Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface for Prophylaxis Against Post-Breast Surgery Pain Syndrome

NCT ID: NCT06580951

Last Updated: 2025-12-30

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

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

200 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2026-03-31

Study Completion Date

2030-03-31

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

Regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) was first developed in 2012 by Dr. Paul Cederna at the University of Michigan as a means for amputees to control their prothesis with their minds. In the decade that followed, it was found RPNI surgery not only provided amputees with neuroma (a growth made up nerve tissue) pain relief but could help prevent neuroma from developing as well.

This single center, randomized controlled, investigator-initiated study will look at whether the RPNI, a nerve burying procedure involving protecting sensory nerves with a small piece of the patient's pectoralis muscle, performed at the time of the standard mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction surgery can prevent and/or reduce the risk for long-term nerve pain after breast cancer surgery (also called neuroma-related post-breast surgery pain syndrome (PBSPS)) versus the standard surgery alone (Control group). Symptoms of PBSPS include discomfort, numbness, tingling, and shooting pain in the chest and breast area. It is relatively common and may have many causes.

About 200 adult females (18-65 years old) who are scheduled to undergo mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction surgery will be approached for this study. Those who agree and sign the informed consent form will be randomized in 1:1 fashion (50/50 chance) to either the RPNI group or the no RPNI (Control) group. Study participants will complete self-reported surveys (pre-surgery and at Months 1, 3, 6, and 12 post-surgery) designed to measure pain levels, quality of life, and function before and after surgery. Study participation will last approximately 12 months. Subjects will remain blinded to their assigned study arm until their study participation has concluded.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Post-mastectomy Pain Syndrome

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants
Those who agree and sign the informed consent form will be randomized in 1:1 fashion (50/50 chance) to either the RPNI group or the no RPNI (Control) group. Subjects will remain blinded to their assigned study arm until their study participation has concluded.

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

RPNI

Subjects will complete BREAST-Q Pre-Op (Qol) survey and Pain Distribution survey prior to Surgery. Subjects will in the RPNI arm will undergo mastectomy with breast reconstruction surgery with regenerative peripheral nerve interface. Subjects will complete BREAST-Q Post-Op (QoL) survey and Pain Distribution Survey at Months 1, 3, 6, and 12 post-surgery. Information about the patient and course of care will be collected from electronic medical records.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

The RPNI portion of the case will consist of blunt dissection of the cut sensory branches of the intercostal nerves at the T3 and/or T4 levels, with creation of a peripheral nerve interface using a small cuff of dissected pectoralis muscle and 3-0 Monocryl suture. The breast reconstruction will otherwise be performed as per standard protocol.

No RPNI (Control)

Subjects will complete BREAST-Q Pre-Op (Qol) survey and Pain Distribution survey prior to Surgery. Subjects undergo mastectomy with breast reconstruction surgery without regenerative peripheral nerve interface. Subjects will complete BREAST-Q Post-Op (QoL) survey and Pain Distribution Survey at Months 1, 3, 6, and 12 post-surgery. Information about the patient and course of care will be collected from electronic medical records.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface

The RPNI portion of the case will consist of blunt dissection of the cut sensory branches of the intercostal nerves at the T3 and/or T4 levels, with creation of a peripheral nerve interface using a small cuff of dissected pectoralis muscle and 3-0 Monocryl suture. The breast reconstruction will otherwise be performed as per standard protocol.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Adult female 18 to 65 years of age.
2. Undergoing breast mastectomy with immediate reconstruction.
3. Able to provide informed consent and comply with study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria

1. History of chronic pain syndrome unrelated to breast surgery.
2. Unwillingness or inability to comply with the study's follow-up requirements.
3. Cognitive impairment or language barriers preventing proper understanding of study procedures and assessments.
4. Participation in other interventional trials or treatments aimed at pain management that could confound study outcomes as determined by the PI.
5. Other medical or surgical contraindication to the involved procedure (RPNI) as determined by the PI.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

George Kokosis

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

George Kokosis

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Learn about the lead researchers overseeing the trial and their institutional affiliations.

George Kokosis, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Rush University Medical Center

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Research Administrator

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 312-942-5500

Email: [email protected]

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

24042301

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id