Effect of Intercostal Nerve Block With Liposomal Bupivacaine on Quality of Recovery in VATS Parti… (NCT07512635) | Clinical Trial Compass
RecruitingPhase 4
Effect of Intercostal Nerve Block With Liposomal Bupivacaine on Quality of Recovery in VATS Partial Pneumonectomy
China96 participantsStarted 2026-04-06
Plain-language summary
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive approach for partial pneumonectomy, but postoperative pain remains a major challenge affecting recovery. Intercostal nerve block (ICNB) with conventional local anesthetics provides limited duration of analgesia, often insufficient to cover the peak pain period after surgery. Liposomal bupivacaine is a long-acting formulation designed to provide extended analgesia up to 72 hours. This study aims to evaluate the effect of preoperative ICNB with liposomal bupivacaine compared with conventional bupivacaine hydrochloride on postoperative quality of recovery in patients undergoing VATS partial pneumonectomy. The primary outcome is the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) score at 24 hours postoperatively. We hypothesize that liposomal bupivacaine ICNB results in superior recovery quality compared with conventional bupivacaine, with reduced postoperative pain and opioid consumption.
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 scheduled for thoracic surgery under general anesthesia via thoracoscopic approach;
* Age 18-65 years;
* Classified as Grade I-II by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).
Exclusion Criteria:
* History of local anesthetic allergy.
* Chronic opioid users.
* Contraindications for nerve block, including infection at the puncture site and coagulation disorders;
* Language communication impairment.
* Other conditions unsuitable for inclusion in the trial.
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.
1This trial is testing intercostal nerve blocks with liposomal bupivacaine during VATS lung surgery — how does this pain control approach compare to what you'd normally use for my procedure, and what are the potential risks of adding this nerve block?
2Since this is a Phase 4 trial, the drug liposomal bupivacaine is already approved — does that mean the safety profile is better understood than in earlier-phase trials, and are there still unknowns I should be aware of?
3The main thing being measured is my quality of recovery at 24 hours after surgery — what does 'quality of recovery' actually mean in practice, and how would my experience in this trial differ from standard post-operative care?
4I have a pulmonary nodule that needs a VATS partial pneumonectomy — would participating in this trial affect the timing or approach of my surgery in any way that might matter for my overall treatment plan?
5Are there standard pain management options already available for VATS lung surgery that I should consider alongside this trial, so I can weigh whether enrolling makes sense for my situation?
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.