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Mastectomy PatientNCT07022353

Bi-level Erector Spinae Plane Block and Pre-emptive Oral Tizanidine for Analgesia After Mastectomy Surgery

A study testing Bilevel erector spinae plane block and tizanidine oral capsule in people with Mastectomy Patient, run by Mansoura University at 1 site in Egypt.

Completed

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

Official record
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Trial summary

Effective management of postoperative pain in breast cancer surgery is essential to minimize the risk of developing postmastectomy pain syndrome.The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of combining bilevel erector spinae plane (ESP) block with a single preoperative oral dose of tizanidine in improving… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years, women only
Conditions the study is for
Mastectomy Patient
What is being tested?
Bilevel erector spinae plane block and tizanidine oral capsule
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
90 participants
Where
1 siteEgypt
Study dates
15 Jul 2025to 30 Dec 2025
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 65 years
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) ІІ patients.
  • Scheduled for unilateral modified radical mastectomy.
  • BMI levels between 18.5- 35 Kg/m2.

Who cannot join

  • Patient's refusal.
  • Altered mental status or un-cooperative patients.
  • History of known sensitivity to the used anesthetics.
  • Bleeding or coagulation diathesis.
  • Infection or redness at the injection site.
  • Cardiac, renal, hepatic, hematological disease, peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, and central or peripheral neurological disease.
  • Chronic pain.
  • Participants used analgesics routinely within the last 24 h.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Egypt1 site
  • Oncology Centre

    Al Mansurah

Other trials in Egypt

About this study

Official title: Ultrasound-guided Bi-level Erector Spinae Plane Block and Pre-emptive Single-dose Oral Tizanidine for Postoperative Analgesia After Mastectomy Surgery: a Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Effective management of postoperative pain in breast cancer surgery is essential to minimize the risk of developing postmastectomy pain syndrome.The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of combining bilevel erector spinae plane (ESP) block with a single preoperative oral dose of tizanidine in improving postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing mastectomy surgery.

It is hypothesized that the combination of bilevel ESP block and single-dose oral tizanidine will provide superior postoperative analgesia compared to bilevel ESP block alone in patients undergoing mastectomy.

Read the detailed description

Introduction:

Effective management of postoperative pain in breast cancer surgery is essential to minimize the risk of developing postmastectomy pain syndrome, a chronic condition that significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Multimodal analgesia, which combines pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies, has been shown to enhance postoperative pain control and reduce opioid consumption. In recent years, regional anesthesia techniques have become increasingly favored for perioperative pain management in breast surgeries. The ESP block has gained popularity due to its simplicity, safety profile, and effectiveness in thoracic and breast surgeries. Its analgesic action is attributed to the craniocaudal spread of local anesthetic into the costovertebral foramina and epidural space, resulting in blockade of both ventral and dorsal rami of the spinal nerves and providing unilateral thoracic analgesia.The bilevel ESP block, which involves administering the block at two distinct thoracic levels, has been proposed to enhance the spread of local anesthetic and improve analgesic coverage, particularly in the anterolateral chest wall and axillary regions commonly involved in mastectomy.

Tizanidine has been shown to reduce perioperative opioid and anesthetic requirements, stabilize hemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation, and minimize postoperative complications such as shivering and myocardial ischemia. Previous studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing postoperative pain across a variety of surgical procedures, including laparoscopic cholecystectomy, thyroidectomy, anorectal surgery, hernia repair, and orthognathic surgery.Given the potential synergistic effects of combining regional anesthesia with systemic analgesics, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of combining bilevel ESPB with a single oral dose of tizanidine for postoperative pain control in patients undergoing mastectomy.

Aim of the Study:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of combining bilevel erector spinae plane (ESP) block with a single preoperative oral dose of tizanidine in improving postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing mastectomy surgery.

Sample Size Calculation:

Sample size was calculated using Power Analysis and Sample Size software program (PASS) version 3.1.9.2 for windows (2017). The primary outcome will be time to first analgesic request. In a pilot study performed on 10 patients using bilevel ESP block, the mean (SD) of time to first analgesic request was 21 (6.5) hours. Using a two-sided hypothesis test with a significance level of 0.05, assuming alpha = 0.05 and beta = 0.2 (power = 80%) and using a two-sided two-sample unequal-variance t-test, 39 subjects will be required in each group to detect 20 % difference between groups which is considered the minimal clinically important difference. To allow for subject dropouts, 45 subjects will be assigned to each group.

