Liposomal bupivacaine for rhomboid intercostal nerve block to reduce pain after VATS
Ultrasound-Guided Liposomal Bupivacaine Plus Bupivacaine Rhomboid Intercostal Block for Postoperative Pain Relief in Patients Undergoing Thoracoscopic Surgery:A Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial
We will test whether adding long‑acting liposomal bupivacaine to a rhomboid intercostal nerve block reduces pain after video‑assisted thoracoscopic lung surgery in adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 134 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 64 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Beijing Tiantan Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Beijing, Beijing Municipality) |
| Trial ID | NCT07441902 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study enrolls adults aged 18–64 undergoing elective video‑assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy or wedge resection under general anesthesia who meet ASA I–III criteria. During the perioperative period participants will receive a rhomboid intercostal block using either standard bupivacaine or liposomal bupivacaine plus bupivacaine, with postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption, and safety outcomes recorded. The protocol excludes patients with chronic pain syndromes, certain cardiac conditions, active bleeding or coagulation disorders, insulin‑treated diabetes, or ongoing anticoagulant use. Outcomes will focus on duration and intensity of postoperative analgesia and any adverse events related to the block or medications.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18–64 scheduled for elective VATS lobectomy or wedge resection under general anesthesia with ASA physical status I–III who can provide informed consent are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients with chronic pain, significant cardiac conduction disease or unstable coronary artery disease, active gastric bleeding, insulin‑treated diabetes, coagulation dysfunction, or ongoing anticoagulant therapy are excluded and would not be expected to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could provide longer‑lasting pain relief after VATS and reduce the need for opioid pain medicines.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work with liposomal bupivacaine and regional chest wall blocks has shown prolonged analgesia in some settings, but combining it specifically with the rhomboid intercostal block for VATS is relatively new and not yet well established.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients scheduled for elective video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy or wedge resection under general anesthesia; * Ages 18 to 64 years old； * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of I-III； * Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 15； * Patients must be able to understand the nature and potential personal consequences of the clinical trial, signing of the informed consent form. Exclusion Criteria: * History of chronic pain syndrome of any cause. * Patients with heart conduction block (sinus block or atrioventricular block). * Patients with unstable coronary artery disease. * Patients with gastric ulcer or gastric bleeding. * Patients with diabetes and are being treated with insulin. * Subjects with coagulation dysfunction (prothrombin time or activated partial thromboplastin time is higher than the normal threshold) or patients who are taking oral anticoagulants for other medical reasons and have not stopped it before surgery, such as warfarin or new anticoagulants rivaroxaban or dabigatran. * Patients with abnormal liver function: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and/or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) \> 2× the upper limit of normal (ULN) or total bilirubin (TBIL) ≥ 1.5×ULN. * Patients with renal impairment (serum creatinine \> 176 µmol/L) or receiving dialysis treatment within 28 days before surgery. * Patients with a history of diagnosed mental illness or currently taking psychotropic medication. * Excessive alcohol or drug abuse, chronic opioid use (more than 2 weeks or 3 days per week for more than 1 month), use of drugs with confirmed or suspected sedative or analgesic effects, or use of any painkiller within 24 h before surgery. * Pregnancy or breastfeeding. * Extreme body mass index (BMI) (\< 15 or \> 35). * Participation in another interventional trial that interferes with the intervention or outcome of this trial. * Patients with a history of allergy to local anaesthetics or one of the study drugs.
Where this trial is running
Beijing, Beijing Municipality
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital — Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Fang Luo — Beijing Tiantan Hospital
- Study coordinator: Fang Luo
- Email: 13611326978@163.com
- Phone: +86 13611326978
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.