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Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia vs. Paravertebral Block for Pain Management in Thoracotomy

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What is being tested

Thoracic epidural block

+ Paravertebral block

Other
Who is being recruted

From 18 to 60 Years
+8 Eligibility Criteria
See all eligibility criteria
How is the trial designed

Treatment Study

Interventional
Study Start: May 2025
See protocol details

Summary

Principal SponsorCairo University
Study ContactMohamed E Abdel Fattah, MD
Last updated: January 28, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Study start date: May 15, 2025

Actual date on which the first participant was enrolled.

This study explores different methods to manage pain for patients undergoing thoracotomy, a surgery involving an incision in the chest. The aim is to compare two pain management techniques: Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia (TEB) and Paravertebral Block (PVB). TEB is known to block nerve signals by applying local anesthetic near the spinal cord, while PVB targets nerves on the side where surgery is performed. The study seeks to determine which method provides better pain relief, as many patients experience chronic pain for years after thoracotomy. Participants in this study will receive either TEB or PVB during their surgery. TEB involves administering anesthetic at the spinal cord level to reduce pain signals, whereas PVB involves injecting anesthetic near spinal nerves on one side. The study will measure the effectiveness of these methods in managing postoperative pain. It aims to identify the most effective technique that could reduce the long-term pain experienced by patients after thoracotomy. This has the potential to improve recovery outcomes and quality of life for those undergoing this type of chest surgery.

Official TitleThoracic Epidural Anesthesia Versus Paravertebral Block for Awake Thoracotomy: A Randomized Non-inferiority Trial
NCT06974643
Principal SponsorCairo University
Study ContactMohamed E Abdel Fattah, MD
Last updated: January 28, 2026
Sourced from a government-validated database.Claim as a partner

Protocol

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.
Design Details

60 patients to be enrolled

Total number of participants that the clinical trial aims to recruit.

Treatment Study

These studies test new ways to treat a disease, condition, or health issue. The goal is to see if a new drug, therapy, or approach works better or has fewer side effects than existing options.

Eligibility

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria: person's general health condition or prior treatments.
Criteria

Any sex

Biological sex of participants that are eligible to enroll.

From 18 to 60 Years

Range of ages for which participants are eligible to join.

Healthy volunteers not allowed

If individuals who are healthy and do not have the condition being studied can participate.

Criteria

4 inclusion criteria required to participate
Age from 18 to 60 years.
Both genders.
American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification II or III.
Scheduled for thoracotomy.
4 exclusion criteria prevent from participating
Poor cardiac function (ejection fraction less than 50%).
Patients with bad pulmonary function testing (PFTs). Absolute contraindication to thoracic epidural anesthesia includes patient refusal, allergy to local anesthetics, coagulopathy, active neurologic disorders, skin infection at the insertion site, uncooperative patients, uncontrolled cough, and unfavorable anatomy for thoracic epidural.
Thoracic spine disorders require chest wall resection or emergency thoracic surgery.
Had a previous thoracotomy (scarring due to prior surgery can limit the effectiveness of paravertebral block, and these patients may have existing chronic pain).

Study Plan

Find out more about all the medication administered in this study, their detailed description and what they involve.
Treatment Groups
Study Objectives

2 intervention groups are designated in this study

This study does not include a placebo group 

Treatment Groups

Group I

Experimental
Patients will preoperatively receive an awake thoracic epidural block.

Group II

Experimental
Patients will preoperatively receive a paravertebral block.

Study Objectives

Primary Objectives

Secondary Objectives

Study Centers

These are the hospitals, clinics, or research facilities where the trial is being conducted. You can find the location closest to you and its status.

This study has 1 location

Recruiting

Cairo University

Cairo, EgyptOpen Cairo University in Google Maps
Recruiting
One Study Center