External oblique intercostal block versus erector spinae plane block for pain after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy
Effects of Ultrasound-guided External Oblique Intercostal Block Versus Erector Spinae Plane Block on Postoperative Pain in Laparoscopic Radical Gastrectomy
This trial will see if the external oblique intercostal block relieves pain as well as the erector spinae plane block for adults having laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 184 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Yinchuan, Ningxia) |
| Trial ID | NCT07396545 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This single-center, randomized non-inferiority trial compares the novel external oblique intercostal block (EOIB) with the established erector spinae plane block (ESPB) for postoperative analgesia after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. Patients undergoing elective subtotal or total laparoscopic gastrectomy under general anesthesia are randomized to receive EOIB or ESPB and followed for postoperative pain outcomes and opioid consumption. EOIB delivers local anesthetic between the external oblique and intercostal muscles to block anterior rami and cutaneous branches of T6–T10, while ESPB targets the erector spinae plane with known variability in local anesthetic spread. The trial aims to determine whether EOIB provides pain relief that is not worse than ESPB and could offer a practical alternative for upper abdominal analgesia.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged over 18 years with ASA physical status I–III who are scheduled for elective laparoscopic radical gastrectomy under general anesthesia and can provide informed consent are eligible.
Not a fit: Patients with chronic opioid dependence, severe renal or hepatic failure, central or peripheral nervous system disorders, allergy to local anesthetics, communication incapacity, or those expected to go to the ICU after surgery are excluded and unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, EOIB could offer equivalent pain relief to ESPB while expanding options for regional analgesia after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies report that ESPB can reduce postoperative pain for upper abdominal surgery but shows variable spread and effect, while EOIB is a recently proposed technique with limited high-quality evidence to date.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients aged over 18 years * Classified as ASA I-III * Scheduled for elective laparoscopic radical gastrectomy under general anesthesia * Voluntarily participated and provided written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Chronic opioid dependence or prior use of analgesic medications for \>3 months; * Inability to communicate due to severe dementia, language barriers, or terminal illness; * History of central and/or peripheral nervous system disorders; * Severe renal insufficiency (serum creatinine \>442 μmol/L or requiring renal replacement therapy) or severe hepatic insufficiency (Child-Pugh class C); * Allergy to local anesthetics. * Expected to be transferred to ICU after surgery.
Where this trial is running
Yinchuan, Ningxia
- General hospital of Ningxia medical university — Yinchuan, Ningxia, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Lingzi Yin, Doctoral
- Email: eleven87670@163.com
- Phone: 86-951-674-3252
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.