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RecruitingNCT07541040Updated Sep 30, 2026

Serratus vs ESP Block for Postoperative Pain in Unilateral Breast Surgery

An interventional study of Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in Post Operative Pain and Opioid Use, sponsored by Engin Çetin. Recruiting at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to female participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-30.

Sponsored by Engin Çetin · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
54
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 65 Years
Sex
Female
01

Study summary

This prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded trial compares serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) and erector spinae plane block (ESPB) for postoperative analgesia in unilateral breast surgery. 54 patients will be randomized to receive either SPSIPB or ESPB before general anesthesia.

The primary outcome is postoperative pain scores within the first 24 hours. The secondary outcome is opioid consumption.

Read the detailed description

This prospective, randomized, assessor-blinded, single-center clinical trial is designed to compare the effects of serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) and erector spinae plane block (ESPB) on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing unilateral breast surgery. Eligible adult female patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either SPSIPB or ESPB under ultrasound guidance prior to induction of general anesthesia.

All patients will receive standardized general anesthesia and postoperative multimodal analgesia. Postoperative pain will be assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at predefined time points within the first 24 hours, both at rest and during movement. The primary outcome is postoperative pain scores within 24 hours. The secondary outcome is total opioid consumption during the same period.

This study aims to determine whether SPSIPB provides comparable or superior analgesia compared to ESPB in unilateral breast surgery.

02

Conditions studied

  • Post Operative Pain
  • Opioid Use

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Keywords

  • Post Operative Pain
  • Opioid Use
03

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 65 Years
Sexes eligible
Female
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Female patients aged 18-65 years
  • ASA physical status I-III
  • Body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 35 kg/m²
  • Scheduled for elective unilateral breast surgery (mastectomy with or without sentinel lymph node biopsy)
  • Ability to understand and provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Infection at the site of block application
  • Known allergy to local anesthetics
  • Coagulopathy or anticoagulant therapy
  • Chronic opioid use
  • Pregnancy
  • Inability to communicate or cooperate
  • Refusal to participate
  • Failed block
  • Requirement of additional intraoperative analgesia outside the study protocol
  • Development of serious intraoperative complications
04

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Supportive care
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
54 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    SPSIP Block

    Participants will receive an ultrasound-guided serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) with 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine prior to induction of general anesthesia.

    Procedure: Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block

  • Active comparator
    ESPB Block

    Participants will receive an ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) with 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine prior to induction of general anesthesia.

    Procedure: Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block

Interventions

  • ProcedureSerratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block

    An ultrasound-guided interfascial plane block performed between the serratus posterior superior muscle and the underlying ribs prior to general anesthesia.

    Also known as: SPSIPB

05

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Postoperative Pain Scores (NRS)

    Postoperative pain intensity will be assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS; 0-10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates worst imaginable pain). Pain scores will be evaluated both at rest and during movement (coughing)

    Time frame: T0: upon arrival at recovery (Aldrete ≥9), T1: 1 hour, T2: 4 hours, T3: 8 hours, T4: 12 hours, T5: 24 hours postoperatively

Secondary outcomes

  1. Total Opioid Consumption

    Total opioid consumption will be recorded during the first 24 hours postoperatively and expressed as intravenous tramadol consumption.

    Time frame: T0-T1: 0-1 hour, T1-T2: 1-4 hours, T2-T3: 4-8 hours, T3-T4: 8-12 hours, and T4-T5: 12-24 hours postoperatively

06

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
  • University of Health Sciences Kocaeli City Hospital
    İzmit, Kocaeli 41200, Turkey (Türkiye)
    Recruiting
07

References and documents

Publications

  • Arik E, Zengin M, Seker G, Kucuk O, Gungordu E, Ozguner Y, Alagoz A, Ergil J. Is the serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block a viable alternative to the erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia in breast surgery? A prospective, randomized trial. BMC Anesthesiol. 2025 Nov 29;26(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s12871-025-03531-y. PubMed 41318393 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

08

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07541040
Lead sponsor
Engin Çetin
Responsible party
Engin Çetin (principal investigator, Kocaeli City Hospital) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Apr 21, 2026
Start date
May 1, 2026
Primary completion
Nov 1, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Nov 1, 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 30, 2026

Study contacts

Engin Çetin, M.D.
Contact
Doccetin52@gmail.com
5321206004 ext. 90
Engin Çetin, M.D
Contact
Doccetin52@gmail.com
5321206004 ext. 90
Engin Çetin, M.D
principal investigator · Kocaeli City Hospital

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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