This study evaluated the effects of parasternal block and wound site infiltration on postoperative pain in patients undergoing median sternotomy. Patients were allocated to receive parasternal block, wound site infiltration, or standard systemic analgesia. Salivary opiorphin levels and postoperative pain scores were assessed to compare analgesic effectiveness between the groups.
Who can participate
Age range
30 Years – 75 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 surgery through median sternotomy
* Patients who provided informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* Age under 30 years
* Presence of ischemic, inflammatory, or systemic disease, except cardiovascular disease
* Use of analgesic medication within the last 24 hours
* Diagnosis of psychiatric disorder
* Presence of any oral pathology, including active dental caries, aphthous lesions, or salivary gland inflammation
* Prolonged intubation or inability to be separated from mechanical ventilation for more than 8 hours
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 compared parasternal nerve block versus wound infiltration for pain after open-heart surgery through a chest-bone incision — if I need cardiac surgery requiring a median sternotomy, which of these two pain management approaches does my surgical team currently use, and why?
2Since this study measured a saliva-based marker called opiorphin as its main outcome rather than directly measuring patient pain relief or opioid use, what do those results actually tell us about which method works better for real patients in practice?
3This trial is already completed — has the data been published or shared anywhere, and can you walk me through what the findings might mean for how my post-surgical pain would be managed?
4Both techniques in this trial were aimed at reducing pain after chest surgery, which can affect breathing and recovery — how would the choice between a parasternal block and wound infiltration affect my ability to breathe deeply and move around after my operation?
5Are there other pain management options beyond these two approaches that I should know about, and is there a standard of care at your institution that the results of this kind of study might be influencing?
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
Change in Salivary Opiorphin Level
Timeframe: Baseline, 3 minutes after sternotomy, and postoperative 6 hours