NCT01076894

Thoracotomy: Intercostal Nerve Block Versus Epidural Anesthesia

Analgesia and Pulmonary Function After Thoracic Surgery: is an Intercostal Nerve Block Plus Intravenous Morphine as Effective as Epidural Anesthesia? A Prospective Randomized Clinical Study.

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 83 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Ulm · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Postoperative pain and consecutive reduction of pulmonary function after thoracic surgery still is a major clinical problem and challenge in anesthesia. Thoracic epidural anesthesia is commonly considered to be the "gold standard" for postoperative pain control and restoration of pulmonary function after thoracic surgery. Thus, the aim of the present study is to investigate whether an intercostal nerve block with ropivacaine plus intravenous PCA with morphine is as effective as thoracic epidural anesthesia with respect to postoperative pain control and pulmonary

Conditions

• Thoracotomy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	epidural anesthesia	In the epidural group prior to the induction of general anesthesia, a thoracic epidural catheter will be was placed at the level of the TH6-TH8. 8 ml ropivacaine 1% were administered through the epidural catheter. EDA is aimed at a sensory block level from TH2 to TH10.
PROCEDURE	intercostal anesthesia	In the intercostal group, before chest closure, each 4 ml ropivacaine 0.75 % will be injected by the surgeon under direct vision into the proximal intercostal space at the level of the thoracotomy and two spaces above and below as well as 5 ml ropivacaine 0,75 % at the thoracic drainage tube exits

Timeline

• Start date: 2007-02-01
• Primary completion: 2008-10-01
• Completion: 2009-10-01
• First posted: 2010-02-26
• Last updated: 2010-02-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Germany