RecruitingNot Applicable

Ultrasound-Guided SPSIP Versus ESPB for Postoperative Pain After Modified Radical Mastectomy

Egypt50 participantsStarted 2026-03-01

Plain-language summary

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women worldwide. Modified radical mastectomy is one of the main surgical treatments for breast cancer. However, this surgery is often associated with significant postoperative pain, which may delay recovery and increase the need for opioid medications such as morphine. Regional anesthesia techniques are increasingly used to improve pain control after breast surgery and reduce opioid consumption. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a well-established ultrasound-guided technique that provides effective chest wall analgesia. The serratus posterior superior intercostal plane (SPSIP) block is a newer ultrasound-guided technique that targets intercostal nerves and may provide effective postoperative pain relief. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of SPSIP block versus ESPB block in controlling pain after modified radical mastectomy. The primary outcome will be total morphine consumption during the first 24 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes include pain scores, time to first request for rescue analgesia, hemodynamic stability, recovery profile, patient satisfaction, and postoperative side effects such as nausea and vomiting. This study aims to determine whether the newer SPSIP block provides comparable or superior pain control to ESPB, with the goal of improving postoperative recovery and reducing opioid requirements in breast cancer patients.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 65 Years

Sex

FEMALE

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: Female patients diagnosed with breast cancer Scheduled for modified radical mastectomy (MRM) American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II or III Age 18-65 years Body mass index (BMI) \> 20 kg/m² and \< 35 kg/m² Ability to understand the study protocol and provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Patient refusal to participate ASA physical status IV or higher BMI ≤ 20 kg/m² or ≥ 35 kg/m² Known hypersensitivity or contraindication to local anesthetics, opioids, or study medications History of chronic pain or regular opioid use Significant psychiatric disorders affecting pain assessment Contraindications to regional anesthesia (e.g., infection at injection site, coagulopathy, pre-existing peripheral neuropathy) Severe respiratory, cardiac, hepatic, or renal disease

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

Total 24-Hour Postoperative Morphine Consumption

Timeframe: First 24 hours postoperatively

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07446868

SponsorCairo University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-03-01

Contact for this trial

Sayed M Abed, MD

+20 122 680 6532 sayed.abed@nci.cu.edu.eg

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Breast Cancer trials