Effect of Early Versus Late Surgical Intercostal Block on Postoperative Pain Relief Following Vid… (NCT07532681) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Effect of Early Versus Late Surgical Intercostal Block on Postoperative Pain Relief Following Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS)
Belgium140 participantsStarted 2026-04-01
Plain-language summary
Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is associated with significant postoperative pain despite lower morbidity compared with thoracotomy. Adequate pain management is essential within Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathways to preserve respiratory function and facilitate postoperative recovery. Surgical intercostal block performed under direct vision is a simple and effective regional analgesic technique commonly used following VATS. However, the optimal timing of intercostal block administration during surgery remains uncertain.
This prospective randomized double-blind study will compare surgical intercostal block performed at the beginning versus the end of the surgical procedure. The study aims to evaluate the effect of block timing on postoperative pain intensity and postoperative opioid consumption. The results may help optimize multimodal analgesic strategies in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.
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:
* Age ≥ 18 years
* Scheduled for single-port or two-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
* ASA classification 1 to 3
* Able to understand the study, describe their pain and provide valid informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Neurological or psychiatric conditions that compromise the reliable assessment of pain(dementia, cognitive impairment, severe communication disorders)
* Chronic opioid use or regular use (\> 3 months) of strong analgesics for chronic pain
* History of allergy or known hypersensitivity to local anaesthetics
* Coagulopathy or anticoagulant therapy precluding the safe performance of an intercostal block
* Local infection at the injection site or active systemic infection
* Bilateral thoracic surgery or intraoperative conversion to thoracotomy
* Second surgery at the same site.
* Current pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Inability to understand postoperative instructions or a language barrier preventing a validated assessment of pain
* Simultaneous participation in another clinical trial involving analgesia or thoracic surgery
* Refusal to participate or withdrawal of consent at any time
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
Postoperative pain intensity during the first 24 hours following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Timeframe: At 24 hours postoperatively
2
Postoperative pain intensity during the first hour following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Timeframe: At 1 hour postoperatively
3
Postoperative pain intensity during the first 6 hours following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Timeframe: At 6 hours postoperatively
4
Postoperative pain intensity during the first 12 hours following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)