AzTrials
AzTrials

Lung CancerNCT05993273

Pain Control After VATS Anatomical Pulmonary Resections

A study testing Epidural, ESP block and Cryoanalgesia in people with Lung Cancer and Pain, Postoperative, run by University Hospital Padova at 1 site in Italy.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

In patients undergoing minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, or VATS), moderate to severe post-operative pain may often be experienced. The presence of pain negatively affects the perceived quality of care and can predispose to complications, as the development of chronic… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
What is being tested?
Epidural, ESP block and Cryoanalgesia
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
75 participants
Where
1 siteItaly
Study dates
5 Apr 2023to 15 Oct 2024
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • all patients undergoing VATS anatomic pulmonary resection (lobectomy or segmentectomy) for benign or malignant disease

Who cannot join

  • Refusal or inability to give informed consent to the study protocol
  • Age < 18 years
  • Pregnancy
  • Allergies or contraindications to any of the treatments considered in the experimental design
  • Pre-operative use of pain medication for chronic pain or neuropathic pain
  • History of previous major chest surgery
Show all 10Show fewer
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class > 3
  • Need for intensive care unit stay in the post-operative period
  • Patients undergoing anatomical pulmonary resections different than lobectomy or segmentectomy (bi-lobectomy or pneumonectomy).
  • Patients undergoing bronchial and/or vascular resections and reconstructions

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Italy1 site
  • Thoracic Surgery Unit

    Padua, 35128

Other trials in Italy

About this study

Official title: Pain Control After VATS Anatomical Pulmonary Resections: Randomized Comparison Between Cryoanalgesia, Erector Spinae Plane Block and Epidural Catheter

In patients undergoing minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, or VATS), moderate to severe post-operative pain may often be experienced. The presence of pain negatively affects the perceived quality of care and can predispose to complications, as the development of chronic pain.

In order to prevent post-operative pain, different multimodal pain treatment protocols are applied, consisting in combinations of local-regional anesthesiological techniques and intravenous medications.

Read more

Regional anesthesia is considered essential to prevent pain in the immediate post-operative period. However, to date, there is no agreement regarding which is the most effective regional anesthesiological technique; therefore, the choice is usually based on the Anesthetist's preferences.

The aim of this study is to compare three regional anesthesiological techniques (cryoanalgesia, epidural anesthesia, and erector spinae muscle plane block) routinely used during thoracoscopic lung surgery.

Read the detailed description

In patients undergoing minimally invasive thoracoscopic surgery (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, or VATS), moderate to severe post-operative pain may often be experienced. The presence of pain negatively affects the perceived quality of care and can predispose to complications, as the development of chronic pain.

In order to prevent post-operative pain, different multimodal pain treatment protocols are applied, consisting in combinations of local-regional anesthesiological techniques and intravenous medications.

Regional anesthesia is considered essential to prevent pain in the immediate post-operative period. However, to date, there is no agreement regarding which is the most effective regional anesthesiological technique; therefore, the choice is usually based on the Anesthetist's preferences.

The aim of this study is to compare three regional anesthesiological techniques (cryoanalgesia, epidural anesthesia, and erector spinae muscle plane block) routinely used during thoracoscopic lung surgery.

All patients undergoing anatomical pulmonary resections (lobectomy or segmentectomy) through a thoracoscopic (VATS) approach, and who present the inclusion/exclusion characteristics, will be considered.

The day of surgery, patients are randomized 1:1:1 to receive 3 different pain control techniques: epidural catheter, ESP block or cryoanalgesia.

A standard pain management protocol will be applied to all patient after surgery.

Primary Outcome Measure is the perceived post-operative pain 24 hours after surgery in the 3 groups, evaluated through numeric pain rating scale (NPRS). Other outcome measures are the post-operative pain trend and the patients' total amount of opioid use in the postoperative period (expressed as Morphine milligram equivalents).

Being tested
Epidural, ESP block, Cryoanalgesia
Keywords
thoracoscopic surgery, post-operative pain, epidural anesthesia, ESP block, cryoanalgesia, lobectomy
Medical subject headings
Lung Neoplasms, Pain, Postoperative, Thoracic Neoplasms

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • EpiduralProcedure or surgery

    The epidural catheter is placed while the patient is awake, before the induction of general anesthesia. The intervertebral spaces used for catheter insertion are alternatively T4-T5, T5-6 or T6-T7. After locating the epidural space through the technique of the loss of resistance, a catheter is introduced for about 5 cm and left in place for the administration of drugs into the epidural space. Once the correct functioning of the epidural catheter has been verified with a negative test for cerebrospinal fluid aspiration and a negative bolus test for the onset of signs and symptoms from intrathecal infusion, the catheter is used intraoperatively for administration of local anesthetics in refracted boluses (Lidocaine and Ropivacaine ) at anesthetic dosage and postoperatively for continuous infusion of Ropivacaine 0.15% at 5 mL/h.

  • ESP blockProcedure or surgery

    Erector spinae plane (ESP) block is performed after induction of general anesthesia, with the patient in a lateral decubitus position. With the aid of the ultrasound guide with linear probe, the transverse process of T5 ipsilateral to the site of the operation is identified. With the in-plane technique, the lower fascia of the ESP muscle is hydrodissected through the administration of Ropivacaine 0.5% 3 mg/Kg lean body weight. Subsequently, a catheter is introduced and left in place for continuous postoperative infusion of Ropivacaine 0.2% at 12 mL/h.

