M-TAPA Block for Analgesia After Open-Heart Surgery

The Effectiveness of the Modified Thoracoabdominal Nerve Block Through Perichondrial Approach (M-TAPA) on Postoperative Analgesia and Recovery in Open-Heart Surgery: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

Postoperative pain following open-heart surgery is primarily caused by median sternotomy, although additional contributors include costovertebral joint stress related to sternal retraction and the presence of chest wall and mediastinal drains during the postoperative period. This pain is often severe, especially in the early postoperative hours, making effective management both challenging and essential. Insufficient pain control frequently necessitates high doses of opioids, which may lead to adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory complications, and postoperative delirium. Excessive use of anesthetic agents or opioids can also delay extubation and prolong the process of weaning from mechanical ventilation.

The modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through the perichondrial approach (M-TAPA) is a regional anesthesia technique performed beneath the costal margin between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. It provides broad dermatomal coverage, extending approximately from the upper thoracic to the lower thoracic and upper lumbar segments. This study aims to evaluate the postoperative analgesic effectiveness of combining the M-TAPA block with a parasternal block in patients undergoing open-heart surgery.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Postoperative Pain; Acute Pain
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: M TAPA block; Other: Parasternal blocks; Other: Local infiltration

Detailed Description

Postoperative pain following open-heart surgery is primarily caused by median sternotomy, although additional contributors include costovertebral joint stress related to sternal retraction and the presence of chest wall and mediastinal drains during the postoperative period. This pain is often severe, especially in the early postoperative hours, making effective management both challenging and essential. Insufficient pain control frequently necessitates high doses of opioids, which may lead to adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory complications, and postoperative delirium. Excessive use of anesthetic agents or opioids can also delay extubation and prolong the process of weaning from mechanical ventilation.

The modified thoracoabdominal nerve block through the perichondrial approach (M-TAPA) is a regional anesthesia technique performed beneath the costal margin between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. It provides broad dermatomal coverage, extending approximately from the upper thoracic to the lower thoracic and upper lumbar segments. This study aims to evaluate the postoperative analgesic effectiveness of combining the M-TAPA block with a parasternal block in patients undergoing open-heart surgery.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 80
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: emre ulusoy; Phone Number: +905379492799; Email: emreulusoy36@gmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Eralp Çevikkalp; Phone Number: +905054554875; Email: eralpcevikkalp@hotmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged 18 to 85 years with ASA physical status II-III who are scheduled to undergo elective open-heart surgery will be included.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients who refuse to participate in the study

Patients with coagulopathy

Patients with a history of allergy or toxicity to local anesthetics

Patients with hepatic or renal failure

Patients with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus

Patients with uncontrolled hypertension

Mentally disabled patients

Patients receiving chronic pain therapy (opioid use)

Patients using antidepressant medications

Patients with neuropathic pain

Patients with infection at the injection site

Pregnant, suspected pregnant, or breastfeeding women

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Group M-TAPA; The M-TAPA and parasternal blocks will be administered before surgery.	Other: M TAPA block; In the M-TAPA group, the block will be performed preoperatively with the patient in the supine position under ultrasound guidance using a high-frequency linear probe (GE ML6-15-D Matrix Linear, Boston, USA) and an 80-mm block needle (Stimuplex Ultra®, Braun, Melsungen, Germany). After identifying the appropriate plane between the transversus abdominis muscle and the lower surface of the costal cartilage, 5 mL of saline will be injected to confirm correct placement. Subsequently, 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine will be injected bilaterally (a total of 40 mL for both sides).; Other: Parasternal blocks; Before intubation, the block will be performed under aseptic conditions using a high-frequency ultrasound probe (GE ML6-15-D Matrix Linear, Boston, USA) placed immediately lateral to the sternum after identifying the second to fourth intercostal spaces. An 80-mm echogenic block needle (Stimuplex Ultra®, Braun, Melsungen, Germany) will then be advanced using an in-plane approach from the skin toward the plane between the pectoralis major and intercostal muscles. A total of 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine will be injected bilaterally.
Active Comparator: Group Control; Preoperatively, a parasternal block and local anesthetic infiltration at the chest tube insertion sites will be administered to all patients.	Other: Parasternal blocks; Before intubation, the block will be performed under aseptic conditions using a high-frequency ultrasound probe (GE ML6-15-D Matrix Linear, Boston, USA) placed immediately lateral to the sternum after identifying the second to fourth intercostal spaces. An 80-mm echogenic block needle (Stimuplex Ultra®, Braun, Melsungen, Germany) will then be advanced using an in-plane approach from the skin toward the plane between the pectoralis major and intercostal muscles. A total of 10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine will be injected bilaterally.; Other: Local infiltration; Local anesthetic infiltration (10 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine) will be administered around the chest tube and mediastinal drain sites.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
opioid consumption	Fentanyl will be prepared at a concentration of 10 µg/mL, and patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) will be administered without a basal infusion, using a lock-out interval of 20 minutes and a bolus dose of 20 µg.	0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hours

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Postoperative pain scores (Numerical rating scale) (0-meaning "no pain" to 10-meaning "worst pain imaginable")	Postoperative 24 hours period. Patients' pain scores will be questioned at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hours.	0, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 24 hours
Global recovery scoring system (patient satisfaction scale)- QoR-15	Researchers will use the Turkish version of the Quality Improvement Survey/QoR-15. PART A: Participants will be asked by researchers how they felt in the last 24 hours.(0 to 10, where: 0 = none of the time [poor] and 10 = all of the time [excellent]) 1. Able to breathe easily 2. Been able to enjoy food 3. Feeling rested 4. Have had a good sleep 5. Able to look after personal toilet and hygiene unaided 6. Able to communicate with 7. Getting support from hospital doctors and nurses 8. Able to return to work or usual home activities 9. Feeling comfortable and in control 10. Having a feeling of general well-being PART B Participants will be asked by the researchers whether they have experienced any of the following in the last 24 hours. (10 to 0, where: 10 = none of the time [excellent] and 0 = all of the time [poor]) 11. Moderate pain 12. Severe pain 13. Nausea or vomiting 14. Feeling worried or anxious 15. Feeling sad or depressed	The quality of recovery will be evaluated out of a total of 150 points according to the QoR-15 test to be applied at the portoperative 24th hour.

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Bursa City Hospital
• Collaborators: Emre ULUSOY

Publications and helpful links

General Publications

• Dost B, De Cassai A, Balzani E, Tulgar S, Ahiskalioglu A. Effects of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia in cardiac surgery: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMC Anesthesiol. 2022 Dec 29;22(1):409. doi: 10.1186/s12871-022-01952-7.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): January 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 15, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 14, 2025
• First Posted (Estimated): November 18, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): November 19, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 17, 2025
• Last Verified: November 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: postoperative analgesia; Open-heart surgery; M-TAPA block; parasternal block
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Signs and Symptoms; Pain, Postoperative; Acute Pain; Anesthesia and Analgesia; Anesthesia, Conduction; Anesthesia; Anesthesia, Local
• Other Study ID Numbers: Bursa City Hospital 002

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO
• IPD Plan Description: Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No