Pain, PostoperativeNCT07650877
Comparison of the Rhomboid Intercostal Block and Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block
A study testing Rhomboid Intercostal Block and Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in people with Pain, Postoperative and Multimodal Analgesia, run by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is widely performed for the management of various thoracic pathologies and is generally associated with reduced surgical trauma compared with open thoracotomy. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 75 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Pain, Postoperative, Multimodal Analgesia, Rhomboid Intercostal Block
- What is being tested?
- Rhomboid Intercostal Block and Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 90 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 15 Jun 2026to 30 Nov 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- 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 75 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients undergoing elective VATS
- Patients aged 18-75 years
- Patients with ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) class I-III
- Patients who have given informed consent
Who cannot join
- Patients allergic to local anesthetics
- Patients with bleeding disorders or those undergoing anticoagulant therapy
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women
- Patients with impaired consciousness, inability to communicate, or mental/cognitive impairment
- Patients who refuse block application
- Patients with infection in the area where the block will be applied
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
Ankara City Hospital
Çankaya, Ankara, 06290
Emine N Zengin, MD, +905063370548, nilbavullu@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Comparison of the Effects of Ultrasound-Guided Rhomboid Intercostal Block and Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block on Postoperative Acute Pain in Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is widely performed for the management of various thoracic pathologies and is generally associated with reduced surgical trauma compared with open thoracotomy. Nevertheless, patients may still experience considerable postoperative pain, which can adversely affect respiratory function, mobilization, and recovery. Various regional analgesic techniques have been incorporated into multimodal pain management strategies for VATS, including thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB), erector spinae plane block (ESPB), intercostal nerve block, serratus anterior plane block (SAPB), rhomboid intercostal block (RIB), and serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB). Among these approaches, ultrasound-guided TPVB has traditionally been regarded as a reference regional analgesic technique. More recently, interfascial plane blocks have gained increasing attention because of their technical simplicity and favorable safety profile. RIB and SPSIPB are two novel interfascial plane blocks that may provide effective postoperative analgesia following thoracic surgery. The present study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of RIB and SPSIPB in patients undergoing VATS and to evaluate their impact on postoperative pain outcomes.
- Conditions
- Pain, Postoperative, Multimodal Analgesia, Rhomboid Intercostal Block, Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block, Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
- Being tested
- Rhomboid Intercostal Block, Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block
- Medical subject headings
- Pain, Postoperative
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Rhomboid Intercostal BlockDrug
Rhomboid intercostal block will be applied to the patients under real-time ultrasound guidance.
Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane BlockDrug
Serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block will be applied to the patients under real-time ultrasound guidance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Rhomboid Intercostal Block | Active comparator | For patients scheduled to receive a Rhomboid Intercostal Block (RIB), after sonographic identification of the relevant anatomical structures, the block needle is advanced using an in-plane ultrasound-guided technique beneath the rhomboid muscle until contact with the rib is achieved. Following hydrodissection with 2 mL of normal saline to confirm correct needle placement, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine is injected into the interfascial plane. Receives: Drug: Rhomboid Intercostal Block |
| Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block | Active comparator | For patients scheduled to receive a Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block (SPSIPB), after sonographic identification of the relevant anatomical structures, the block needle is advanced using an in-plane ultrasound-guided technique beneath the serratus posterior superior muscle until contact with the rib is achieved. Following hydrodissection with 2 mL of normal saline to confirm correct needle placement, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine is injected into the interfascial plane. Receives: Drug: Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Surgical Pain Scores
Surgical pain will be assessed at rest and while coughing using the visual analog scale on a scale from 0mm (no pain) to 100mm (worst pain). Pain assessment will be done at 1st, 6th, 12th, and 24th hours after surgery.
Measured: 24 hours after surgery
Secondary outcomes (2)
Shoulder Pain Scores
Shoulder pain will be assessed at rest and while coughing using the visual analog scale on a scale from 0mm (no pain) to 100mm (worst pain).
Pain assessment will be done at 1st, 6th, 12th, and 24th hours after surgery.
