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Erector Spinae Plane Block in Uniportal VATS

Effectiveness of Erector Spinae Plane Block in Uniportal VATS Lung Resections

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04892901
Acronym
ESPB-UVATS
Enrollment
75
Registered
2021-05-19
Start date
2022-01-01
Completion date
2023-12-20
Last updated
2025-08-15

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Acute Pain, Locoregional Anesthesia, Lung Resections, Post-operative Complications, Post-Operative Pain, Chronic, Thoracic Surgery, Uniportal Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (U-VATS)

Keywords

ESPB, Erectus Spinae Plane Block, SAPB, Serratus Anterior Plane Block, ICNB, Intercostal Block, Uniportal VATS, Thoracic Surgery

Brief summary

The main aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of three alternative techniques (continuous Erectus Spinae Plane Block : c-ESPB; continuous Serratus Anterior Plane Block : c-SAPB; and Intercostal Nerve Block: ICNB) in reducing the severity of early postoperative pain after Uniportal-VATS lung resections. Primary outcomes will be opioid and other analgesic drugs consumption in the 72 hours after surgery, and static and dynamic pain scores, measured by the visual analog scale (VAS), at 6 pre-established time-points during the first 48 hours postoperatively. Further outcomes will be incidence of pulmonary and cardiac complications until patient's discharging, pain when removing drains, presence/absence of chronic neuropathic pain (12 weeks after surgery).

Detailed description

Patients will be enrolled into three groups: 1. continuous Erector Spinae Plane Block group (c-ESPB group) 2. continuous Serratus Anterior Plane Block group (c-SAPB group) 3. Intercostal Nerve Block group (ICNB group) * In the c-ESPB group an ultrasound-guided ESPB will be performed by the attending anaesthesiologist at the end of surgery, immediately after the last surgical stitch and before extubation. After an initial bolus of 20 ml 0,2% ropivacaine, a catheter will be left into the fascial plane deep to the erector spinae muscle to ensure continuous infusion (5ml/h for 48 hours) of the local anesthetic. * In the c-SAPB group SAPB will be performed by surgeons intraoperatively, immediately after chest wall disclosure, by injection of 20 ml 0,2% ropivacaine into the fascial plane deep to the Serratus Anterior muscle. After the initial bolus, a catheter will be left into the fascial plane deep to the Serratus Anterior muscle to ensure continuous infusion (5ml/h for 48 hours) of the local anesthetic. * In the ICNB-group ICNB will be performed by surgeons intraoperatively, immediately after drain placement, by injection of 20 ml of 0,2% ropivacaine from within the chest under direct visualization of the intercostal spaces. The one-shot ICNB will be associated in this group with intravenous administration of tramadol (300 mg/48 h) by elastomeric pump. The enrollment of patients into a specific group will depend on surgical variables (like disruption or not of serratus muscle/intercostal fascial planes), availability of an operator (surgeon/anesthesiologist) skilled in performing peripheral nerve blocks, logistic variables (availability of materials and ultrasound equipment). The above mentioned primary/secondary outcome measures will be evaluated in each group and compared among them.

Interventions

PROCEDUREc-ESPB

In the c-ESPB group an ultrasound-guided ESPB will be performed by the attending anaesthesiologist at the end of surgery, immediately after the last surgical stitch and before extubation. After an initial bolus of 20 ml 0,2% ropivacaine, a catheter will be left in place into the fascial plane deep to the erector spinae muscle to ensure continuous infusion (5ml/h for 48 hours) of the local anesthetic.

PROCEDUREc-SAPB

In the c-SAPB group SAPB will be performed by surgeons intraoperatively, immediately before the closure of chest wall muscle planes, by injection of 20 ml 0,2% ropivacaine into the fascial plane above the Serratus Anterior muscle. After the initial bolus, a catheter will be left in place into the superficial fascial plane of the Serratus Anterior muscle to ensure continuous infusion (5ml/h for 48 hours) of the local anesthetic.

PROCEDUREICNB

In the ICNB-group ICNB will be performed by surgeons intraoperatively, immediately before chest drain placement, by injection of 20 ml of 0,2% ropivacaine into the intercostal spaces (III-VII), below the parietal pleura, under direct visualization of the neurovascular bundle. The one-shot ICNB will be associated in this group with intravenous administration of tramadol (300 mg/48 h) by elastomeric pump.

Sponsors

Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

• Age \>18 years

Exclusion criteria

* Patients who will not sign the informed consent. * Patients scheduled for open thoracic surgery or not undergoing Uniportal-VATS resections. * Patients undergoing concomitant chest wall, diaphragm resection or mechanical/chemical pleurodesis. * History of previous thoracic surgery. * Patients with Chronic Post-Thoracotomy Pain. * Rib cage deformity or scoliosis. * Inherited or acquired coagulopathies. * History of allergy to drugs used during the study. * Age \< 18 years. * Patients suffering from psychiatric or neurodegenerative diseases.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
analgesic drug consumptionfirst 72 hours after extubationnumber of doses of analgesic drugs administered on patients' request during the postoperative period
severity of early postoperative painfirst 48 hours after extubationstatic and dynamic pain scores, measured by the visual analog scale (VAS), at 6 pre-established time-points during the first 48 hours postoperatively.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
respiratory and cardiac complicationsfirst 72 hours after extubationIncidence of post-operative respiratory complications (i.e. atelectasis, pneumonia, arrhythmias, etc)
pain at drain removalchest drain removal (third/fourth postoperative day)severity of pain, measured by the visual analog scale (VAS), at chest drain removal
incidence of chronic pain12 weeks after surgerypresence of chronic neuropathic pain after surgery

Countries

Italy

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026