Comparing two pain management techniques for children undergoing heart surgery

Efficacy Of Ultrasound Guided Bilateral Pectoral Nerve Block Versus Bilateral Transverse Thoracic Plane Block In Pediatric Patients Undergoing Corrective Cardiac Surgeries Requiring Cardiopulmonary Bypass Via Median Sternotomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Not applicable Interventional Cairo University · NCT06984276

This study is testing which of two pain management techniques works better for children having heart surgery to help them recover faster and feel less pain.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment81 (estimated)
Ages6 Months to 7 Years
SexAll
SponsorCairo University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Cairo)
Trial IDNCT06984276 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This randomized, double-blinded study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of bilateral ultrasound-guided pectoral nerve blocks versus bilateral transverse thoracic plane blocks for pain control in pediatric patients undergoing corrective cardiac surgeries. The study focuses on improving perioperative analgesia to facilitate early recovery and discharge from the Intensive Care Unit. By comparing these two regional anesthesia techniques, the research seeks to determine which method provides better pain relief and minimizes the use of traditional pain medications, which can have adverse effects.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are pediatric patients aged 6 months to 7 years undergoing cardiac surgeries that require cardiopulmonary bypass via a median sternotomy.

Not a fit: Patients with severe pulmonary hypertension, bleeding disorders, or those requiring preoperative mechanical ventilation may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved pain management strategies for pediatric cardiac surgery patients, enhancing recovery times and overall outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the pectoral nerve block has been established for adult breast surgery, its application in pediatric cardiac surgeries is relatively novel, indicating that this study explores an untested approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age: 6 months - 7 years.
* Gender: both sexs .
* Risk Adjustment for Congenital Heart Surgery (RACHS) II and III.
* Patients undergoing cardiac surgeries requiring cardiopulmonary bypass with midline sternotomy incision.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients whose parents or legal guardians refuse to participate.
* Preoperative mechanical ventilation.
* Patients in coma, mental retardation, neurological disease, or on drugs affecting the behaviour.
* Preoperative inotropic drug infusion.
* (Bleeding disorders (drug induced i.e., coumadin; or genetic e.g. hemophilia; or acquired e.g. disseminated intravascular coagulation \[DIC\]), coagulopathy: Partial Thromboplastin Time (PTT) \> 40 seconds, International Normalized Ratio (INR) \> 1.4, platelet count \< 100x10⁹.
* Known or suspected allergy to any of the studied drugs.
* Severe pulmonary hypertension (mean resting blood pressure in pulmonary arteries is above 70mmHg).
* Cardiopulmonary bypass time more than 90 minutes.
* local infection.
* Significant Renal impairment (creatinine more than 1.2mg/dl)
* Aortic cross-clamp time more than 45 minutes.
* Total time from induction till intensive Care Unit (ICU) transfer more than 4 hours and 30 mins.

Where this trial is running

Cairo

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.
Conditions UltrasoundPectoral Nerve BlockTransverse Thoracic Plane BlockPediatric PatientsCorrective Cardiac SurgeriesCardiopulmonary BypassMedian Sternotomy
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.