Rhomboid Intercostal Block vs Erector Spinae Block
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Ultrasound-guided Rhomboid Intercostal Block, Ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane Block.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Lung Cancer. Basic parameters: 18 years — 65 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Egypt
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Assessing the Effectiveness of Rhomboid Intercostal and Erector Spinae Plane Blocks After Lung Cancer Thoracotomy
Overview
This randomized trial compares rhomboid intercostal block (RIB) and erector spinae plane block (ESPB) for postoperative pain control in lung cancer patients undergoing thoracotomy. Sixty patients will be assessed for 24-hour morphine consumption, pain scores, hemodynamics, recovery time, satisfaction, and side effects. The study aims to identify the more effective technique for enhancing recovery and minimizing opioid use.
Detailed description
This randomized clinical trial aims to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of two ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia techniques-Rhomboid Intercostal Block (RIB) and Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB)-in female lung cancer patients undergoing thoracotomy at the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University. Thoracotomy is known for causing severe postoperative pain, which, if not effectively managed, can lead to chronic pain and impaired pulmonary function. Traditional techniques like thoracic epidural or paravertebral blocks, while effective, have limitations due to technical complexity and potential complications. Recently, interfascial plane blocks such as ESPB have shown promise for thoracic analgesia, and RIB has emerged as a technique potentially offering superior lateral thoracic wall coverage.
Sixty patients will be randomly assigned to receive either RIB or ESPB 30-45 minutes before surgery. The primary outcome is 24-hour postoperative morphine consumption. Secondary outcomes include visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, hemodynamic stability, time to first analgesic request, recovery duration, patient satisfaction, and incidence of nausea and vomiting.
General anesthesia will be standardized across both groups. Data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, and ethical approval will be obtained prior to patient enrollment. This study supports multimodal analgesia and aims to inform clinical practice in pain management after oncologic thoracic surgery.
Interventions
- Procedure Ultrasound-guided Rhomboid Intercostal Block
This intervention involves an ultrasound-guided injection of 20-25 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine into the fascial plane between the rhomboid major and intercostal muscles. The patient is positioned laterally, and the block is performed at the T5-T6 level using a high-frequency linear ultrasound probe. The goal is to anesthetize the lateral cutaneous branches of the intercostal nerves to provide postoperative thoracic analgesia. - Procedure Ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane Block
This intervention consists of an ultrasound-guided injection of 20-25 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine into the plane deep to the erector spinae muscle at the T4-T5 transverse process level. The patient is positioned sitting or in lateral decubitus, and the procedure uses a curved or linear ultrasound probe. This block targets the dorsal and ventral rami of thoracic spinal nerves to manage postoperative pain after thoracotomy.
Primary outcome measures
- 24-hour postoperative morphine consumption [Time frame: Within the first 24 hours postoperatively]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- patients undergoing thoracotomy for lung cancer
Age ≥ 18 years and ≤ 65 years
ASA physical status II or III
Body Mass Index (BMI) > 20 kg/m² and < 35 kg/m²
Willing and able to provide informed consent
Exclusion criteria
Patient refusal
ASA physical status IV
Age < 18 years or > 65 years
BMI < 20 kg/m² or > 35 kg/m²
Known allergy or contraindication to local anesthetics or opioids used in the study
History of chronic pain or psychological disorders
Contraindications to regional anesthesia (e.g., local infection, coagulopathy, pre-existing peripheral neuropathy)
Severe respiratory, cardiac, hepatic, or renal disease
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Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Double blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Egypt · 1 center
- National Cancer Institute - Cairo University — Cairo
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07040618 · NCI-CAIRO-RIb-ESPB-2025