Postoperative Pain, AcuteTAP-ESPBNCT07781930
Comparison of Transversus Abdominis Plane and Erector Spinae Plane Blocks for Pain Control After Renal Laparoscopy
A study testing TAP Block in people with Postoperative Pain, Acute, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
The goal of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block versus erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in adult patients undergoing laparoscopic renal surgeries. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 40 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Postoperative Pain, Acute
- What is being tested?
- TAP Block
- Type of treatment
- Surgery or procedure
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 60 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 5 Jan 2026to Aug 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 40 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Age from 18 to 40 years old.
- Both sexes.
- American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status I, II.
- Scheduled for laparoscopic renal surgeries under general anesthesia
Who cannot join
- Parent's refusal.
- Coagulation disorders.
- History of allergy to local anesthetics.
- Infection or redness at the injection site.
- History of renal and/or hepatic insufficiency.
- Preexisting cardiac dysfunction.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Egypt1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Kasr Al-Ainy hospital
Cairo, 11562
Hala ElSabbagh, M.D., 01005207896, halaelsabbagh@gmail.com
About this study
Official title: Comparison of Ultrasound-guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block (TAP) and Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) for Postoperative Analgesia in Adult Laparoscopic Renal Surgeries: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
The goal of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block versus erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in adult patients undergoing laparoscopic renal surgeries. Forty adults (18-60 years, ASA I-II) will be randomly assigned to receive either TAP or ESPB after induction of general anesthesia. Postoperative pain will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and total fentanyl consumption over 24 hours. Secondary outcomes include time to first analgesic request, hemodynamic parameters, patient satisfaction, and incidence of complications. The study will be conducted at Cairo University Hospitals following ethical approval, with all patients providing written informed consent.
Read the detailed description
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block versus erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in adult patients undergoing laparoscopic renal surgeries. Forty adults (18-60 years, ASA I-II) will be randomly assigned to receive either TAP or ESPB after induction of general anesthesia.
Preoperative assessment will include medical and surgical history, clinical examination, and routine laboratory investigations.
Intraoperative management will follow standard monitoring with general anesthesia, and the block will be performed under ultrasound guidance using 0.25% bupivacaine, bilaterally. TAP block will be performed at the anterolateral abdominal wall, while ESPB will be performed at the T8-T9 level in lateral decubitus position. The anesthesiologist performing the block will not participate in postoperative data collection, and outcome assessors will be blinded.
Postoperative pain management includes IV paracetamol every 8 hours and rescue fentanyl boluses (25 μg IV) if VAS ≥4, with a maximum total dose of 0.2-0.4 mg in 24 hours. Pain will be measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at PACU, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours. Secondary outcomes include time to first analgesic request, hemodynamic parameters, patient satisfaction, and incidence of adverse events such as PONV, hypotension, bradycardia, urinary retention, LAST, pneumothorax, or failed block.
Primary outcome: total fentanyl consumption in the first 24 hours postoperatively.
Secondary outcomes: time to first rescue analgesia, VAS scores, hemodynamic stability, patient satisfaction, and complications. The study will be conducted at Cairo University Hospitals after ethical committee approval, with all patients providing written informed consent. Data will be analyzed using SPSS v26, with parametric and non-parametric tests, repeated-measures ANOVA for VAS over time, Kaplan-Meier analysis for time to rescue analgesia, and chi-square or Fisher's exact test for categorical outcomes.
- Conditions
- Postoperative Pain, Acute
- Being tested
- TAP Block
- Keywords
- TAP Block, ESP 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.
TAP BlockProcedure or surgery
Also called ESP Block
a bilateral ultrasound guided TAP block performed by injecting 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine into the TAP space after negative aspiration.
a bilateral ultrasound guided ESP block performed by injecting 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine into the ESP space after negative aspiration.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| TAP Block group | Experimental | TAP block will be done under ultrasound-guidance with linear multi-frequency 6-13 MHz transducer probe and 21 G (0.514mm) needle inserted in-plane from medial to lateral, advanced through the fascial layers until the tip reaches the fascial plane between the internal oblique and the transversus abdominis muscle. After negative aspiration, 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine will be injected. Correct spread will be confirmed by separation of the fascial plane under ultrasound guidance. TAP block will be applied bilaterally. Receives: Procedure: TAP Block |
| ESP Block group | Experimental | a high-frequency linear ultrasound probe will be placed in a longitudinal parasagittal orientation over the transverse process at the T8-T9 level. A 21G needle will be advanced in-plane to reach the fascial plane deep to the erector spinae muscle and superficial to the transverse process. After negative aspiration, 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine (Sunnypivacaine®, Sunny pharmaceuticals, Egypt) will be injected incrementally to ensure correct spread of local anesthetic in the ESP plane. Receives: Procedure: TAP Block |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Total fentanyl consumption.
Total fentanyl consumption in the first 24 hours (μg-microgram) postoperative.
Measured: 24 hours.
Secondary outcomes (7)
Time to first rescue analgesia.
Time elapsed from the end of surgery until the patient requires the first dose of rescue analgesia.
Measured: 24 hours postoperatively.
Postoperative Pain scores.
pain assessment using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score: pain level scored from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).
Measured: At Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and 2,4,6,12,18,24 hours Postoperatively.
Hemodynamic Parameter Heart rate
Heart rate
Measured: At PACU and 1,2,4,6,12,24 hours postoperatively.
Hemodynamic Parameter
mean arterial blood pressure
Measured: At PACU and 1,2,4,6,12,24 hours postoperatively.
Hemodynamic Parameter oxygen saturation
oxygen saturation
Measured: At PACU and 1,2,4,6,12,24 hours postoperatively.
Patient Satisfaction.
Degree of patients' satisfaction.
Measured: 24 hours postoperatively.
Incidence of postoperative complications.
Incidence of complications as hypotension, bradycardia, respiratory depression, pneumothorax and urine retention.
Measured: within 24 hours postoperatively.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Aug 2026
- Study start5 Jan 2026
- Primary completionAug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionAug 2026 (estimated)
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.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe 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
- 60 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Hala El Sabbagh,MD, Cairo University
- Investigators
- Hala ElSabbagh, M.D., Principal investigator, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07781930
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- MS-595-2025
- Acronym
- TAP-ESPB
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Jun 2026
- Last updated
- 24 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Comparison of Ultrasound-guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block (TAP) and Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) for Postoperative Analgesia in Adult Laparoscopic Renal Surgeries: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07781930
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- TAP-ESPB / MS-595-2025
- Conditions
- Postoperative Pain, Acute
- Keywords
- TAP Block, ESP Block
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 60 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Aug 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Aug 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 24 Aug 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 study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block versus erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in adult patients undergoing laparoscopic renal surgeries. Forty adults (18-60 years, ASA I-II) will be randomly assigned to receive either TAP or ESPB after induction of general anesthesia. Postoperative pain will be assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and total fentanyl consumption over 24 hours. Secondary outcomes include time to first analgesic request, hemodynamic parameters, patient satisfaction, and incidence of complications. The study will be conducted at Cairo University Hospitals following ethical approval, with all patients providing written informed consent.
Detailed description
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block versus erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in adult patients undergoing laparoscopic renal surgeries. Forty adults (18-60 years, ASA I-II) will be randomly assigned to receive either TAP or ESPB after induction of general anesthesia.
Preoperative assessment will include medical and surgical history, clinical examination, and routine laboratory investigations.
Intraoperative management will follow standard monitoring with general anesthesia, and the block will be performed under ultrasound guidance using 0.25% bupivacaine, bilaterally. TAP block will be performed at the anterolateral abdominal wall, while ESPB will be performed at the T8-T9 level in lateral decubitus position. The anesthesiologist performing the block will not participate in postoperative data collection, and outcome assessors will be blinded.
Postoperative pain management includes IV paracetamol every 8 hours and rescue fentanyl boluses (25 μg IV) if VAS ≥4, with a maximum total dose of 0.2-0.4 mg in 24 hours. Pain will be measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at PACU, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours. Secondary outcomes include time to first analgesic request, hemodynamic parameters, patient satisfaction, and incidence of adverse events such as PONV, hypotension, bradycardia, urinary retention, LAST, pneumothorax, or failed block.
Primary outcome: total fentanyl consumption in the first 24 hours postoperatively.
