Ankara City Hospital Bilkent has announced a clinical trial to assess the efficacy of serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) in postoperative pain management following minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS). The study aims to address concerns around opioid use post-surgery and explore innovative pain control methods.
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What changed?
The clinical trial, registered under NCT07259824, will investigate the SPSIPB procedure against a sham SPSIPB. Recruitment is set to begin soon, with the focus on patients undergoing MICS due to heart valvular disease. This step highlights ongoing efforts to improve postoperative recovery and safety while mitigating risks associated with opioid use.
How SPSIPB may transform postoperative pain management
Postoperative pain is a critical issue in cardiac surgery recovery. The trial’s main aim is evaluating SPSIPB—a targeted regional anesthesia technique—as an alternative to traditional methods. By delivering local anesthetics precisely to tissues supplying the surgical area, SPSIPB could provide effective pain relief without systemic medication risks. The approach aligns with efforts to advance perioperative care standards, potentially offering better patient outcomes with fewer adverse effects.
Could SPSIPB reduce opioid reliance?
Modern pain management strategies aim to lower reliance on opioids due to concerns about dependency and side effects. SPSIPB offers a promising alternative; its precision minimizes drug dispersion while providing localized relief. Findings from this trial could help reduce or optimize opioid prescribing practices in postoperative protocols, aligning with global initiatives to combat opioid misuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is SPSIPB?
SPSIPB stands for serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block, a regional anesthesia technique designed to manage pain by injecting local anesthetics into specific nerve planes linked to the surgical area.
2. Why focus on MICS in this trial?
MICS involves less invasive techniques for heart surgery, yet patients still experience significant postoperative pain. Exploring better pain control methods like SPSIPB addresses key recovery challenges in this population.
3. When will recruitment for this trial start?
The trial is currently listed as “Not yet recruiting.” Updates on recruitment timelines can be monitored via the ClinicalTrials.gov registry.
4. How do sham procedures work in trials?
Sham procedures simulate therapeutic interventions but do not deliver the actual treatment. This helps ensure unbiased conclusions by comparing real versus placebo effects.
Conclusion
This upcoming clinical trial highlights the potential of SPSIPB in redefining postoperative pain protocols for MICS patients. With recruitment starting soon, it represents a critical step toward better patient outcomes and reducing opioid reliance. Clinical, regulatory, and quality teams can expect valuable insights for advancing care standards.
Disclaimer
The content above is intended for informational purposes. It does not serve as medical, clinical, or regulatory advice. Professionals should rely on official guidelines and consult relevant authorities.
Full announcement
For full information about the announcement, see the link below.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07259824?term=medical+device