Bilateral Cervical Plexus Block for Postoperative Pain After Thyroidectomy

NCT07496970 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2023/17
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Patients undergoing thyroidectomy frequently experience moderate postoperative pain that may require opioid analgesics. Opioid use is associated with adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, respiratory depression, and delayed recovery. Ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia techniques may provide effective postoperative analgesia while reducing opioid consumption. The aim of this prospective randomized study was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical plexus block (BSCPB) in patients undergoing thyroidectomy under general anesthesia. Patients were divided into two groups: a block group receiving BSCPB with 0.5% bupivacaine and a control group receiving general anesthesia alone. Postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption, intraoperative analgesic requirements, and postoperative complications were compared between the groups.

Conditions

Postoperative Pain

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Postoperative pain intensity (VAS)

  Postoperative pain assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (0-100 mm)

  Within the first 24 hours after surgery

• Postoperative pain intensity (NRS)

  Description: Postoperative pain assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (0-10)

  Within the first 24 hours after surgery

Study Arms (2)

Bilateral Superficial Cervical Plexus Block

EXPERIMENTAL

Patients received ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical plexus block using 10 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine on each side (total 20 ml) along the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle using the three-injection technique prior to thyroidectomy. The procedure was performed under ultrasound guidance in addition to standard general anesthesia.

Procedure: Ultrasound-Guided Bilateral Superficial Cervical Plexus Block; Procedure: Standard general anesthesia

General Anesthesia Only

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients underwent thyroidectomy under standard general anesthesia without cervical plexus block. Perioperative anesthesia management was performed according to routine institutional practice.

Procedure: Standard general anesthesia

Interventions

Ultrasound-Guided Bilateral Superficial Cervical Plexus Block PROCEDURE

Intervention Description: Patients received an ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical plexus block prior to surgery. A total of 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine (10 ml per side) was injected along the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle using the three-injection technique. The block was performed under ultrasound guidance before induction of general anesthesia to provide perioperative analgesia.

Bilateral Superficial Cervical Plexus Block

Standard general anesthesia PROCEDURE

only general anesthesia

Bilateral Superficial Cervical Plexus Block; General Anesthesia Only

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Age between 18 and 75 years American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III Scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia Ability to provide written informed consent

You may not qualify if:

• Allergy to local anesthetic agents Coagulation disorders or anticoagulant use Infection at the injection site Severe cardiac, respiratory, hepatic, or renal disease Pregnancy or breastfeeding Inability to understand pain scoring systems (VAS/NRS)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Gaziantep: lead

Study Sites (1)

Gaziantep University

Gaziantep, 27410, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pain, Postoperative

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

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

Study Officials

• Elzem Sen, Assoc Prof

  University of Gaziantep

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assoc. Prof.Dr

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 13, 2026
• First Posted: March 27, 2026
• Study Start: March 15, 2023
• Primary Completion: June 30, 2023
• Study Completion: July 15, 2023
• Last Updated: March 27, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)