Using local anesthesia to reduce pain in lung cancer surgery

Preoperative Paravertebral Block in Cancer Surgery of the Lung: ParaSOL a Prospective Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Phase2; Phase3 Interventional Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust · NCT04209868

This study is testing if using local anesthesia before and after lung cancer surgery can help older and high-risk patients feel less pain and recover better.

Quick facts

PhasePhase2; Phase3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorGuy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust Academic / other
Locations1 site (London)
Trial IDNCT04209868 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided preemptive paravertebral blockade (PVB) in reducing acute postoperative pain and chronic pain in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer. The approach involves administering local anesthetic before and after surgery to minimize pain and opioid use, thereby improving recovery outcomes. The study focuses on high-risk and elderly patients, aiming to enhance their surgical experience and long-term recovery. By comparing the effects of preemptive PVB with standard postoperative pain management, the study seeks to establish a more effective pain management protocol.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older scheduled for elective radical primary lung cancer surgery via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Not a fit: Patients who are undergoing open thoracotomy or have pre-existing pain conditions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly reduce postoperative pain and opioid dependency for lung cancer surgery patients.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that regional anesthesia techniques like PVB can effectively reduce acute pain in thoracic surgeries, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Elective radical primary lung cancer VATS surgery for single lobectomy
* American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) I-III
* Age ≥18

Exclusion Criteria:

* Planned open thoracotomy, wedge resection, bilobectomy, pneumonectomy, chest wall resection or total pleurectomy
* Local anaesthetic or opioid allergy
* Coagulation disorders
* Inability to comply with study questionnaire completion
* Pre-existing pain in chest area or pre-existing pain conditions
* Local infection/tumour at proposed PVB site
* Previous lung surgery
* Planned surgery within 3 months of the primary lung resection

Where this trial is running

London

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.
Conditions Thoracic NeoplasmChronic Pain Post-ProceduralAcute Post-thoracotomy PainAnesthesia, Local
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.