Thoracic SurgeryNCT07677540
Continuous Erector Spinae Block Versus Thoracic Epidural Analgesia for the Prevention of Chronic Pain Following Thoracotomy: a Retrospective Study
An observational study of Thoracic Surgery, run by Meir Medical Center at 1 site in Israel.
Trial summary
Post-thoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS) is a prevalent complication that significantly impacts patients' quality of life, with reported incidence ranging from 25% to 90%. This study evaluated the effectiveness of continuous erector spinae plane (ESP) block compared to thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA), the current gold… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 99 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Thoracic Surgery
- What is being tested?
- ESP block and Thoracic epidural
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- How many people
- 34 participants
- Where
- 1 siteIsrael
- Study dates
- 12 Sep 2023to 31 Jul 2027
- 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 99 years
- All sexes
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: Eligible subjects are adult patients who presented for elective thoracic surgery under general anesthesia and underwent TEA or ESP.
Who may be able to join
- 1. Ages 18-65 years 2. Presenting for elective thoracic surgery under general anesthesia. 3. Undergoing either ESP or TEA prior to surgery.
- -
- Exclusion Criteria:Patients were excluded if they met any of the following criteria:
- 1. Any CNS and/or psychiatric disease. 2. Patients who are unable to complete the pain survey for any reason. 3. Patients who had baseline chronic pain around the surgical incision.
- -
Who cannot join
None listed.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Israel1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Meir Medical Center
Kfar Saba
Sara Dichtwald, Dr., 972-9-7472133 ext. 1, sara.dichtwald@clalit.org.il
About this study
Post-thoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS) is a prevalent complication that significantly impacts patients' quality of life, with reported incidence ranging from 25% to 90%. This study evaluated the effectiveness of continuous erector spinae plane (ESP) block compared to thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA), the current gold standard, in preventing PTPS. Our goal was to compare the incidence of PTPS between patients who received ESP block and those who underwent TEA. Additional goals included assessing postoperative pain levels, analgesic consumption, and complications related to the anesthesia techniques.
- Conditions
- Thoracic Surgery
- Being tested
- ESP block, Thoracic epidural
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
ESP blockProcedure or surgery
Performance of ESP block for pain relief after thoracic surgery
Thoracic epiduralProcedure or surgery
Performance of thoracic epidural for pain relief after thoracic surgery
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| ESP block | Patients who recieved ESP block for thoracic surgery Receives: Procedure: ESP block | |
| Thoracic epidural | Patients who recieved thoracic epidural for thoracic surgery Receives: Procedure: Thoracic epidural |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Incidence of post thoracotomy pain syndrome
Incidence of post thoracotomy pain syndrome 3 months post operatively
Measured: 3 months post operatively
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Jun 2026
- Study start12 Sep 2023
- Primary completion1 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Jul 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Thoracic SurgeryStudies 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
- Other
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Enrolment
- 34 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Meir Medical Center
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, sara dichtwald, Meir Medical Center
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07677540
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 0143-23-MMC
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 18 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 7 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Continuous Erector Spinae Block Versus Thoracic Epidural Analgesia for the Prevention of Chronic Pain Following Thoracotomy: a Retrospective Study
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07677540
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 0143-23-MMC
- Conditions
- Thoracic Surgery
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 34 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Meir Medical CenterUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 12 Sep 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 30 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.
Post-thoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS) is a prevalent complication that significantly impacts patients' quality of life, with reported incidence ranging from 25% to 90%. This study evaluated the effectiveness of continuous erector spinae plane (ESP) block compared to thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA), the current gold standard, in preventing PTPS. Our goal was to compare the incidence of PTPS between patients who received ESP block and those who underwent TEA. Additional goals included assessing postoperative pain levels, analgesic consumption, and complications related to the anesthesia techniques.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Retrospective
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| ESP block | – | Procedure: ESP blockPatients who recieved ESP block for thoracic surgery |
| Thoracic epidural | – | Procedure: Thoracic epiduralPatients who recieved thoracic epidural for thoracic surgery |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 99 years
- Sex
- All
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Eligible subjects are adult patients who presented for elective thoracic surgery under general anesthesia and underwent TEA or ESP.
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- 1. Ages 18-65 years 2. Presenting for elective thoracic surgery under general anesthesia. 3. Undergoing either ESP or TEA prior to surgery.
- -
- 1. Any CNS and/or psychiatric disease. 2. Patients who are unable to complete the pain survey for any reason. 3. Patients who had baseline chronic pain around the surgical incision.
- -
Key exclusion criteria (0 listed)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| ESP blockPerformance of ESP block for pain relief after thoracic surgery | Procedure or surgery | ESP block |
| Thoracic epiduralPerformance of thoracic epidural for pain relief after thoracic surgery | Procedure or surgery | Thoracic epidural |
Primary outcome
Incidence of post thoracotomy pain syndrome
Time frame: 3 months post operatively
Incidence of post thoracotomy pain syndrome 3 months post operatively
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 7 Oct 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Undecided
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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 Thoracic Surgery, run by Meir Medical Center at 1 site in Israel.
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 5 inclusion and 0 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 7 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 Israel. 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?
Each site lists its own contact: choose the nearest one under Trial locations. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Incidence of post thoracotomy pain syndrome (time frame: 3 months post operatively). 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 7 Oct 2026.