NCT07233096

Rectus-Intercostal Fascial Plane Block for Liver Transplantation Donors

Evaluation of Postoperative Analgesic Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Rectus-Intercostal Fascial Plane Block in Living Liver Donors

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 64 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Istinye University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 75 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Postoperative pain control plays a crucial role in enhancing recovery and improving early mobilization in living liver donors. The rectus-intercostal fascial plane (RIFP) block is a novel ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia technique that provides anterior abdominal wall analgesia by targeting the intercostal nerves between the rectus abdominis and intercostal muscle fascia. This prospective, randomized controlled clinical study aims to evaluate the postoperative analgesic efficacy and opioid-sparing effects of the RIFP block compared with standard intravenous analgesia in living liver donors undergoing donor hepatectomy. Participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: Group 1 (RIFP Block): Patients receiving an ultrasound-guided rectus-intercostal fascial plane block using 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine at the end of surgery, in addition to standard IV PCA (morphine). Group 2 (Control): Patients receiving only standard IV PCA (morphine) without regional block.

Detailed description

This prospective randomized controlled study will include living liver donors undergoing donor hepatectomy. Participants will be divided into two groups: the Rectus-Intercostal Fascial Plane (RIFP) Block Group and the Control Group. In the RIFP group, patients will receive an ultrasound-guided RIFP block at the end of surgery and postoperative analgesia with intravenous morphine PCA. The control group will receive only intravenous morphine PCA without any regional block. The primary outcome is total morphine consumption during the first 24 postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes include pain scores at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours, time to first rescue analgesia, amount of rescue analgesic used, and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. This study aims to evaluate the postoperative analgesic efficacy and opioid-sparing effect of the RIFP block in living liver donors compared with standard intravenous analgesia.

Conditions

• Liver Transplantation
• Living Donor
• Postoperative Pain

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Rectus Intercostal Plane Block	Rectus intercostal plane block will be administered bilaterally at the end of the surgery and after skin closure under ultrasound guidance
OTHER	Control (No Block)	Ultrasound probe placement on the same region without needle insertion or local anesthetic injection to maintain blinding.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-22
• Primary completion: 2026-05-01
• Completion: 2026-06-01
• First posted: 2025-11-18
• Last updated: 2026-01-08

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)