Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain despite its minimally invasive nature. Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) are promising regional analgesic techniques for thoracic surgery; however, evidence directly comparing their effects on postoperative quality of recovery remains limited. This prospective, randomized, double-blind controlled trial aims to compare the effects of ESPB and SPSIPB on postoperative quality of recovery, measured by the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) questionnaire at 24 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes include postoperative pain scores, tramadol consumption, time to first rescue analgesia, rescue analgesic requirement, postoperative nausea and vomiting, patient satisfaction, length of hospital stay, block-related complications, and perioperative hemodynamic parameters.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 85 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:
* Adults aged 18-85 years.
* ASA physical status I-III.
* Scheduled for elective VATS under general anesthesia.
* Able to understand and complete the QoR-15 questionnaire.
* Written informed consent provided.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Refusal to participate or inability to provide written informed consent.
* Known allergy or contraindication to bupivacaine, paracetamol, dexketoprofen, or tramadol.
* Infection at the planned block injection site.
* Coagulopathy or ongoing anticoagulant therapy precluding regional anesthesia.
* Severe hepatic or renal insufficiency.
* Chronic opioid use or chronic pain requiring regular analgesic treatment.
* Previous thoracic surgery on the operative side.
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
* Cognitive impairment, psychiatric illness, or language barrier preventing completion of the QoR-15 questionnaire.
* Body mass index (BMI) \>35 kg/m².
* Conversion from VATS to thoracotomy.
* Failed or incomplete regional block.
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
Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) Score
Timeframe: 24 hours after surgery
Trial details
NCT IDNCT07729488
SponsorSaglik Bilimleri Universitesi Gazi Yasargil Training and Research Hospital