External Oblique Intercostal Block Versus Erector Spinae Plane Block on Postoperative Pain in Laparoscopic Radical Gastrectomy

NCT07396545 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Lingzi-2026-1
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 184
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Postoperative pain is highly prevalent following laparoscopic radical gastrectomy. Although the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) can effectively alleviate this pain, it still has many limitations. The external oblique intercostal plane block (EOIB) is a novel nerve block technique that may provide well postoperative analgesia for upper abdominal surgery. Therefore, this study employs a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial design to verify that the analgesic effect of EOIB is not inferior to that of ESPB, thereby offering more options for regional analgesia strategies in laparoscopic radical gastrectomy.

Conditions

Postoperative Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Cumulative opioid consumption within 24 hours postoperatively

  Cumulative opioid consumption within 24 hours postoperatively. Conversion to morphine equivalent dose (mg)

  24 hours after surgery

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Pain Intensity

  2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively

• Quality of Recovery

  24,48,72 hours after surgery

• sleep quality

  24,48,72 hours after surgery

Study Arms (2)

ESPB

EXPERIMENTAL

After patients entering the operating room, an intravenous line was established, and Erector Spinae Plane Block was performed under ultrasound guidance.

Procedure: Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) group

EOIB

EXPERIMENTAL

After patients entering the operating room, an intravenous line was established, and External Oblique Intercostal Plane Block was performed under ultrasound guidance.

Procedure: External Oblique Intercostal Plane Block

Interventions

External Oblique Intercostal Plane Block PROCEDURE

With the patient in the supine position, a high-frequency linear array probe (6-15 MHz) is used to perform a sagittal parasagittal oblique scan at the level of the 6th rib, between the right anterior axillary line and midclavicular line. The external oblique muscle, intercostal muscles, and ribs are identified. Using an in-plane technique, a 21G, 100mm block needle is inserted from a superomedial to inferolateral direction, with the needle tip positioned in the plane between the external oblique muscle and the intercostal muscles at the caudal edge of the 6th rib. 30ml of 0.375% ropivacaine is injected on each side, for a bilateral administration.

EOIB

Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) group PROCEDURE

With the patient in the lateral decubitus position (surgical side up), a low-frequency convex array probe (2-5 MHz) is used to perform a sagittal scan approximately 2-3 cm lateral to the spinous process of T8 or T9. The transverse process and the erector spinae muscle are identified. Using an out-of-plane technique, a 21G, 100mm block needle is advanced until contact is made with the transverse process. The needle is then withdrawn 1-2 mm to position its tip within the fascial plane deep to the erector spinae muscle and superficial to the transverse process. 30 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine is injected on each side, for a bilateral administration.

ESPB

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Patients aged over 18 years
• Classified as ASA I-III
• Scheduled for elective laparoscopic radical gastrectomy under general anesthesia
• Voluntarily participated and provided written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• Chronic opioid dependence or prior use of analgesic medications for \>3 months;
• Inability to communicate due to severe dementia, language barriers, or terminal illness;
• History of central and/or peripheral nervous system disorders;
• Severe renal insufficiency (serum creatinine \>442 μmol/L or requiring renal replacement therapy) or severe hepatic insufficiency (Child-Pugh class C);
• Allergy to local anesthetics.
• Expected to be transferred to ICU after surgery.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University: lead

Study Sites (1)

General hospital of Ningxia medical university

Yinchuan, Ningxia, China

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain, Postoperative

Interventions

Population Groups

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Postoperative Complications; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Demography; Population Characteristics

Study Officials

• Xinli Ni, Doctoral

  86-951-674-3252

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Lingzi Yin, Doctoral

CONTACT

86-951-674-3252; eleven87670@163.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Masking Details: On the day of surgery, after the induction of general anesthesia, the study coordinator opened the corresponding envelope in the order of recruitment. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either EOIB or ESPB, which was performed preoperatively by an experienced anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist was aware of the intervention, but all patients, data investigator and postoperative follow-up remained blinded to group assignment.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 1, 2026
• First Posted: February 9, 2026
• Study Start: March 12, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): February 6, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 9, 2027
• Last Updated: March 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)