CompletedNot Applicable

Additive Regional Fascial Plain Blocks to Pectointercostal Fascial Block for Postoperative Pain Management After Cardiac Surgery: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Egypt180 participantsStarted 2025-03-04

Plain-language summary

Acute postoperative pain is severe in cardiac patients undergoing sternotomy, and pain intensity is more severe than expected. Many patients referred to tube insertion as the most painful site after coronary artery bypass surgery. (6) Rectus sheath block (RSB) can offer somatic analgesia for midline incisions. (7) It has been verified to manage subxiphoid drainage pain effectively and safely for cardiac surgery patients. Another intervention, External oblique intercoastal plane block (EOIPB) is given at the mid-clavicular line and may block the intercostal nerve's anterior and lateral branches. Anesthesia is provided between the external oblique and intercostal nerves. This allows analgesia of the anterior upper abdominal wall between T6-T10 dermatomes in the anterior axillary line and T6-T9 dermatomes in the midline. It blocks the lateral and anterior branches of T6-T10 intercostal nerves.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 65 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: The study will include adult patients of both sexes, aged 18 to 65, with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II and III who are scheduled to have fast-tracking elective on-pump cardiac surgery through a median sternotomy with epigastric drain insertion. Exclusion Criteria: * patients who refused to participate in the study, also * who had Cognitive impairment or mental disorders, * Ages \<18 and \>65 years, * BMI \<18 and \>35, * patients with puncture site infection, * patients who documented allergy to local anesthetic drugs, * patients used to take chronic pain medications, * patients who made previous sternotomy or chest surgery and * patients undergoing emergency procedures * patients with a history of substance abuse.

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

To compare the incidence of epigastric drain site pain after ultrasound-guided bilateral PIFPB, PIPRSB, and PIEOB for acute postoperative pain after sternotomy in adult cardiac surgery patients

Timeframe: 24 hours postoperatively

Trial details

NCT IDNCT06865404

SponsorAlexandria University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-08-30

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Postoperative Pain Management trials