Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in Robotic-Assisted Thymectomy

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Ultrasound-guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block performed with 0.25% bupivacaine: While the patient is in the prone or the sitting position, a high-frequency linear transducer is placed transversely at the level of the scapular spine, visualizing the upper medial border of the scapula, trapezius muscle, rhomboid major, serratus posterior superior muscle, and the second and third ribs. Next, the transducer is rotated to obtain an oblique view, including the upper medial border of the scapula. The needle is then advanced immediately medial to the scapula, aiming for the area between the second and third ribs to reach the fascial plane between the serratus posterior superior muscle and intercostal muscles using the in-plane technique. Once the needle contacts the rib, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine is administered superficially to the intercostal muscle.

Ultrasound-guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block performed with a placebo solution (0.9% NaCl): While the patient is in the prone or the sitting position, a high-frequency linear transducer is placed transversely at the level of the scapular spine, visualizing the upper medial border of the scapula, trapezius muscle, rhomboid major, serratus posterior superior muscle, and the second and third ribs. Next, the transducer is rotated to obtain an oblique view, including the upper medial border of the scapula. The needle is then advanced immediately medial to the scapula, aiming for the area between the second and third ribs to reach the fascial plane between the serratus posterior superior muscle and intercostal muscles using the in-plane technique. Once the needle contacts the rib, 30 mL of 0.9% NaCl is administered superficially to the intercostal muscle

Study summary

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block (SPSIP Block) for postoperative pain control, reducing opioid analgesic consumption, minimizing postoperative respiratory complications, and enhancing patient satisfaction (measured using the QoR-15 index) in patients undergoing robotic thymectomy, compared to patients who do not receive the block.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Postoperative pain intensity — 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after the end of the surgical procedure
  The measurement of postoperative pain intensity, assessed using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), a numerical scale that can range from 0 to 10 (where 0 means no pain and 10 corresponds to the worst imaginable pain), in the two study groups.

Trial sites (1)

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