Rhomboid intercostal–subserratus versus erector spinae plane block for pain and breathing after VATS

Comparison of the Efficacy of Rhomboid Intercostal and Subserratus Plane Block (RISS) Versus Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) Blocks in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) for Postoperative Pain Management and Respiratory Function

NA · Bursa City Hospital · NCT07011069

This will test whether the rhomboid intercostal–subserratus block or the erector spinae plane block gives better pain relief and breathing after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in adults aged 18–80.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 80 Years
SexAll
SponsorBursa City Hospital (other gov)
Locations1 site (Bursa, Nilufer)
Trial IDNCT07011069 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This single-center interventional comparison enrolls adults undergoing elective video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) to receive either a rhomboid intercostal subserratus (RISS) block or an erector spinae plane (ESP) block. The primary outcome is total analgesic consumption in the first 24 hours after surgery, with secondary outcomes including active and dynamic pain scores, incentive spirometry (triflow) performance, complications, and length of hospital stay. Eligible patients are 18–80 years old with ASA physical status I–III and no contraindications to regional anesthesia. Key exclusions include local anesthetic allergy, bleeding disorders, thoracic spine deformity or prior thoracic spine surgery, emergency surgery, and ASA IV–V.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–80 scheduled for elective VATS with ASA I–III who can receive regional anesthesia and provide consent.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to regional blocks (local anesthetic allergy, hemorrhagic disease, thoracic vertebrae deformity or prior thoracic spine surgery), emergency surgery cases, or ASA IV–V patients are unlikely to be eligible or benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If one block is superior, patients could use fewer opioids, have less pain, and recover breathing function faster after VATS.

How similar studies have performed: Erector spinae plane blocks have shown analgesic benefit in multiple prior studies, while RISS blocks are newer and have promising but less extensive evidence.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients who will undergo VATS
* Who agrees to participate
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I, II, and III
* Elective surgery
* Age between 18 and 80 years

Exclusion Criteria:

* Local anesthetic allergy
* Who disagrees to participate
* ASA physical status IV and V
* Emergency surgery
* Hemorrhagic disease
* Thoracic vertebrae deformity
* Thoracic vertebrae surgery

Where this trial is running

Bursa, Nilufer

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery, Regional Block for Pain Control, Regional Blocks, Pulmonary Functions

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.