Combined transversus thoracic + serratus anterior plane blocks versus erector spinae plane block for pain after sternotomy
STERNOTOMİ AĞRISININ YÖNETİMİNDE TRANSVERSUS TORASİK PLAN BLOK VE SERRATUS ANTERİOR PLAN BLOK KOMBİNASYONU İLE EREKTÖR SPİNA PLAN BLOK ETKİNLİĞİNİN KARŞILAŞTIRILMASI
This trial will try whether combining transversus thoracic and serratus anterior plane nerve blocks controls pain after median sternotomy better than an erector spinae plane block in adults having elective heart surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Uludag University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bursa, Nilüfer) |
| Trial ID | NCT07452627 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective, randomized, observer-blinded trial enrolling 50 adults (age 18–80, ASA I–III) undergoing elective median sternotomy for cardiac surgery. Participants are randomized 1:1 to receive either combined transversus thoracic plane block (TTPB) plus serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) or a single erector spinae plane block (ESPB), performed under ultrasound guidance after induction and before incision. Anesthesia and perioperative care are standardized and postoperative data collectors are blinded to the allocated block to reduce bias. Primary outcomes focus on postoperative pain control and opioid requirements, with monitoring for respiratory and other complications.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–80 with ASA physical status I–III scheduled for elective cardiac surgery via median sternotomy who can give informed consent and have no contraindications to regional anesthesia.
Not a fit: Patients who are pregnant, have BMI >35 kg/m², coagulopathy, infection at the injection site, allergy to local anesthetics, or severe neurological/psychiatric/hepatic/renal failure were excluded and are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the combined block approach could reduce postoperative sternotomy pain and opioid use, potentially improving recovery and lowering pulmonary complications.
How similar studies have performed: Regional chest wall blocks such as ESPB and SAPB have shown promising pain-reducing effects in small trials, but combining TTPB with SAPB for sternotomy pain is less well studied and remains relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged between 18 and 80 years. * Patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I, II, or III. * Patients who provide written informed consent. * Patients scheduled for cardiac surgery via elective sternotomy. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or suspected pregnancy * Body Mass Index (BMI) \> 35 kg/m² * History of allergy to local anesthetics or opioids * Suspected coagulopathy or infection at the injection site * Severe neurological, psychiatric, hepatic, or renal failure
Where this trial is running
Bursa, Nilüfer
- Bursa Uludag University Hospital — Bursa, Nilüfer, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.