Comparing IV Analgesia, Thoracic Epidural Analgesia, and Erector Spinae Plane Block for Chronic Pain After Open Heart Surgery in Adults

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating and comparing three commonly used methods for managing pain after open heart surgery intravenous analgesia, thoracic epidural analgesia TEA, and bilateral erector spinae plane block ESPB. This prospective observational study focuses on adult patients undergoing open heart surgery through a median sternotomy. The main goal is to understand how these pain relief methods affect the development of chronic pain three months after surgery. Secondary goals include examining acute pain levels, additional pain medication needs, recovery times, hospital stays, respiratory complications, and the connection between acute and chronic pain. Patients receive one of the three analgesia methods as part of routine clinical care, chosen by the anesthesia team based on individual conditions. Intravenous analgesia involves opioid andor non-opioid medications given postoperatively. TEA is administered via a thoracic epidural catheter placed before surgery. ESPB is applied as a bilateral block before surgery. The study does not assign treatments but observes the outcomes from these routine practices. Participants have their medical and anesthesia records reviewed, including pain scores measured using standard scales during and after hospitalization. Follow-up to assess chronic pain is done at three months either by phone or in person, using questionnaires and pain rating scales. Researchers also track multiple recovery factors such as extubation time, mobilization, ICU and hospital stay duration, respiratory events, and analgesic use. The study aims to enroll 90 patients and analyze data to better understand pain management after cardiac surgery.

Comparison of IV Analgesia, Thoracic Epidural Analgesia, and ESP Block for Chronic Pain After Open Heart Surgery