MedPath

ESP Block in VATS: Programmed Intermittent Bolus Versus Continuous Infusion on Quality of Recovery

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Pain, Acute
Surgery
Interventions
Procedure: Ultrasound Guided ESP Block with Continuous Infusion (CI) for VATS
Procedure: Ultrasound Guided ESP Block with Programmed Intermittent Bolus (PIB) for VATS
Registration Number
NCT05181371
Lead Sponsor
Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Brief Summary

Fascial plane blocks, such as ESP, rely on the spread of local anaesthetic on an interfacial plane, automated boluses may be particularly useful for this group of blocks. However, until recently, ambulatory pumps capable of providing automated boluses in addition to patient-controlled boluses were not widely available. To best of our knowledge, there are no randomised controlled trials comparing continuous infusion versus intermittent bolus strategies for Erector Spinae Plane Block for MITS in terms of patient centred outcomes such as quality of recovery.

Detailed Description

Minimally invasive thoracic surgery (MITS) has been shown to reduce postoperative pain, reduce tissue trauma and contribute to better recovery as compared to open thoracotomy. However, it still causes significant acute post-operative pain. Our Mater research group has shown that fascial plane blocks such as the Erector Spinae Plane block (ESP) contribute to post-operative analgesia after MITS. Case reports have described the improved quality of analgesia following ESP using programmed intermittent boluses (PIB) instead of continuous infusion. It is hypothesised that larger, repeated bolus doses provide superior analgesia, possibly as a result of improved spread of the local anaesthetic. Evidence for improved spread of local anaesthetic may be found in one study which demonstrated that PIB increased the number of affected dermatomal levels compared to continuous infusions for continuous paravertebral blocks. Similarly, with regard to labour epidural analgesia, PIB provides better analgesia compared with continuous infusion.

Because fascial plane blocks, such as ESP, rely on the spread of local anaesthetic on an interfacial plane, automated boluses may be particularly useful for this group of blocks. However, until recently, ambulatory pumps capable of providing automated boluses in addition to patient-controlled boluses were not widely available. To the best of our knowledge, there are no randomised controlled trials comparing continuous infusion versus intermittent bolus strategies for Erector Spinae Plane Block for MITS in terms of patient-centered outcomes such as quality of recovery.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • Male and Female aged > 18
  • Able to provide written informed consent
  • ASA grade I - V
  • VATS surgery
  • Weight > 55kg
Exclusion Criteria
  • Absence of or inability to give informed consent
  • Pre-existing infection at block site
  • Severe coagulopathy
  • Allergy to local anaesthesia (or another contraindication to block performance)
  • Previous history of opiate abuse
  • Pre-existing chronic pain condition
  • Pre-existing dementia (due to need to co-operate in completing QoR-15 score day after surgery
  • Postoperative admission to ICU for continued ventilation
  • BMI > 40 kg/m2

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Ultrasound Guided ESP Block with Continuous Infusion (CI)Ultrasound Guided ESP Block with Continuous Infusion (CI) for VATSAfter induction of general anaesthesia, an ESP catheter will be inserted at the level of T5. A bolus dose of 20 ml 0.25% Levobupicaine will be administered into the ESP space. Two hours post bolus administration, patients will receive a continuous infusion local anaesthetic: 0.125% levobupivacaine at an infusion rate of 10 ml/hr.
Ultrasound Guided ESP Block with Programmed Intermittent Bolus (PIB)Ultrasound Guided ESP Block with Programmed Intermittent Bolus (PIB) for VATSAfter induction of general anaesthesia, an ESP catheter will be inserted at the level of T5. A bolus dose of 20 ml 0.25% Levobupicaine will be administered into the ESP space. Two hours post bolus administration, patients will receive programmed intermittent bolus of local anaesthetic: 20mls 0.125% levobupivacaine every two hours.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Quality of Recovery (QoR-15)24 hours

Patient centred metric to measure the quality of recovery after surgery. Scale is between 0-150, where '0' refers to poor quality of recovery and '150' refers to excellent quality of recovery

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Maximal inspiratory volume48 hours

This will be measured with a calibrated incentive spirometer at the bedside

Area Under the Curve for Verbal Rating Score for pain on deep inspiration48 hours

Pain scores (0-10). '0' refers to no pain and '10' refers to severe pain.

Length of hospital stay30 days

Will be measured from immediate postoperative in days

Quality of Recovery (QoR-15)48 hours

Patient centred metric to measure the quality of recovery after surgery. Scale is between 0-150, where '0' refers to poor quality of recovery and '150' refers to excellent quality of recovery

Area Under the Curve for Verbal Rating Score for pain at rest48 hours

Pain scores (0-10). '0' refers to no pain and '10' refers to severe pain.

Time to first intravenous opioid48 hours

Will be measured from immediate postoperative in minutes

Time to first mobilisation48 hours

Will be measured from immediate postoperative in hours

Duration of time in PACU .24 hours

Will be measured from immediate postoperative in minutes

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

St Jame's University Hospital

🇮🇪

Dublin, Ireland

Mater Misericordiae University Hospital

🇮🇪

Dublin, Ireland

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath