing Axillary Lymph Node Dissection

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

A single standardized technique will be used in all of the patients. For patients undergoing mastectomy, ALND will be carried out using the incision given for mastectomy. A separate incision may be required for patients undergoing breast conservation surgery. Flaps of skin and subcutaneous tissue will be raised and dissection will be carried out till the edge of pectoralis major muscle. Clavipectoral fascia will be opened to gain access to axillary fat and the nodes. These will be removed en block and the intercostobrachial nerve will be sacrificed during this dissection.

All of the surgeons carrying out the intervention would have completed formal training (Fellowship Level) in breast surgery.

Interventions

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Intercostobrachial Nerve Preserving Axillary Lymph Node Dissection

A single standardized technique will be used in all of the patients. For patients undergoing mastectomy, ALND will be carried out using the incision given for mastectomy. A separate incision may be required for patients undergoing breast conservation surgery. Flaps of skin and subcutaneous tissue will be raised and dissection will be carried out till the edge of pectoralis major muscle. Clavipectoral fascia will be opened to gain access to axillary fat and the nodes. These will be removed en block and the intercostobrachial nerve will be completely preserved during this dissection.

All of the surgeons carrying out the intervention would have completed formal training (Fellowship Level) in breast surgery.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Intercostobrachial Nerve Sacrificing Axillary Lymph Node Dissection

A single standardized technique will be used in all of the patients. For patients undergoing mastectomy, ALND will be carried out using the incision given for mastectomy. A separate incision may be required for patients undergoing breast conservation surgery. Flaps of skin and subcutaneous tissue will be raised and dissection will be carried out till the edge of pectoralis major muscle. Clavipectoral fascia will be opened to gain access to axillary fat and the nodes. These will be removed en block and the intercostobrachial nerve will be sacrificed during this dissection.

All of the surgeons carrying out the intervention would have completed formal training (Fellowship Level) in breast surgery.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Aged 18 or above.
* Known cases of invasive breast Cancer.
* Undergoing Axillary Lymph Node Dissection (ALND) alone, ALND with mastectomy or ALND with breast conservation surgery (BCS)
* Capacity to give informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

* Chronic diseases limiting motion of shoulder such as neuropathies, history of trauma and autoimmune diseases.
* Patients undergoing redo axillary lymph node dissection.
* Patients undergoing bilateral axillary lymph node dissection.
* History of chronic pain lasting more than 3 months. Potential causes include: arthritis, backache, fibromyalgia, Irritable bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and different types of headache.
* M1 stage of the TNM staging system at the time of initial diagnosis.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Dr. Ibtissam Bin Khalid

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Dr. Ibtissam Bin Khalid, MBBS

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center

Locations

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Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre

Lahore, Punjab Province, Pakistan

Site Status

Countries

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Pakistan

References

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Wang L, Cohen JC, Devasenapathy N, Hong BY, Kheyson S, Lu D, Oparin Y, Kennedy SA, Romerosa B, Arora N, Kwon HY, Jackson K, Prasad M, Jayasekera D, Li A, Guarna G, Natalwalla S, Couban RJ, Reid S, Khan JS, McGillion M, Busse JW. Prevalence and intensity of persistent post-surgical pain following breast cancer surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. Br J Anaesth. 2020 Sep;125(3):346-357. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2020.04.088. Epub 2020 Jun 28.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32611524 (View on PubMed)

Richebe P, Capdevila X, Rivat C. Persistent Postsurgical Pain: Pathophysiology and Preventative Pharmacologic Considerations. Anesthesiology. 2018 Sep;129(3):590-607. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000002238.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29738328 (View on PubMed)

Latremoliere A, Woolf CJ. Central sensitization: a generator of pain hypersensitivity by central neural plasticity. J Pain. 2009 Sep;10(9):895-926. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2009.06.012.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19712899 (View on PubMed)

Abdullah TI, Iddon J, Barr L, Baildam AD, Bundred NJ. Prospective randomized controlled trial of preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve during axillary node clearance for breast cancer. Br J Surg. 1998 Oct;85(10):1443-5. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2168.1998.00843.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9782034 (View on PubMed)

Torresan RZ, Cabello C, Conde DM, Brenelli HB. Impact of the preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve in axillary lymphadenectomy due to breast cancer. Breast J. 2003 Sep-Oct;9(5):389-92. doi: 10.1046/j.1524-4741.2003.09505.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 12968959 (View on PubMed)

Salmon RJ, Ansquer Y, Asselain B. Preservation versus section of intercostal-brachial nerve (IBN) in axillary dissection for breast cancer--a prospective randomized trial. Eur J Surg Oncol. 1998 Jun;24(3):158-61. doi: 10.1016/s0748-7983(98)92793-7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9630850 (View on PubMed)

Kaur N, Kumar R, Jain A, Saxena AK. Sensory Changes and Postmastectomy Pain Following Preservation of Intercostobrachial Nerve in Breast Cancer Surgery: a Prospective Randomized Study. Indian J Surg Oncol. 2021 Mar;12(1):108-113. doi: 10.1007/s13193-020-01193-5. Epub 2020 Sep 5.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33814840 (View on PubMed)

Taira N, Shimozuma K, Ohsumi S, Kuroi K, Shiroiwa T, Watanabe T, Saito M. Impact of preservation of the intercostobrachial nerve during axillary dissection on sensory change and health-related quality of life 2 years after breast cancer surgery. Breast Cancer. 2014 Mar;21(2):183-90. doi: 10.1007/s12282-012-0374-x. Epub 2012 Aug 30.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22932759 (View on PubMed)

Chirappapha P, Arunnart M, Lertsithichai P, Supsamutchai C, Sukarayothin T, Leesombatpaiboon M. Evaluation the effect of preserving intercostobrachial nerve in axillary dissection for breast cancer patient. Gland Surg. 2019 Dec;8(6):599-608. doi: 10.21037/gs.2019.10.06.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32042666 (View on PubMed)

Tan G, Jensen MP, Thornby JI, Shanti BF. Validation of the Brief Pain Inventory for chronic nonmalignant pain. J Pain. 2004 Mar;5(2):133-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2003.12.005.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15042521 (View on PubMed)

Brady MJ, Cella DF, Mo F, Bonomi AE, Tulsky DS, Lloyd SR, Deasy S, Cobleigh M, Shiomoto G. Reliability and validity of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast quality-of-life instrument. J Clin Oncol. 1997 Mar;15(3):974-86. doi: 10.1200/JCO.1997.15.3.974.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9060536 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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IRB-21-28

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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