Study of Pre-incisional Ropivacaine Plus Triamcinolone to Reduce Pain After Thoracoscopic Lung Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the effects of adding triamcinolone, a glucocorticoid, to ropivacaine for incision infiltration to reduce postoperative pain in adults undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VATS. VATS is less invasive than traditional thoracotomy but still results in acute pain in over 80% of patients, which can lead to complications and chronic pain if not well managed. This multicenter, randomized controlled trial aims to compare the pain relief, safety, and recovery quality between pre-incisional infiltration with ropivacaine plus triamcinolone and ropivacaine alone. Participants will receive a pre-incisional infiltration before surgery. One group will be treated with 2 ml of triamcinolone 80 mg combined with 15 ml of 1% ropivacaine diluted to 30 ml total volume, while the other group will receive 30 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine alone. The infiltration is delivered layer by layer at the incision site according to the surgeons markings. The study uses a parallel design with randomized allocation and quadruple masking. During the study, participants will be monitored for postoperative pain using morphine equivalent rescue medication use within 48 hours, pain scores at rest and during movement up to 72 hours, as well as patient satisfaction and side effects like nausea and vomiting. Wound healing and scar assessments will be done up to 3 months after surgery. Safety will be closely evaluated through adverse event tracking. Overall participation may last several months with follow-up assessments at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively.

Pre-incisional Infiltration With Ropivacaine Plus Triamcinolone for Relieving Postoperative Pain After Thoracoscopic Surgery