The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the safety and effectiveness of the three intercostal nerve blocks used in pain management in uniportal (one port) thoracoscopic surgeries: internal intercostal nerve blocks (ICNB), external ICNB, and Intercostal catheters.
Participants will be randomly assigned to three groups:
* First group will undergo internal intercostal nerve block
* Second group will be given external intercostal nerve block
* Third group will have an intercostal catheter Researchers will compare the three groups to see their impact on post-operative pain management in uniportal VATS.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 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:
* All participants between the ages of 18 and 80 year-old who have elective or urgent uniportal VATS will be included in the sample.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Children - under the age of 18 or participants above the age of 80.
* Participants with chest wall infections and those with decorticated lungs will be excluded from the study.
* Participants with pre-existing chest pain or severe renal or hepatic dysfunction
* Participants with a history of psychiatric disorder or inability to understand the consent form or how to use a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain measurement
* Participants who have allergy to any of the given drugs, second thoracic surgery, participation in other clinical trials, obesity with body mass index\>35 kg/m2, intake of antiplatelet or anticoagulant agents, spinal deformity and severe bradycardia will also be excluded.
* Participants will be withdrawn from the study if the technical failure happened in the block or VATS procedure was converted to open procedure.
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
The effectiveness of the three approaches of pain management after 3 hours of uniportal VATS
Timeframe: From participants enrollment until 3 hours after the surgery
2
The effectiveness of the three approaches of pain management after 6 hours of uniportal VATS
Timeframe: From participants enrollment until 6 hours after the surgery
3
The effectiveness of the three approaches of pain management after 24 hours of uniportal VATS
Timeframe: From participants enrollment until 24 hours after the surgery
4
The effectiveness of the three approaches of pain management after uniportal VATS
Timeframe: From participants enrollment and during the 24 hours post-operatively
5
The effectiveness of the three approaches of pain management after uniportal VATS, during different positions