Thoracotomy causes severe postoperative pain that may impair respiratory function and increase complications. This study compares the postoperative analgesic effectiveness of the serratus posterior superior intercostal plane (SPSIP) block and the paravertebral block in patients undergoing thoracotomy. The aim is to determine whether the newly described serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block can serve as a safe and effective alternative to established techniques.
Thoracotomy often causes strong postoperative pain because the ribs, muscles, nerves, and pleura are affected during surgery. This pain can make it difficult for patients to breathe well and may increase the chance of lung problems. Paravertebral block is a well-known method for reducing pain after thoracic surgery, but it can sometimes lead to side effects such as low blood pressure or complications related to deeper needle placement. The serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block is a newer ultrasound-guided technique. In this method, local anesthetic is injected between the serratus posterior superior muscle and the intercostal muscles. Early studies suggest that it may provide wide pain relief, but its effectiveness specifically in thoracotomy patients has not yet been studied. This randomized study aims to compare the pain-relieving effects of the serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block with those of the paravertebral block after thoracotomy. The goal is to find out whether this new block can be a safe and effective option for postoperative pain management.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
80
Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia technique performed between the serratus posterior superior muscle and intercostal muscles.
Ultrasound-guided injection of local anesthetic into the thoracic paravertebral space to provide unilateral analgesia.
Bursa City Hospital
Bursa, Turkey (Türkiye)
RECRUITINGPostoperative 24-Hour PCA Opioid Consumption
Total amount of opioid delivered by the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device during the first 24 hours after surgery, recorded in milligrams (mg).
Time frame: Postoperative 24 hours
NRS Pain Scores at Rest and Movement
Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) (0-10) pain scores at rest and during movement or coughing at predefined postoperative hours.
Time frame: 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively
QoR-15 Recovery Score
The investigators will use the Turkish version of Quality of Recovery (QoR) / QoR-15 questionairre PART A How have you been feeling in the last 24 hours? (0 to 10, where: 0 = none of the time \[poor\] and 10 = all of the time \[excellent\]) Able to breathe easily Been able to enjoy food Feeling rested Have had a good sleep Able to look after personal toilet and hygiene unaided Able to communicate with Getting support from hospital doctors and nurses Able to return to work or usual home activities Feeling comfortable and in control Having a feeling of general well-being PART B Have you had any of the following in the last 24 hours? (10 to 0, where: 10 = none of the time \[excellent\] and 0 = all of the time \[poor\]) Moderate pain Severe pain Nausea or vomiting Feeling worried or anxious Feeling sad or depressed
Time frame: The quality of recovery will be evaluated out of a total of 150 points according to the QoR-15 test to be applied at the portoperative 24th hour.]
Chronic Pain Assessment
Pain status using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) via telephone follow-up. General Scoring: The BPI comprises the Pain Severity and Pain Interference subscales. Each item is scored on a 0 (None/No interference) to 10 (Worst imaginable/Completely disabling) numerical scale. Higher scores indicate a worse clinical outcome. Subscale scores are calculated by taking the arithmetic mean of relevant items. 1. Pain Severity Subscale (4 Items): Assesses pain intensity over the last 24 hours. (0-10) What is your pain level right now What was your pain at its least in the last 24 hours What was your pain at its worst in the last 24 hours What was your pain on average in the last 24 hours 2. Pain Interference Subscale (7 Items): Assesses the degree to which pain interferes with daily functioning Questions: The patient rates how much pain interfered with: (0-10) General activity Mood Walking ability Normal work Relations with people Sleep Enjoyment of life
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Time frame: 3 months postoperatively
Rescue Analgesic Requirement
Number of patients requiring rescue analgesia (IV meperidine 0.5 mg/kg) and total dose administered when NRS ≥ 4.
Time frame: Postoperative 0-48 hours