Clinical trial NCT03305575
Conditions: Cervical Incompetence
Keywords: Cervical Cerclage Bupivacaine Chloroprocaine spinal anesthesia
Sponsor: Tufts Medical Center
Start date: 2017-10-13; Completion date: 2018-08-24
Enrollment: 10 participants; Allocation: RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary:
This study aims to compare the effect of chloroprocaine vs. bupivacaine on duration of motor block and duration until meeting discharge criteria in patients undergoing cervical cerclage. The hypothesis is that chloroprocaine will result in faster resolution of motor block.

Detailed description:
Cervical cerclage is an ambulatory surgical procedure of short duration commonly performed under spinal anesthesia. Bupivaciane and chlororpocaine are both commonly used, but how their use impacts clinical care, in particular patient flow, is not well studied.

This is a prospective, randomized, double blind, controlled trial. Participants meeting inclusion criteria will be randomly allocated to receive spinal anesthesia with either chloroprocaine or bupivacaine.

Patients will then be assessed for motor block and sensory level until they are discharged from the recovery room.

Arms: arm 1: Patients assigned to chlorprocaine will receive a single spinal injection of 40 mg of chloroprocaine PF. (other name: pure Nesacaine MPF 3% in a total volume of 2ml) arm 2: Patients assigned to bupivacaine will receive a single spinal injection of 7.5 mg of bupivacaine. (other name: pure Sensorcaine 0.75% diluted with normal saline to a total volume of 2ml).
Interventions: intervention 1: Chloroprocaine intervention 2: Bupivacaine
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: The patient will be randomly selected to receive either Chloroprocaine or Bupivacaine as the local medication for in spinal anesthesia, with a 50% chance to receive either drug.

During the cervical cerclage procedure and in the recovery room, the patient will be checked for motor block (the ability to move feet and legs) and for sensory block(the ability to feel) using a plastic tip, every 5 minutes in the first hour, and at 10 minutes intervals afterwards until the anesthesia wears off completely. The patient will also be asked to walk and urinate after the local anesthetic wears off to ensure complete resolution of local anesthesia. intervention 2: The patient will be randomly selected to receive either Chloroprocaine or Bupivacaine as the local medication for in spinal anesthesia, with a 50% chance to receive either drug.

During the cervical cerclage procedure and in the recovery room, the patient will be checked for motor block (the ability to move feet and legs) and for sensory block(the ability to feel) using a plastic tip, every 5 minutes in the first hour, and at 10 minutes intervals afterwards until the anesthesia wears off completely. The patient will also be asked to walk and urinate after the local anesthetic wears off to ensure complete resolution of local anesthesia.

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_000.pdf: 
PROTOCOL TITLE: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intrathecal Chloroprocaine vs. Bupivacaine for Cervical Cerclage 
 
VERSION DATE: Drzymalski_Protocol_2017.09.18 
 
 
Page 1 of 15 
 
 
STUDY TITLE: 
 
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intrathecal Chloroprocaine vs. Bupivacaine for Cervical Cerclage 
 
STUDY SPONSOR: 
 
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Tufts Medical Center 
 
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR  
 
Dan Drzymalski, MD 
Assistant Professor 
Tufts University School of Medicine 
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine 
Tufts Medical Center 
Phone: 617-913-8168 
Email: ddrzymalski@tuftsmedicalcenter.org 
 
 
CO-INVESTIGATOR 
 
Alaa Basura, MD 
Post Doctoral Research Fellow 
Tufts University School of Medicine 
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine 
Tufts Medical Center 
Phone: 202-299-4888 
Email: abasura@tuftsmedicalcenter.org 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tufts Health Sciences IRB 
Protocol Template 
Template Revised: 08/16/2016 


PROTOCOL TITLE: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intrathecal Chloroprocaine vs. Bupivacaine for Cervical Cerclage 
 
VERSION DATE: Drzymalski_Protocol_2017.09.18 
 
 
Page 2 of 15 
 
 
Table of Contents – Click on the links below to go directly to the applicable section 
 
