Effectiveness of Intertransverse Process Block for Pain Relief After Thoracotomy and Lobectomy Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of the intertransverse process block ITPB for reducing postoperative pain in patients undergoing elective thoracotomy with unilateral lobectomy. This prospective, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial aims to assess how well ITPB manages pain and reduces opioid use while ensuring safety and following routine clinical care practices. The study is conducted at a single tertiary center with participants providing written consent. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups one group receives an ultrasound-guided ITPB with 0.5% bupivacaine, and the other group receives a placebo injection of normal saline. The block is performed immediately after surgery and before waking from anesthesia by an experienced anesthesiologist. Both groups receive standardized general anesthesia, multimodal pain control around the time of surgery, and postoperative intravenous morphine through a patient-controlled analgesia PCA device. During the study, researchers will monitor participants pain levels using numerical rating scores, track morphine consumption in the first 24 hours after surgery, and record any additional pain relief needed or adverse events. Participants must be able to use the PCA device and will be observed at regular intervals during their hospital stay, which is expected to be at least one night. The trial will help determine the analgesic benefits and safety of ITPB in this surgical setting.

Intertransverse Process Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Thoracotomy and Lobectomy