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Comparing Postoperative Analgesic Techniques for Umbilical Hernia Repair: A Randomized Trial of Ultrasound Guided Caudal, Erector Spinae, and External Oblique Interfascial Plane Blocks

Comparing Postoperative Analgesic Techniques for Umbilical Hernia Repair: A Randomized Trial of Ultrasound Guided Caudal, Erector Spinae, and External Oblique Interfascial Plane Blocks

Status
Enrolling by invitation
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06948253
Enrollment
75
Registered
2025-04-29
Start date
2025-04-10
Completion date
2025-09-10
Last updated
2025-04-29

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

Conditions

Regional Anesthesia

Brief summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound guided Erector block versus caudal block versus external oblique intercostal plane block perioperatively

Detailed description

umblical hernia repair surgeries have been performed in the practice of pediatric surgeries, ensuring adequate perioperative analgesia is crucial for perioperative care as pain in pediatric patients can cause functional recuperation and lead to negative behavioral changes and family dissatisfaction. (1) Various studies are made to improve postoperative analgesia and facilitate recovery in pediatric patients.(1) Day-case surgery is defined as the planned day admission of a patient to hospital for a surgical procedure, after which there is subsequent successful and safe discharge back home on the same day in a safe and timely manner instead of spending prolonged periods within the hospital.(2) This has significant implications, including reducing hospital stay, hospital-acquired infection, and healthcare-related costs while also improving patient experience and service efficiency. Surgical, anesthetic, and patient factors should be considered for successful day case surgery.(2) External oblique intercostal plane block (EOIPB) is a novel fascial plane block which aims to provide upper midline and lateral abdominal wall analgesia thereby reducing perioperative opioid consumption , LA is deposited into the fascial plane beneath the external oblique muscle (EOM) and superficial to the sixth rib or external intercostal muscle. It targets anterior and lateral cutaneous branches of the thoracoabdominal nerves from the ventral rami of spinal nerves.(3) Caudal block is the most frequently performed regional technique for pain management in children undergoing lower abdominal surgeries. Ultrasound guidance has resulted in enhanced reliability and safety profiles for caudal blocks.(4) The erector spinae plane block (ESPB), multiple studies demonstrated its potential as a practical approach for managing postoperative pain in the last decade, involves an ultrasound-guided injection of a relatively large volume of local anesthetic into the fascial plane beneath the erector spinae muscle. (5)

Interventions

OTHERErector Spinae Plane Block

The correct location of the needle tip in the fascial plane deep to the erector spinae muscle will be confirmed by injecting 0.5-1 ml of saline and observing the fluid lifting the erector spinae muscle off the transverse process while avoiding muscle distension (hydro dissection)

The needle will be advanced at a 20-degree angle with needle tip and length visualization. A pop can be appreciated as the needle passes through the sacrococcygeal ligament. Once the needle will be confirmed to be in the caudal space on the screen, carefully aspirate to confirm absence of CSF or blood.

OTHERExternal Oblique Intercostal Plane Block

the needle will be advanced until the tip lay in the plane between the external oblique muscle and intercostal muscles between the sixth and seventh ribs

Sponsors

Tanta University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
2 Years to 7 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* pediatric patients of both sexes undergoing elective umblical hernia surgeries aged from 2 year to 7 years belonging to ASA I or II.

Exclusion criteria

* Parents refusal. * Coagulopathy. * Allergy to local anesthesia. * Local infection at the site of injection. * Neurological anomalies.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Primary outcome15 minute after operation , 30 minutes after operation and 4 h after operationFaces Legs Activity Cry Consolability tool (FLACC, 0- 10)

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Secondary outcome6 hoursFirst dose of fentanyl as a rescue analgesia in dose of 0.5 μg/kg. Total doses of fentanyl as a rescue analgesia.

Countries

Egypt

Outcome results

None listed

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