Clinical trial NCT06996691: Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Serratus Anterior Plane Block in VATS
Official title: A Comparative Study of Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)
Keywords: VATS
Erector spinae plane block
Serratus anterior plane block
Lead sponsor: Ain Shams University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2025-05-30
Enrollment: 40
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 70
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: Pain control remains challenging in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). It is advised to use a regional block to lower postoperative opioid usage. This study evaluates efficacy of Erector spinae plane (ESP) block in comparison to Serratus anterior plane block (SAP) in pain management for patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS).

Detailed description: Minimally invasive thoracic surgery (MITS) has become more common over the past decade, with the proportion of lung resections performed using this technique increasing from 16% in 2005 to 47% in 2015.

VATS is a minimally invasive procedure that allows rapid recovery compared to thoracic surgery. Patients scheduled for VATS experience moderate to severe pain following the procedure. This represents a significant burden peri-operatively as there is a strong relationship between poor pain control and the development of complications like pneumonia and atelectasis due to interference with spontaneous deep breathing \& coughing. These complications have a negative impact on functional recovery; therefore, adequate postoperative pain relief assists in improving functional outcomes \& accelerates hospital discharge.

Multimodal techniques for pain control have been recommended by The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) for the management of acute postoperative pain. Traditional analgesia based on opioids have multiple adverse effects such as respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, itching and dizziness.

SAP block was first described in 2013 by Blanco as an analgesic technique.it is proposed to block the lateral cutaneous branch of the intercostal nerve, long thoracic nerve, and dorsal thoracic nerve. The block range of the SAPB covers the incisions of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and the site of the chest tube, which are often located in the antero-lateral chest wall. The local anaesthetic injection was described in two planes: the 'superficial plane' and deep plane.

An ultrasound-guided ESP block was firstly reported in 2016. The ESP block injects a local anaesthetic around the erector spinae muscle at approximately the level of the T5. It may be able to block the dorsal and ventral rami of the thoracic spinal nerves. The first report of the successful use of this procedure was in 2016; the block was used to manage thoracic neuropathic pain in a patient with metastatic disease of the ribs and rib fractures

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* body mass index (BMI)=18 to 40 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

* Contraindications to regional anesthesia as bleeding disorders , allergy to local anesthetic or infection at block site
* pre-existing chronic pain
* history of opiate abuse
* sepsis

Primary outcomes:
measure: post operative opioid consumption
timeFrame: 24 hours post operative
Secondary outcomes:
measure: intraoperative fentanyl consumption
timeFrame: during the surgery
measure: the numerical rating scale
timeFrame: 24 hours post operative
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Cairo
country: Egypt
facility: faculty of medicine Ain Shams University
Study officials:
References: