Ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks to reduce lung problems after major abdominal surgery

The Effect of Ultrasound-Guided Fascial Plane Blocks on Postoperative Pulmonary Complications in Patients Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery: A Prospective Observational Study

This study will try ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks to see if they reduce postoperative lung complications in adults aged 65 and older having elective major abdominal surgery.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 500 (estimated)
• Ages: 65 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Dr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Yenimahalle, Ankara)
• Trial ID: NCT07394816 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a prospective observational study that follows patients aged 65 and older undergoing elective major abdominal surgery, grouping them by whether their anesthesia team uses ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks or other standard analgesic methods. The analgesic approach is determined by routine clinical care and not assigned by the study team. The primary outcome is the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications within the first 7 days, recorded using the EPCO criteria; secondary outcomes include unplanned ICU admission, hospital length of stay, and 30-day mortality. No additional procedures or interventions beyond standard care are performed for research purposes.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 65 or older scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery under general anesthesia with ASA physical status II–III who can provide written informed consent.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications to regional anesthesia (for example coagulopathy, infection at the block site), severe organ failure, chronic opioid use, cognitive impairment, emergency surgery, or BMI over 40 are unlikely to benefit or be eligible for this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, using ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks could reduce postoperative pulmonary complications, lower ICU admissions, and shorten hospital stays for older adults after major abdominal surgery.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown that regional analgesic techniques can reduce opioid use and may lower pulmonary complications after abdominal surgery, but evidence specifically supporting fascial plane blocks for reducing postoperative pulmonary complications is limited and not yet definitive.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 65 years or older
* Scheduled for elective major abdominal surgery (e.g., colorectal, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, or gastric surgery)
* ASA physical status II-III
* Ability to provide written informed consent
* Planned use of general anesthesia with or without adjunct regional techniques

Exclusion Criteria:

* Refusal or inability to provide informed consent
* Known allergy or contraindication to local anesthetics
* Coagulopathy or ongoing anticoagulant therapy contraindicating regional anesthesia
* Infection at the site of planned block
* Pre-existing chronic opioid use or chronic pain syndrome
* Severe hepatic, renal, or cardiac failure (e.g., Child-Pugh C, end-stage renal disease, EF \<30%)
* Cognitive impairment or severe dementia preventing adequate pain assessment
* Emergency surgery
* Body mass index (BMI \> 40 kg/m²)

Where this trial is running

Yenimahalle, Ankara

• Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Hospital — Yenimahalle, Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: arif timuroglu — Dr. Abdurrahman yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Hospital
• Study coordinator: arif timuroglu

Conditions: Postoperative Pulmonary Complications, Abdominal Surgeries, Postoperative Pain Management