EOI Block vs. TAP Block in Minimally Invasive Hepatectomy

NCT07615231 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2512-081-1703
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 140
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of two different ultrasound-guided nerve blocks-the External Oblique Intercostal (EOI) block and the Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block-in patients undergoing minimally invasive hepatectomy. All participants will receive standardized general anesthesia and perioperative care at Seoul National University Hospital. Following anesthesia induction, patients will be randomly assigned to receive either an EOI block or a subcostal TAP block with 0.375% ropivacaine to provide regional pain relief. Postoperative pain will be managed using a combination of scheduled non-opioid analgesics and a fentanyl-based patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device. The primary objective is to evaluate which regional technique more effectively reduces cumulative opioid consumption during the first 24 hours after surgery. Additionally, the study will assess pain intensity using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and the overall recovery profile, including the time to first ambulation.

Conditions

Hepatectomy

Keywords

minimally invasive hepatectomy; TAP block; EOI block

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Cumulative opioid consumption at 24 hours postoperatively

  The total amount of intravenous fentanyl administered via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and as rescue boluses will be recorded and converted to intravenous morphine equivalents for standardized comparison.

  From the end of surgery up to 24 hours postoperatively

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Cumulative Opioid Consumption at 1, 6, 12, and 48 hours postoperatively

  1, 6, 12, and 48 hours after surgery completion.

• Postoperative pain intensity measured by Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)

  During Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) stay, and at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively.

• Total dose of intraoperative remifentanil

  During the intraoperative period (from induction to skin closure).

• Incidence of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting

  Up to 48 hours postoperatively.

• Time to first ambulation

  From the end of surgery up to 48 hours postoperatively (or until the first occurrence).

Study Arms (2)

External Oblique Intercostal (EOI) block group

EXPERIMENTAL

patients who receive EOI block

Procedure: External Oblique Intercostal Block

Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Patients who receive TAP block

Procedure: TAP Block

Interventions

External Oblique Intercostal Block PROCEDURE

Following the induction of general anesthesia, patients in this group will receive an ultrasound-guided bilateral external intercostal fascial plane block. A total of 40 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine (20 mL per side) will be injected into the plane between the external intercostal muscle and the internal intercostal muscle at the T6-7 or T7-8 level.

External Oblique Intercostal (EOI) block group

TAP Block PROCEDURE

Following the induction of general anesthesia, patients in this group will receive an ultrasound-guided bilateral subcostal transversus abdominis plane block. A total of 40 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine (20 mL per side) will be injected into the fascial plane between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles along the subcostal margin.

Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 80 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Scheduled to undergo elective robotic or laparoscopic minimally invasive hepatectomy

You may not qualify if:

• American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status IV or higher
• History of chronic pain or current use of analgesics, antidepressants, or anticonvulsants for pain management
• Known hypersensitivity to general anesthetics, opioids, or local anesthetics
• Conversion to open hepatectomy
• Requirement for mechanical ventilation for more than 2 hours within 48 hours postoperatively
• Any other clinical condition that makes the patient unsuitable for participation in the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Seoul National University Hospital: lead

Study Sites (1)

SNUH

Seoul, 03080, South Korea

Location

Study Officials

• Hyun-Kyu Yoon, MD/PhD

  Seoul National University Hospital

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Hyun-Kyu Yoon

CONTACT

+82-2-2072-2467; warren83@snu.ac.kr

wooyoung jo

CONTACT

01079333021; jowoo345@naver.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: TRIPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Clinical Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 22, 2026
• First Posted: May 29, 2026
• Study Start: June 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): May 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2027
• Last Updated: June 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

KR (1)