Study of Ultrasound-Guided Fascial Plane Blocks for Reducing Lung Complications After Major Abdominal Surgery in Adults 65 and Older

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are examining whether using ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks for pain relief can reduce the chance of lung complications after major abdominal surgery in adults aged 65 and older. This study is observational and compares patients who receive these nerve blocks with those who receive other standard pain relief methods during routine care. The focus is on lung problems that may happen within the first week after surgery. Patients are grouped based on the pain management method chosen by their anesthesia team during surgery. One group receives the ultrasound-guided nerve block as part of their usual care, while the other group receives other common pain treatments such as epidural analgesia, intravenous patient-controlled analgesia, or oral pain medications. The study does not influence these treatment decisions. Participants will be monitored for lung complications within seven days after surgery using established clinical criteria. Researchers will also track unplanned ICU admissions, hospital stay length, and survival at 30 days. No extra procedures or interventions are done for the study, and patients receive standard care throughout. The study is led by Dr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital and runs from March 2026 to August 2026.

Can Ultrasound-Guided Fascial Plane Blocks Reduce Postoperative Pulmonary Complications After Major Abdominal Surgery?