NCT06808087

Management of Acute Appendicitis Pain in the Emergency Department

Comparison of the Efficacy of Transversus Abdominis Plane Block and Erector Spinae Plane Block in the Management of Acute Appendicitis Pain in the Emergency Department

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 96 (actual)
• Sponsor: Ankara City Hospital Bilkent · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of TAP (Transversus Abdominal Plane) block, ESPB (Erector Spinal Plane Block), and tramadol in preoperative pain management for patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis and undergoing emergency surgery in the emergency department. The study will evaluate the potential of TAP block and ESPB administered to patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis in the emergency department to reduce pain intensity before surgical intervention. This study aims to contribute to practical applications to ensure optimal pain control for acute appendicitis patients under emergency department conditions.

Detailed description

The study will include patients who present to the emergency department with abdominal pain, receive a diagnosis of acute appendicitis through history, physical examination, and imaging modalities, and are determined to undergo definitive surgery following general surgical consultation. Patients will be randomly assigned to three groups. Randomization will be achieved by allocating the first 5 patients to the T-50 group, the second 5 patients to the TAP-50 group, and the third 5 patients to the ESPB-50 group. Patients' pain levels will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at baseline. Subsequently, patients in the T-50 group will receive a 100 cc isotonic 0.9% NaCl (sodium chloride) solution containing 50 mg tramadol as an intravenous infusion over 15 minutes at baseline. Patients in the TAP-50 group will receive the same intravenous tramadol infusion as the T-50 group at baseline, followed by a TAP block. The steps for performing the TAP block are as follows: Patient monitoring, preparation of the skin with 10% povidone-iodine and ensuring appropriate draping, placement of a high-frequency linear transducer transversely between the right iliac crest and subcostal margin along the midaxillary line. Structures visualized on ultrasound from superficial to deep include: skin, subcutaneous fat, external oblique muscle, internal oblique muscle, transversus abdominis muscle, and peritoneum. The TAP block will be performed in the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. A 23-gauge, 60 mm blunt-tipped needle will be directed toward the TAP, and negative aspiration will be confirmed upon entry into the fascial layer. An injection of 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine, prepared by diluting 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine with 10 mL of normal saline, will be performed. Visualization of the oval spread of bupivacaine in the TAP. Patients in the ESPB-50 group will receive a 100 cc isotonic 0.9% NaCl solution containing 50 mg tramadol as an intravenous infusion over 15 minutes at baseline, followed by an ESPB. The steps for performing the ESPB are as follows: Patient monitoring, positioning the patient in the prone position, preparation of the skin with 10% povidone-iodine and ensuring appropriate draping, counting the transverse processes from the sacrum, placing a low-frequency curvilinear transducer parasagittally, and identifying the tip of the right transverse process at this level. Visualizing the erector spinae muscle overlying the transverse process. Inserting a 22 Gauge, 80 mm needle between the transverse process and the fascia of the erector spinae muscle. Injecting 1 to 3 milliliter (mL) of saline to confirm the separation of the erector spinae muscle fascia from the transverse process after negative aspiration, Injecting 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine, prepared by diluting 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine with 10 mL of normal saline, after another negative aspiration. Visualizing the oval spread of bupivacaine over the erector spinae muscle.

Conditions

• Acute Appendicitis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Transversus abdominis plane blockage	1. Patient monitoring 2. Preparation of the skin with 10% povidone-iodine and ensuring appropriate draping 3. Placement of a high-frequency linear transducer transversely between the right iliac crest and subcostal margin along the midaxillary line. Structures visualized on ultrasound from superficial to deep include: skin, subcutaneous fat, external oblique muscle, internal oblique muscle, transversus abdominis muscle, and peritoneum. The TAP block will be performed in the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles. 4. A 23-gauge, 60 mm blunt-tipped needle will be directed toward the TAP, and negative aspiration will be confirmed upon entry into the fascial layer. 5. An injection of 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine, prepared by diluting 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine with 10 mL of normal saline, will be performed. 6. Visualization of the oval spread of bupivacaine in the TAP.
PROCEDURE	Erector spinae plane blockage	1. Patient monitoring 2. Positioning the patient in the prone position 3. Preparation of the skin with 10% povidone-iodine and ensuring appropriate draping 4. Counting the transverse processes from the sacrum to find the L1 level 5. Placing a low-frequency curvilinear transducer (depth set to 3-5 cm) parasagittally, and identifying the tip of the right transverse process at this level 6. Visualizing the erector spinae muscle overlying the transverse process 7. Inserting a 22G, 80 mm needle between the transverse process and the fascia of the erector spinae muscle 8. Injecting 1 to 3 mL of saline to confirm the separation of the erector spinae muscle fascia from the transverse process after negative aspiration 9. Injecting 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine, prepared by diluting 10 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine with 10 mL of normal saline, after another negative aspiration 10. Visualizing the oval spread of bupivacaine over the erector spinae muscle.
DRUG	Tramadol	50 mg of tramadol will be administered via IV infusion over 15 minutes in 100 cc of isotonic 0.9% NaCl (normal saline).

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-05-08
• Primary completion: 2024-12-15
• Completion: 2024-12-15
• First posted: 2025-02-05
• Last updated: 2026-02-20

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)