An interventional study of Erector Spinae Plane Block and External Oblique Intercostal Plane Block in Cholecystectomy, Postoperative Pain and Erector Spinae Plane Block, sponsored by Sohag University. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-04-16.
Sponsored by Sohag University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
This randomized controlled trial aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of bilateral ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) versus bilateral external oblique intercostal plane (EOI) block in patients undergoing open cholecystectomy.
Patients will be randomly allocated into two groups to receive either ESPB or EOI block in addition to standard general anesthesia. The primary outcome is postoperative pain score assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at 2 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes include intraoperative opioid consumption, postoperative nalbuphine requirements, time to first analgesic request, and hemodynamic changes.
This study seeks to determine the more effective regional anesthesia technique for improving perioperative analgesia in open cholecystectomy.
Open cholecystectomy is still indicated in selected patients such as those with complicated gallbladder disease or contraindications to laparoscopy. Effective perioperative pain management is essential to improve patient outcomes and reduce opioid consumption.
Regional anesthesia techniques have gained increasing interest, particularly with the use of ultrasound guidance. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a relatively simple and widely used interfascial block that provides effective analgesia for abdominal surgeries. The external oblique intercostal plane (EOI) block is a newer technique targeting the upper abdominal wall.
In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded clinical trial, adult patients undergoing elective open cholecystectomy will be randomized into two groups. One group will receive bilateral ultrasound-guided ESPB, while the other group will receive bilateral ultrasound-guided EOI block, both performed after induction of general anesthesia and before surgical incision.
All patients will receive standardized general anesthesia. Pain will be assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at multiple time points postoperatively. Rescue analgesia with intravenous nalbuphine will be administered as needed.
The primary outcome is postoperative pain score at 2 hours. Secondary outcomes include intraoperative fentanyl consumption, total nalbuphine consumption over 24 hours, time to first analgesic request, hemodynamic parameters, and any block-related complications.
This study aims to provide evidence regarding the comparative effectiveness of ESPB and EOI block in open cholecystectomy surgeries.
5,093 studies on the registry are indexed under Pain, Postoperative; 1,140 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 66 is below the median of 75 across 4,344 interventional studies indexed under Pain, Postoperative.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants in this group will receive bilateral erector spinae plane block using local anesthetic for postoperative analgesia following open cholecystectomy.
Procedure: Erector Spinae Plane Block
Participants in this group will receive bilateral external oblique intercostal plane block using local anesthetic for postoperative analgesia following open cholecystectomy.
Procedure: External Oblique Intercostal Plane Block
Bilateral erector spinae plane block will be performed under ultrasound guidance using local anesthetic prior to surgical incision to provide postoperative analgesia.
Bilateral external oblique intercostal plane block will be performed under ultrasound guidance using local anesthetic prior to surgical incision to provide postoperative analgesia.
Postoperative Pain Score (VAS)
Postoperative pain will be assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at rest and during movement.
Time frame: Within the first 24 hours postoperatively
Total Opioid Consumption
Total opioid consumption in the first 24 hours after surgery measured in morphine equivalents.
Time frame: First 24 hours postoperatively
Time to First Analgesic Request
Time elapsed from the end of surgery to the first request for analgesia.
Time frame: Within 24 hours postoperatively
Postoperative Complications
Incidence of postoperative complications including nausea, vomiting, and respiratory complications.
Time frame: Within 24 hours postoperatively
No study locations are listed for this record.
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared. The study investigators do not plan to make individual-level data publicly available. Results will be reported in aggregate form to ensure participant confidentiality.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Apr 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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