This prospective, randomized, double-blind study compares the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block and subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The primary outcome is 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes include postoperative pain scores, time to first analgesic request, shoulder pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and block-related complications.
Who can participate
Sex
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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:
Adults aged 18 years and older
Scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III
Ability to understand the study protocol and provide written informed consent -
Exclusion Criteria:Refusal to participate
Known allergy or contraindication to local anesthetic agents
Coagulopathy or anticoagulant therapy contraindicating regional anesthesia
Infection at the planned injection site
Body mass index (BMI) \> 35 kg/m²
Chronic opioid use or opioid dependence
Chronic pain syndromes requiring regular analgesic treatment
Severe hepatic, renal, or cardiac dysfunction
Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Inability to communicate or assess pain using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)
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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
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Total Opioid Consumption in the First 24 Hours Postoperatively