1. 
Study Schema ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 
2. 
Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 3 
2.1 
Background and Rationale .............................................................................................................................................................. 3 
2.2 
Risks to Subjects ............................................................................................................................................................................. 3 
2.3 
Potential Benefits to Subjects .......................................................................................................................................................... 4 
2.4 
Alternatives ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 
3 
Objectives ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 
4 
Enrollment and Withdrawal ................................................................................................................................................................. 5 
4.1 
Inclusion Criteria ............................................................................................................................................................................. 5 
4.2 
Exclusion Criteria ............................................................................................................................................................................ 5 
4.3 
Withdrawal of Subjects ................................................................................................................................................................... 5 
4.4 
Recruitment and Retention .............................................................................................................................................................. 5 
4.4.1 
Local Recruitment Methods .................................................................................................................................................. 5 
4.4.2 
Study-Wide Recruitment Methods ........................................................................................................................................ 5 
4.4.3 
Payment ................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 
4.4.4 
Reimbursement ...................................................................................................................................................................... 6 
5 
Study Design ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 
5.1 
Study Timelines ............................................................................................................................................................................... 6 
5.2 
Procedures ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 6 
5.3 
Evaluations ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 7 
5.4 
Collection and Storage of Human Biological Specimens (Tissue Banking)................................................................................... 7 
6 
Ethics and Protection of Human Subjects ............................................................................................................................................ 7 
6.1 
Informed Consent Process ............................................................................................................................................................... 7 
6.2 
Waiver or Alteration of Consent Process ........................................................................................................................................ 7 
6.3 
Confidentiality ................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 
6.4 
Provisions to Protect the Privacy Interests of Subjects ................................................................................................................... 8 
6.5 
Provisions to Monitor the Study to Ensure the Safety of Subjects ................................................................................................. 8 
6.6 
Compensation for Research-Related Injury .................................................................................................................................... 8 
6.7 
Economic Burden to Subjects ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 
6.10 Vulnerable Populations ......................................................................................................................................................................... 8 
7 
Adverse Event Monitoring ................................................................................................................................................................... 9 
7.1 
Definitions ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 10 
7.2 
Reporting Procedures .................................................................................................................................................................... 10 
7.3 
Reportable New Information ......................................................................................................................................................... 10 
8 
Statistical Considerations ................................................................................................................................................................... 10 
8.1 
Study Endpoints ............................................................................................................................................................................ 10 
8.2 
Statistical Analysis ........................................................................................................................................................................ 10 
8.3 
Number of Subjects ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10 
8.4 
Data Management.......................................................................................................................................................................... 11 
8.5 
Randomization............................................................................................................................................................................... 11 
9 
Drugs or Devices ................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 
10 
Study Administration ......................................................................................................................................................................... 13 
10.1 
Setting ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 13 
10.2 
Registration ................................................................................................................................................................................... 13 
10.3 
Resources Available ...................................................................................................................................................................... 14 
10.4 
IRB Review ................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 
10.5 
Multi-Site Research ....................................................................................................................................................................... 14 
10.6 
Community-Based Participatory Research ................................................................................................................................... 14 
10.7 
Sharing Results with Subjects ....................................................................................................................................................... 14 
11 
References .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 
 


PROTOCOL TITLE: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intrathecal Chloroprocaine vs. Bupivacaine for Cervical Cerclage 
 
VERSION DATE: Drzymalski_Protocol_2017.09.18 
 
 
Page 3 of 15 
 
1. Study Schema 
 
Enrollment 
Randomization 
Arm 1 
8 patients 
Bupivacaine 
 
Arm 2 
8 patients 
Chloroprocaine 
 
2. Introduction 
2.1 Background and Rationale 
 
Cervical cerclage is an ambulatory surgical procedure of short duration commonly performed under 
neuraxial anesthesia. While bupivacaine is widely used for spinal anesthesia in cesarean delivery, its duration of 
action is significantly longer than that of the typical cerclage placement. (1) Chloroprocaine is another local 
anesthetic of shorter duration that has been used for neuraxial anesthesia in a variety of outpatient procedures, 
including procedures on the perineum. One of the major advantages of chloroprocaine is faster block resolution 
and earlier hospital discharge compared with spinal bupivacaine. (2,3) Chloroprocaine is also considered safer 
that other local anesthetics because the risk of transient neurologic symptoms is exceedingly low. (4) Bupivacaine 
may be specifically chosen in cases where the procedure is expected to take longer than usual (e.g. bulging bag), 
but oftentimes the choice between chloroprocaine and bupivacaine is completely arbitrary; good scientific 
practice would mean that we better understand the differences, and use the medications when clinically indicated. 
Both local anesthetics are currently used at Tufts Medical Center for spinal anesthesia during cervical 
cerclage placement, but how their use impacts clinical care, in particular patient flow, is not well understood. A 
similar randomized controlled trial at Columbia University is currently comparing bupivacaine to chloroprocaine 
for cervical cerclage procedures, but differs from our study in several important ways. (5) First, we are not using 
fentanyl in our study because its use results in side effects, most significantly pruritus. Second, although the dose 
of chloroprocaine and bupivacaine is lower in our study compared to that at Columbia, the doses are adequate for 
the duration of procedure as performed at Tufts Medical Center and within the standard of care at Tufts Medical 
Center. Finally, while Columbia is enrolling 50 patients, we cannot enroll as many patients because our volume is 
significantly smaller. We perform an average of 3 cerclage procedures each month, or 36 a year. Furthermore, 
given our power calculation, we do not required as many patients as are being enrolled at Columbia. 
Our goal is to perform a randomized controlled trial of chlororpocaine vs. bupivaciane for cervical 
cerclage. We hope to compare the effect of these two drugs on duration of motor block and duration until meeting 
discharge criteria. Our hypothesis is that chloroprocaine will result in faster resolution of motor block and meeting 
dischrage criteria earlier.  
 
• 
Is there an active control group?   
 
 
2.2 Risks to Subjects` 
 
The risks of spinal anesthesia include nausea, vomiting, hypotension, pruritis, and postdural puncture headache. 
Given that these side effects are expected and commonly occur with spinal anesthesia regardless of drug 
administered, they will be managed according to our standard practices, including giving the patient antiemetics 
and pressers.  
 
The risks of patient randomized to bupivacaine include dizziness, nervousness, agitation, drowsiness, 
apprehension, euphoria, blurred/double vision, slurred speech, tremors, convulsions, and seizure. Respiratory 
depression and arrest may follow. Other, more serious effects seen with IV use of this drug, particularly when it is 
administered rapidly, are cardiovascular collapse, central nervous system depression, and/or hypotension. We do 
not intend on using this medication IV.  
 
Yes
No


PROTOCOL TITLE: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intrathecal Chloroprocaine vs. Bupivacaine for Cervical Cerclage 
 
VERSION DATE: Drzymalski_Protocol_2017.09.18 
 
 
Page 4 of 15 
 
The risks of patient randomized to chloroprocaine are generally dose related and may result from rapid absorption 
from the injection site, diminished tolerance, or from unintentional intravascular injection of the local anesthetic 
solution. In addition to systemic dose-related toxicity, factors influencing plasma protein binding, such as 
acidosis, systemic diseases that alter protein production, or competition of other drugs for protein binding sites, 
may diminish individual tolerance. Plasma cholinesterase deficiency may also account for diminished tolerance to 
ester-type local anesthetics.  
 
