Erector Spinae Block Versus Combined Pecto-intercostal and Recto-intercostal Fascial Plane Block in Cardiac Surgery

July 1, 2026 updated by: Osama Rehab, Tanta University

Analgesic Efficacy of Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Combined Pecto-intercostal and Recto-intercostal Fascial Plane Block in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Comparative Trial

The aim of this study is to compare the analgesic effects of ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane block versus ultrasound-guided bilateral combined Pecto-intercostal fascial plane block and recto-intercostal fascial plane block in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The incidence of severe acute postoperative pain after median sternotomy is as high as 49 %. A number of regional techniques have been used to treat sternotomy pain such as thoracic epidural, intercostal nerve block, paravertebral nerve block & thoracic erector spinae plane block which has been used extensively in cardiac surgery providing adequate postoperative pain control. Pecto-intercostal fascial plane block is a minimally invasive, regional fascial plane block technique that can be administered as a part of a multimodal analgesic regimen. It targets the anterior intercostal nerves as they run in the fascial plane between the pectoralis major muscle and the external intercostal muscles and emerge on either side of the sternum. Recently, Tulgar et al. have described a novel block named "recto-intercostal fascial plane block" which is performed between the rectus abdominis muscle and costal cartilages of ribs 6-7 (insertion of RAM). In their cadaveric examination, they reported that the dye spread extensively to the anterior branches of the T6-T9 thoracic nerves, and laterally to the entire lower thorax. The investigators assume that the incomplete dermatome coverage by Pecto-intercostal fascial plane block might be responsible for its inferior analgesic quality compared to erector spinae plane block which was reported in some previous reports. So, the investigators will conduct this novel study to investigate and compare the analgesic effects of erector spinae plane block and combined Pecto-intercostal fascial plane block and recto-intercostal fascial plane block in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
66

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • Egypt
    • Gharbia Governorate
      • Tanta, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt, 31527
        • Tanta University Hospitals

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age from 21 to 65 years.
  • Both sexes.
  • Scheduled for open heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and midline sternotomy.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of chronic pain or Long-term or recent use of opioids.
  • History of allergy to local anesthetic drugs.
  • Ejection fraction of left ventricle less than 30%.
  • History of psychiatric diseases or any neurological disorders.
  • Pre-existing major organ dysfunction as hepatic or renal failure.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Active Comparator: Erector spinae plane block group
At the level of fourth thoracic vertebra, the ultrasound transducer (5-14 Mhz) Philips CX50 will be placed in the sagittal plane and moved 3 cm to visualize the transverse process of T4 or T5 with erector spinae muscle overlying it, the needle will be inserted in plane into the facial plane deep to the erector spinae muscle with the tip contacting the transverse process of T4 or T5. After confirmation by 5 ml saline, 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25% will be injected for each side ensuring not to exceed the maximal 2 mg/kg bupivacaine dose.
Drug: Erector spinae plane block
The block will be done under ultrasound guidance using 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25% that will be injected for each side ensuring not to exceed the maximal 2 mg/kg bupivacaine dose.
Experimental: Combined Pecto-intercostal and recto-intercostal fascial plane block group
A high-frequency ultrasound transducer will be placed 2 cm lateral to sternal edge at the level of 4th rib. A needle will be inserted in-plane under ultrasound guidance through the pectoralis major muscle, and the drug will be deposited in the pecto-intercostal fascial plane located between the pectoralis major muscle and the fourth rib (or intercostal muscle) after confirmation by 5 ml saline. 10-15 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine will be injected for each side. Then the transducer will be placed 2-3 cm lateral and caudal to the xiphoid in the epigastric area.The needle will be inserted between RAM and the costal cartilages with an in-plane technique in a caudo-cranial way. Hydro-dissection will be performed with 5 ml saline for confirmation needle tip position, 10-15 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine will be injected for each side.
Drug: Combined Pecto-intercostal and recto-intercostal fascial plane block
The blocks will be done under ultrasound guidance using 10-15 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine that will be injected for each side ensuring not to exceed the maximal 2 mg/kg bupivacaine dose..

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
The total opioid consumption in first 24 hours after surgery.
Time Frame: 24 hours after surgery.
opioid analgesia will be given if the pain scores ≥ 4.
24 hours after surgery.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Intraoperative fentanyl dose
Time Frame: Until the end of surgical procedure.
Fentanyl bolus dosages of 2μg/kg IV will be administered if heart rate or mean arterial blood pressure elevated more than 20% of the baseline.
Until the end of surgical procedure.
Postoperative pain scores after extubation, at 8, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 hour after surgery.
Time Frame: 48 hours after surgery.
Numerical rating scale pain score (NRS) ranges from 0= no pain to 10= worst pain will be used to evaluate pain scores after surgery.
48 hours after surgery.
Extubation time
Time Frame: 24 hours after surgery.
Time from intensive care unit admission until successful removal of endotracheal tube will be recorded.
24 hours after surgery.
Side effects
Time Frame: 24 hours after surgery.
Hypotension , bradycardia, postoperative nausea and vomiting
24 hours after surgery.
Incidence of chronic pain at 3, and 6 months after surgery.
Time Frame: 6 months after surgery.
chronic pain will be assessed and its severity graded by rating scale will be recorded.
6 months after surgery.
Opioid consumption in the second day after surgery.
Time Frame: 48 hours after surgery.
opioid analgesia will be given if the pain scores ≥ 4.
48 hours after surgery.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Tanta University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 20, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
July 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
January 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
March 6, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 6, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
March 11, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
July 6, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
July 1, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
July 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • 36264PR1085/2/25

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

The data will be available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

After completion of the study.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

The data will be available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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