A new clinical trial sponsored by Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS is offering important insights for healthcare professionals performing uniportal video-assisted thoracic surgery (uniportal-VATS). The study evaluates the efficacy and safety of two locoregional anesthesia techniques: the Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane (SPSIP) block and the Intercostal Nerve (ICN) block. These findings aim to advance post-operative pain management for lung resection procedures.
What changed?
The trial reached the status of “Active, not recruiting” as of November 2025. This milestone indicates that all necessary participants have been enrolled, and the investigators are analyzing data to address the study’s objectives. Professionals involved in thoracic surgery or anesthesia should monitor the publication of final results to assess their impact on standard protocols for post-operative pain management.
What is the purpose of this study?
The clinical research directly compares the SPSIP block against the ICN block in patients undergoing uniportal-VATS. Both techniques are intended to provide significant pain relief following lung resection surgeries. The primary focus lies in determining which procedure offers superior outcomes in terms of effectiveness, safety, and long-term benefits.
Key areas of investigation include:
- Pain relief quality and duration following surgery.
- Incidence of complications or side effects specific to each block type.
- Impact on overall recovery times and surgical success rates.
What are the results so far?
Though final results are pending, this trial could shift practices in perioperative care after lung resection procedures. Preliminary evidence provided by similar past studies suggests that regional anesthesia options like SPSIP and ICN blocks optimize patient comfort and allow quicker mobilization post-surgery. The documented sponsor, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, aims to provide a robust evidence base supporting updated clinical guidelines for uniportal-VATS.
Applications in clinical practice
Healthcare providers specializing in thoracic surgery and associated pain management should anticipate outcomes that could reduce reliance on systemic analgesics and enhance patient quality of care. A focus on precise delivery mechanisms will likely be emphasized, with attention to risk-benefit ratios in different patient contexts.
To stay aligned with emerging practices, facilities could prepare staff training on these anesthesia types post-publication of trial outcomes or consider coordinating with colleagues involved in early adoption of the SPSIP block.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this study addressing device-related anesthesia delivery systems?
No specific medical device is mentioned in this clinical trial. It focuses on procedural comparisons between anesthesia types.
- Who is most affected by this study?
Surgical teams, anesthesiologists, and patients undergoing uniportal-VATS for lung resections will see the most direct impacts.
- When will final results be published?
No exact timeline is available, but further findings should follow the “Active, not recruiting” status update.
Conclusion
The comparison between the Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane (SPSIP) block and the Intercostal Nerve (ICN) block represents an essential evaluation for advancing post-operative pain management in uniportal-VATS. With the trial now “Active, not recruiting”, anticipation builds for results that could recalibrate existing best practices, benefiting both clinicians and patients. Professionals should prepare to adapt to evolving evidence-based recommendations.
Disclaimer
This article provides a general overview of clinical activities related to pain management in thoracic surgery. It does not constitute legal or clinical advice. Always consult appropriate professionals for specific guidance.
For full information about the announcement, see the link below.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07250373?term=medical+device