Costotransverse foramen block versus thoracic paravertebral block for pain control after lung cancer thoracotomy

Costotransverse Foramen Block Versus Thoracic Paravertebral Block in Thoracotomy for Lung Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional National Cancer Institute, Egypt · NCT07367581

This will test whether the costotransverse foramen block or the thoracic paravertebral block gives better pain relief for adults having thoracotomy for lung cancer.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment70 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
SponsorNational Cancer Institute, Egypt Academic / other
Locations1 site (Cairo)
Trial IDNCT07367581 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Thoracotomy causes severe postoperative pain and reliable pain control is a major clinical challenge. This study compares a newer nerve block technique, the costotransverse foramen block (CTFB), with the established thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) in patients undergoing thoracotomy for lung cancer. Eligible patients will receive either CTFB or TPVB as part of their perioperative analgesia and investigators will track postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption, and complications. The aim is to see if CTFB can match or improve pain control while reducing side effects and opioid use.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults 18–65 years old with ASA physical status II–III, BMI 18–35 kg/m2, and scheduled for thoracotomy for lung cancer who can consent are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to regional anesthesia, severe organ failure, morbid obesity, chronic pain therapy, or inability to cooperate are unlikely to gain benefit from this comparison.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, CTFB could provide comparable or better pain relief with fewer side effects and lower opioid needs, improving recovery after thoracotomy.

How similar studies have performed: CTFB is a recently described technique with mainly cadaver and case report data so far, whereas TPVB and other regional blocks have established evidence for thoracotomy pain control.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age \> 18 years and ≤ 65 years old.
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II-III.
* Body mass index 18-35 kg/m2.
* Patients scheduled for thoracotomies for lung cancer.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient refusal.
* History of sensitivity to local anesthetics.
* History of psychological disorders.
* Contraindication to regional anesthesia, e.g., local sepsis, pre-existing peripheral neuropathies, and coagulopathy.
* Severe respiratory, cardiac, hepatic, or renal disease.
* Morbid obesity.
* Uncooperative patients.
* Patients on chronic pain therapy.

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 Costotransverse Foramen BlockThoracic Paravertebral BlockThoracotomyLung Cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.