Ultrasound-Guided Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Additional Pain Relief After Lung Surgery (NCT04238455) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedPhase 2
Ultrasound-Guided Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Additional Pain Relief After Lung Surgery
United States93 participantsStarted 2020-01-22
Plain-language summary
The purpose of this study is to see if an anesthesia technique called serratus anterior plane block may provide additional pain relief for the chest wall after lung surgery. The study will evaluate the effect the serratus anterior plane block technique has on the need for opioids after surgery,the level of pain during recovery, and other aspects of recovery, like whether the patient has nausea and their ability to breathe deeply. The effects of the serratus anterior plane block will be compared to the effects of an inactive (sham) block.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adult patients ≥ 18 years of age who are capable of giving consent. English language proficiency is required.
* Undergoing elective minimally invasive (VATS or RATS) anatomic lung resection (segmentectomy or lobectomy) without an epidural.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Pregnancy (Patients must have a negative pregnancy test within 30 days of the operation)
* History of documented anaphylaxis or contraindication to local anesthetics
* History of ipsilateral thoracic surgery. Ipsilateral thoracic surgery indicates any previous thoracoscopic or open (i.e. via thoracotomy) pleural biopsy, lung resection, esophageal surgery, chest wall resection, or other thoracic surgery within the chest cavity. This does not include image-guided lung biopsy. Note: Mediport placement and other procedures performed by a surgeon/proceduralist NOT within the chest cavity are not excluded. Likewise, patients with a history of ipsilateral breast surgery are also not excluded. The purpose is to exclude patients who may have had injury to the intercostal nerves from previous surgery or who have surgically altered anatomy of the hemithorax.
* Patients undergoing bilateral procedures
* Weight \< 50 kg
* Chronic sustained-release opioid use for \> 2 weeks duration (in the 30 days prior to surgery)
* Significant cognitive impairment or documented psychological impairment
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status \> 3
* Patients may also be excluded from the study if the …
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.