Effectiveness of Ultrasonography-Guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in Thoracic Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

NCT07067892 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: postherpetic neuralgia, block
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic pain syndrome that can be resistant to treatment, leading to physical and social disability, psychological disturbances, and potentially persisting for years . The varicella-zoster virus remains latent in the sensory neurons of individuals who have previously contracted varicella (chickenpox). Reactivation of the latent virus results in herpes zoster (HZ). In most patients, HZ initially presents with dermatomal pain, and within a few days, characteristic dermatomal vesicular eruptions typically develop. These skin lesions usually heal within 2-4 weeks; however, pain may persist even after the resolution of the rash . The pathogenesis of PHN involves increased sensitization of central neurons, decreased function of inhibitory neuronal pathways, inflammation and nerve injury within the peripheral nervous system, and abnormal signal transmission following such damage. PHN represents the most common complication of HZ. It occurs in approximately 9-19% of all patients with HZ. The incidence of PHN increases with advancing age: it affects approximately 2% of individuals younger than 50 years, about 20% of those older than 50 years, and nearly 35% of those older than 80 years . Various treatment modalities, including pharmacologic agents and interventional procedures, are available for the management of PHN-related pain. This study primarily aims to evaluate the change in pain in PHN patients who underwent SPSIPB using the NRS-11. The secondary aim was to evaluate the effect of SPSIPB on neuropathic pain characteristics using the DN-4 scale and to investigate its effects on patients' quality of life using SF-12 scale.

Conditions

Postherpetic Neuralgia ( PHN ), Ultrasound Guided, Block; Ultrasound Guided Injection

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Numeric Rating Scale -11 (NRS-11)

  It is an 11-point scale used to describe pain. It is based solely on the patient's ability to perform activities of daily living and can be used for adults and children ages 10 and older.

  3 months

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Douleur Neuropathique en 4 Questions(DN4)

  3 months

• Short Form- 12

  3 months

Study Arms (1)

Effectiveness of Ultrasonography-Guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in Thora

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients over 18 years of age who underwent a single-session ultrasound (US )guided serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) in the thoracic region (T1-T10 dermatomes) for PHN between June 2023 and February 2025 were evaluated. SPSIPB was performed in patients whose complaints persisted despite existing medical treatments.

You may qualify if:

• Patients over 18 years of age
• \- who underwent a single-session ultrasound (US)-guided serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) in the thoracic region (T1-T10 dermatomes) for PHN between June 2023 and February 2025 were evaluated. -SPSIPB was performed in patients whose complaints persisted despite existing medical treatments.

You may not qualify if:

• congenital anomalies of the spine; neck pain accompanied by neurological deficits
• pregnancy
• mental or psychotic disorders
• hematologic diseases causing bleeding or coagulation disorders
• use of antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs or other medications predisposing to bleeding
• severe systemic infections such as sepsis
• local infection at the planned intervention site
• known allergy to any of the drugs to be used; or a history of invasive procedures for PHN in the thoracic region within the past three months.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

İKanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital

Küçükçekmece, Istanbul, (507) 277-4773, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neuralgia, Postherpetic; Bites and Stings

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neuralgia; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Neuromuscular Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Poisoning; Chemically-Induced Disorders; Wounds and Injuries

Study Officials

• halil ibrahim altun

  Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Training and Research Hospital

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: RETROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: pain specialist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 6, 2025
• First Posted: July 16, 2025
• Study Start: July 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: August 1, 2025
• Study Completion: September 15, 2025
• Last Updated: December 12, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

TU (1)