This prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial was designed to evaluate the effects of ultrasound-guided bilateral pectoralis (PECS II) and serratus anterior plane (SAP) blocks on postoperative recovery in adult patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Patients were randomized to receive bilateral PECS II block, bilateral SAP block, or bilateral sham fascial plane injections in addition to standardized systemic analgesia. The study evaluated postoperative pain intensity using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), opioid consumption, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), block-related complications, duration of mechanical ventilation, time to first mobilization, and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay.
Who can participate
Age range
20 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:
Adults aged 20 years and older ASA physical status II-IV Scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) via median sternotomy Extubated in the intensive care unit after surgery Provided written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
Refusal to participate or inability to provide informed consent Pregnancy Known allergy or contraindication to bupivacaine or other amide local anesthetics Coagulopathy or ongoing anticoagulation precluding regional anesthesia Local infection at the planned injection site Severe hepatic or renal failure Pre-existing chronic opioid use or chronic pain requiring opioid treatment Pre-existing neurological disorders affecting pain assessment Requirement for emergency surgery or concomitant cardiac procedures other than isolated CABG Reoperation for postoperative bleeding before outcome assessment
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.
What they're measuring
1
Postoperative pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Timeframe: 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after extubation