Intermittent ESP Block via Subcutaneous Port for Lung Cancer Pain

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study evaluates the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of delivering local anesthetic for cancer pain using an intermittent ESP block through a subcutaneous port. Eligible participants have advanced lung cancer with chronic thoracic pain and inadequate relief from standard analgesics. Pain intensity, analgesic needs, patient comfort, and adverse events are monitored over time to determine if this approach can improve multimodal pain management.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria

* Adult patients diagnosed with advanced-stage lung cancer who are currently receiving palliative care only.
* Presence of chronic cancer-related chest pain lasting longer than 1 month, localized to the thoracic region due to chest wall invasion, pleural involvement, or bone metastases.
* Performance status ≤ 3 according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), allowing placement of a subcutaneous port and maintenance of local anesthetic administration.
* Inadequate pain control with conventional analgesic therapies or clinical indication for the addition of regional analgesia.
* Ability to understand the study procedures and provide written informed consent after receiving a full explanation of the intervention.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Chest pain with radiation to the upper extremities, neck, or shoulder, suggestive of non-localized thoracic pain.
* Severe hepatic or renal dysfunction, or severe heart failure (New York Heart Association class III-IV).
* Local infection at the injection or port placement site, or uncontrolled systemic infection.
* Severe cachexia or insufficient subcutaneous tissue that does not allow safe coverage of the subcutaneous port.
* Known allergy to amide-type local anesthetics or other contraindications to regional anesthesia.
* Severe cognitive impairment, altered consciousness, or inability to cooperate with post-intervention monitoring.
* Lack of adequate caregiver support for home-based follow-up after discharge or inability to coordinate follow-up with local healthcare facilities.
* Severe coagulation disorders, defined as:

  * International normalized ratio (INR) \> 1.5
  * Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) \> 40 seconds
  * Fibrinogen \< 1.5 g/L
  * Platelet count \< 50 × 10⁹/L.

Where it's running

• Hanoi Medical University
  Hanoi, Vietnam Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Vu Hoang Phuong, MD, PhD
• Email: vuhoangphuong@hmu.edu.vn
• Phone: +84912300978

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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• Continuous ESP Block for Analgesia After CABG Surgery

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.