Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07003698

Postoperative Analgesic Efficacy of Recto Intercostal Nerve Block

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a frequently performed surgery and the gold standard for the treatment of symptomatic gallstone disease. Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered minimally invasive, it can cause moderate to severe pain in the postoperative period. Poorly controlled early postoperative pain impairs recovery quality and increases the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications, serving as a risk factor for chronic pain development.

Multimodal analgesia, including opioids, is used to manage pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, opioid treatment may lead to side effects such as postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), respiratory depression, and constipation.

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of recto-intercostal nerve block as part of multimodal analgesia on intraoperative opioid consumption and postoperative pain scores in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Laparoskopic Cholecystectomy Acute Pain Neurologic Manifestations Pain Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Recto Intercostal Nerve Block Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Ankara Etlik City Hospital

Yenimahalle, Ankara, 06170, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 18 to 65 years old
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II-III
  • Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery

Exclusion criteria

  • Under 18 and over 65 years old
  • ASA score IV and above
  • Advanced co-morbidity
  • History of bleeding diathesis
  • Patient refusing the procedure
  • Chronic opioid or analgesic use
  • Patients who will operate under emergency conditions
  • Block injection site infection
  • Known allergy to local anesthetics
  • Pregnancy

Treatment and study plan

The group without the rectointercostal nerve block

Procedure

Patients in this group will be administered dexketoprofen 50 mg and tramadol 100 mg intravenously in the intraoperative period. These patients will not receive the rectointercostal nerve block.

The rectointercostal plane block

Procedure

The rectointercostal plane block is performed under ultrasound guidance before the surgical procedure and anesthesia induction, with the patient in the supine position. Additionally, patients in this group will be administered dexketoprofen 50 mg and tramadol 100 mg intravenously in the intraoperative period.

Primary outcomes

  1. Intraoperative remifentanil consumption

    Time frame: During the intraoperative period

    The amount of remifentanil that patients need to maintain anesthesia during the intraoperative period will be recorded

Secondary outcomes

  1. Pain scores

    Time frame: First 24 hours after surgery

    Pain will be assessed at rest and while movement using the from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ankara Etlik City Hospital

Other Gov

Registry information

Official study title

Postoperative Analgesic Efficacy of Rectointercostal Nerve Block in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 4, 2025
Registry last updated
May 15, 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.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.