The risk to the fetus for bupivacaine and chloroprocaine are both low. Santos 1999 described a study where the 
mother received bupivacaine and found no adverse effects in the fetus. Philipson 1987 also found that when the 
mother got chloroprocaine, the fetus had no adverse effects and there were no umbilical levels of chloroprocaine, 
suggesting the chloroprocaine never even reached the fetus. Maes 2006 also studied 60 women getting either 
chloroprocaine and bupivacaine and observed no adverse neonatal effects, including normal Apgar scores. 
 
Another risk of participating in the study is loss of confidentiality. In order to minimize that risk, all paperwork 
will be stored in a secure location. Furthermore, all electronic data will be held in a Tufts Medical Center 
provided, password protected, encrypted, Box storage account, which is compliant with institutional policies 
regarding HIPAA and the IT department. 
 
2.3 Potential Benefits to Subjects 
 
Potential benefits to subjects include faster recovery from anesthesia and quicker discharge to home in those 
who are randomized to chloroprocaine. The benefits of subjects randomized to bupivacaine are none. Benefits 
also include improving our scientific understanding of local anesthetics and an overall improvement to our 
society. 
 
2.4 Alternatives 
 
The alternative is not participating in the study.  
 
3 Objectives 
 
This objective of this study is to compare the effects of chloroprocaine vs. bupivacaine on duration of 
motor block and duration until meeting PACU discharge criteria. 
 
• 
Primary Outcome: 
➢ Duration of motor block [Time Frame: 6 hours] 
o The start time is defined as the moment the intrathecal local anesthetic is injected, while the 
end time is defined as the moment when the subject has no motor block (as measured on the 
Bromage scale). We will then subtract the two times to get the duration of motor block. 
  
• 
Secondary Outcomes: 
➢ Time to resolution of sensory block [Time Frame: 6 hours] 
o The start time is defined as the moment the intrathecal local anesthetic is injected, while the 
end time is defined as the moment when the subject has no more sensory block as tested 
conventionally. We will then subtract the two times to get the duration of sensory block. 
➢ Time to ambulation [Time Frame: 6 hours] 
o The start time is defined as the moment the intrathecal local anesthetic is injected, while the 
end time is defined as the moment when the subject walks for the first time postoperatively. 
We will then subtract the two times to get the time to ambulation. 
➢ Time to micturation [Time Frame: 6 hours] 


PROTOCOL TITLE: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intrathecal Chloroprocaine vs. Bupivacaine for Cervical Cerclage 
 
VERSION DATE: Drzymalski_Protocol_2017.09.18 
 
 
Page 5 of 15 
 
o The start time is defined as the moment the intrathecal local anesthetic is injected, while the 
end time is defined as the moment when the subject voids for the first time postoperatively. 
We will then subtract the two times to get the time to micturation. 
 
 
4 Enrollment and Withdrawal  
4.1 Inclusion Criteria 
• 
Female 
• 
Age: 18-45 years old 
• 
BMI ≤ 50 kg/m2 
• 
Singleton pregnancy 
• 
ASA classification II or III 
• 
Simple prophylactic cervical cerclage 
• 
Planning neuraxial anesthesia 
 
4.2 Exclusion Criteria 
• 
Abdominal cerclage 
• 
Complex cervical cerclage (e.g. bulging bag) 
• 
Contraindication to neuraxial anesthesia 
• 
Known hypersensitivity to chloroprocaine (a.k.a. Ester allergy) 
• 
Known hypersensitivity to paraaminobenzoic acid (PABA) 
• 
Known hypersensitivity to bupivacaine (a.k.a. Amide allergy) 
• 
Pseudocholinesterase deficiency 
• 
Concomitant use with ergot-type oxytocic drugs 
 
4.3 Withdrawal of Subjects 
 
All subjects will be included in the primary analysis as dictated by the theory of intention to treat analysis. As 
a sensitivity analysis, subjects developing complications, as adjudicated by the surgeon, will be excluded in 
the secondary analysis. Patients who decide to withdraw prematurely will be withdrawn and provided the 
standard of care at Tufts Medical Center. 
 
4.4 Recruitment and Retention 
 
4.4.1 
Local Recruitment Methods 
All faculty in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Tufts Medical Center will be informed 
about the study at one of the departmental meetings. They will be asked to inform their patients about 
this study in their clinic visits. Once the patients arrive to the pre-operative area, the co-investigator, Dr. 
Basura, will meet with the patients and discuss the study with them further. If they agree to participate, 
informed consent will be obtained. 
4.4.2 
Study-Wide Recruitment Methods 
Is this a multicenter study where subjects will be recruited by methods not under the control of the local 
Tufts site (e.g., call centers, national advertisements)?  
 
4.4.3 
Payment  
Will subjects receive money, gifts, or any other incentive for participating in this study?  
Yes
No


PROTOCOL TITLE: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intrathecal Chloroprocaine vs. Bupivacaine for Cervical Cerclage 
 
VERSION DATE: Drzymalski_Protocol_2017.09.18 
 
 
Page 6 of 15 
 
     
4.4.4 
Reimbursement   
Will subjects be reimbursed for their expenses, such as travel, parking, meals, or any other study related 
costs? 
   