Methods; The study will be conducted in Mansoura oncology centre on 90 patients who will be scheduled for mastectomy surgery under general anesthesia. Informed written consent will be obtained from all subjects in the study after ensuring confidentiality. 90 eligible patients will be randomly assigned to 2 equal groups (Bilevel ESP block group) and (Bilevel ESP block+ tizanidine group) according to computer-generated table of random numbers using the permuted block randomization method. The group allocation will be concealed in sequentially numbered, sealed opaque envelopes which will be opened only after obtaining the written informed consent.

The study protocol will be explained to all patients along with VAS after enrollment into the study. They will be kept fasting according to pre-operative ASA recommendations prior to surgery. Basic demographic characters including age, gender, and BMI will be recorded.

The peri-operative management will be identical in both groups. All patients with planned modified radical mastectomy will be assessed preoperatively by detailed medical history taking, clinical examination, Electrocardiography (ECG), and basal laboratory investigations as complete blood count (CBC), coagulation profile (PT, INR), blood glucose level, liver and renal function tests (liver enzymes, serum bilirubin, albumin and serum creatinine).

Statistical Methods:

The collected data will be coded, processed, and analyzed using SPSS program (version 22) for Windows. Normality of numerical data distribution will be tested by Shapiro-Wilk test. Continuous data of normal distribution will be presented as mean ± SD and will be compared with the unpaired student's t test. Non-normally distributed data will be presented as median (range) and will be compared with the Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical data will be presented as number (percentage) and will be compared with the Chi-square test. All data will be considered statistically significant if P value is ≤ 0.05.

Being tested
Bilevel erector spinae plane block, Placebo Oral Capsule, tizanidine oral capsule
Keywords
Mastectomy, Analgesia, erector spinae plane block, tizanidine
Medical subject headings
Agnosia

What participants receive

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

  • Bilevel erector spinae plane blockProcedure or surgery

    Also called ESP

    Block will be performed unilaterally with the patient in the sitting position leaning forward. The block will be done using a high frequency linear probe (6-13 MHz). The block area will be adequately sterilized and draped, then the ultrasound probe will be placed 2-3 cm laterally from the midline at the level of the T3 spinous process using a sagittal approach to identify the hyperechoic transverse process shadow deep to the trapezius, rhomboid major, and erector spinae muscles. Then, the needle will be inserted craniocaudally in-plane to reach the transverse process deep to the erector spinae muscle. Correct positioning of the needle will be confirmed through real-time visualization of 2-mL saline hydro dissection. After confirmation of needle position, 15 mL of bupivacaine 0.25% will be injected at each level. The same procedure was repeated for the second level T5 spinous process. block failure defined as the presence of full sensation after 30 minutes, patients will be excluded .

  • Placebo Oral CapsuleDrug

    Also called Placebo

    One hour prior to anesthesia induction, the patients will recieve oral placebo capsule that will have the same color, smell, and size as tizanidine.

  • tizanidine oral capsuleDrug

    Also called tizanidine

    One hour prior to anesthesia induction, the tizanidine group will receive a 4 mg tizanidine oral capsule.

Study groups in NCT07022353
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Bilevel ESP block groupActive comparatorpatients will have bilevel ESP block plus oral placebo capsule.
Receives: Procedure: Bilevel erector spinae plane block; Drug: Placebo Oral Capsule
Bilevel ESP block + tizanidine groupActive comparatorpatients will have bilevel ESP block plus oral tizanidine capsule.
Receives: Procedure: Bilevel erector spinae plane block; Drug: tizanidine oral capsule

What is being measured

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

  1. First analgesic request

    The time of the first analgesic request for fentanyl will be recorded.

    Measured: Up to 24 hours after the procedure.

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Visual analogue score (VAS) for pain assessment

    VAS score from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain and 10 = the worst imaginable pain) will be assessed before the procedure, and then at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h post operative.

    Measured: Up to 24 hours after the procedure

  2. Total analgesic requirements of fentanyl

    The amount of fentanyl consumption given as a rescue analgesia to patients will be measured all over the 24 hours.

    Measured: Up to 24 hours after the procedure

  3. Heart rate (HR)

    HR will be recorded before the procedure, after 15 min, 30 minutes and then every 30min intraoperative till the end of surgery.

    Measured: Up to the end of the procedure

  4. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP)

    MAP will be recorded before the procedure, after 15 min, 30 minutes and then every 30min intraoperative till the end of surgery.

