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SPSIP Block vs SAP Block for Post-VATS Pain
Sponsor: Firat University
Summary
Comparison of Superior Serratus Posterior Intercostal Plane Block and Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Pain Management Following Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study Introduction Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is associated with lower postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and better preservation of pulmonary function compared with conventional thoracotomy, owing to its minimally invasive nature. Although VATS was initially performed using a multi-port technique, it has evolved into a single-port approach, reflecting advances in surgical techniques and equipment. In Uniportal VATS, limiting surgical trauma to a single intercostal space may reduce the risk of chronic postoperative pain by decreasing intercostal nerve damage. Because inadequate pain control after VATS may predispose patients to developing chronic post-thoracotomy pain syndrome (PTPS), effective postoperative analgesia is critically important. Therefore, regional analgesic techniques are recommended as part of multimodal analgesia. PROSPECT guidelines do not recommend the routine use of thoracic epidural analgesia for VATS, despite its effectiveness, because of its invasiveness; instead, they emphasize peripheral blocks such as paravertebral block and erector spinae plane block. Although not included among first-line analgesic interventions in PROSPECT guidelines, the serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) is a widely used and well-established technique in thoracic surgery. In addition, the superior serratus posterior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) is gaining attention in VATS surgery because of its analgesic effect covering the C3-T10 dermatomes. Although there are studies in the literature comparing SAPB with different regional techniques, direct comparisons with SPSIPB are limited. Therefore, this prospective observational cohort study aimed to compare postoperative analgesic outcomes in patients undergoing uniportal VATS who received either ultrasound-guided SPSIPB or SAPB, with the block type selected by the attending anesthesiologist as part of routine clinical care.
Official title: Comparison of Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block and Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Pain Management Following Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 65 Years
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
80
Start Date
2026-03-13
Completion Date
2026-08-01
Last Updated
2026-10-02
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Serratus Anterior Plane Block (SAPB) group
The block was performed with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. Ultrasound-guided SAPB was performed by the same anesthesiologist with over three years of experience in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia, using a high-frequency linear probe (LOGIQ e Ultrasound, GE HealthCare, United States). The probe was positioned parallel to the mid-axillary line, and the ribs were readily identified as hyperechogenic lines. The fifth rib was identified in the mid-axillary line. Using an in-plane technique, the needle was placed in the myofascial plane between the serratus anterior muscle and the fifth rib, and 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine was injected.
Serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block
The procedure was performed with the patient in the lateral decubitus position. After a slight lateral displacement of the scapula, the scapular spine was visualized with ultrasound, and the probe was moved medially. After locating the tip of the scapular spine, the probe was placed sagittally at the superior angle of the scapula, and the third rib was visualized. The block needle was advanced craniocaudally and placed between the posterior superior serratus muscle and the third rib. Hydrodissection was performed with an injection of 2 mL of saline to confirm block needle placement. After confirming the block site, 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine was injected.
Locations (1)
Fırat University Faculty of Medicine Hospital
Elâzığ, Turkey (Türkiye)