                                  
 
5 
Study Design 
 
5.1 Study Timelines 
• 
Individuals will participate for the duration of the anesthetic (typically within 2 hours of injection 
of local anesthetic, although may last up to 6 hours in rare cases). 
• 
We expect recruitment to take approximately one year.  
• 
The estimated date for primary analyses will be October 2018 
• 
For each individual there will only be one study visit lasting no more than 6 hours. It will include 
acquiring the patient consent, administering the spinal anesthetic, and following up until the time 
of discharge to home 
• 
 
5.2 Procedures 
• 
Is there a placebo control arm?  
  
We will perform a prospective, randomized, double blinded clinical trial.  
 
Participants meeting inclusion criteria will be approached by the co-investigator, Dr. Basura, on the day of 
surgery. The research study will be explained and they will be given an informed consent form to read. After the 
participant has had adequate time to read through the informed consent form, think about the risks and benefits, 
and ask questions, she will be asked to sign the form if she wishes to participate in the study. The informed 
consent form will then be stored in the principal investigator’s locked office. 
 
Once a study subject is enrolled, the co-investigator, Dr. Basura, will give an opaque envelope to the study 
subject’s assigned anesthesia provider, who will be asked to open the envelope in a separate room and prepare the 
medication, either chloroprocaine PF 40 mg (pure Nesacaine MPF 2% in a total volume of 2ml), or bupivacaine 
7.5 mg (pure Sesnorcaine 0.75% diluted with normal saline to a total volume of 2ml). The medication will be 
prepared according to standard preparation of intrathecal drug, including wiping the vial stopper with an alcohol 
wipe to reduce the risk of infectious complications. The anesthesia provider will be told that this is a blinded 
study and asked not to reveal the randomization group to the patient or any research personnel. Both drugs have 
the same volume and color further ensuring blindness.  
 
Upon entry into the operating room, the study subject will undergo the spinal procedure and injection of the 
allocated local anesthetic by the anesthesia provider. No additional medications affecting motor block will be 
given, which is part of the standard of care at Tufts Medical Center. Furthermore, the local anesthetic will be 
administered as a single dose and never repeated.  
 
Neonates will be monitored for safety by performing fetal heart rate monitoring per the standard of obstetric care. 
 
Immediately afterwards, the co-investigator, Dr. Basura, will begin to evaluate the patient’s motor and sensory 
block in 5 minute intervals for the first hour, and 10 minutes intervals afterwards until resolution of the motor and 
sensory block. Evaluation of motor and sensory block will be done in such a way as not to interfere with the 
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No


PROTOCOL TITLE: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intrathecal Chloroprocaine vs. Bupivacaine for Cervical Cerclage 
 
VERSION DATE: Drzymalski_Protocol_2017.09.18 
 
 
Page 7 of 15 
 
surgery, and if for any reason at any time interval it is not possible to evaluate, the reason will be noted. The 
motor block will be evaluated according to the Bromage scale, where: 
I = free movement of feet, legs and hip = No block  
II = able to flex knees, with free movement of feet = Mild block  
III = unable to flex knees, but with free movement of feet = Moderate block  
IV = unable to move legs or feet = Complete block 
 
Upon resolution of motor block, the co-investigator, Dr. Basura, will ask the participant if she can walk. Any 
ambulation will be done with a nurse to ensure the participant does not fall and hurt herself. The participant will 
also be asked to urinate, and the time she urinates will be recorded. Once the participant has resolution of motor 
and sensory block, can ambulate, and can micturate, the study will cease and the co-investigator, Dr. Basura, will 
thank the participant for her participation in the study. All data will be recorded on the data collection form (see 
attached form). 
 
5.3 Evaluations 
Will you perform any laboratory tests for this study?  
  
5.4 Collection and Storage of Human Biological Specimens (Tissue Banking) 
Will biological specimens be stored for future, unspecified, research?   
  
6 Ethics and Protection of Human Subjects 
6.1 Informed Consent Process 
Will subjects be required to provide informed consent? 
  
• 
The informed consent will take place in the pre-operative patient area.  
• 
The patient will have one hour before the start of the procedure to make a decision regarding 
enrollment. 
• 
The consent will be obtained in person and documented in writing according to SOP: Informed 
Consent Process for Research (HRP-090) 
• 
Non-English speakers will be enrolled using interpreters and IRB approved Short Forms per the 
IRB’s Short Form policy 
 
6.2 Waiver or Alteration of Consent Process 
 
• 
Is a waiver or alteration of the consent process being requested for this study?  
  
• 
Is a waiver of the consent process being requested for parents for research involving children?  
 
  
• 
Is a waiver of the consent process for planned emergency research being requested?  
  
 
6.3 Confidentiality 
 
In order to maintain confidentiality, the following measures will be taken: 
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No


PROTOCOL TITLE: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intrathecal Chloroprocaine vs. Bupivacaine for Cervical Cerclage 
 
VERSION DATE: Drzymalski_Protocol_2017.09.18 
 
 
Page 8 of 15 
 
• 
All study related materials, including consent forms and data collection forms, will be stored in 
the principal investigator’s locked office 
• 
The principal investigator and co-investigators will have exclusive access to the forms 
• 
Digital data will be stored in a hospital provided, password protected, Box account 
• 
Records will be stored for 7 years after the study is closed with the IRB, as per IRB policy. 
 
A certificate of confidentiality will not be obtained 
 
6.4 Provisions to Protect the Privacy Interests of Subjects 
 
Subjects will be assured that their contact with any member of the research team is optional, and that the 
information they share will be strictly confidential. 
 
