Postoperative Pain, AcuteNCT07330479
Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block
A study testing Ultrasound-guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block and Subcutaneous Morphine in people with Postoperative Pain, Acute, run by University of Gaziantep at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Background: Adequate pain control after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) remains a major clinical challenge. Traditional techniques such as thoracic epidural analgesia are effective but limited by potential complications. Interfascial plane blocks have recently gained interest as safer alternatives. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 70 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Postoperative Pain, Acute
- What is being tested?
- Ultrasound-guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block and Subcutaneous Morphine
- Type of treatment
- Injection or infusion, Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 2 Feb 2024to 1 Aug 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 to 70 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Age between 18 and 70 years
- American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III
- Scheduled for elective video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) under general anesthesia
- Provision of written informed consent
Who cannot join
- Conversion to thoracotomy during surgery
- Coagulopathy or ongoing anticoagulant therapy
- Local infection at the injection site
- Known allergy to local anesthetics or morphine
- Severe cardiopulmonary disease contraindicating regional anesthesia
- Refusal to participate in the study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Evaluation of the Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block For Postoperative Analgesia in Thoracic Surgery
Background: Adequate pain control after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) remains a major clinical challenge. Traditional techniques such as thoracic epidural analgesia are effective but limited by potential complications. Interfascial plane blocks have recently gained interest as safer alternatives. The serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) is a novel regional anesthesia technique with potential benefits in thoracic surgery.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided SPSIPB compared with subcutaneous morphine administration in patients undergoing VATS.
Methods: In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 60 patients scheduled for elective VATS were randomized into two groups: SPSIPB group (n=30) and control group receiving subcutaneous morphine (n=30). The primary outcome was postoperative pain intensity measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and during coughing. Secondary outcomes included opioid consumption, number of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) demands, rescue analgesia requirements, and incidence of adverse effects.
Read the detailed description
Background and Rationale:
Effective postoperative analgesia after thoracic surgery is essential to prevent pulmonary complications, enhance recovery, and improve patient satisfaction. Although thoracic epidural analgesia has traditionally been considered the gold standard, its use is limited due to potential complications such as hypotension, urinary retention, and technical difficulties. With the increased use of minimally invasive thoracic procedures, including video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), safer and less invasive analgesic techniques are being explored.
The serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) is a newly described regional anesthesia technique that targets the posterior thoracic intercostal nerves. Preliminary evidence suggests that SPSIPB may provide effective postoperative analgesia while minimizing procedure-related risks.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided SPSIPB compared with subcutaneous morphine injection for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing VATS.
Study Design:
This was a prospective, randomized controlled, single-center clinical trial conducted at Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology. Sixty patients scheduled for elective VATS under general anesthesia were enrolled. After obtaining informed consent, patients were randomly allocated into two groups:
SPSIPB Group (n = 30): Patients received an ultrasound-guided serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block with 20 mL of local anesthetic at the end of surgery.
Control Group (n = 30): Patients received subcutaneous morphine injection according to institutional standard practice.
Outcome Measures:
The primary outcome was postoperative pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at rest and during coughing at multiple time points within the first 24 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes included total opioid consumption within 24 hours, the number of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) demands, the need for rescue analgesia, and the incidence of adverse events such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, or block-related complications.
Significance:
This study will contribute to the growing evidence on interfascial plane blocks in thoracic surgery. If proven effective, SPSIPB may serve as a safe and valuable alternative to conventional analgesic methods, reducing opioid consumption and related side effects in patients undergoing VATS.
- Conditions
- Postoperative Pain, Acute
- Being tested
- Ultrasound-guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block, Subcutaneous Morphine
- Medical subject headings
- Pain, Postoperative
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Ultrasound-guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane BlockProcedure or surgery
Intervention Type: Procedure (Regional Anesthesia) Name: Ultrasound-guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block (SPSIPB) Description: A single injection of 20 mL of local anesthetic was administered under ultrasound guidance into the serratus posterior superior intercostal plane at the end of surgery.
Subcutaneous MorphineDrug
Intervention Type: Drug (Morphine) Name: Subcutaneous Morphine Description: Patients received a single subcutaneous injection of morphine (dose according to institutional standard practice) after surgery.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| SPSIPB Group | Experimental | Patients received an ultrasound-guided SPSIPB with 20 mL local anesthetic at the end of surgery. Receives: Procedure: Ultrasound-guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block |
| Active Comparator | Active comparator | Patients received a subcutaneous morphine injection according to institutional standard practice after surgery. Receives: Drug: Subcutaneous Morphine |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Postoperative Pain Intensity
Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable) at rest and during coughing.
Measured: 24 hours after surgery (measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours)
Secondary outcomes (1)
Total opioid consumption within 24 hours
The cumulative opioid dose administered via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and rescue doses was recorded.
