This study is designed to compare three different methods of pain control after laparoscopic gallbladder surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy). Although this surgery is minimally invasive, participants often experience different types of pain after the operation, such as pain at the incision site, pain inside the abdomen, and shoulder pain caused by the gas used during surgery.
The investigators will compare three commonly used pain relief techniques:
Local infiltration - injecting a numbing medicine (bupivacaine) into the gallbladder bed and at the sites where the surgical instruments are placed.
Erector spinae plane (ESP) block - an ultrasound-guided nerve block performed in the back to reduce both abdominal and incisional pain.
Intrathecal morphine - a very small dose of morphine given into the spinal fluid before surgery to provide long-lasting pain relief.
The goal is to determine which method provides the best pain control, reduces the need for opioid medications, and improves recovery after surgery.
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:
* Adults aged 18-65 years
* Scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy
* American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III
* Able to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Body mass index (BMI) \> 35 kg/m²
* History of coagulopathy or bleeding disorders
* Known allergy or hypersensitivity to opioids or local anesthetics
* Chronic pain or regular analgesic use
* History of neurological or psychiatric disease
* Pregnancy
* Refusal to participate in the study
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.