Postoperative pain is a common and significant problem following open heart surgery. Fascial plane blocks (FPBs) such as Serratus Anterior Plane Block (SAPB), Pectoral Nerve Blocks (PECS), and Pecto-Intercostal Fascial Block (PIFB) are increasingly used as part of multimodal analgesia in cardiac surgery. However, objective assessment of block quality and its relationship with clinical outcomes remains limited in the literature.
This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the anatomical success of ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks applied in elective open heart surgery (median sternotomy) using two simultaneous methods: a trained artificial intelligence (AI) model and a blinded expert anesthesiologist. Block images will be recorded in DICOM format and scored on a 3-point scale (1: incorrect anatomical placement, 2: patchy spread, 3: ideal anatomical placement). The relationship between anatomical block success scores and postoperative pain (NRS at 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours), total analgesic consumption, and clinical outcomes will be investigated. Agreement between AI and blinded anesthesiologist assessments will also be analyzed.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 80 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 between 18-80 years
* Patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery (CABG, valve surgery, combined procedures)
* Patients undergoing median sternotomy
* ASA physical status II-III
* Patients capable of providing informed consent, including separate consent for AI-based image analysis
Exclusion Criteria:
* Emergency surgery
* Redo sternotomy
* Allergy to local anesthetics
* Coagulopathy (INR \>1.5, platelet count \<80,000/mm³)
* Infection at the block application site
* Chronic opioid use (\>3 months)
* Cognitive dysfunction
* Pregnancy
* ASA physical status IV and above
* Minimally invasive surgery performed via thoracotomy
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 Score
Timeframe: 48 hours postoperatively
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07581678
SponsorBursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital