RecruitingNot Applicable

Postoperative Analgesia in Thoracic Surgery

Spain160 participantsStarted 2025-11-15

Plain-language summary

Analgesic management in thoracic surgery presents a particular challenge for the anesthesiologist, given the intensity of postoperative pain associated with thoracotomy, a surgical procedure that can impact respiratory function and the patient's subsequent recovery. Epidural analgesia is the gold standard. When epidural catheter placement is not feasible, erector spinae plane block is a safe alternative. The ultrasound target is easily visualized, and the injection site is far from the neuraxis, pleura, and major vascular structures. Consequently, this block has been incorporated into standard clinical practice as a treatment option for patients with complex cases or as an alternative approach when epidural catheter placement is not feasible. The primary objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing elective thoracic surgery. Study Population Design A prospective observational follow-up study will be conducted. ASA I-III patients undergoing scheduled thoracic surgery between November 1 and December 31, 2025, will be included. Their analgesic management will be based on standard clinical practice.

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: * Patients undergoing thoracic surgery between July 1 and October 31, 2020. * Age over 18. * ASA I-III. * Signed informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * ASA IV-V. * Chronic opioid treatment or treatment in the Chronic Pain Unit. * Intravenous drug abuse. * Local anesthetic allergy. * Language barrier, cognitive impairment, or inability to participate in clinical assessment during the study. * BMI \<18 or \>35 kg/m2

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

Postoperative pain

Timeframe: 24 postoperative hours

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07694141

SponsorHospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeOBSERVATIONAL

Primary completion2026-12-31

Contact for this trial

Ángel Becerra Bolaños, MD PhD

+34676229025 angbecbol@gmail.com

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Postoperative Pain Management trials