Preoperative Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block for Analgesia and Opioid Sparing in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Valve Surgery via Mini-Thoracotomy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the analgesic effect of the serratus posterior superior intercostal plane (SPSIP) block in patients undergoing minimally invasive cardiac valve surgery through a mini-thoracotomy. This prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial aims to assess whether the SPSIP block can reduce postoperative pain and opioid use, which is important for improving recovery and respiratory function after thoracic cardiac surgery. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group receives an ultrasound-guided SPSIP block with 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine before surgery, along with standard general anesthesia and postoperative multimodal pain management. The other group receives a placebo block with 30 mL of normal saline under the same conditions. Both patients and outcome assessors are blinded to treatment allocation. During the study, participants will be monitored for opioid consumption over 24 hours after surgery, pain intensity at rest and during movement at multiple time points, time to first rescue pain medication, time to extubation, and length of intensive care and hospital stay. Lung function will be assessed using an Inspiratory Spirometry Test after surgery. The total participation includes the surgical period and up to 30 days of follow-up for hospital discharge outcomes.

Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery