CompletedPhase 3

Comparison of Postoperative Analgesia in Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) v/s Subcostal Transversus Abdominal Plane Block (STAP) in Adults Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Pakistan60 participantsStarted 2025-06-01

Plain-language summary

Postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains clinically relevant. This double-blinded randomized controlled trial compares the analgesic efficacy of landmark-guided Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) and subcostal transversus abdominis plane (STAP) block in 60 adult patients. Postoperative pain will be evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale at multiple time points, along with rescue analgesic requirements and time to first analgesic request, to assess the effectiveness of these techniques in resource-limited settings.

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: * Patients are both men and women. * Patients aged 18 to 65. * Patients are scheduled for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. * Patients with ASA Physical Status I or II. Finally, III. * Give consent. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: * Hypersensitivity to local anesthesia. * Infection at the block site. * Coagulation disorders. * BMI above 40kg/m2. * Patients with pregnancy. * Converted to open surgery. * Drain placement. * Neurological or psychiatric disorders that impair cooperation. * Patients are unwilling to cooperate.

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

VAS score

Timeframe: From arrival in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) through 24 hours postoperatively, assessed at 30 minutes in PACU, and at 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours after surgery.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07469410

SponsorPatel Hospital, Pakistan

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2025-11-15

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Postoperative Analgesia trials