Postoperative PainNCT07640282
ESP Block vs. EXORA Block for Postoperative Pain in Nephrectomy
An observational study of Postoperative Pain and Nephrectomy, run by Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The goal of this observational study is to learn about the effects of two pain control techniques used after laparoscopic nephrectomy (kidney removal surgery) in adults. The study will compare Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block and External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block, which are both used as part of routine… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 80 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Postoperative Pain, Nephrectomy
- What is being tested?
- Erector Spinae Plane Block and External Oblique Rectus Abdominis Block
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- How many people
- 84 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 5 Jun 2026to Aug 2029
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 80 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Adult patients aged 18-80 years undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy and receiving either an Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block or an External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block according to routine clinical practice.
Who may be able to join
- Age between 18 and 80 years
- Patients scheduled for laparoscopic nephrectomy
- Patients for whom Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block or External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block has been selected by the treating clinician
- ASA physical status I-III
Who cannot join
- No regional block performed in routine clinical practice
- Body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m²
- History of opioid dependence
- Alcohol or other substance dependence
- Psychiatric disease, mental retardation, dementia, or any condition impairing pain perception or pain assessment
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital
Istanbul, Istanbul, 34147
About this study
Official title: Prospective Comparison of Postoperative Analgesic Effects of ESP Block and EXORA Block in Nephrectomy Cases
The goal of this observational study is to learn about the effects of two pain control techniques used after laparoscopic nephrectomy (kidney removal surgery) in adults. The study will compare Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block and External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block, which are both used as part of routine medical care to help control pain after surgery.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Read more
Do ESP block and EXORA block differ in how well they control pain after surgery? Do ESP block and EXORA block differ in their effects on recovery quality and the need for additional pain medication?
Researchers will compare participants who receive ESP block with participants who receive EXORA block as part of routine clinical care.
Participants will:
Undergo laparoscopic nephrectomy according to routine clinical practice. Receive either ESP block or EXORA block based on the treating anesthesiologist's usual clinical preference.
Complete a recovery questionnaire before surgery and 24 hours after surgery. Have pain scores, use of additional pain medication, nausea and vomiting, and other routine postoperative measurements recorded during the first 24 hours after surgery.
Read the detailed description
In routine practice at our institution, anesthesia clinicians performing laparoscopic nephrectomy administer either an Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block or an External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block based solely on individual clinician preference. The researcher does not influence this decision. Among the eligible patients, those receiving either ESP or EXORA block will be included and evaluated observationally. Block types other than these two will not be included.
All postoperative visits and clinical follow-ups are routinely conducted by the hospital's pain management team. The researcher does not intervene in these clinical processes and is only responsible for obtaining informed consent, recording demographic variables, documenting the type of block performed, and administering the QoR-15 questionnaire preoperatively and at postoperative 24 hours.
Preoperative evaluation and necessary laboratory testing are carried out according to standard hospital practice by the attending anesthesiologist. In the operating room, standard monitoring (non-invasive blood pressure, ECG, heart rate, and oxygen saturation) is applied. Anesthesia induction is performed using standard agents and general anesthesia is maintained according to the clinician's routine practice.
For postoperative analgesia, all patients routinely receive intravenous paracetamol 1 g every 8 hours. Rescue analgesia consists of intravenous tramadol 1 mg/kg when NRS ≥4. After surgery, patients are monitored in the PACU and transferred to the ward once their Aldrete score is ≥9.
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are assessed using a verbal descriptive scale (0-4) and intravenous ondansetron 4 mg is administered for PONV ≥2.
- Conditions
- Postoperative Pain, Nephrectomy
- Being tested
- Erector Spinae Plane Block, External Oblique Rectus Abdominis Block
- Keywords
- Erector Spinae Plane Block, EXORA Block, Laparoscopic Nephrectomy, Postoperative Analgesia, Quality of Recovery
- Medical subject headings
- Pain, Postoperative
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Erector Spinae Plane BlockProcedure or surgery
Also called ESP BLock
An ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block is performed under general anesthesia prior to extubation as part of routine clinical practice. After aseptic preparation, a linear ultrasound probe is placed over the T10 transverse process on the surgical side. The needle is advanced into the fascial plane between the erector spinae muscle and the transverse process. Following negative aspiration and confirmation of correct needle placement with hydrodissection, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine is injected. The procedure is performed by anesthesiologists according to routine clinical practice without researcher involvement in clinical decision-making.
External Oblique Rectus Abdominis BlockProcedure or surgery
Also called EXORA Block
An ultrasound-guided External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block is performed under general anesthesia prior to extubation as part of routine clinical practice. After aseptic preparation, a linear ultrasound probe is positioned in the parasternal sagittal plane lateral to the xiphoid process at the level of the 8th costal cartilage on the surgical side. The needle is advanced into the fascial plane between the rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles. Following negative aspiration and confirmation of correct needle placement with hydrodissection, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine is injected. The procedure is performed by anesthesiologists according to routine clinical practice without researcher involvement in clinical decision-making.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Group E | Participants undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy who receive Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block as part of routine clinical care. Receives: Procedure: Erector Spinae Plane Block | |
| Group X | Participants undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy who receive External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block as part of routine clinical care. Receives: Procedure: External Oblique Rectus Abdominis Block |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Postoperative Pain Score (NRS)
Postoperative pain will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, 0-10). Pain scores will be recorded at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery and will be compared between Group E and Group X. The Numeric Rating Scale ranges from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain); higher scores indicate worse pain.
Measured: Postoperative 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours
Secondary outcomes (2)
Rescue Analgesic Requirement
The requirement for rescue analgesia and the total amount of postoperative tramadol consumption during the first 24 hours will be recorded and compared between Group E and Group X.
Measured: First 24 hours after surgery
Quality of Recovery (QoR-15 Score)
Quality of recovery will be assessed using the validated Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) questionnaire. Scores will be compared between Group E and Group X. The QoR-15 total score ranges from 0 to 150, with higher scores indicating better quality of recovery.
Measured: Preoperative baseline and postoperative 24th hour
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Jun 2026
- Study start5 Jun 2026
- Primary completionAug 2029 (estimated)
- Study completionAug 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (5)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Postoperative PainStudies 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
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 84 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital
- Sponsor type
- Other government
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Beyhan Guner, Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07640282
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BEAH 2026/191
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 4 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 21 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Individual participant data will not be shared because the study protocol does not include a data-sharing plan and the collected data will be used only for the purposes of the current study.
Publications
Okmen K, Demirel A, Dogan AK, Ertus CY. Application of EXORA block for analgesia following hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN). Indian J Anaesth. 2025 Mar;69(3):324-326. doi: 10.4103/ija.ija_1263_24. Epub 2025 Feb 17. No abstract available.
PubMed 40161911Chin KJ, El-Boghdadly K. Mechanisms of action of the erector spinae plane (ESP) block: a narrative review. Can J Anaesth. 2021 Mar;68(3):387-408. doi: 10.1007/s12630-020-01875-2. Epub 2021 Jan 6.
PubMed 33403545Nalbant B, Donmez A, Altinsoy S, Kavak Akelma F. Efficacy of OSTAP, ESP block, trocar site local anesthetic injection in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025 Aug 1;104(31):e43607. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000043607.
PubMed 40760576Yang M, Cao L, Lu T, Xiao C, Wu Z, Jiang X, Wang W, Li H. Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomies surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2024 Jan 2;25(1):10. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07866-0.
PubMed 38167138Amir S, Siddiqui AH, Haris M, Laique F, Amini B, Mehboob M, Mohiuddin M, Azam MM, Mukhtar S, Akram Z, Zainab B, Rizwan S, Moeed A, Surani S. Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for perioperative analgesia in laparoscopic nephrectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Nephrol. 2025 Dec 25;14(4):110268. doi: 10.5527/wjn.v14.i4.110268.
PubMed 41479827
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 21 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Prospective Comparison of Postoperative Analgesic Effects of ESP Block and EXORA Block in Nephrectomy Cases
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07640282
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BEAH 2026/191
- Conditions
- Postoperative Pain, Nephrectomy
- Keywords
- Erector Spinae Plane Block, EXORA Block, Laparoscopic Nephrectomy, Postoperative Analgesia, Quality of Recovery
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 84 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training HospitalOther government
- Study start
- 5 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Aug 2029 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Aug 2029 (estimated)
- First posted
- 10 Jun 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.
The goal of this observational study is to learn about the effects of two pain control techniques used after laparoscopic nephrectomy (kidney removal surgery) in adults. The study will compare Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block and External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block, which are both used as part of routine medical care to help control pain after surgery.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Do ESP block and EXORA block differ in how well they control pain after surgery? Do ESP block and EXORA block differ in their effects on recovery quality and the need for additional pain medication?
Researchers will compare participants who receive ESP block with participants who receive EXORA block as part of routine clinical care.
Participants will:
Undergo laparoscopic nephrectomy according to routine clinical practice. Receive either ESP block or EXORA block based on the treating anesthesiologist's usual clinical preference.
Complete a recovery questionnaire before surgery and 24 hours after surgery. Have pain scores, use of additional pain medication, nausea and vomiting, and other routine postoperative measurements recorded during the first 24 hours after surgery.
Detailed description
In routine practice at our institution, anesthesia clinicians performing laparoscopic nephrectomy administer either an Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block or an External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block based solely on individual clinician preference. The researcher does not influence this decision. Among the eligible patients, those receiving either ESP or EXORA block will be included and evaluated observationally. Block types other than these two will not be included.
All postoperative visits and clinical follow-ups are routinely conducted by the hospital's pain management team. The researcher does not intervene in these clinical processes and is only responsible for obtaining informed consent, recording demographic variables, documenting the type of block performed, and administering the QoR-15 questionnaire preoperatively and at postoperative 24 hours.
Preoperative evaluation and necessary laboratory testing are carried out according to standard hospital practice by the attending anesthesiologist. In the operating room, standard monitoring (non-invasive blood pressure, ECG, heart rate, and oxygen saturation) is applied. Anesthesia induction is performed using standard agents and general anesthesia is maintained according to the clinician's routine practice.
For postoperative analgesia, all patients routinely receive intravenous paracetamol 1 g every 8 hours. Rescue analgesia consists of intravenous tramadol 1 mg/kg when NRS ≥4. After surgery, patients are monitored in the PACU and transferred to the ward once their Aldrete score is ≥9.
Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are assessed using a verbal descriptive scale (0-4) and intravenous ondansetron 4 mg is administered for PONV ≥2.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Group E | – | Procedure: Erector Spinae Plane BlockParticipants undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy who receive Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block as part of routine clinical care. |
| Group X | – | Procedure: External Oblique Rectus Abdominis BlockParticipants undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy who receive External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block as part of routine clinical care. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 80 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Adult patients aged 18-80 years undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomy and receiving either an Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block or an External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block according to routine clinical practice.
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age between 18 and 80 years
- Patients scheduled for laparoscopic nephrectomy
- Patients for whom Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block or External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block has been selected by the treating clinician
- ASA physical status I-III
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- No regional block performed in routine clinical practice
- Body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m²
- History of opioid dependence
- Alcohol or other substance dependence
- Psychiatric disease, mental retardation, dementia, or any condition impairing pain perception or pain assessment
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Erector Spinae Plane BlockAlso: ESP BLockAn ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block is performed under general anesthesia prior to extubation as part of routine clinical practice. After aseptic preparation, a linear ultrasound probe is placed over the T10 transverse process on the surgical side. The needle is advanced into the fascial plane between the erector spinae muscle and the transverse process. Following negative aspiration and confirmation of correct needle placement with hydrodissection, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine is injected. The procedure is performed by anesthesiologists according to routine clinical practice without researcher involvement in clinical decision-making. | Procedure or surgery | Group E |
| External Oblique Rectus Abdominis BlockAlso: EXORA BlockAn ultrasound-guided External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block is performed under general anesthesia prior to extubation as part of routine clinical practice. After aseptic preparation, a linear ultrasound probe is positioned in the parasternal sagittal plane lateral to the xiphoid process at the level of the 8th costal cartilage on the surgical side. The needle is advanced into the fascial plane between the rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles. Following negative aspiration and confirmation of correct needle placement with hydrodissection, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine is injected. The procedure is performed by anesthesiologists according to routine clinical practice without researcher involvement in clinical decision-making. | Procedure or surgery | Group X |
Primary outcome
Postoperative Pain Score (NRS)
Time frame: Postoperative 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours
Postoperative pain will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, 0-10). Pain scores will be recorded at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery and will be compared between Group E and Group X. The Numeric Rating Scale ranges from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain); higher scores indicate worse pain.
2 secondary outcomes
Rescue Analgesic Requirement
Time frame: First 24 hours after surgery
Quality of Recovery (QoR-15 Score)
Time frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative 24th hour
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 21 Oct 2026.
- Background: PubMed 40161911Okmen K, Demirel A, Dogan AK, Ertus CY. Application of EXORA block for analgesia following hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN). Indian J Anaesth. 2025 Mar;69(3):324-326. doi: 10.4103/ija.ija_1263_24. Epub 2025 Feb 17. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 33403545Chin KJ, El-Boghdadly K. Mechanisms of action of the erector spinae plane (ESP) block: a narrative review. Can J Anaesth. 2021 Mar;68(3):387-408. doi: 10.1007/s12630-020-01875-2. Epub 2021 Jan 6.
- Background: PubMed 40760576Nalbant B, Donmez A, Altinsoy S, Kavak Akelma F. Efficacy of OSTAP, ESP block, trocar site local anesthetic injection in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025 Aug 1;104(31):e43607. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000043607.
- Background: PubMed 38167138Yang M, Cao L, Lu T, Xiao C, Wu Z, Jiang X, Wang W, Li H. Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomies surgery: a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2024 Jan 2;25(1):10. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07866-0.
- Background: PubMed 41479827Amir S, Siddiqui AH, Haris M, Laique F, Amini B, Mehboob M, Mohiuddin M, Azam MM, Mukhtar S, Akram Z, Zainab B, Rizwan S, Moeed A, Surani S. Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block for perioperative analgesia in laparoscopic nephrectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Nephrol. 2025 Dec 25;14(4):110268. doi: 10.5527/wjn.v14.i4.110268.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Individual participant data will not be shared because the study protocol does not include a data-sharing plan and the collected data will be used only for the purposes of the current study.
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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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Postoperative Pain and Nephrectomy, run by Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital 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 5 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 21 Oct 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Şeyma Nur Güner Zengin, MD (+90 212 414 71 71, snurguner@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Postoperative Pain Score (NRS) (time frame: Postoperative 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours). 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 NCT07640282, which also lists 5 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 21 Oct 2026; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 27 Oct 2026.