Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 65

Spinal (intrathecal) morphine versus bi-level erector spinae plane block for pain after living liver donation

Official title: Comparison of the Postoperative Analgesic Effects of Intrathecal Morphine and Bi-level Erector Spinae Plane Block in Liver Transplantation Donors

Run by Ankara Etlik City Hospital · NCT07123740 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This will try spinal (intrathecal) morphine versus a bi-level erector spinae plane block to reduce pain and opioid use in living liver donors after hepatectomy.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
Enrollment60 (estimated)
SponsorAnkara Etlik City Hospital
Government
Locations1 site (Altındağ, Ankara)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 18, 2025
Main results expectedJuly 10, 2026
Study endsJuly 24, 2026
Registry record updatedAugust 19, 2025
Trial IDNCT07123740 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are living liver donors aged 18–65 years with ASA physical status I–II and a BMI of 18–30 kg/m2 who are cleared for donor hepatectomy at the enrolling center.

Probably not a fit

Patients outside the age or BMI ranges, with ASA III or higher, bleeding diathesis, or other contraindications to neuraxial or regional anesthesia are unlikely to qualify or benefit from this comparison.

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 compares two regional anesthesia techniques—intrathecal morphine (ITM) and a bi-level erector spinae plane block (ESPB)—for postoperative pain control in living liver donors. Participants who meet inclusion criteria will receive one of the two analgesic approaches around the time of donor hepatectomy. Outcomes will include postoperative pain scores, perioperative opioid consumption, and procedure-related adverse effects. The goal is to determine which technique provides better pain relief and fewer opioid-related problems to support faster recovery.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the preferred technique could improve immediate postoperative pain control, reduce opioid requirements, and speed recovery for living liver donors.

How similar studies have gone: Regional techniques such as intrathecal morphine and erector spinae plane blocks have shown reduced postoperative pain and opioid use in various surgeries, but direct head-to-head data in living liver donors are limited.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients aged 18-65 years
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score I-II
* Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18-30 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients under 18 and over 65 years of age
* ASA score III and above
* Patients with a history of bleeding diathesis
* BMI below 18 or above 30 kg/m2

Where it's running

  • Ankara Etlik City Hospital
    Altındağ, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye)
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

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

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.