Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Not Yet Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT06127966

The Relationship Between NLR and PONV and ESPB

This study aims to investigate whether preoperative NLR (Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio) serves as a biomarker for PONV (Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting). It also examines the impact of erector spinae plane block on NLR and PONV. Furthermore, the research explores the effect of erector spinae plane block on postoperative pain relief in spinal surgery and its influence on the usage of opioid medications.

Not Yet Recruiting

Trial opening soon.

Get Notified

Key information

Conditions

Erector Spinae Plane Block Nausea Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Postoperative Complications Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms, Digestive Vomiting

Age range

18 year–80 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 1

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients undergoing elective posterior lumbar spine surgery in a prone position under general anesthesia.
  • ASA classification grades I to II.
  • Age between 18 and 80 years old.
  • Signed the informed consent for this study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Preoperative blood transfusion.
  • Uncontrolled systemic diseases.
  • Patients with known uncontrolled systemic inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or active infections).
  • Gastrointestinal system disorders.
  • History of antiemetic and anticholinergic drug use.
  • History of adverse reactions related to surgery, deformity correction surgeries, defined as procedures involving instrumentation across three or more levels or aimed at correcting scoliosis or kyphosis.
  • Severe spinal deformities.
  • Infection at the puncture site.
  • Coagulation disorders.
  • Long-term use of sedatives and analgesic drugs before surgery.
  • Patients with mental illness or communication barriers.
  • Allergic to ropivacaine.
  • Participants involved in other clinical studies within the past 3 months.
  • History of previous lumbar surgeries.
  • Subjective unwillingness to participate in this study.

Treatment and study plan

Erector Spinae Plane Block

Procedure

The patient assumes a prone position, and the appropriate lumbar vertebral level is identified using ultrasound, based on the preoperative markings of the surgical incision site. After disinfection, the ultrasound probe is placed in the parasagittal direction, 3 centimeters lateral to the midline, to identify the corresponding lumbar transverse process and the overlying erector spinae and latissimus dorsi muscles. Using an in-plane technique, the needle is advanced, and when the needle tip contacts the bony transverse process and there is no blood or gas upon aspiration, 2-3 mL of isotonic saline solution is injected to confirm the correct needle position. Local anesthetic is then injected between the erector spinae muscle and the transverse process. The spread of the local anesthetic in the deep fascial plane within the erector spinae muscle can be visualized using ultrasound.

0.9% physiological saline (20ml) injection under ultrasound-guided Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB).

Procedure

The patient is placed in a prone position, and the appropriate lumbar vertebral level is determined using ultrasound based on the preoperative markings of the surgical incision site. After disinfection, the ultrasound probe is positioned in the parasagittal direction, 3 centimeters lateral to the midline, to identify the corresponding lumbar transverse process, erector spinae, and latissimus dorsi muscles above it. Using an in-plane technique, the needle is advanced, and when the needle tip contacts the bony transverse process, and there is no blood or gas upon aspiration, 2-3 milliliters of isotonic saline solution are injected to confirm the correct needle position. Subsequently, 20 milliliters of 0.9% physiological saline is injected between the erector spinae muscle and the transverse process. The diffusion of the physiological saline in the deep fascial plane within the erector spinae muscle can be visualized using ultrasound.

Primary outcomes

  1. Record nausea and vomiting within the PACU and during the first 24 hours and second 24 hours after surgery.

    Time frame: Within the first 24 hours and the second 24 hours after surgery.

    Patients with a nausea and vomiting score of 1 point or above (0 points = no nausea, 1 point = nausea, 2 points = dry heaving, 3 points = vomiting) are treated with ondansetron as an antiemetic.

  2. Record the need for antiemetic medication within the PACU and during the first 24 hours and the second 24 hours postoperatively.

    Time frame: Within the first 24 hours and the second 24 hours after surgery.

    Record the need for antiemetic medication within the PACU and during the first 24 hours and the second 24 hours postoperatively.

  3. Record the neutrophil count and lymphocyte count on the first day after surgery and calculate the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)

    Time frame: Within the first 24 hours.

    The neutrophil count and lymphocyte count and calculate the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Overall VAS (Visual Analog Scale) pain scores at 2 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours postoperatively during rest and movement.

    Time frame: At 2 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after surgery

    VAS scoring criteria, also known as pain level scoring criteria, use a visual analog method to assess the severity of pain.The VAS (Visual Analog Scale) rating ranges from 0 to 10, with a VAS score of 0 indicating no pain. Scores of 1-3 represent mild pain (pain does not affect sleep), 4-6 indicate moderate pain (pain disrupts sleep), 7-9 correspond to severe pain (unable to fall asleep or waking up due to pain, or unable to sleep), and a score of 10 signifies excruciating pain. The higher the score, the more severe the pain.

  2. Record the time of the patient's initial self-administration of the pain pump during the first 24 hours and the second 24 hours after surgery.

    Time frame: Within the first 24 hours and the second 24 hours after surgery

    Record the time of the patient's initial self-administration of the pain pump during the first 24 hours and the second 24 hours after surgery.

  3. Record the time of the initial press of the patient-controlled analgesia pump.

    Time frame: Within the first 24 hours and the second 24 hours after surgery

    Record the time of the initial press of the patient-controlled analgesia pump.

  4. Record the satisfaction scores for pain management at 24 and 48 hours.

    Time frame: Within the first 24 hours and the second 24 hours after surgery

    Patient satisfaction score refers to the postoperative satisfaction level of the patient, with 0 points indicating dissatisfaction, 1 point indicating fair, 2 points indicating satisfaction, and 3 points indicating very satisfied. The higher the score, the more satisfied the patient is with the treatment outcome.

  5. Record the postoperative awakening time.

    Time frame: Within 24 hours.

    Record the postoperative awakening time.

  6. Record the extubation time after surgery.

    Time frame: Within 24 hours.

    Record the extubation time after surgery.

  7. Postoperative stay in the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit).

    Time frame: Within 24 hours.

    Postoperative stay in the PACU (Post-Anesthesia Care Unit).

  8. Time of discharge post-surgery.

    Time frame: Within 2 weeks.

    Time of discharge post-surgery.

  9. Document the occurrence rate of opioid-related side effects such as dizziness and urinary retention.

    Time frame: Within 1 week

    Document the occurrence rate of opioid-related side effects such as dizziness and urinary retention.

  10. Measure neutrophil extracellular trap (NETs) formation in serum on the first postoperative day.

    Time frame: At 24 hours after surgery

    Measure neutrophil extracellular trap (NETs) formation in serum on the first postoperative day.

Study contacts

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

Guanghan Wu, Attending physician

CONTACT

[email protected]

18763995357

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Qianfoshan Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Relationship Between the Preoperative Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) in Lumbar Spine Surgery Patients, as Well as the Impact of Erector Spinae Plane Block on NLR and PONV

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Nov 13, 2023
Registry last updated
Jul 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.

Related clinical trials

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