Intertransverse process block for pain relief after thoracotomy and lobectomy
Postoperative Pain Control With Intertransverse Process Block in Patients Undergoing Thoracotomy With Lobectomy
This trial will test whether an ultrasound-guided intertransverse process block with bupivacaine reduces pain and opioid use after elective thoracotomy with unilateral lobectomy compared with a saline placebo.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 66 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Konya City Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Konya) |
| Trial ID | NCT07335250 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a prospective, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial at a single tertiary center where patients having elective thoracotomy with unilateral lobectomy are randomized 1:1 to receive an ultrasound-guided intertransverse process block (0.5% bupivacaine) or matching saline placebo given immediately after surgery before emergence. Blocks are performed by experienced anesthesiologists and both groups receive standardized general anesthesia, multimodal perioperative analgesia, and postoperative intravenous morphine patient-controlled analgesia. Outcomes focus on postoperative analgesic efficacy and opioid consumption during the initial recovery period. The trial follows the Declaration of Helsinki and requires written informed consent.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18–85 years old with ASA I–III undergoing elective thoracotomy with planned unilateral lobectomy who can use IV patient-controlled analgesia and consent to participate are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with chronic opioid use, coagulopathy, local infection at the injection site, emergency or repeat surgery, severe organ failure, or pregnancy/lactation may not benefit or are ineligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the block could reduce postoperative pain and opioid requirements, speeding recovery and lowering opioid-related side effects.
How similar studies have performed: Related thoracic interfascial blocks such as paravertebral and erector spinae blocks have shown reduced pain and opioid use, while intertransverse process block is less widely studied but has promising early reports.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Provision of written informed consent Age between 18 and 85 years ASA Physical Status classification I-III Elective thoracotomy with planned unilateral lobectomy Anticipated hospital stay of at least one night Expected requirement for parenteral opioid analgesia for at least 24 hours postoperatively Ability to operate an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device Exclusion Criteria: * Patients undergoing emergency surgery Presence of infection or open wound at the injection site Coagulopathy Hepatic or renal failure Patients undergoing reoperation Patients with missing or incomplete data Pregnancy or lactation Tracheal malformation or tracheostomy Chronic opioid use (≥30 days within the last 3 months, ≥15 mg/day morphine equivalent) Patients exceeding the maximum safe local anesthetic dose based on weight (2.5 mg/kg, max 150 mg) Patients who refuse data privacy consent will be excluded from the study
Where this trial is running
Konya
- Konya City Hospital — Konya, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Omer Keklicek, Principal Investigator
- Email: drokeklicek@gmail.com
- Phone: +905399291702
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.