Comparing pain control methods after lung surgery

Pain Control After VATS Anatomical Pulmonary Resections: Randomized Comparison Between Cryoanalgesia, Erector Spinae Plane Block and Epidural Catheter

NA · University Hospital Padova · NCT05993273

This study is testing which of three different pain control methods works best for people having lung surgery to help them feel better after the operation.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment75 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity Hospital Padova (other)
Locations1 site (Padua)
Trial IDNCT05993273 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of three different regional anesthesiological techniques—cryoanalgesia, epidural anesthesia, and erector spinae muscle plane block—in managing post-operative pain for patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung cancer. Patients will be randomized to receive one of the three techniques on the day of surgery, followed by a standard pain management protocol post-operatively. The goal is to determine which method provides the best pain relief and improves overall patient outcomes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults undergoing anatomical pulmonary resections via VATS for either benign or malignant conditions.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic pain issues, those requiring intensive care post-surgery, or those with significant medical comorbidities may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved pain management strategies for patients undergoing lung surgery, enhancing their recovery experience.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown varying success with different regional anesthesia techniques, but this specific comparison is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* all patients undergoing VATS anatomic pulmonary resection (lobectomy or segmentectomy) for benign or malignant disease

Exclusion Criteria:

* Refusal or inability to give informed consent to the study protocol
* Age \< 18 years
* Pregnancy
* Allergies or contraindications to any of the treatments considered in the experimental design
* Pre-operative use of pain medication for chronic pain or neuropathic pain
* History of previous major chest surgery
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class \> 3
* Need for intensive care unit stay in the post-operative period
* Patients undergoing anatomical pulmonary resections different than lobectomy or segmentectomy (bi-lobectomy or pneumonectomy).
* Patients undergoing bronchial and/or vascular resections and reconstructions

Where this trial is running

Padua

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Lung Cancer, Pain, Postoperative, Thoracic Neoplasms, thoracoscopic surgery, post-operative pain, epidural anesthesia, ESP block, cryoanalgesia

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.