6.5 Provisions to Monitor the Study to Ensure the Safety of Subjects 
• 
The standard of care at Tufts Medical Center is to collect safety information on all patients 
undergoing surgery through an established computerized system called Anesthesia Touch. Safety 
information and adverse events that will be collected includes failure of spinal anesthesia and 
hypotension. For the purposes of this study, the principal investigator will periodically (every 6 
months) evaluate the safety data and assess the risks and benefits to assess subject safety. The 
statistical tests that will be performed on the safety data to determine whether harm is occurring 
will include a chi-squared test, to compare proportions between groups. 
• 
Stopping rule: should we observe 2 adverse events, 1 serious adverse event, or 1 unanticipated 
problem, the study will be stopped and we will investigate the nature of the event. .However, we 
do not anticipate this to be the case, because we use both of these drugs on a daily basis on 
obstetric anesthesia and we have not experienced any problems.  
• 
No Data and Safety Monitoring Board will be used in this study.  
 
6.6 Compensation for Research-Related Injury 
Does the research involve greater than minimal risk to subjects? 
  
6.7 Economic Burden to Subjects 
Does the research involve any costs to subjects? 
  
 
 
6.10 Vulnerable Populations 
Will pregnant women be enrolled?   
  
The study will be performed exclusively on pregnant women. Although the Food and Drug 
Administration has labeled one of the drugs in this study, chloroprocaine, as Category C risk in pregnancy, the 
risk to the fetus is likely very low. Chloroprocaine is metabolized very quickly by plasma cholinesterases, such 
that crossing the placenta and transmission to the fetus is exceedingly unlikely. This was demonstrated by 
Philipson 1987 in a study where after injection of chloroprocaine, the local anesthetic was nondetectable in 
umblical cord veins and neonatal plasma. (7) Similarly, in a comparison of bupivacaine and chloroprocaine, Maes 
2006 found no differences in neonatal outcome as measured by Apgar scores and umbilical cord gases, suggesting 
no harm to the fetus from chloroprocaine. (8) 
Given the amount of evidence suggesting no negative effects of chloroprocaine on the fetus, the local 
anesthetic is commonly used in pregnancy and is part of the standard of care for cervical cerclage at Tufts 
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No


PROTOCOL TITLE: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intrathecal Chloroprocaine vs. Bupivacaine for Cervical Cerclage 
 
VERSION DATE: Drzymalski_Protocol_2017.09.18 
 
 
Page 9 of 15 
 
Medical Center. This is further supported by the fact that another institution, Columbia University, is currently 
using chloroprocaine as part of a similar IRB-approved research study. Therefore, we believe this study’s risk to 
the fetus is not greater than minimal risk. Given that the purpose of the research is the development of important 
biomedical knowledge that cannot be obtained by any other means, performance of this research is necessary. 
Furthermore, the benefits of chloroprocaine warrant the use of this local anesthetic in pregnant women. 
The shorter the duration of motor block with chloroprocaine decreases the duration of immobility, thereby 
decreasing the risk for development of deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Participants are at particularly high risk 
for developing DVT, and there is countless evidence that suggests pregnant women should ambulate as much as 
possible.  
 
Regarding bupivacaine, preclinical studies, including studies on pregnant animals, and clinical studies, 
including studies on non-pregnant women, have been conducted and provide data for assessing potential risks to 
pregnant women and fetuses (Maes 2006). The benefit to the fetus is survival during the pregnancy; without the 
procedure, the mother will not be able to carry the fetus to term and the fetus will deliver pre-term and die. The 
risk to the fetus is NOT greater than Minimal Risk, and the purpose of the research is the development of 
important biomedical knowledge which cannot be obtained by any other means. Any risk is the least possible for 
achieving the objectives of the research. 
Given that termination of pregnancy is irrelevant to this study, no inducements, monetary or otherwise, 
will be offered to terminate a pregnancy. In the case of a fetus, the fetus is not the subject of a planned abortion. 
Furthermore, the research team will have no part in any decisions as to the timing, method, or procedures used to 
terminate a pregnancy or in determining the viability of a neonate. 
 
Will the research involve neonates of uncertain viability or non-viable neonates?  
  
 
 
 
 
 
Will subjects who are not yet adults (neonates, children, teenagers) be enrolled?  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Will minors who are:  
i) 
married, widowed, divorced; or  
ii) 
the parent of a child; or  
iii) 
a member of any of the armed forces; or  
iv) 
pregnant or believes herself to be pregnant; or  
v) 
living separate and apart from his/her parent or legal guardian, and is managing his/her own 
financial affairs  
be approached for study participation for either themselves or their child?  
 
  
 
 
 
Will wards of the state and/or children at risk of becoming wards of the state be enrolled (this includes 
foster children or any child that is in state custody)?            
 
  
 
Will cognitively impaired adults (adults with impaired-decision making capacity) or adults who may lose 
the capacity to consent be enrolled?  
  
 
Will prisoners be enrolled?  
  
Will students and/or employees be enrolled in this research?  
 
 
 
7 Adverse Event Monitoring 
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No


PROTOCOL TITLE: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Intrathecal Chloroprocaine vs. Bupivacaine for Cervical Cerclage 
 
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Page 10 of 15 
 
7.1 Definitions 
The study does not carry a higher risk of adverse events than typically expected. Adverse events may include 
side effects from spinal anesthesia including nausea, vomiting, high spinal, allergic reactions, and systemic 
toxicity in the event of unintended intravascular injection. Effects on the fetus are directly related to the 
effects on the mother.  
 
Adverse event: An adverse event is any untoward or unfavorable medical occurrence in a human subject, 
including any abnormal physical exam or laboratory finding, symptom, or disease, temporally associated with 
a subject’s participation in the research.  
 
