Evaluation of Intercostal Neuralgia in Patients With Chest Tube Insertion After Traumatic Rib Fracture

NCT07308587 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: SUN 6775
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 100
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Traumatic rib fractures are common injuries following blunt chest trauma, often requiring chest tube insertion to manage complications such as pneumothorax or haemothorax. However, chest tube placement can lead to intercostal nerve injury, resulting in intercostal neuralgia-a debilitating condition characterized by chronic, neuropathic pain along the intercostal nerves. Despite its clinical significance, the incidence, risk factors, and long-term outcomes of intercostal neuralgia in this patient population remain poorly understood. Chronic pain following thoracic trauma, including intercostal neuralgia, has been shown to significantly impair quality of life and functional outcomes, leading to prolonged disability and increased healthcare utilization. Current literature highlights the need for better understanding and management of this condition, particularly in patients undergoing invasive procedures such as chest tube insertion. This study aims to prospectively evaluate the development of intercostal neuralgia in patients with chest tube insertion following traumatic rib fractures.

Conditions

Intercostal Nerve Injury

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Incidence of intercostal neuralgia

  To determine the incidence of intercostal neuralgia in patients undergoing chest tube insertion after traumatic rib fractures. Presence of neuropathic pain to be assessed using S-LANSS

  1 and 3 months

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Assess the impact of intercostal neuralgia on quality of life and functional outcomes

  1 and 3 months

• Assess the impact of intercostal neuralgia on quality of life and functional outcomes

  1 and 3 months

• Assess the impact of intercostal neuralgia on medication use

  1 and 3 months

Study Arms (1)

Chest tube inserted

Patients with acute traumatic rib fracture/chest injury requiring chest tube insertion

Procedure: Chest tube insertion

Interventions

Chest tube insertion PROCEDURE

Insertion of chest tube

Chest tube inserted

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients with acute traumatic rib fractures requiring chest tube insertion for management.

You may qualify if:

• Adults (≥18 years) with traumatic rib fractures requiring chest tube insertion
• Chest tube or pigtail insertion performed during their initial hospitalization for trauma

You may not qualify if:

• Patients with traumatic brain injury
• Patients with spinal cord injury
• Inability to complete follow-up assessments (e.g., language barriers, lack of telephone access)
• Patients with traumatic brain injury
• Patients with spinal cord injury
• Inability to complete follow-up assessments (e.g., language barriers, lack of telephone access)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre: lead

Related Publications (5)

• Bulger EM, Arneson MA, Mock CN, Jurkovich GJ. Rib fractures in the elderly. J Trauma. 2000 Jun;48(6):1040-6; discussion 1046-7. doi: 10.1097/00005373-200006000-00007.

  PMID: 10866248 RESULT

• Karmakar MK, Ho AM. Acute pain management of patients with multiple fractured ribs. J Trauma. 2003 Mar;54(3):615-25. doi: 10.1097/01.TA.0000053197.40145.62.

  PMID: 12634549 RESULT

• Bailey RC. Complications of tube thoracostomy in trauma. J Accid Emerg Med. 2000 Mar;17(2):111-4. doi: 10.1136/emj.17.2.111.

  PMID: 10718232 RESULT

• Fabricant L, Ham B, Mullins R, Mayberry J. Prolonged pain and disability are common after rib fractures. Am J Surg. 2013 May;205(5):511-5; discusssion 515-6. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2012.12.007.

  PMID: 23592156 RESULT

• Blyth FM, March LM, Brnabic AJ, Cousins MJ. Chronic pain and frequent use of health care. Pain. 2004 Sep;111(1-2):51-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pain.2004.05.020.

  PMID: 15327808 RESULT

Central Study Contacts

Howard Meng, MD

CONTACT

416-480-4864; howard.meng@sunnybrook.ca

Lilia Kauistov, PhD

CONTACT

416-480-4864; lilia.kaustov@sunnybrook.ca

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 5, 2025
• First Posted: December 29, 2025
• Study Start: January 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: December 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share