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NCT Number: NCT07640282

ESP Block vs. EXORA Block for Postoperative Pain in Nephrectomy

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the effects of two pain control techniques used after laparoscopic nephrectomy (kidney removal surgery) in adults. The study will compare Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block and External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block, which are both used as part of routine medical care to help control pain after surgery.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Do ESP block and EXORA block differ in how well they control pain after surgery? Do ESP block and EXORA block differ in their effects on recovery quality and the need for additional pain medication?

Researchers will compare participants who receive ESP block with participants who receive EXORA block as part of routine clinical care.

Participants will:

Undergo laparoscopic nephrectomy according to routine clinical practice. Receive either ESP block or EXORA block based on the treating anesthesiologist's usual clinical preference.

Complete a recovery questionnaire before surgery and 24 hours after surgery. Have pain scores, use of additional pain medication, nausea and vomiting, and other routine postoperative measurements recorded during the first 24 hours after surgery.

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Key information

Conditions

Postoperative Pain Nephrectomy Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pain, Postoperative Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Postoperative Complications Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital

Istanbul, 34147, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location status: Recruiting

About this study

In routine practice at our institution, anesthesia clinicians performing laparoscopic nephrectomy administer either an Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block or an External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block based solely on individual clinician preference. The researcher does not influence this decision. Among the eligible patients, those receiving either ESP or EXORA block will be included and evaluated observationally. Block types other than these two will not be included.

All postoperative visits and clinical follow-ups are routinely conducted by the hospital's pain management team. The researcher does not intervene in these clinical processes and is only responsible for obtaining informed consent, recording demographic variables, documenting the type of block performed, and administering the QoR-15 questionnaire preoperatively and at postoperative 24 hours.

Preoperative evaluation and necessary laboratory testing are carried out according to standard hospital practice by the attending anesthesiologist. In the operating room, standard monitoring (non-invasive blood pressure, ECG, heart rate, and oxygen saturation) is applied. Anesthesia induction is performed using standard agents and general anesthesia is maintained according to the clinician's routine practice.

For postoperative analgesia, all patients routinely receive intravenous paracetamol 1 g every 8 hours. Rescue analgesia consists of intravenous tramadol 1 mg/kg when NRS ≥4. After surgery, patients are monitored in the PACU and transferred to the ward once their Aldrete score is ≥9.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) are assessed using a verbal descriptive scale (0-4) and intravenous ondansetron 4 mg is administered for PONV ≥2.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Age between 18 and 80 years
  • Patients scheduled for laparoscopic nephrectomy
  • Patients for whom Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block or External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block has been selected by the treating clinician
  • ASA physical status I-III

Exclusion criteria

  • No regional block performed in routine clinical practice
  • Body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m²
  • History of opioid dependence
  • Alcohol or other substance dependence
  • Psychiatric disease, mental retardation, dementia, or any condition impairing pain perception or pain assessment

Treatment and study plan

Erector Spinae Plane Block

Procedure

An ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane (ESP) block is performed under general anesthesia prior to extubation as part of routine clinical practice. After aseptic preparation, a linear ultrasound probe is placed over the T10 transverse process on the surgical side. The needle is advanced into the fascial plane between the erector spinae muscle and the transverse process. Following negative aspiration and confirmation of correct needle placement with hydrodissection, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine is injected. The procedure is performed by anesthesiologists according to routine clinical practice without researcher involvement in clinical decision-making.

Other names: ESP BLock

External Oblique Rectus Abdominis Block

Procedure

An ultrasound-guided External Oblique Rectus Abdominis (EXORA) block is performed under general anesthesia prior to extubation as part of routine clinical practice. After aseptic preparation, a linear ultrasound probe is positioned in the parasternal sagittal plane lateral to the xiphoid process at the level of the 8th costal cartilage on the surgical side. The needle is advanced into the fascial plane between the rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles. Following negative aspiration and confirmation of correct needle placement with hydrodissection, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine is injected. The procedure is performed by anesthesiologists according to routine clinical practice without researcher involvement in clinical decision-making.

Other names: EXORA Block

Primary outcomes

  1. Postoperative Pain Score (NRS)

    Time frame: Postoperative 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours

    Postoperative pain will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS, 0-10). Pain scores will be recorded at 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery and will be compared between Group E and Group X. The Numeric Rating Scale ranges from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain, 10 = worst imaginable pain); higher scores indicate worse pain.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Rescue Analgesic Requirement

    Time frame: First 24 hours after surgery

    The requirement for rescue analgesia and the total amount of postoperative tramadol consumption during the first 24 hours will be recorded and compared between Group E and Group X.

  2. Quality of Recovery (QoR-15 Score)

    Time frame: Preoperative baseline and postoperative 24th hour

    Quality of recovery will be assessed using the validated Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) questionnaire. Scores will be compared between Group E and Group X. The QoR-15 total score ranges from 0 to 150, with higher scores indicating better quality of recovery.

Other outcomes

  1. Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) Score

    Time frame: Postoperative 1, 6, 12, and 24 hours

    Postoperative nausea and vomiting will be assessed using a verbal descriptive scale from 0 to 4 (0 = none, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = single vomiting episode, 4 = multiple vomiting episodes). Scores will be compared between Group E and Group X.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Nalan Saygı Emir, MD, Associate Professor

CONTACT

[email protected]

+90 212 414 71 71

Şeyma Nur Güner Zengin, MD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+90 212 414 71 71

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Bakirkoy Dr. Sadi Konuk Research and Training Hospital

Other Gov

Registry information

Official study title

Prospective Comparison of Postoperative Analgesic Effects of ESP Block and EXORA Block in Nephrectomy Cases

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2029
Study completion
2029
First posted
Jun 10, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 10, 2026

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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