Serious adverse reaction: a serious medical occurrence associated with the use of a bupivacaine or 
chloroprocaine, such as death. 
 
Unanticipated problems: any incident, experience, or outcome that meets all of the following criteria: 
unexpected; related or possibly related to participation in the research; and suggests that the research places 
subjects at a greater risk of harm than was previously known or recognized.  
 
7.2 Reporting Procedures 
Patients are routinely monitored for development of adverse events (such as asystole, severe hypotension 
(MAP<30), and apnea) as part of their anesthetic care. This occurs on a continuous basis from the moment the 
anesthetic is administered until the moment the patient is discharged home. A computerized system exists 
which alerts clinicians to the development of some adverse effects, and is recorded in the medical record. The 
co-investigator, Dr. Basura, will be alerted in these situations and all adverse events will be forwarded to the 
principal investigator. Clinicians are alerted to events immediately as they occur. Clinical staff are trained to 
deal with such events. The co-investigator, Dr. Basura, will be responsible for contacting the principal 
investigator to report the occurrence of adverse events. The principal investigator will then complete any 
necessary safety forms, include the Anesthesia Department’s Quality Assurance form. The events will be 
reported within 24 hours to the QI director and the Chairman of the department, and to the IRB within 5 days.  
 
7.3 Reportable New Information 
Reportable new information will be reported to the IRB per the Tufts Health Sciences IRB’s “Reportable New 
Information policy”. The PI will submit any updated information that may affect the conduct of this study or 
subject safety, rights, welfare or willingness to take part in the research.  
 
 
8 Statistical Considerations 
8.1 Study Endpoints 
Primary endpoint: complete resolution of motor block  
Secondary endpoint: resolution of sensory block, ambulation, and micturation  
 
8.2 Statistical Analysis 
Given that our primary outcome is duration of motor block, we will compare the difference between two 
independent mean times using Student’s t-test. Given that our secondary outcomes are also duration, we will 
also use Student’s t-test to compare means between the two independent variables. If any subjects withdraw 
from the trial prior to discharge, we will use the Kaplan-Meier method as a secondary analysis. However, we 
will primarily use Student’s t-test in the analysis. 
 
8.3 Number of Subjects 
Yoos 2005 found that after the administration of 40mg chloroprocaine, the motor block resolves in 69 ± 16 
minutes. (3)  Kiran 2002 found that after the administration of 7.5mg bupivacaine, the motor block resolves in 
100 ± 15 minutes. (9) We are designing this study to observe a 30 minute time difference. Measuring in 10 


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minute increments will be sufficient to find this difference. To estimate the number of subjects needed for this 
study, the software G*Power 3.1 was used to perform a power analysis with 80% power and alpha level of 
0.05 using the results from Yoos and Kiran. The power analysis revealed that a total of 8 study subjects will 
be needed. In order to account for 20% attrition rate, the total number of study subjects needed is 10.  
 
8.4 Data Management 
The data to be collected will be divided into four general groups: (1) demographic data (e.g. age, height, etc.); 
(2) Time of local anesthetic injection; (3) time of resolution of motor block, sensory block, ambulation, and 
micturation. Data collection forms and an excel spreadsheet with be used to organize the data and all of the 
analyzed data will be stored during the study period in the principle investigator’s locked office and hospital 
provided, password protected, Box account, where access is exclusive to the research team.  
 
8.5 Randomization 
Will subjects be randomized?  
  
In order to randomly allocate study subjects to one of two treatment arms entirely by chance, we will use the 
on-line randomization tool “Research Randomizer Version 4.0, www.randomizer.org,” which has been 
studied and validated as an adequate randomization tool, to generate a randomization list. (7) Allocation 
concealment will be maintained by preparing sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes, which will 
contain the randomization assignment consistent with the generated randomization list.  
 
 
The following strategies will be implemented in order to ensure blinding: 
(a) When a subject enrolls in the study, the anesthesia provider responsible for the clinical care of the patient 
will be given an envelope prepared during randomization. The anesthesia provider will be instructed to 
open the envelope and prepare the medication in a separate room, such that the investigator and patient 
cannot see which vial is being used to prepare the medication. The anesthesia provider will also be 
instructed not to reveal the allocation group to the investigator or the patient.  
(b) Upon return to the operating room, the spinal medication will be injected by the anesthesia provider and 
the surgery will commence. Investigators will be unable to distinguish which medication is being 
administered just by looking at the syringe because both bupivacaine and chloroprocaine are clear liquids, 
and because the intended doses of both medications are the same volume.  
(c) The co-investigator making clinical outcome assessments, Dr. Basura, has only research privileges but no 
clinical privileges. As a result, she will be unable to administer any medication. This will be one more 
way to ensure blinding as she will not have any influence or knowledge of the spinal medication being 
administered 
(d) Study subjects will not be informed of which medication is administered. 
 
 
 
9 Drugs or Devices 
Will the research involve drugs?   
  
Will the research involve devices?   
  
The anesthesia provider taking care of the patient clinically will prepare and administer the indicated medication, 
either chloroprocaine 40mg or bupivacaine 7.5 mg. These drugs will be obtained from the clinical supply, which 
is part of the standard of care. Preparing, drawing up, and administering chloroprocaine and bupivacaine are all 
part of an anesthesiologist’s expected clinical duties and are part of the standard of care. Although not every 
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No


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parturient is part of a research study, one could argue that receiving a “random” assignment is in fact part of the 
standard of care. It would not be unusual for our anesthesia residents to ask the attending anesthesiologist to teach 
him or her how to use one or the other medication. If a resident often uses bupivacaine, he or she may want to 
learn and test out how to dose and use chloroprocaine. At that point, the attending would be having to use a 
medication other than the one he or she may have originally intended. Both are acceptable choices for this 
procedure. Therefore, these providers should not be considered part of the research team. Both local anesthetics 
will be available to subjects after completion of the study, although we do not anticipate that they would need any 
more local anesthetic after the procedure.    
 