  • CryoanalgesiaProcedure or surgery

    Cryoanalgesia is performed after the induction of general anesthesia, single lung ventilation and after performing the first thoracoscopic surgical access. A cryoanesthesia device with a dedicated atraumatic angled-tip cryoprobe is inserted through the thoracoscopic access. The active tip of the probe is positioned in contact with the intercostal nerves from T3 to T8 and kept resting for 4 ½ minutes on each nerve at a temperature of -70°C, under direct thoracoscopic vision, generating an interruption of the sensory functions.

Study groups in NCT05993273
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
EpiduralExperimentalIn patients randomized to this Arm, before the induction of general anesthesia, the epidural catheter is placed in the intervertebral space (T4-T5, T5-6 or T6-T7) and used intra and post-operatively for administration of local anesthetics.
Receives: Procedure: Epidural
ESP blockExperimentalIn patients randomized to this Arm, after induction of general anesthesia the Erector spinae plane (ESP) block is performed with a catheter introduced and left in place for continuous postoperative infusion of local anesthetics.
Receives: Procedure: ESP block
CryoanalgesiaExperimentalIn patients randomized to this Arm, after induction of general anesthesia and single lung ventilation the first thoracoscopic surgical access is performed. A cryoanesthesia device with a dedicated atraumatic angled-tip cryoprobe is inserted through the thoracoscopic access and the active tip of the probe is positioned in contact with the intercostal nerves from T3 to T8.
Receives: Procedure: Cryoanalgesia

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Post-operative pain

    Perceived post-operative pain 24 hours after surgery through Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS, value from 0 to 10, o=no pain, 10=worst pain ever)

    Measured: 24 hours after surgery

Secondary outcomes (2)
  1. Post-operative pain trend

    Perceived post-operative pain 1,6,12 and 48 hours after surgery through Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS, value from 0 to 10, o=no pain, 10=worst pain ever)

    Measured: 1,6,12 and 48 hours after surgery

  2. Rescue Analgesia

    patients' total amount of opioid use in the postoperative period (expressed as Morphine milligram equivalents)

    Measured: 48 hours after surgery

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted15 Aug 2023
  2. Study start5 Apr 2023
  3. Primary completion15 Aug 2024
  4. Study completion15 Oct 2024

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
75 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05993273
Sponsor's protocol ID
5697/AO/23
Status last verified
Jul 2025
First submitted
25 Jul 2023
Last updated
31 Jul 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Gurkan Y, Aksu C, Kus A, Yorukoglu UH, Kilic CT. Ultrasound guided erector spinae plane block reduces postoperative opioid consumption following breast surgery: A randomized controlled study. J Clin Anesth. 2018 Nov;50:65-68. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2018.06.033. Epub 2018 Jul 2.

    PubMed 29980005
  • Tulgar S, Kapakli MS, Senturk O, Selvi O, Serifsoy TE, Ozer Z. Evaluation of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial. J Clin Anesth. 2018 Sep;49:101-106. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2018.06.019. Epub 2018 Jun 15.

    PubMed 29913392
  • Chin KJ, Adhikary S, Sarwani N, Forero M. The analgesic efficacy of pre-operative bilateral erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks in patients having ventral hernia repair. Anaesthesia. 2017 Apr;72(4):452-460. doi: 10.1111/anae.13814. Epub 2017 Feb 11.

    PubMed 28188621
  • Forero M, Adhikary SD, Lopez H, Tsui C, Chin KJ. The Erector Spinae Plane Block: A Novel Analgesic Technique in Thoracic Neuropathic Pain. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2016 Sep-Oct;41(5):621-7. doi: 10.1097/AAP.0000000000000451.

    PubMed 27501016
  • Sepsas E, Misthos P, Anagnostopulu M, Toparlaki O, Voyagis G, Kakaris S. The role of intercostal cryoanalgesia in post-thoracotomy analgesia. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2013 Jun;16(6):814-8. doi: 10.1093/icvts/ivs516. Epub 2013 Feb 19.

    PubMed 23424242
  • Ju H, Feng Y, Yang BX, Wang J. Comparison of epidural analgesia and intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia for post-thoracotomy pain control. Eur J Pain. 2008 Apr;12(3):378-84. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2007.07.011. Epub 2007 Sep 17.

    PubMed 17870625
  • Torre M, Mameli L, Bonfiglio R, Guerriero V, Derosas L, Palomba L, Disma N. A New Device for Thoracoscopic Cryoanalgesia in Pectus Excavatum Repair: Preliminary Single Center Experience. Front Pediatr. 2021 Jan 18;8:614097. doi: 10.3389/fped.2020.614097. eCollection 2020.

    PubMed 33585365
  • Lin J, Liao Y, Gong C, Yu L, Gao F, Yu J, Chen J, Chen X, Zheng T, Zheng X. Regional Analgesia in Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Apr 6;9:842332. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2022.842332. eCollection 2022.

    PubMed 35463038
  • Fiorelli S, Leopizzi G, Menna C, Teodonio L, Ibrahim M, Rendina EA, Ricci A, De Blasi RA, Rocco M, Massullo D. Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Intercostal Nerve Block for Post-Minithoracotomy Acute Pain Management: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2020 Sep;34(9):2421-2429. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2020.01.026. Epub 2020 Jan 21.

    PubMed 32144056
  • Taketa Y, Irisawa Y, Fujitani T. Comparison of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block and thoracic paravertebral block for postoperative analgesia after video-assisted thoracic surgery: a randomized controlled non-inferiority clinical trial. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2019 Nov 8:rapm-2019-100827. doi: 10.1136/rapm-2019-100827. Online ahead of print.

    PubMed 31704789

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Epidural, ESP block and Cryoanalgesia in people with Lung Cancer and Pain, Postoperative, run by University Hospital Padova at 1 site in Italy.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Jul 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Italy. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Post-operative pain (time frame: 24 hours after surgery). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05993273, which also lists 10 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 31 Jul 2025.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in