Two Bupivacaine Concentrations for Erector Spinae Plane Block in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (ESPB-PNL)

June 12, 2026 updated by: Said Sencer Güney, Ankara Education and Research Hospital

Effects of Two Different Bupivacaine Concentrations in Ultrasound-Guided Thoracic Erector Spinae Plane Block on Postoperative Pain and Inflammatory Biomarkers After Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy

People who undergo percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL), a procedure used to remove kidney stones, often experience pain after surgery. An ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is commonly used to help reduce this pain.

This study compares two different concentrations of bupivacaine, a local anesthetic medication, used during ESPB. Participants undergoing PNL will receive either 0.25% or 0.375% bupivacaine as part of their pain management.

Researchers will compare pain scores, the need for additional pain medication, and changes in blood markers related to inflammation after surgery. The aim of the study is to determine whether one concentration provides better pain control or influences the inflammatory response differently after PNL.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

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

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) is the standard treatment for large and complex renal stones. Despite its minimally invasive nature, postoperative pain remains an important clinical concern and may adversely affect recovery, mobilization, and patient satisfaction. Ultrasound-guided thoracic erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has been increasingly incorporated into multimodal analgesia protocols because of its simplicity, safety profile, and effectiveness in reducing postoperative pain.

The optimal concentration of bupivacaine for ESPB in patients undergoing PNL remains unclear. This study was designed to compare the effects of two different concentrations of bupivacaine (0.25% and 0.375%) administered during ultrasound-guided thoracic ESPB on postoperative pain control and inflammatory response following PNL.

Adult patients scheduled for elective PNL were enrolled. ESPB was performed at the T10 vertebral level under ultrasound guidance before surgery. Participants received 20 mL of either 0.25% or 0.375% bupivacaine. Standard perioperative anesthetic and postoperative analgesic protocols were applied to all participants.

The primary outcome was postoperative pain intensity assessed using Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores at predefined postoperative time points. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative fentanyl consumption, postoperative tramadol consumption, patient-controlled analgesia requirements, postoperative nausea and vomiting, patient satisfaction, and perioperative changes in inflammatory biomarkers, including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR).

Demographic characteristics, stone-related variables, operative data, and perioperative hemodynamic parameters were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed to compare postoperative pain outcomes, analgesic requirements, and inflammatory biomarker responses between the study groups.

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.
Observational

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.
60

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Mamak
      • Ankara, Mamak, Turkey (Türkiye), 06420
        • Ankara Training and Research Hospital

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

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consisted of adult patients undergoing elective percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) for renal stone disease at a single tertiary care center between July 2024 and March 2025. Eligible participants were 18-70 years of age, classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III, and received ultrasound-guided thoracic erector spinae plane block (ESPB) as part of perioperative analgesic management. A total of 60 participants were included and prospectively followed throughout the postoperative period.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age between 18 and 70 years.
  • Scheduled to undergo elective percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL).
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III.
  • Received ultrasound-guided thoracic erector spinae plane block (ESPB) before surgery.
  • Willing and able to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Inability to assess pain using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
  • Advanced cardiovascular disease.
  • Coagulopathy or bleeding disorders.
  • Opioid use disorder.
  • Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 40 kg/m².
  • Infection at the planned injection site.
  • Known allergy or hypersensitivity to bupivacaine, other local anesthetics, or study-related medications.
  • Withdrawal of consent during the study period.

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

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
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.
group 1
0.25% Bupivacaine ESPB
Procedure: Erector spinae plane block (ESPB)
Ultrasound-guided thoracic erector spinae plane block was performed at the T10 vertebral level before surgery by an experienced anesthesiologist. A total volume of 20 mL bupivacaine was administered. Participants received either 0.25% or 0.375% bupivacaine according to the study cohort. The block was used as part of a multimodal analgesia protocol for postoperative pain management following percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
group 2
0.375% bupivacaine ESPB
Procedure: Erector spinae plane block (ESPB)
Ultrasound-guided thoracic erector spinae plane block was performed at the T10 vertebral level before surgery by an experienced anesthesiologist. A total volume of 20 mL bupivacaine was administered. Participants received either 0.25% or 0.375% bupivacaine according to the study cohort. The block was used as part of a multimodal analgesia protocol for postoperative pain management following percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

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
Postoperative pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and total opioid consumption
Time Frame: 36 hours after surgery
Postoperative pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0-10), where higher scores indicate greater pain severity. Pain scores and Total intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption were recorded at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 hours after surgery.
36 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
inflammatory markers
Time Frame: 24 hours after surgery
Changes in neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio measured before surgery and at 12 and 24 hours after surgery.
24 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.
Ankara Education and Research Hospital

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Chair: suna akın takmaz, proffessor doctor, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye

Publications and helpful links

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General Publications

Study record dates

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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.
July 1, 2024

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.
March 18, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

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.
March 19, 2025

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).
June 12, 2026

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.
June 12, 2026

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.
June 17, 2026

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.
June 17, 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.
June 12, 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.
June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

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.
  • E-24-130

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be made publicly available because the informed consent obtained from participants did not include permission for public data sharing, and data confidentiality and privacy will be maintained in accordance with institutional and ethical requirements.

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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