According to the FDA, when the principal intent of the investigational use of an approved, marketed drug (such as 
chloroprocaine) is to develop information about the product’s safety or efficacy, submission of an IND may be 
required. Please see the FDA website: https://www.fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Guidances/ucm126486.htm  
However, according to 21 CFR 312.2(b)(1), the clinical investigation of a marketed drug or biologic does not 
require submission of an IND if all six of the following conditions are met: 
1) it is not intended to be reported to FDA in support of a new indication for use or to support any other 
significant change in the labeling for the drug; 
2) it is not intended to support a significant change in the advertising for the product; 
3) it does not involve a route of administration or dosage level, use in a subject population, or other factor 
that significantly increases the risks (or decreases the acceptability of the risks) associated with the use of 
the drug product; 
4) it is conducted in compliance with the requirements for IRB review and informed consent [21 CFR parts 
56 and 50, respectively]; 
5) it is conducted in compliance with the requirements concerning the promotion and sale of drugs [21 CFR 
312.7]; and 
6) it does not intend to invoke 21 CFR 50.24. 
In our study, all six conditions are met, therefore not requiring submission of an IND. The six conditions are met 
as follows: (1) we do not intend to report to the FDA in support of a new indication for use or to support any other 
significant change in the labeling for chloroprocaine; (2) we do not intend to support a significant change in the 
advertising for the product; (3) we are not using this drug in a route of administration or dosage level, use in a 
subject population, or other factor that significantly increases the risks (or decreases the acceptability of the risks) 
associated with the use of chloroprocaine*; (4) the study will be conducted in compliance with the requirements 
for IRB review and informed consent; (5) the study will be conducted in compliance with the requirements 
concerning the promotion and sale of drugs; and, (6) the study does not intend to invoke 21 CFR 50.24.  
 
*One concern that may arise when reading the chloroprocaine label is that it states, “not to be used for 
subarachnoid administration.” However, chloroprocaine is very often used in the subarachnoid space “off-label,” 
and the restriction is a bit misleading. Below is an explanation of why the use of chloroprocaine is safe, despite 
this label. 
 
Regarding route of administration:  
 
Although the FDA writes that, “Nesacaine and Nesacaine-MPF Injections are not to be used for 
subarachnoid administration,” further reading of the labeling reveals the true intention of this statement. 
Throughout the package insert there are multiple references to signs and symptoms consistent with Total Spinal 
when chloroprocaine is administered into the subarachnoid space. For example, “Unintentional subarachnoid 
injection of drug during the intended performance of caudal or lumbar epidural block or nerve blocks near the 
vertebral column (especially in the head and neck region) may result in underventilation or apnea (“Total 
Spinal”).” The reason that the FDA writes that chloroprocaine is not intended for subarachnoid injection is 
because large doses (300-600mg) of chloroprocaine can result in apnea and cardiovascular collapse. Small doses 
(30-60mg) are safe, do not result in total spinal, and are frequently the intended site of injection for various 
surgical procedures. 
Multiple previous publications (Davis 2005, Gonter 2005, Warren 2004, Vath 2004, Yoos 2005, Lacasse 
2011, Smith 2004) have studied chloroprocaine as administered in the subarachnoid space. The authors did not 


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observe any adverse effects with the use of subarachnoid chloroprocaine in the doses 10-60mg. Furthermore, 
Hejtmanek 2011 reports that chloroprocaine, “is widely used at Virginia Mason Medical Center, where we have 
performed over 4000 spinal anesthetics.” These authors again observed no adverse events from the use of 
chloroprocaine in the subarachnoid space in over 4,000 patients. All of these different articles demonstrate that 
the subarachnoid route of administration does not significantly increase the risks (or decrease the acceptability of 
the risks) associated with the use of chloroprocaine.  
Given the safety profile of chloroprocaine in the subarachnoid space, clinicians throughout the United 
States use it on a regular basis for spinal anesthesia. However, some may still be concerned about the label. 
Therefore, in order to fully inform patients about the FDA warning, we will include in the informed consent that 
the chloroprocaine manufacturing label specifically states, “not for spinal anesthesia.” We will further inform 
patients that the use is considered “off-label,” but has been used successfully in thousands of anesthetics.  
 
Regarding dosage level:  
 
Multiple previous publications (Davis 2005, Gonter 2005, Warren 2004, Vath 2004, Yoos 2005, Lacasse 
2011, Smith 2004) have studied chloroprocaine in varying doses from 10-60mg. All of them found no adverse 
events. These articles demonstrate that the use of 10-60mg does not significantly increase the risks (or decrease 
the acceptability of the risks) associated with the use of chloroprocaine. 
 
