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NCT Number: NCT06974630

Cervical Erector Spinae Plane Block vs Cervical Plexus Block in Controlling Acute Postoperative Pain After Thyroidectomy

This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of cervical erector spinae plane block vs. cervical plexus block in controlling acute postoperative pain after thyroidectomy.

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Key information

Conditions

Cervical Cervical Plexus Block Erector Spinae Plane Block Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pain, Postoperative Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Postoperative Complications Postoperative Pain Signs and Symptoms Thyroidectomy

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Cairo University

Cairo, 12613, Egypt

About this study

Thyroidectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in females worldwide, as thyroid disease predominantly affects females with a ratio of 4:1. Thyroid operations can cause mild to moderate incisional pain. It has also been reported that the morphine consumption on the first postoperative day is 90%.

Cervical plexus block, either superficial or deep or combinations given bilaterally, could easily lead to an adequate block appropriate for thyroid surgery without any significant side effects.

Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is the new favorite among various fascial plane blocks. Local anesthetic drug is injected in the fascial plane superficial to the transverse process and deeper to the erector spinae muscle (ESM).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age from 18 to 65 years.
  • Both genders.
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II.
  • Scheduled for either hemi- or total thyroidectomy.

Exclusion criteria

  • Known allergy to local anesthetics.
  • Allergy to all opioid medications.
  • Pregnant patient.
  • Previous neck surgery.
  • Recent use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids or steroid injection within 2 weeks.
  • Those who cannot utilize the numeric rating scale (NRS) .
  • Chronic opioid use.
  • Coagulopathy.

Treatment and study plan

Cervical erector spinae plane block

Other

Patients will receive bilateral ultrasound-guided cervical erector spinae plane block using 15 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% on each side.

Other names: Bupivacaine 0.25%

cervical plexus block

Other

Patients will receive bilateral ultrasound-guided superficial cervical block using 15 mL of 0.25% plain bupivacaine on each side of the neck.

Other names: Bupivacaine 0.25%

Primary outcomes

  1. Total morphine consumption

    Time frame: 48 hours postoperatively

    Rescue analgesia of morphine will be given as 3 mg bolus if the numeric rating scale (NRS) > 3 to be repeated after 30 min if pain persists until the NRS < 4.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Time to the 1st rescue analgesia

    Time frame: 48 hours postoperatively

    Time to the first request for the rescue analgesia (time from end of surgery to first dose of morphine administrated).

  2. Intraoperative fentanyl consumption

    Time frame: Intraoperatively

    Additional bolus doses of fentanyl 1 µg/kg will be given if the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) or heart rate (HR) rises above 20% of baseline levels.

  3. Degree of pain

    Time frame: 48 hours postoperatively

    Each patient will be instructed about postoperative pain assessment with the numeric rating scale (NRS) score. NRS (0 represents "no pain" while 10 represents "the worst pain imaginable"). NRS will be assessed at post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 h postoperative.

  4. Incidence of adverse events

    Time frame: 48 hours postoperatively

    Incidence of adverse events such as nausea, vomiting, hypotension, bradycardia, cough, bronchospasm, and sore throat will be recorded.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Cervical Erector Spinae Plane Block vs Cervical Plexus Block in Controlling Acute Postoperative Pain After Thyroidectomy: A Randomized Controlled Study

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
May 16, 2025
Registry last updated
Dec 29, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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