Effectiveness of Ultrasonography-Guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in Th… (NCT07067892) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Effectiveness of Ultrasonography-Guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in Thoracic Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Turkey (Türkiye)34 participantsStarted 2025-07-01
Plain-language summary
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic pain syndrome that can be resistant to treatment, leading to physical and social disability, psychological disturbances, and potentially persisting for years . The varicella-zoster virus remains latent in the sensory neurons of individuals who have previously contracted varicella (chickenpox). Reactivation of the latent virus results in herpes zoster (HZ). In most patients, HZ initially presents with dermatomal pain, and within a few days, characteristic dermatomal vesicular eruptions typically develop. These skin lesions usually heal within 2-4 weeks; however, pain may persist even after the resolution of the rash .
The pathogenesis of PHN involves increased sensitization of central neurons, decreased function of inhibitory neuronal pathways, inflammation and nerve injury within the peripheral nervous system, and abnormal signal transmission following such damage. PHN represents the most common complication of HZ. It occurs in approximately 9-19% of all patients with HZ. The incidence of PHN increases with advancing age: it affects approximately 2% of individuals younger than 50 years, about 20% of those older than 50 years, and nearly 35% of those older than 80 years . Various treatment modalities, including pharmacologic agents and interventional procedures, are available for the management of PHN-related pain. This study primarily aims to evaluate the change in pain in PHN patients who underwent SPSIPB using the NRS-11. The secondary aim was to evaluate the effect of SPSIPB on neuropathic pain characteristics using the DN-4 scale and to investigate its effects on patients' quality of life using SF-12 scale.
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:
Patients over 18 years of age
\- who underwent a single-session ultrasound (US)-guided serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) in the thoracic region (T1-T10 dermatomes) for PHN between June 2023 and February 2025 were evaluated. -SPSIPB was performed in patients whose complaints persisted despite existing medical treatments.
Exclusion Criteria:Patients were excluded if they had cervical disc herniation -a history of trauma or surgery involving the neck, shoulder, or back; -malignancy- kyphoscoliosis; a history of inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis)
* congenital anomalies of the spine; neck pain accompanied by neurological deficits
* pregnancy
* mental or psychotic disorders
* hematologic diseases causing bleeding or coagulation disorders
* use of antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs or other medications predisposing to bleeding
* severe systemic infections such as sepsis
* local infection at the planned intervention site
* known allergy to any of the drugs to be used; or a history of invasive procedures for PHN in the thoracic region within the past three months.
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
Numeric Rating Scale -11 (NRS-11)
Timeframe: 3 months
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07067892
SponsorKanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital