ESP vs. EXORA Blocks for Analgesia in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

NCT ID: NCT06900413

Last Updated: 2025-09-03

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

56 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-09-30

Study Completion Date

2026-03-31

Brief Summary

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Patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy may experience moderate to severe postoperative pain. Effective postoperative analgesia enhances patient comfort and accelerates recovery. This study aims to compare the effects of Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) and External Oblique and Rectus Abdominis Plane (EXORA) blocks on postoperative pain management and analgesic consumption.

The study is designed as a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. Patients will be randomly assigned to groups, and both practitioners and evaluators will be blinded to group assignments. Our hypothesis is that the EXORA block will provide superior analgesia and require less analgesic consumption compared to the ESP block. The results will be assessed in terms of postoperative pain management, patient comfort, and additional analgesic requirements.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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Erector Spinae Plane Block Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Plane Block

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators

Study Groups

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Group ESP

The ESP block will be performed approximately 30 minutes before general anesthesia induction following sedation and standard monitoring. All block procedures will be conducted under sterile conditions, with skin preparation using dermol (%70 Isopropyl Alcohol, %2 Chlorhexidine Gluconate) and the ultrasound probe covered with a sterile drape.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Group ESP

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Experienced anesthesiologists with at least five years of expertise in regional anesthesia will perform the blocks under ultrasound guidance. A 4.0-12.0 MHz linear ultrasound probe (Affiniti 50; Philips) will be used. The ESP block will be applied at the T8 level on the right side, using an in-plane approach, while the patient is in a sitting position. The probe will be placed 2-3 cm lateral to the vertebra in a sagittal position to visualize the erector spinae muscle and transverse processes.

A 22G, 100 mm block needle (Stimuplex® Ultra, Braun, Germany) will be advanced in a craniocaudal direction. The correct needle position will be confirmed by injecting 0.5-1 mL of isotonic NaCl and observing the spread via hydrodissection. Finally, 0.3 mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine will be administered, ensuring cranial and caudal spread of the local anesthetic.

Group EXORA

The EXORA block will be performed 30 minutes before general anesthesia induction, following sedation and standard monitoring.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Group EXORA

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Experienced anesthesiologists with at least five years of expertise in regional anesthesia will administer the blocks under ultrasound guidance. A 4.0-12.0 MHz linear ultrasound probe will be placed laterally to the xiphoid process on the parasternal line in a sagittal position. The probe will be moved craniocaudally to identify the 6th rib and further advanced caudally to locate the 8th rib. Once the rectus abdominis muscle and 8th costal cartilage are identified, a 22G, 100 mm block needle will be used to administer 0.3 mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine. The correct spread of the local anesthetic will be confirmed via ultrasound.

Interventions

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Group ESP

Experienced anesthesiologists with at least five years of expertise in regional anesthesia will perform the blocks under ultrasound guidance. A 4.0-12.0 MHz linear ultrasound probe (Affiniti 50; Philips) will be used. The ESP block will be applied at the T8 level on the right side, using an in-plane approach, while the patient is in a sitting position. The probe will be placed 2-3 cm lateral to the vertebra in a sagittal position to visualize the erector spinae muscle and transverse processes.

A 22G, 100 mm block needle (Stimuplex® Ultra, Braun, Germany) will be advanced in a craniocaudal direction. The correct needle position will be confirmed by injecting 0.5-1 mL of isotonic NaCl and observing the spread via hydrodissection. Finally, 0.3 mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine will be administered, ensuring cranial and caudal spread of the local anesthetic.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Group EXORA

Experienced anesthesiologists with at least five years of expertise in regional anesthesia will administer the blocks under ultrasound guidance. A 4.0-12.0 MHz linear ultrasound probe will be placed laterally to the xiphoid process on the parasternal line in a sagittal position. The probe will be moved craniocaudally to identify the 6th rib and further advanced caudally to locate the 8th rib. Once the rectus abdominis muscle and 8th costal cartilage are identified, a 22G, 100 mm block needle will be used to administer 0.3 mL/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine. The correct spread of the local anesthetic will be confirmed via ultrasound.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

Age between 18 and 65 years

Undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I to III

Providing written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria

Known allergy or hypersensitivity to local anesthetics

Infection or skin lesions at the site of block application

Emergency surgical procedures

Refusal to participate in the study

Uncontrolled arterial hypertension

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus

Mental retardation

Current use of antidepressant medications

Presence of metabolic disorders

Known bleeding diathesis

Morbid obesity (Body Mass Index \> 40 kg/m²)
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Kutahya City Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Aycan KURTARANGİL DOĞAN

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Aycan KURTARANGİL DOĞAN

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Aycan KURTARANGİL DOĞAN

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Kütahya City Hospital

Ali Kaynak

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Kütahya City Hospital

Central Contacts

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Aycan Kurtarangil Doğan

Role: CONTACT

+90 (274) 229 14 00

Ali Kaynak

Role: CONTACT

+90 (274) 229 14 00

Other Identifiers

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KSH-01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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