About this trial
This study evaluates respiratory recovery as a multidimensional construct using clinically relevant and measurable parameters, including LUS, diaphragmatic excursion, oxygen requirement, and PPCs.
The investigators hypothesize that bilateral ESP block improves postoperative respiratory function compared with EOIP block following open hepatic surgery. The investigators further hypothesize that this improvement is mediated, in part, by superior analgesia.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Adult patients aged 18-75 years
Adult with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III
Scheduled for elective hepatic surgery via upper abdominal incisions will be eligible.
All participants will be required to understand the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and provide informed consent.
Disqualifiers
Patient refusal
Coagulopathy (INR>1.4 or platelet count<8 x 104)
Contraindications to fascial plane blocks
Infection at the puncture site
Trial design
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Ultrasound-guided bilateral external oblique intercostal plane (EOIP) block
Procedure/SurgeryBilateral ESP block * after induction of general anesthesia and before surgical incision. * T7 or T8 transverse process, selected consistently by protocol. * high-frequency linear probe when feasible; curvilinear probe in larger habitus. In-plane cranial-to-caudal or caudal-to-cranial approach to the fascial plane deep to erector spinae muscle and superficial to the transverse process. * Injectate: 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine per side after negative aspiration; hydrodissection used to confirm correct plane. Bilateral EOIP block * after induction of general anesthesia and before surgical incision. * ultrasound-guided injection into the fascial plane between the external oblique muscle and the intercostal muscle/external intercostal membrane near the 6th-8th intercostal spaces on each side, following the institutional standardized approach. * Injectate: 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine per side Safter negative aspiration.
Ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane (ESP) block
Procedure/SurgeryAn ultrasound-guided bilateral ESP block will be performed after induction of general anaesthesia and before surgical incision. The block will be administered at the T7 or T8 transverse process using an in-plane ultrasound-guided approach. Twenty millilitres of 0.25% bupivacaine will be injected on each side into the fascial plane deep to the erector spinae muscle and superficial to the transverse process after negative aspiration. Correct spread of local anaesthetic will be confirmed by hydrodissection.
Treatment groups
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
Right diaphragmatic excursion
Right diaphragmatic excursion will be measured during quiet tidal breathing in the semi-recumbent position using M-mode ultrasonography through a right subcostal hepatic acoustic window. Three consecutive respiratory cycles will be recorded and averaged at each assessment measured in cm.
Secondary outcomes
Mean postoperative pain intensity at rest, during coughing or deep breathing
Postoperative pain intensity at rest will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale NRS score 0-10. Postoperative pain intensity during coughing or deep breathing will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale NRS score 0-10.
Mean cumulative postoperative opioid consumption and Mean intraoperative opioid consumption
Total cumulative opioid consumption during the first 24 postoperative hours. Measured in Morphine milligram equivalents (MME). Total opioid administered during the intraoperative period from induction of anesthesia until completion of surgery. Measured in Morphine milligram equivalents (MME).
Number of participants requiring supplemental oxygen
Number of participants requiring supplemental oxygen or escalation of oxygen therapy beyond standard postoperative care to maintain peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) ≥94%, according to institutional postoperative care protocols. Number of participants (%)
Number of participants with early postoperative pulmonary complications
Number of participants who develop early postoperative pulmonary complications within 7 days after surgery, including clinically significant atelectasis. Number of participants (%)
Sponsors and contacts
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Menoufia University
Lead sponsor
National Liver Institute, Egypt
Collaborator