    Measured: Up to the end of the procedure

  5. Adverse effects

    respiratory depression, bradycardia, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, hematoma or allergic reactions will be recorded

    Measured: Up to 24 hours after the procedure]

Timeline

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

  1. First posted15 Jun 2025
  2. Study start15 Jul 2025
  3. Primary completion30 Dec 2025
  4. Study completion30 Dec 2025

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
Model description
Prospective, randomized, double blind study
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
90 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07022353
Sponsor's protocol ID
ESP plus oral tizanidine
Status last verified
Jan 2026
First submitted
8 Jun 2025
Last updated
27 Jan 2026
Results posted
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Publications

  • Yazicioglu D, Caparlar C, Akkaya T, Mercan U, Kulacoglu H. Tizanidine for the management of acute postoperative pain after inguinal hernia repair: A placebo-controlled double-blind trial. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2016 Mar;33(3):215-22. doi: 10.1097/EJA.0000000000000371.

    PubMed 26555871
  • Woodworth GE, Ivie RMJ, Nelson SM, Walker CM, Maniker RB. Perioperative Breast Analgesia: A Qualitative Review of Anatomy and Regional Techniques. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2017 Sep/Oct;42(5):609-631. doi: 10.1097/AAP.0000000000000641.

    PubMed 28820803
  • Mohammadi F, Marashi M, Tavakoli I, Khakbaz O. Effects of oral clonidine premedication on hemodynamic status in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery: A double-blind randomized clinical trial. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2016 Apr;44(4):436-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2016.01.004. Epub 2016 Jan 11.

    PubMed 26874557
  • Maniker RB, Damiano J, Ivie RMJ, Pavelic M, Woodworth GE. Perioperative Breast Analgesia: a Systematic Review of the Evidence for Perioperative Analgesic Medications. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2022 Apr;26(4):299-321. doi: 10.1007/s11916-022-01031-z. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

    PubMed 35195851
  • Kurdi MS, Agrawal P, Thakkar P, Arora D, Barde SM, Eswaran K. Recent advancements in regional anaesthesia. Indian J Anaesth. 2023 Jan;67(1):63-70. doi: 10.4103/ija.ija_1021_22. Epub 2023 Jan 21.

    PubMed 36970484
  • Guan HY, Yuan Y, Gao K, Luo HX. Efficacy and safety of erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia in breast cancer surgery-A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Surg Oncol. 2023 May;127(6):905-920. doi: 10.1002/jso.27221. Epub 2023 Feb 24.

    PubMed 36826370
  • 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
  • Elsabeeny WY, Fahmy RM, Elshamy FH, Shehab NN, Abed SM, Taha WS, Ibrahim MA, Gad AF. Role of bilevel erector spinae with high thoracic block vs conventional unilevel block in analgesia and reduction of pain in axilla in breast cancer surgeries: a randomized controlled trial. Pain Rep. 2025 Jan 13;10(1):e1234. doi: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001234. eCollection 2025 Feb.

    PubMed 39816904
  • Dadmehr S, Shooshtari Z, Alipour M, Eshghpour M, Shaban B, Vaezi T, Samieirad S. Is Preemptive Oral Tizanidine Effective on Postoperative Pain Intensity after Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery? A Triple-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. World J Plast Surg. 2022 Jul;11(2):37-45. doi: 10.52547/wjps.11.2.37.

    PubMed 36117905
  • Altiparmak B, Korkmaz Toker M, Uysal AI, Gumus Demirbilek S. Bi-level erector spinae plane block for the control of severe back pain related to vertebral metastasis. BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Jun 20;12(6):e228129. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-228129.

    PubMed 31227568
  • Aksu C, Kus A, Yorukoglu HU, Tor Kilic C, Gurkan Y. Analgesic effect of the bi-level injection erector spinae plane block after breast surgery: A randomized controlled trial. Agri. 2019 Jul;31(3):132-137. doi: 10.14744/agri.2019.61687.

    PubMed 31736025
  • Ahiskalioglu A, Yayik AM, Oral Ahiskalioglu E, Dostbil A, Doymus O, Karadeniz E, Ari MA, Sengoz F, Alici HA, Celik EC. Ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical block and preemptive single-dose oral tizanidine for post-thyroidectomy pain: a randomized-controlled double-blind study. J Anesth. 2018 Apr;32(2):219-226. doi: 10.1007/s00540-018-2468-x. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

    PubMed 29468508

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Bilevel erector spinae plane block and tizanidine oral capsule in people with Mastectomy Patient, run by Mansoura University at 1 site in Egypt.

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 3 inclusion and 8 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 27 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 Egypt. 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?

First analgesic request (time frame: Up to 24 hours after the procedure.). 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 NCT07022353, which also lists 12 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 27 Jan 2026.

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