Clinical Research Directory

Plasma Kinetics of Levobupivacaine After Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block in Abdominal Surgery

This prospective single-center observational pharmacokinetic study will evaluate plasma levobupivacaine concentrations after ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in adult patients undergoing elective abdominal surgery under general anesthesia at CHU Liège. Participants receiving TAP block as part of standard clinical care (levobupivacaine 0.375%, total volume 40 mL, maximum dose 150 mg) will undergo serial blood sampling at 3, 7, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes after block completion. Plasma levobupivacaine concentrations will be measured using validated LC-MS/MS methods. The primary objectives are to estimate maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and time to maximum concentration (Tmax). Secondary objectives include characterization of the concentration-time profile, AUC0-180, interindividual variability, and exploratory associations with clinical factors (age, sex, BMI, type of surgery). The study also aims to inform a pragmatic safety window for subsequent intravenous lidocaine infusion used in multimodal analgesia protocols. Approximately 26 participants will be enrolled. No modification of routine anesthesia or analgesic care is required apart from study-related blood sampling.

The Immune Response of Breast Cancer Patients Treated With Levobupivacaine Using Paravertebral or Superficial Chest Blocks

The use of regional anesthesia in breast surgery improves the postoperative outcome, reduces the development of infection, and weakens the perioperative immunosuppressive response associated with the response to surgical stress. The investigators hypothesize that the use of propofol / paravertebral anesthesia and analgesia will be accompanied by a decrease in serum proinflammatory cytokines and/or an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines compared to propofol / PECS 2 anesthesia and analgesia. The research will be on 100 respondents divided into two groups. 0.5% levobupivacaine will be administered to both groups. Serum concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and lymphocyte subpopulations 1h before, 24h, and 48h after surgery will be measured. The investigators aim to compare the effect of propofol / paravertebral and propofol / PECS 2 anesthesia and analgesia on serum perioperative values of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines to standardize protocols and apply the best method of perioperative analgesia in breast cancer surgery.

Local LevoBupivacaine for Pain Relief After Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Esophageal Lesions

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is commonly performed for (pre)cancerous lesions in the esophagus. Following ESD, post-procedural chest pain is seen in many patients. Studies have shown that local bupivacaine (BP) into the residual submucosal layer of the resection wound after gastric ESD could reduce post-procedural pain rates effectively. Levobupivacaine (LB) is equipotent to BP regarding analgesic effects, but has a better safety profile. No studies have been performed to evaluate the efficacy of LB after esophageal ESD to reduce pain. Therefore, we want to evaluate the effect on post-procedural pain of local application of LB during esophageal ESD.