Subcostal TAP Block Versus Combined Subcostal TAP and Recto-Intercostal Fascial Plane Block for Analgesia After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Comparison of the Postoperative Analgesic Efficacy of Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block and Combined Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane and Recto-Intercostal Fascial Plane Block in Patients Undergoing Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
1 other identifier
interventional
90
1 country
1
Brief Summary
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is commonly associated with moderate postoperative pain, particularly during the early postoperative period. Inadequate postoperative analgesia may negatively affect patient comfort and recovery, increase opioid consumption, and contribute to opioid-related adverse effects. Therefore, effective multimodal analgesic strategies are of considerable importance in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a regional anesthesia technique used to provide analgesia for upper abdominal surgery. However, its analgesic coverage may be insufficient in some patients because of the complex innervation of the upper abdominal wall. The recto-intercostal fascial plane block has been described as a fascial plane block targeting the anterior branches of the thoracoabdominal nerves and may provide additional analgesic benefit when combined with subcostal TAP block. This study aims to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of bilateral subcostal TAP block alone with that of bilateral subcostal TAP block combined with recto-intercostal fascial plane block in patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable
Started Oct 2026
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
October 6, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
October 9, 2026
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
October 14, 2026
ExpectedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
October 15, 2027
Study Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
October 29, 2027
October 9, 2026
October 1, 2026
1 year
October 6, 2026
October 6, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Pain Score
Pain will be assessed at rest using the visual analog scale on a scale from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst pain). Pain assessment will be done at 6th hour after surgery.
On the operation day
Secondary Outcomes (2)
Pain Scores
On the operation day
Total Postoperative Opioid Consumption During the First 24 Hours AfterSurgery
On the operation day
Study Arms (2)
Subcostal TAP Block
ACTIVE COMPARATORFollowing induction of general anesthesia and before surgical incision, participants will receive a bilateral ultrasound-guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane block using a total volume of 40 mL of 0.20% bupivacaine.
Subcostal TAP Block + Recto-Intercostal Fascial Plane Block
ACTIVE COMPARATORFollowing induction of general anesthesia and before surgical incision, participants will receive a bilateral ultrasound-guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane block using a total volume of 40 mL of 0.20% bupivacaine together with a bilateral ultrasound-guided recto-intercostal fascial plane block using a total volume of 30 mL of 0.20% bupivacaine.
Interventions
Following induction of general anesthesia and before surgical incision, a bilateral ultrasound-guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane block will be performed. A total volume of 40 mL of 0.20% bupivacaine will be administered.
Following induction of general anesthesia and before surgical incision, a bilateral ultrasound-guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane block will be performed using a total volume of 40 mL of 0.20% bupivacaine. In addition, a bilateral ultrasound-guided recto-intercostal fascial plane block will be performed using a total volume of 30 mL of 0.20% bupivacaine.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Age between 18 and 80 years
- With a body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 30 kg/m².
- American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I, II, or III
- Scheduled to undergo elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy
You may not qualify if:
- Age younger than 18 years or older than 80 years
- With a body mass index (BMI) below 18 or above 30 kg/m
- American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status IV or higher
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
Ankara Etlik City Hospital
Ankara, 06170, Turkey (Türkiye)
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Central Study Contacts
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 GOV
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Principal Investigator
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
October 6, 2026
First Posted
October 9, 2026
Study Start (Estimated)
October 14, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
October 15, 2027
Study Completion (Estimated)
October 29, 2027
Last Updated
October 9, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-10