Measured: 24 hours after surgery (cumulative from 0 to 24 hours)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted9 Jan 2026
- Study start2 Feb 2024
- Primary completion1 Aug 2024
- Study completion1 Aug 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Postoperative Pain, AcuteStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Gaziantep
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Elzem SEN, University of Gaziantep
- Investigators
- Elzem Şen, Assoc. Prof, Principal investigator, University of Gaziantep
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07330479
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2023/376
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 9 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 9 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of the Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block For Postoperative Analgesia in Thoracic Surgery
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07330479
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2023/376
- Conditions
- Postoperative Pain, Acute
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of GaziantepUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 2 Feb 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Aug 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Aug 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 9 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Background: Adequate pain control after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) remains a major clinical challenge. Traditional techniques such as thoracic epidural analgesia are effective but limited by potential complications. Interfascial plane blocks have recently gained interest as safer alternatives. The serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) is a novel regional anesthesia technique with potential benefits in thoracic surgery.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided SPSIPB compared with subcutaneous morphine administration in patients undergoing VATS.
Methods: In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 60 patients scheduled for elective VATS were randomized into two groups: SPSIPB group (n=30) and control group receiving subcutaneous morphine (n=30). The primary outcome was postoperative pain intensity measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and during coughing. Secondary outcomes included opioid consumption, number of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) demands, rescue analgesia requirements, and incidence of adverse effects.
Detailed description
Background and Rationale:
Effective postoperative analgesia after thoracic surgery is essential to prevent pulmonary complications, enhance recovery, and improve patient satisfaction. Although thoracic epidural analgesia has traditionally been considered the gold standard, its use is limited due to potential complications such as hypotension, urinary retention, and technical difficulties. With the increased use of minimally invasive thoracic procedures, including video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), safer and less invasive analgesic techniques are being explored.
The serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) is a newly described regional anesthesia technique that targets the posterior thoracic intercostal nerves. Preliminary evidence suggests that SPSIPB may provide effective postoperative analgesia while minimizing procedure-related risks.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided SPSIPB compared with subcutaneous morphine injection for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing VATS.
Study Design:
This was a prospective, randomized controlled, single-center clinical trial conducted at Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology. Sixty patients scheduled for elective VATS under general anesthesia were enrolled. After obtaining informed consent, patients were randomly allocated into two groups:
SPSIPB Group (n = 30): Patients received an ultrasound-guided serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block with 20 mL of local anesthetic at the end of surgery.
Control Group (n = 30): Patients received subcutaneous morphine injection according to institutional standard practice.
Outcome Measures:
The primary outcome was postoperative pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at rest and during coughing at multiple time points within the first 24 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes included total opioid consumption within 24 hours, the number of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) demands, the need for rescue analgesia, and the incidence of adverse events such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, or block-related complications.
Significance:
This study will contribute to the growing evidence on interfascial plane blocks in thoracic surgery. If proven effective, SPSIPB may serve as a safe and valuable alternative to conventional analgesic methods, reducing opioid consumption and related side effects in patients undergoing VATS.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| SPSIPB Group | Experimental | Procedure: Ultrasound-guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane BlockPatients received an ultrasound-guided SPSIPB with 20 mL local anesthetic at the end of surgery. |
| Active Comparator | Active comparator | Drug: Subcutaneous MorphinePatients received a subcutaneous morphine injection according to institutional standard practice after surgery. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age between 18 and 70 years
- American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III
- Scheduled for elective video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) under general anesthesia
- Provision of written informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Conversion to thoracotomy during surgery
- Coagulopathy or ongoing anticoagulant therapy
- Local infection at the injection site
- Known allergy to local anesthetics or morphine
- Severe cardiopulmonary disease contraindicating regional anesthesia
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound-guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane BlockIntervention Type: Procedure (Regional Anesthesia) Name: Ultrasound-guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block (SPSIPB) Description: A single injection of 20 mL of local anesthetic was administered under ultrasound guidance into the serratus posterior superior intercostal plane at the end of surgery. | Procedure or surgery | SPSIPB Group |
| Subcutaneous MorphineIntervention Type: Drug (Morphine) Name: Subcutaneous Morphine Description: Patients received a single subcutaneous injection of morphine (dose according to institutional standard practice) after surgery. | Drug | Active Comparator |
Primary outcome
Postoperative Pain Intensity
Time frame: 24 hours after surgery (measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours)
Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain imaginable) at rest and during coughing.
1 secondary outcome
Total opioid consumption within 24 hours
Time frame: 24 hours after surgery (cumulative from 0 to 24 hours)
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Jan 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Elzem Şen, Assoc. Prof principal investigator
University of Gaziantep
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Ultrasound-guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block and Subcutaneous Morphine in people with Postoperative Pain, Acute, run by University of Gaziantep at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 4 inclusion and 6 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 9 Jan 2026. 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
Postoperative Pain Intensity (time frame: 24 hours after surgery (measured at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 hours)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 9 Jan 2026.