Comparing two pain relief methods for lung surgery: where anesthetic is injected near the spine (erector spinae plane block) versus near the spinal nerves (thoracic paravertebral block)

ISRCTN ISRCTN16782271
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16782271
Submission date
20/12/2024
Registration date
25/12/2024
Last edited
12/05/2025
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Ongoing
Condition category
Surgery
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
This study aims to compare two analgesic techniques in lobectomy surgery. The goal is to identify the most effective analgesic method to minimize the need for morphine, thereby enhancing the quality of recovery. The two methods being compared are the continuous Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) and the Thoracic Paravertebral Block (TPVB).

Who can participate?
Patients undergoing lobectomy aged over 18 years old

What does the study Involve?
- Preoperatively: Patients are randomly assigned to either the ESPB or TPVB group using permuted block randomization in R. A 15 mL bolus of 0.5% ropivacaine is administered 10-15 minutes before the surgical incision.
- Intraoperatively: Patients receive a 1 mcg/kg dose of fentanyl intravenously for pain management.
- Postoperatively: In the PACU, patients are given a 15 mL autobolus of 0.2% ropivacaine every 6 hours via an infusion pump. Baseline analgesia includes IV paracetamol (1 g every 6 hours), IV ketorolac (every 8 hours), or nefopam (20 mg every 8 hours). Pain is further managed with titrated doses of IV morphine (1-2 mg as needed every 10 minutes).

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
- Benefits: Participants will have access to one of two advanced regional anesthesia techniques expected to effectively manage pain in lobectomy surgery. This can facilitate early postoperative recovery and reduce reliance on opioids, minimizing their potential adverse effects. Additionally, participants will contribute to research that seeks to refine pain management protocols, potentially enhancing future treatments for the broader community.
- Risks: Although the primary goal is to optimize postoperative analgesia, there is a small risk of complications associated with the anesthesia techniques used. These complications can include local anesthetic toxicity, pleural puncture, vascular puncture, and potential allergic reactions or anaphylaxis. These complications are rare, and the study includes comprehensive protocols to manage any adverse effects. Medical staff will closely monitor participants to address potential complications promptly.

Where is the study Run From?
University Medical Center HCMC, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
July 2024 to September 2025

Who is funding the Study?
University Medical Center HCMC, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

Who is the main Contact?
Ha Quoc Hung M.D., haquochungmd@gmail.com

Contact information

Dr Hung Quoc Ha
Public, Scientific, Principal Investigator

215 Hong Bang, Ward 11, District 5
Ho Chi Minh
700000
Viet Nam

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-4830-3954
Phone +84 364 216 520
Email hqhung.nt22@ump.edu.vn

Study information

Study designRandomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital, University/medical school/dental school
Study typeEfficacy
Participant information sheet 46592 Participant information sheet (Vietnamese).pdf
Scientific titleComparison of analgesic efficacy between erector spinae plane block and thoracic paravertebral block in lobectomy surgery
Study objectivesAnalgesic efficacy of continuous erector spinae plane block is non-inferior to continuous thoracic paravertebral block
Ethics approval(s)

Approved 17/10/2024, Ethics council in biomedical research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy (217 Hong Bang, Ward 11, District 5, Ho Chi Minh, 700000, Viet Nam; +84 28 3855 0507; hoidongdaoducdhyd@ump.edu.vn), ref: IRB-VN01002/IRB00010293/FWA00023448

Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedAnalgesics and quality of recovery in thoracic surgery
InterventionA. Pre-operative Stage:
- Quality of Recovery (QoR-15) Assessment: Patients will undergo a baseline evaluation using the QoR-15 questionnaire to assess the quality of recovery.
- Randomization and Group Allocation: Patients will be randomly assigned into two groups using permuted block randomization executed with the sample function in R. The two groups are the ESPB group (Erector Spinae Plane Block) and the TPVB group (Thoracic Paravertebral Block).
- Anesthesia and Preparation: All participants will receive general anesthesia via double-lumen endobronchial tubes. Each patient will then be prepared for either an ESPB or TPVB at the T5 vertebral level, where a catheter will be placed. A bolus of 15 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine will be administered 10-15 minutes before the surgical incision.