Measured: 24 hours after surgery
Intraoperative remifentanil consumption
The amount of remifentanil that patients need to maintain anesthesia during the intraoperative period will be recorded.
Measured: During the intraoperative period
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted16 Jun 2026
- Study start15 Jun 2026
- Primary completion20 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Pain, PostoperativeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Ankara City Hospital BilkentThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Nilgün Zengin, Ankara City Hospital Bilkent
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07650877
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- E.Kurul-E2-26-14830
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 11 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 16 Jun 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 16 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of the Effects of Ultrasound-Guided Rhomboid Intercostal Block and Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block on Postoperative Acute Pain in Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07650877
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- E.Kurul-E2-26-14830
- Conditions
- Pain, Postoperative, Multimodal Analgesia, Rhomboid Intercostal Block, Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block, Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 90 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Ankara City Hospital BilkentUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 20 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 30 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 16 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.
Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is widely performed for the management of various thoracic pathologies and is generally associated with reduced surgical trauma compared with open thoracotomy. Nevertheless, patients may still experience considerable postoperative pain, which can adversely affect respiratory function, mobilization, and recovery. Various regional analgesic techniques have been incorporated into multimodal pain management strategies for VATS, including thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB), erector spinae plane block (ESPB), intercostal nerve block, serratus anterior plane block (SAPB), rhomboid intercostal block (RIB), and serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB). Among these approaches, ultrasound-guided TPVB has traditionally been regarded as a reference regional analgesic technique. More recently, interfascial plane blocks have gained increasing attention because of their technical simplicity and favorable safety profile. RIB and SPSIPB are two novel interfascial plane blocks that may provide effective postoperative analgesia following thoracic surgery. The present study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of RIB and SPSIPB in patients undergoing VATS and to evaluate their impact on postoperative pain outcomes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Rhomboid Intercostal Block | Active comparator | Drug: Rhomboid Intercostal BlockFor patients scheduled to receive a Rhomboid Intercostal Block (RIB), after sonographic identification of the relevant anatomical structures, the block needle is advanced using an in-plane ultrasound-guided technique beneath the rhomboid muscle until contact with the rib is achieved. Following hydrodissection with 2 mL of normal saline to confirm correct needle placement, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine is injected into the interfascial plane. |
| Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block | Active comparator | Drug: Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane BlockFor patients scheduled to receive a Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block (SPSIPB), after sonographic identification of the relevant anatomical structures, the block needle is advanced using an in-plane ultrasound-guided technique beneath the serratus posterior superior muscle until contact with the rib is achieved. Following hydrodissection with 2 mL of normal saline to confirm correct needle placement, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine is injected into the interfascial plane. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 75 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Patients undergoing elective VATS
- Patients aged 18-75 years
- Patients with ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) class I-III
- Patients who have given informed consent
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Patients allergic to local anesthetics
- Patients with bleeding disorders or those undergoing anticoagulant therapy
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women
- Patients with impaired consciousness, inability to communicate, or mental/cognitive impairment
- Patients who refuse block application
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rhomboid Intercostal BlockRhomboid intercostal block will be applied to the patients under real-time ultrasound guidance. | Drug | Rhomboid Intercostal Block |
| Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane BlockSerratus posterior superior intercostal plane block will be applied to the patients under real-time ultrasound guidance. | Drug | Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block |
Primary outcome
Surgical Pain Scores
Time frame: 24 hours after surgery
Surgical pain will be assessed at rest and while coughing using the visual analog scale on a scale from 0mm (no pain) to 100mm (worst pain). Pain assessment will be done at 1st, 6th, 12th, and 24th hours after surgery.
2 secondary outcomes
Shoulder Pain Scores
Time frame: 24 hours after surgery
Intraoperative remifentanil consumption
Time frame: During the intraoperative period
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 16 Jun 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.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Rhomboid Intercostal Block and Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in people with Pain, Postoperative and Multimodal Analgesia, run by Ankara City Hospital Bilkent 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: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Jun 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 Emine Nilgün Zengin, Associate Professor (00905063370548, nilbavullu@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Surgical Pain Scores (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?
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 16 Jun 2026.