Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 18 to 65

Transverse vs Longitudinal Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Breast Surgery

Official title: Efficacy of Transverse Versus Longitudinal Ultrasound Probe Orientation for Serratus Anterior Plane Block on Postoperative Pain in Breast Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Run by Ankara Etlik City Hospital · NCT07739277 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial tests whether a longitudinal ultrasound view for serratus anterior plane block provides better pain relief after breast surgery than the standard transverse view.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
Enrollment70 (estimated)
SponsorAnkara Etlik City Hospital
Government
Locations1 site (Ankara, Yenimahalle\Ankara)
StatusRecruiting
StartedAugust 6, 2026
Main results expectedFebruary 8, 2027
Study endsFebruary 19, 2027
Registry record updatedAugust 7, 2026
Trial IDNCT07739277 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults aged 18–65 with ASA I–III scheduled for elective breast surgery, without local anesthetic allergy, infection at injection site, significant coagulopathy or chronic opioid use.

Probably not a fit

Patients with contraindications to regional anesthesia, those with infection at the injection site, severe coagulopathy, or chronic opioid users may not benefit.

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

What this trial studies

This prospective, randomized trial compares two ultrasound probe orientations for the serratus anterior plane block in adults undergoing elective breast surgery. The study aims to see if the longitudinal approach, with the probe parallel to the ribs, spreads the anesthetic more effectively and reduces postoperative pain and opioid use compared with the transverse approach. Participants are adults 18–65 with ASA I–III, undergoing breast surgery, and are randomized to receive either the transverse or longitudinal SAP block. Outcomes include postoperative pain scores and analgesic consumption, measured via standard pain scales and medication usage. The trial is led by Ankara Etlik City Hospital without listed collaborators at a single site in Ankara, Turkey.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients may experience better postoperative pain control and lower opioid needs after breast surgery.

How similar studies have gone: Similar regional anesthesia approaches in fascia-based blocks have shown analgesic improvements, but direct comparison of transverse versus longitudinal SAP block is novel.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients aged between 18 and 65 years
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I, II, or III
* BMI between 18 - 30 kg/m2
* Patients scheduled for elective breast surgery
* Ability to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Known allergy to local anesthetics
* Infection at the injection site
* Severe coagulopathy or use of anticoagulants
* Chronic opioid use or history of neuropathic pain

Where it's running

  • Ankara Etlik City Hospital
    Ankara, Yenimahalle\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.