B. Intra-operative Stage:
- Monitoring and Analgesia Adjustments: Should a patient's heart rate or mean arterial pressure rise more than 30% above the baseline, a dose of 1 mcg/kg fentanyl will be administered intravenously.
- Wound Closure and Additional Medication: Just before skin closure, each patient will receive intravenous paracetamol (1 g), ketorolac (30 mg), or nefopam (20 mg IV).
- Extubation: Patients will be extubated after surgery, and the time of surgical completion will be documented.

C. Post-operative Stage:
- Pain Management in PACU: Patients will be monitored in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU). An intermittent autobolus of 15 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine will be administered every 6 hours via an automated infusion pump through either the spinal or erector spinae plane catheter.
- Sensory Block Assessment: The level of the sensory block will be evaluated at 6 and 24 hours postoperatively to assess the effectiveness of the block.
- Morphine Titration and Pain Assessment: The total morphine consumption will be recorded. Pain will be measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at rest and during coughing at 1, 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-operatively. If VAS is ≥ 4, titrated doses of morphine (1-2 mg IV) will be administered every 10 minutes until VAS is < 4. Titration will be discontinued if VAS < 4, respiratory rate falls below 10 breaths per minute, or in cases of excessive sedation.
- Baseline Pain Management: Ongoing analgesia will include intravenous paracetamol (1 g every 6 hours) and slow IV ketorolac (every 8 hours), or alternatively nefopam (20 mg IV every 8 hours).
- Follow-up QoR-15 Assessment: Patients will be reassessed using the QoR-15 at 24 and 48 hours post-operatively to evaluate the recovery quality.
Intervention typeProcedure/Surgery
Primary outcome measureTotal morphine consumption within 24 and 48 hours post-operatively measured using data collected from medical records at one timepoint
Secondary outcome measures1. Total fentanyl consumption intra-operatively measured using data collected from medical records at one timepoint
2. Pain scores measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at rest and during cough at time points 1, 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-operatively
3. The level of dermatomal blockade and complications associated with the block techniques measured using data collected from medical records at one timepoint
4. Opioid-related side effects measured using data collected from medical records at one timepoint
5. Quality of recovery measured using the QoR-15 scale at baseline and 24 and 48 hours post-operatively
Overall study start date01/07/2024
Completion date30/12/2025

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupMixed
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit75 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants40
Total final enrolment34
Key inclusion criteria1. Patients scheduled for lobectomy
2. Agreed to participate in the study
3. No contraindications for ESPB and TPVB and the drugs used in the study
4. Physical status according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) from I to III
Key exclusion criteria1. Invasive mechanical ventilation postoperatively
2. Reoperation within 48 hours after surgery
3. Chronic pain or opioid use for over 3 months
Date of first enrolment20/01/2025
Date of final enrolment30/04/2025

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Viet Nam

Study participating centre

University Medical Center HCMC
215 Hong Bang, Ward 11, District 5
Ho Chi Minh
700000
Viet Nam

Sponsor information

University Medical Center HCMC
Hospital/treatment centre

University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City
215 Hong Bang, Ward 11, District 5
Ho Chi Minh
700000
Viet Nam

Phone +84 (98.8) 3855 4269
Email bvdhyd@umc.edu.vn
Website https://www.bvdaihoc.com.vn/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/0154qvp54

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

University Medical Center HCMC, University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Ho Chi Minh City

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date30/12/2026
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryStored in non-publicly available repository, Available on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in peer-reviewed journal
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request, Ha Quoc Hung M.D., haquochungmd@gmail.com or dao.ntn@umc.edu.vn

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Participant information sheet 24/12/2024 No Yes
Basic results 07/05/2025 07/05/2025 No No
Protocol file 07/05/2025 No No
Statistical Analysis Plan 07/05/2025 No No

Additional files

46592 Participant information sheet (Vietnamese).pdf
ISRCTN16782271_BasicResults_07May25.pdf
ISRCTN16782271_PROTOCOL.pdf
ISRCTN16782271_SAP.pdf

Editorial Notes

12/05/2025: The recruitment end date was changed from 30/07/2025 to 30/04/2025.
07/05/2025: Basic results, statistical analysis plan, protocol and total final enrolment number added.
24/12/2024: Trial's existence confirmed by Ethics council in biomedical research, University of Medicine and Pharmacy.