Secondary outcomes: time to first rescue analgesia, VAS scores, hemodynamic stability, patient satisfaction, and complications. The study will be conducted at Cairo University Hospitals after ethical committee approval, with all patients providing written informed consent. Data will be analyzed using SPSS v26, with parametric and non-parametric tests, repeated-measures ANOVA for VAS over time, Kaplan-Meier analysis for time to rescue analgesia, and chi-square or Fisher's exact test for categorical 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 |
|---|---|---|
| TAP Block group | Experimental | Procedure: TAP BlockTAP block will be done under ultrasound-guidance with linear multi-frequency 6-13 MHz transducer probe and 21 G (0.514mm) needle inserted in-plane from medial to lateral, advanced through the fascial layers until the tip reaches the fascial plane between the internal oblique and the transversus abdominis muscle. After negative aspiration, 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine will be injected. Correct spread will be confirmed by separation of the fascial plane under ultrasound guidance. TAP block will be applied bilaterally. |
| ESP Block group | Experimental | Procedure: TAP Blocka high-frequency linear ultrasound probe will be placed in a longitudinal parasagittal orientation over the transverse process at the T8-T9 level. A 21G needle will be advanced in-plane to reach the fascial plane deep to the erector spinae muscle and superficial to the transverse process. After negative aspiration, 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine (Sunnypivacaine®, Sunny pharmaceuticals, Egypt) will be injected incrementally to ensure correct spread of local anesthetic in the ESP plane. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 40 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age from 18 to 40 years old.
- Both sexes.
- American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status I, II.
- Scheduled for laparoscopic renal surgeries under general anesthesia
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Parent's refusal.
- Coagulation disorders.
- History of allergy to local anesthetics.
- Infection or redness at the injection site.
- History of renal and/or hepatic insufficiency.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TAP BlockAlso: ESP Blocka bilateral ultrasound guided TAP block performed by injecting 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine into the TAP space after negative aspiration. a bilateral ultrasound guided ESP block performed by injecting 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine into the ESP space after negative aspiration. | Procedure or surgery | ESP Block group, TAP Block group |
Primary outcome
Total fentanyl consumption.
Time frame: 24 hours.
Total fentanyl consumption in the first 24 hours (μg-microgram) postoperative.
7 secondary outcomes
Time to first rescue analgesia.
Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively.
Postoperative Pain scores.
Time frame: At Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) and 2,4,6,12,18,24 hours Postoperatively.
Hemodynamic Parameter Heart rate
Time frame: At PACU and 1,2,4,6,12,24 hours postoperatively.
Hemodynamic Parameter
Time frame: At PACU and 1,2,4,6,12,24 hours postoperatively.
Hemodynamic Parameter oxygen saturation
Time frame: At PACU and 1,2,4,6,12,24 hours postoperatively.
Patient Satisfaction.
Time frame: 24 hours postoperatively.
Incidence of postoperative complications.
Time frame: within 24 hours postoperatively.
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 24 Aug 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Postoperative Pain, Acute
RecruitingPhase 2
REctus Sheath Trial
Acute Pain, Postoperative Pain, Acute
Not yet recruiting
Post-operative Pain and Clinical Outcome After Single-cone Obturation With a Calcium Silicate-based Versus Epoxy Resin Sealer
Post Operative Pain, Acute, Irreversible Pulpitis (Toothache)
Not yet recruiting
Lumbar ESP Block Versus TAP Block for Postoperative Pain Control in Children Undergoing Open Inguinal Hernia Repair
Inguinal Hernia, Postoperative Pain
Recruiting
Ultrasound-Guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block for Analgesia in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery
Postoperative Pain, Acute, Shoulder Pain
Not yet recruitingPhase 4
Suzetrigine (Journavx) as Multimodal Therapy for Pain Management in Adults Undergoing Surgery for Hip Fracture
Hip Fractures (ICD-10 72.01-72.2), Post Operative Analgesia
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.
Hala ElSabbagh, M.D. principal investigator
Cairo University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing TAP Block in people with Postoperative Pain, Acute, run by Cairo 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 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 24 Aug 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?
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 Hala ElSabbagh, M.D. (01005207896, halaelsabbagh@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Total fentanyl consumption. (time frame: 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 24 Aug 2026.