Bilateral Cervical Plexus Block for Postoperative Pain After Thyroidectomy

March 24, 2026 updated by: Elzem SEN, University of Gaziantep

Evaluation of the Postoperative Analgesic Effect of Ultrasound-Guided Bilateral Superficial Cervical Plexus Block in Patients Undergoing Thyroidectomy Under General Anesthesia: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

Patients undergoing thyroidectomy frequently experience moderate postoperative pain that may require opioid analgesics. Opioid use is associated with adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, and delayed recovery. Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia techniques may provide effective postoperative analgesia while reducing opioid consumption.

The aim of this prospective randomized study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical plexus block (BSCPB) in patients undergoing thyroidectomy under general anesthesia. Patients were divided into two groups: a block group receiving BSCPB with 0.5% bupivacaine and a control group receiving general anesthesia alone. Postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption, intraoperative analgesic requirements, and postoperative complications were compared between the groups.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Postoperative pain is a common clinical problem following thyroidectomy and may negatively affect patient comfort, recovery, and overall surgical outcomes. Moderate postoperative pain is frequently observed after thyroid surgery, and inadequate pain control may lead to delayed mobilization, increased opioid consumption, and higher incidence of opioid-related adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, and sedation.

Regional anesthesia techniques have increasingly been used as part of multimodal analgesia strategies to improve postoperative pain control while reducing opioid requirements. The bilateral superficial cervical plexus block (BSCPB) is a regional anesthesia technique that can provide effective analgesia for surgical procedures involving the neck, including thyroidectomy, parathyroid surgery, and cervical lymph node excisions. When performed under ultrasound guidance, BSCPB allows accurate identification of anatomical structures and precise local anesthetic administration, which may improve block success and reduce potential complications.

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical plexus block in patients undergoing thyroidectomy under general anesthesia.

A total of 40 patients aged between 18 and 65 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III scheduled for elective thyroidectomy were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. In the block group (Group B), patients received ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical plexus block using 10 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine on each side prior to surgery in addition to general anesthesia. In the control group (Group K), patients underwent thyroidectomy under general anesthesia without cervical plexus block.

Demographic characteristics, intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, anesthetic drug consumption, and intraoperative complications were recorded. Postoperative pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery. Postoperative tramadol consumption within the first 24 hours was also recorded. Additionally, postoperative complications such as nausea, vomiting, and pruritus were evaluated.

The primary objective of the study was to compare postoperative pain scores between the two groups. Secondary outcomes included intraoperative remifentanil consumption, postoperative tramadol consumption, hemodynamic parameters, and postoperative complications.

The findings of this study aim to determine whether ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical plexus block provides improved postoperative analgesia and reduces opioid requirements in patients undergoing thyroidectomy.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

40

Phase

  • 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 Locations

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

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Age between 18 and 75 years American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III Scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia Ability to provide written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

Allergy to local anesthetic agents Coagulation disorders or anticoagulant use Infection at the injection site Severe cardiac, respiratory, hepatic, or renal disease Pregnancy or breastfeeding Inability to understand pain scoring systems (VAS/NRS)

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

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Bilateral Superficial Cervical Plexus Block
Patients received ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical plexus block using 10 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine on each side (total 20 ml) along the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle using the three-injection technique prior to thyroidectomy. The procedure was performed under ultrasound guidance in addition to standard general anesthesia.
Procedure: Ultrasound-Guided Bilateral Superficial Cervical Plexus Block

Intervention Description:

Patients received an ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical plexus block prior to surgery. A total of 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine (10 ml per side) was injected along the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle using the three-injection technique. The block was performed under ultrasound guidance before induction of general anesthesia to provide perioperative analgesia.

Procedure: Standard general anesthesia
only general anesthesia
Active Comparator: General Anesthesia Only
Patients underwent thyroidectomy under standard general anesthesia without cervical plexus block. Perioperative anesthesia management was performed according to routine institutional practice.
Procedure: Standard general anesthesia
only general anesthesia

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Postoperative pain intensity (VAS)
Time Frame: Within the first 24 hours after surgery
Postoperative pain assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (0-100 mm)
Within the first 24 hours after surgery
Postoperative pain intensity (NRS)
Time Frame: Within the first 24 hours after surgery
Description: Postoperative pain assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (0-10)
Within the first 24 hours after surgery

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University of Gaziantep

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Elzem Sen, Assoc Prof, University of Gaziantep

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)

March 15, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 30, 2023

Study Completion (Actual)

July 15, 2023

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 13, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 24, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

March 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 27, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 24, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2023/17

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

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.

Clinical Trials on Postoperative Pain

Clinical Trials on Ultrasound-Guided Bilateral Superficial Cervical Plexus Block

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Kosovo

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe