Bi-level Erector Spinae Plane Block and Pre-emptive Oral Tizanidine for Analgesia After Mastectomy Surgery

NCT ID: NCT07022353

Last Updated: 2026-01-27

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

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

90 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-07-15

Study Completion Date

2025-12-30

Brief Summary

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Effective management of postoperative pain in breast cancer surgery is essential to minimize the risk of developing postmastectomy pain syndrome.The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of combining bilevel erector spinae plane (ESP) block with a single preoperative oral dose of tizanidine in improving postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing mastectomy surgery.

It is hypothesized that the combination of bilevel ESP block and single-dose oral tizanidine will provide superior postoperative analgesia compared to bilevel ESP block alone in patients undergoing mastectomy.

Detailed Description

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Introduction:

Effective management of postoperative pain in breast cancer surgery is essential to minimize the risk of developing postmastectomy pain syndrome, a chronic condition that significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Multimodal analgesia, which combines pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies, has been shown to enhance postoperative pain control and reduce opioid consumption. In recent years, regional anesthesia techniques have become increasingly favored for perioperative pain management in breast surgeries. The ESP block has gained popularity due to its simplicity, safety profile, and effectiveness in thoracic and breast surgeries. Its analgesic action is attributed to the craniocaudal spread of local anesthetic into the costovertebral foramina and epidural space, resulting in blockade of both ventral and dorsal rami of the spinal nerves and providing unilateral thoracic analgesia.The bilevel ESP block, which involves administering the block at two distinct thoracic levels, has been proposed to enhance the spread of local anesthetic and improve analgesic coverage, particularly in the anterolateral chest wall and axillary regions commonly involved in mastectomy.

Tizanidine has been shown to reduce perioperative opioid and anesthetic requirements, stabilize hemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation, and minimize postoperative complications such as shivering and myocardial ischemia. Previous studies have demonstrated its effectiveness in reducing postoperative pain across a variety of surgical procedures, including laparoscopic cholecystectomy, thyroidectomy, anorectal surgery, hernia repair, and orthognathic surgery.Given the potential synergistic effects of combining regional anesthesia with systemic analgesics, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of combining bilevel ESPB with a single oral dose of tizanidine for postoperative pain control in patients undergoing mastectomy.

Aim of the Study:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of combining bilevel erector spinae plane (ESP) block with a single preoperative oral dose of tizanidine in improving postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing mastectomy surgery.

Sample Size Calculation:

Sample size was calculated using Power Analysis and Sample Size software program (PASS) version 3.1.9.2 for windows (2017). The primary outcome will be time to first analgesic request. In a pilot study performed on 10 patients using bilevel ESP block, the mean (SD) of time to first analgesic request was 21 (6.5) hours. Using a two-sided hypothesis test with a significance level of 0.05, assuming alpha = 0.05 and beta = 0.2 (power = 80%) and using a two-sided two-sample unequal-variance t-test, 39 subjects will be required in each group to detect 20 % difference between groups which is considered the minimal clinically important difference. To allow for subject dropouts, 45 subjects will be assigned to each group.

Methods; The study will be conducted in Mansoura oncology centre on 90 patients who will be scheduled for mastectomy surgery under general anesthesia. Informed written consent will be obtained from all subjects in the study after ensuring confidentiality. 90 eligible patients will be randomly assigned to 2 equal groups (Bilevel ESP block group) and (Bilevel ESP block+ tizanidine group) according to computer-generated table of random numbers using the permuted block randomization method. The group allocation will be concealed in sequentially numbered, sealed opaque envelopes which will be opened only after obtaining the written informed consent.

The study protocol will be explained to all patients along with VAS after enrollment into the study. They will be kept fasting according to pre-operative ASA recommendations prior to surgery. Basic demographic characters including age, gender, and BMI will be recorded.

The peri-operative management will be identical in both groups. All patients with planned modified radical mastectomy will be assessed preoperatively by detailed medical history taking, clinical examination, Electrocardiography (ECG), and basal laboratory investigations as complete blood count (CBC), coagulation profile (PT, INR), blood glucose level, liver and renal function tests (liver enzymes, serum bilirubin, albumin and serum creatinine).

Statistical Methods:

The collected data will be coded, processed, and analyzed using SPSS program (version 22) for Windows. Normality of numerical data distribution will be tested by Shapiro-Wilk test. Continuous data of normal distribution will be presented as mean ± SD and will be compared with the unpaired student's t test. Non-normally distributed data will be presented as median (range) and will be compared with the Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical data will be presented as number (percentage) and will be compared with the Chi-square test. All data will be considered statistically significant if P value is ≤ 0.05.

Conditions

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Mastectomy Patient

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Prospective, randomized, double blind study
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors
A single investigator will assess the patients for eligibility, obtain written informed consent, open the sealed opaque envelopes containing group allocation, prepare all injections and oral medication needed for the study. Another investigator blinded to the study group will give oral drug and perform block. In addition, the study subjects and the resident assessing the outcome will be blinded to the study group.

Study Groups

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Bilevel ESP block group

patients will have bilevel ESP block plus oral placebo capsule.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Bilevel erector spinae plane block

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Block will be performed unilaterally with the patient in the sitting position leaning forward. The block will be done using a high frequency linear probe (6-13 MHz). The block area will be adequately sterilized and draped, then the ultrasound probe will be placed 2-3 cm laterally from the midline at the level of the T3 spinous process using a sagittal approach to identify the hyperechoic transverse process shadow deep to the trapezius, rhomboid major, and erector spinae muscles. Then, the needle will be inserted craniocaudally in-plane to reach the transverse process deep to the erector spinae muscle. Correct positioning of the needle will be confirmed through real-time visualization of 2-mL saline hydro dissection. After confirmation of needle position, 15 mL of bupivacaine 0.25% will be injected at each level. The same procedure was repeated for the second level T5 spinous process. block failure defined as the presence of full sensation after 30 minutes, patients will be excluded .

Placebo Oral Capsule

Intervention Type DRUG

One hour prior to anesthesia induction, the patients will recieve oral placebo capsule that will have the same color, smell, and size as tizanidine.

Bilevel ESP block + tizanidine group

patients will have bilevel ESP block plus oral tizanidine capsule.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Bilevel erector spinae plane block

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Block will be performed unilaterally with the patient in the sitting position leaning forward. The block will be done using a high frequency linear probe (6-13 MHz). The block area will be adequately sterilized and draped, then the ultrasound probe will be placed 2-3 cm laterally from the midline at the level of the T3 spinous process using a sagittal approach to identify the hyperechoic transverse process shadow deep to the trapezius, rhomboid major, and erector spinae muscles. Then, the needle will be inserted craniocaudally in-plane to reach the transverse process deep to the erector spinae muscle. Correct positioning of the needle will be confirmed through real-time visualization of 2-mL saline hydro dissection. After confirmation of needle position, 15 mL of bupivacaine 0.25% will be injected at each level. The same procedure was repeated for the second level T5 spinous process. block failure defined as the presence of full sensation after 30 minutes, patients will be excluded .

tizanidine oral capsule

Intervention Type DRUG

One hour prior to anesthesia induction, the tizanidine group will receive a 4 mg tizanidine oral capsule.

Interventions

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Bilevel erector spinae plane block

Block will be performed unilaterally with the patient in the sitting position leaning forward. The block will be done using a high frequency linear probe (6-13 MHz). The block area will be adequately sterilized and draped, then the ultrasound probe will be placed 2-3 cm laterally from the midline at the level of the T3 spinous process using a sagittal approach to identify the hyperechoic transverse process shadow deep to the trapezius, rhomboid major, and erector spinae muscles. Then, the needle will be inserted craniocaudally in-plane to reach the transverse process deep to the erector spinae muscle. Correct positioning of the needle will be confirmed through real-time visualization of 2-mL saline hydro dissection. After confirmation of needle position, 15 mL of bupivacaine 0.25% will be injected at each level. The same procedure was repeated for the second level T5 spinous process. block failure defined as the presence of full sensation after 30 minutes, patients will be excluded .

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Placebo Oral Capsule

One hour prior to anesthesia induction, the patients will recieve oral placebo capsule that will have the same color, smell, and size as tizanidine.

Intervention Type DRUG

tizanidine oral capsule

One hour prior to anesthesia induction, the tizanidine group will receive a 4 mg tizanidine oral capsule.

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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ESP Placebo tizanidine

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) ІІ patients.
2. Scheduled for unilateral modified radical mastectomy.
3. BMI levels between 18.5- 35 Kg/m2.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Patient's refusal.
2. Altered mental status or un-cooperative patients.
3. History of known sensitivity to the used anesthetics.
4. Bleeding or coagulation diathesis.
5. Infection or redness at the injection site.
6. Cardiac, renal, hepatic, hematological disease, peptic ulcer, gastrointestinal bleeding, and central or peripheral neurological disease.
7. Chronic pain.
8. Participants used analgesics routinely within the last 24 h.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

65 Years

Eligible Sex

FEMALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Mansoura University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Amany Hazem abdelmaksood EL-deeb

principle investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Amany H ELDeeb, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University

Locations

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Oncology Centre

Al Mansurah, , Egypt

Site Status

Countries

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Egypt

References

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Yazicioglu D, Caparlar C, Akkaya T, Mercan U, Kulacoglu H. Tizanidine for the management of acute postoperative pain after inguinal hernia repair: A placebo-controlled double-blind trial. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2016 Mar;33(3):215-22. doi: 10.1097/EJA.0000000000000371.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26555871 (View on PubMed)

Woodworth GE, Ivie RMJ, Nelson SM, Walker CM, Maniker RB. Perioperative Breast Analgesia: A Qualitative Review of Anatomy and Regional Techniques. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2017 Sep/Oct;42(5):609-631. doi: 10.1097/AAP.0000000000000641.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28820803 (View on PubMed)

Mohammadi F, Marashi M, Tavakoli I, Khakbaz O. Effects of oral clonidine premedication on hemodynamic status in bimaxillary orthognathic surgery: A double-blind randomized clinical trial. J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2016 Apr;44(4):436-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2016.01.004. Epub 2016 Jan 11.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26874557 (View on PubMed)

Maniker RB, Damiano J, Ivie RMJ, Pavelic M, Woodworth GE. Perioperative Breast Analgesia: a Systematic Review of the Evidence for Perioperative Analgesic Medications. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2022 Apr;26(4):299-321. doi: 10.1007/s11916-022-01031-z. Epub 2022 Feb 23.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 35195851 (View on PubMed)

Kurdi MS, Agrawal P, Thakkar P, Arora D, Barde SM, Eswaran K. Recent advancements in regional anaesthesia. Indian J Anaesth. 2023 Jan;67(1):63-70. doi: 10.4103/ija.ija_1021_22. Epub 2023 Jan 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36970484 (View on PubMed)

Guan HY, Yuan Y, Gao K, Luo HX. Efficacy and safety of erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia in breast cancer surgery-A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Surg Oncol. 2023 May;127(6):905-920. doi: 10.1002/jso.27221. Epub 2023 Feb 24.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36826370 (View on PubMed)

Forero M, Adhikary SD, Lopez H, Tsui C, Chin KJ. The Erector Spinae Plane Block: A Novel Analgesic Technique in Thoracic Neuropathic Pain. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2016 Sep-Oct;41(5):621-7. doi: 10.1097/AAP.0000000000000451.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27501016 (View on PubMed)

Elsabeeny WY, Fahmy RM, Elshamy FH, Shehab NN, Abed SM, Taha WS, Ibrahim MA, Gad AF. Role of bilevel erector spinae with high thoracic block vs conventional unilevel block in analgesia and reduction of pain in axilla in breast cancer surgeries: a randomized controlled trial. Pain Rep. 2025 Jan 13;10(1):e1234. doi: 10.1097/PR9.0000000000001234. eCollection 2025 Feb.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 39816904 (View on PubMed)

Dadmehr S, Shooshtari Z, Alipour M, Eshghpour M, Shaban B, Vaezi T, Samieirad S. Is Preemptive Oral Tizanidine Effective on Postoperative Pain Intensity after Bimaxillary Orthognathic Surgery? A Triple-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. World J Plast Surg. 2022 Jul;11(2):37-45. doi: 10.52547/wjps.11.2.37.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 36117905 (View on PubMed)

Altiparmak B, Korkmaz Toker M, Uysal AI, Gumus Demirbilek S. Bi-level erector spinae plane block for the control of severe back pain related to vertebral metastasis. BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Jun 20;12(6):e228129. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2018-228129.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31227568 (View on PubMed)

Aksu C, Kus A, Yorukoglu HU, Tor Kilic C, Gurkan Y. Analgesic effect of the bi-level injection erector spinae plane block after breast surgery: A randomized controlled trial. Agri. 2019 Jul;31(3):132-137. doi: 10.14744/agri.2019.61687.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31736025 (View on PubMed)

Ahiskalioglu A, Yayik AM, Oral Ahiskalioglu E, Dostbil A, Doymus O, Karadeniz E, Ari MA, Sengoz F, Alici HA, Celik EC. Ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical block and preemptive single-dose oral tizanidine for post-thyroidectomy pain: a randomized-controlled double-blind study. J Anesth. 2018 Apr;32(2):219-226. doi: 10.1007/s00540-018-2468-x. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29468508 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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ESP plus oral tizanidine

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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