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ESP vs SPSIP Block in VATS Analgesia

Comparison of the Effects of Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block and Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block on Postoperative Analgesia Management in Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07232940
Enrollment
90
Registered
2025-11-18
Start date
2025-11-15
Completion date
2026-05-15
Last updated
2025-12-16

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

Conditions

Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block, Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)

Keywords

Serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block, erector spinae plane block, pain management, Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)

Brief summary

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive procedure performed through small thoracic incisions, but postoperative pain remains significant due to tissue and rib trauma. Poorly controlled pain may lead to chronic postoperative pain; therefore, optimal analgesia is essential. According to PROSPECT guidelines, erector spinae plane block (ESPB) or paravertebral block (PVB) are recommended for VATS. The recently defined serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) provides analgesia between C3-T10 levels, but its efficacy compared with ESPB has not been studied. This study aims to compare postoperative analgesic efficacy and patient satisfaction between ESPB and SPSIPB in VATS patients.

Detailed description

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive procedure performed through small thoracic incisions, but postoperative pain remains significant due to tissue and rib trauma. Poorly controlled pain may lead to chronic postoperative pain; therefore, optimal analgesia is essential. According to PROSPECT guidelines, erector spinae plane block (ESPB) or paravertebral block (PVB) are recommended for VATS. The recently defined serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) provides analgesia between C3-T10 levels, but its efficacy compared with ESPB has not been studied. This study aims to compare postoperative analgesic efficacy and patient satisfaction between ESPB and SPSIPB in VATS patients.

Interventions

OTHERPostoperative analgesia management(SPSIPB)

A high-frequency linear ultrasound probe (GE ML6-15-D Matrix Linear) will be covered with a sterile sheath, and the T3 level will be identified just above the medial border of the scapula. After visualizing the trapezius, rhomboid major, and serratus posterior superior muscles (from superficial to deep), 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine (Buvicaine 0.5%®, Polifarma, Tekirdağ, Türkiye) containing 7.5 µg epinephrine (1:200,000) (Adrenalin Bas Galen®; Galen, İstanbul, Türkiye) will be administered as the local anesthetic solution.

OTHERPostoperative analgesia management(ESPB)

A high-frequency linear ultrasound probe (GE ML6-15-D Matrix Linear) will be covered with a sterile sheath. At the T5 vertebral level, the erector spinae muscle layers and the transverse process of the T5 vertebra, located immediately beneath them, will be identified. After confirming the transverse process, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine (Buvicaine 0.5%®, Polifarma, Tekirdağ, Türkiye) containing 7.5 µg epinephrine (1:200,000) (Adrenalin Bas Galen®; Galen, İstanbul, Türkiye) will be administered as the local anesthetic solution.

Sponsors

Emre ULUSOY
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Bursa City Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER_GOV

Study design

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

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patients aged 18-65 years with ASA physical status I-III who will undergo elective video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) will be included.

Exclusion criteria

* Patients who do not consent to participate in the study Patients with coagulopathy Patients with a history of local anesthetic allergy or toxicity Patients with hepatic or renal failure Patients with uncontrolled diabetes Patients with uncontrolled hypertension Mentally disabled patients Patients receiving chronic pain treatment (opioid users) Patients using antidepressant medication Patients with neuropathic pain Mentally disabled patients Presence of infection at the injection site Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those with suspected pregnancy

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
opioid consumption0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hoursTramadol will be prepared as 5mg/ml and patient-controlled analgesia will be administered without basal infusion, with a locking time of 20 minutes and a bolus dose of 10mg.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Postoperative pain scores (Numerical rating scale) (0-meaning no pain to 10-meaning worst pain imaginable)0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hoursPostoperative 24 hours period. Patients' pain scores will be questioned at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hours.
Global recovery scoring system (patient satisfaction scale)- QoR-15The quality of recovery will be evaluated out of a total of 150 points according to the QoR-15 test to be applied at the portoperative 24th hour.Researchers will use the Turkish version of the Quality Improvement Survey/QoR-15. PART A: Participants will be asked by researchers how they felt in the last 24 hours.(0 to 10, where: 0 = none of the time \[poor\] and 10 = all of the time \[excellent\]) 1. Able to breathe easily 2. Been able to enjoy food 3. Feeling rested 4. Have had a good sleep 5. Able to look after personal toilet and hygiene unaided 6. Able to communicate with 7. Getting support from hospital doctors and nurses 8. Able to return to work or usual home activities 9. Feeling comfortable and in control 10. Having a feeling of general well-being PART B Participants will be asked by the researchers whether they have experienced any of the following in the last 24 hours. (10 to 0, where: 10 = none of the time \[excellent\] and 0 = all of the time \[poor\]) 11. Moderate pain 12. Severe pain 13. Nausea or vomiting 14. Feeling worried or anxious 15. Feeling sad or depressed
Brief Pain Inventorypostoperative third monthBrief Pain Inventory (BPI-Short Form) At the postoperative third month, patients will be contacted by phone, and chronic pain will be assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form (BPI-SF). The BPI-SF consists of two main components: Pain Severity Score (0-10): Four numeric rating items evaluating worst, least, average, and current pain. Higher scores indicate more severe pain. Pain Interference Score (0-10): Seven numeric rating items evaluating interference with general activity, mood, walking ability, normal work, sleep, relations with others, and enjoyment of life. Higher scores indicate greater interference with daily activities.
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)On the morning of surgery and at the 3rd postoperative monthThe Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was administered preoperatively and at the 3rd postoperative month. The change between these two time points will be included in the analysis. HADS consists of 14 items, divided into two subscales: HADS-Anxiety (HADS-A): 7 items HADS-Depression (HADS-D): 7 items Each item is scored on a 0-3 Likert scale, resulting in: HADS-A total score range: 0-21 HADS-D total score range: 0-21 Higher scores indicate worse anxiety or worse depression.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Contacts

Primary ContactEralp Çevikkalp
eralpcevikkalp@hotmail.com+905054554875
Backup ContactEmre ULUSOY
emreulusoy36@gmail.com+905379492799

Outcome results

None listed

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