Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable

Lateral Versus Subcostal TAP Block for Drain-Site Analgesia in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Turkey (Türkiye)88 participantsStarted 2026-06-15

Plain-language summary

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a commonly performed surgical procedure. Despite its minimally invasive nature, patients may experience significant postoperative pain, particularly at trocar insertion sites and surgical drain entry sites. Pain originating from the drain site is often localized to the lateral abdominal wall and may contribute substantially to postoperative discomfort. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthesia technique widely used for postoperative pain management after abdominal surgery. Different TAP block approaches provide analgesia to different regions of the abdominal wall. This prospective randomized clinical trial aims to compare two TAP block strategies in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with surgical drain placement. Patients will be randomly assigned to receive either bilateral subcostal TAP block or a targeted approach consisting of a lateral TAP block on the drain side and a subcostal TAP block on the opposite side. The primary outcome is postoperative drain-site pain intensity measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at 6 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes include pain scores at additional postoperative time points, opioid consumption, time to first analgesic request, patient satisfaction, postoperative nausea and vomiting, sedation scores, and recovery parameters. The findings of this study may help identify a more effective regional analgesia strategy for the management of drain-site pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Who can participate

Age range

18 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 aged 18-75 years, classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III, with a body mass index (BMI) \< 35 kg/m², undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy and requiring abdominal drain placement at the end of surgery. \- Exclusion Criteria:Patients with known allergy to local anesthetics, coagulopathy or ongoing anticoagulant therapy, infection at the planned block site, chronic opioid use, chronic pain syndromes, pregnancy, severe hepatic or renal insufficiency, inability to communicate effectively or to perform pain assessment using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), previous upper abdominal surgery, or drain placement outside the lateral abdominal wall (e.g., subxiphoid location) will be excluded. Patients who require conversion to open surgery, postoperative intensive care unit admission, or who experience block failure will also be excluded from the final analysis. \-

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

Drain-Site Pain Score at 6 Hours Postoperatively

Timeframe: 6 hours after surgery

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07661576

SponsorTurgut Ozal University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-05-15

Contact for this trial

hacı osman toplu, MD

+905321137771 hosmantoplu@gmail.com

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Postoperative Pain After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy trials