Ultrasound-Guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block for Cardiac Surgery

NCT07785323 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: AURH-AR-BC-01
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This prospective, randomized, controlled study aims to evaluate the effects of ultrasound-guided bilateral single-shot serratus posterior superior intercostal plane (SPSIP) block on postoperative recovery and pain management in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. A total of 50 adult patients will be randomized into two groups: an SPSIP block group and a control group. The investigators will assess postoperative pain, opioid consumption, and quality of recovery during the postoperative period.

Conditions

Cardiac Surgery; Postoperative Pain; Postoperative Recovery After Cardiac Surgery

Keywords

Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block; SPSIP Block; Quality of Recovery; QoR-15; QoR-15T; Postoperative Analgesia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Postoperative Quality of Recovery Assessed by QoR-15T

  Postoperative quality of recovery will be assessed using the Turkish version of the Quality of Recovery-15 questionnaire (QoR-15T). The QoR-15T consists of 15 items assessing multiple dimensions of postoperative recovery. The total score ranges from 0 to 150, with higher scores indicating better quality of recovery.

  Postoperative 24 hours

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Total Postoperative Tramadol Consumption

  From the end of surgery to postoperative 48 hours

• Postoperative Pain Intensity

  Postoperative 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours

• Number of Participants With Postoperative Nausea and/or Vomiting (PONV)

  Postoperative 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours

• Intensive Care Unit Length of Stay

  From postoperative ICU admission until first ICU discharge, an average of 7 days

• Ward Length of Stay

  From first ICU discharge until hospital discharge, an average of 14 days

Study Arms (2)

SPSIP Block Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will receive ultrasound-guided bilateral single-shot serratus posterior superior intercostal plane (SPSIP) block in addition to standard perioperative care.

Procedure: Serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block

Control Group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants in this group will receive standard perioperative care without SPSIP block.

Procedure: Standard Perioperative Care

Interventions

Serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block PROCEDURE

After induction of general anesthesia, an ultrasound-guided bilateral serratus posterior superior intercostal plane (SPSIP) block will be performed at the level of the third rib. Under ultrasound guidance, the needle will be advanced to the fascial plane between the serratus posterior superior muscle and the intercostal muscles. After confirmation of appropriate needle-tip position, 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine will be administered on each side. The same procedure will then be performed on the contralateral side.

Also known as: SPSIP Block

SPSIP Block Group

Standard Perioperative Care PROCEDURE

Participants in the control group will receive standard perioperative care without serratus posterior superior intercostal plane (SPSIP) block. The perioperative management and postoperative follow-up protocol will otherwise be the same as in the SPSIP block group.

Control Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Patients aged 18-80 years
• Patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery
• American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status III--IV
• Patients who provide written informed consent to participate in the study

You may not qualify if:

• Patient refusal to participate in the study
• Known allergy to local anesthetics
• Infection at the site of block application
• Coagulopathy or contraindication to regional anesthesia
• Emergency surgery
• Patients unable to communicate adequately or complete the study assessments

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Burak Çilingir: lead

Study Sites (1)

Adıyaman Training and Research Hospital

Adıyaman, 02100, 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

Central Study Contacts

BURAK ÇİLİNGİR, Resident Physician

CONTACT

+90 552 075 78 85; burakcilingirr@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Postoperative outcome assessments will be performed by an investigator who is blinded to group allocation. The anesthesiologist performing the SPSIP block will not be involved in postoperative outcome assessment.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Resident Physician

Model Details: Participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to two parallel groups: the SPSIP block group or the control group. Participants in the SPSIP block group will receive ultrasound-guided bilateral single-shot serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block in addition to standard perioperative care, while participants in the control group will receive standard perioperative care without the block.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 10, 2026
• First Posted: August 25, 2026
• Study Start: August 20, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): February 1, 2027
• Last Updated: August 25, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)