Regarding use in a pregnant population:  
 
Although chloroprocaine is considered pregnancy category C, chloroprocaine is used regularly in clinical 
practice for cerclage as well as many other procedures in pregnancy. The risk of chloroprocaine crossing the 
placenta and reaching the fetus are exceedingly low. Chloroprocaine is metabolized rapidly by plasma 
cholinesterases in the maternal blood, which makes transmission to the fetus unlikely. This has been demonstrated 
in a study comparing varying doses of chloroprocaine, in which Philipson 1987 observed that chloroprocaine was 
non-detectable in both maternal and umbilical cord veins, and in neonatal plasma. Similarly, in a comparison of 
bupivacaine and chloroprocaine, Maes 2006 found no differences in neonatal outcome as measured by Apgar 
scores and umbilical cord gases, suggesting no harm to the fetus from chloroprocaine.  
Chloroprocaine is being used in a similar study at Columbia University, thus making it reasonable to use 
the same medication that was approved by the IRB at Columbia. Chloroprocaine is also currently used at Tufts 
Medical Center for spinal anesthesia as part of the standard anesthesia care in cerclage. Furthermore, the 
manufacturing label states that, despite being considered Category C, “this does not preclude the use of 
chloroprocaine at term for the production of obstetrical anesthesia.”  
Given all of the above mentioned evidence, the use of chloroprocaine in pregnancy does not significantly 
increase the risks (or decrease the acceptability of the risks) associated with the use of chloroprocaine. 
 
Given that all 6 conditions of the FDA are met, our investigation does not require submission of an IND 
exemption.  
 
 
10 Study Administration 
10.1 Setting 
Tufts Medical Center will be the sole research site. Spinal anesthesia will be administered in the operating 
room per routine clinical care. Patients will then be followed in the recovery room until the time of discharge.  
 
10.2 Registration 
The co-investigator, Dr. Basura, will ensure the eligibility of subjects and obtain their informed consent 
before implementing any study related interventions.  
 


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10.3 Resources Available 
 
The research team is composed of the following members: 
• 
Principle investigator: Dan Drzymalski, MD, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology 
o Dr. Drzymalski is responsible for the preparation, design, conduct, and administration of the 
study.  
• 
Co-investigator: Alaa Basura, MD, Postdoctoral research fellow  
o Responsible for writing the study’s protocol under the principle investigator’s guidance, obtaining 
the informed consent, managing data collection and data analysis. 
• 
Co-investigator: Michael House, MD, Associate Professor of Obstetric and Gynecology 
o Dr. is responsible for revising the study protocol, recruiting patients, and performing the study. 
 
Tufts Medical Center facilities provide medical resources that might be needed by study subjects. The average 
number of cervical cerclage procedures performed at Tufts Medical Center is 3 per month, which makes it 
possible to enroll the total number of study subjects within a one year period. 
 
10.4 IRB Review 
 
An appropriate IRB registered with the OHRP, will review and approve this study. Any amendments to the 
protocol or informed consent documents will be reviewed and approved by the IRB prior to use, unless 
required to eliminate an apparent immediate hazard to subjects. 
    
10.5 Multi-Site Research 
Is this a multi-site study where Tufts is the sponsor, primary grant recipient, or coordinating site?: 
  
 
10.6 Community-Based Participatory Research 
Will this study involve community-based participatory research?  
  
10.7 Sharing Results with Subjects  
Will results (overall study results or individual subject results, such as results of investigational diagnostic 
tests, genetic tests, or incidental findings) be shared with subjects or others (e.g., the subject’s primary 
care physician or the subject’s treating physician)?   
  
 
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No


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11 References 
 
1. Concepcion et al. Rational use of local anaesthetics. Drugs 1984;27:256–70. 
2. Lacasse et al. Comparison of bupivacaine and 2-chloroprocaine for spinal anesthesia for outpatient 
surgery: a double-blind randomized trial. Can J Anesth 2011;58:384–391. 
3. Yoos et al. Spinal 2-chloroprocaine: a comparison with small-dose bupivacaine in volunteers. Anesth 
Analg 2005 Feb;100(2):566-572. 
4. Casati et al. Spinal Anesthesia with Lidocaine or Preservative-Free 2-Chlorprocaine for Outpatient Knee 
Arthroscopy: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Comparison. Anesth Analg: 2007 Apr. 
104(4):959-964. 
5. Beilin et al. Subarachnoid Small-Dose Bupivacaine Versus Lidocaine for Cervical Cerclage. Anesth 
Analg 2003;97:56-61.  
6. Saghaei. An Overview of Randomization and Minimization Programs for Randomized Clinical Trials. J 
Med Signals Sens. 2011 Jan-Apr; 1(1):55–61 
7. Philipson et al. 2-Chloroprocaine for local perineal infiltration. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1987 
Nov;157(5):1275-8.  
8. Maes et al. Randomised controlled trial of spinal anaesthesia with bupivacaine or 2-chloroprocaine during 
caesarean section. Acta Anaesthesiologica Scandinavica 2016;60:642–649.  
9. Kiran et al. A comparative study of three different doses of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal 
anaesthesia in elective caesarean section. IJOA 2002;11:185–189. 
10. FDA website regarding IND exemption. 
https://www.fda.gov/RegulatoryInformation/Guidances/ucm126486.htm 
11. Davis et al. Spinal 2-Chloroprocaine: The Effect of Added Clonidine Anesth Analg 2005;100:559 –65  
12. Gonter et al. Spinal 2-Chloroprocaine: A Comparison with Procaine in Volunteers . Anesth Analg 
2005;100:573–9  
13. Warren et al. Spinal 2-Chloroprocaine: The Effect of Added Dextrose Anesth Analg 2004;98:95–101  
14. Vath et al. Spinal 2-Chloroprocaine: The Effect of Added Fentanyl . Anesth Analg 2004;98:89 –94  
15. Smith et al. Spinal 2-Chloroprocaine: A Dose-Ranging Study and the Effect of Added Epinephrine 
Anesth Analg 2004;98:81–8  
16. Hejtmanek et al. Chloroprocaine for spinal anesthesia: a retrospective analysis Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 
2011; 55: 267–272