Clinical Research Directory

Pre-incisional Infiltration With Ropivacaine Plus Triamcinolone for Relieving Postoperative Pain After Thoracoscopic Surgery

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is less invasive compared to traditional thoracotomy, but it is still reported that the incidence of acute pain following VATS exceeds 80%. Inadequate postoperative analgesia may trigger a series of adverse physiological stress responses, increase the occurrence of postoperative complications, and affect the rehabilitation process. If acute pain is not managed promptly and sufficiently, nearly one-quarter of patients may develop chronic pain, impacting normal life and sleep quality after discharge. Acute pain after VATS is mainly caused by the release of inflammatory mediators after soft tissue injury at the surgical site, which activates peripheral pain receptors and leads to abnormal action potentials transmitted along A δ and C fibers. Inflammatory mediators released from the soft tissues around incisions not only significantly alters the chemical microenvironment at the peripheral terminals of nociceptors, directly inducing pain, but also sensitizes afferent fibers, contributing to peripheral sensitization. Incisional infiltration is the simplest, safest, and most effective anesthesia method for preventing incision pain after laparoscopic surgery but even using long-acting local anesthetics, the effectiveness of postoperative analgesia can only last for a relatively short period of time. To improve the efficiency of local incision infiltration in postoperative analgesia, at least two issues need to be addressed: prolonging the duration of analgesia and reducing inflammation of nerve surrounding tissues. Numerous studies have shown that glucocorticoids not only can achieve anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory responses but also can prolong the duration of action of local anesthetics. The investigators conducted a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled clinical study to explore whether preemptive incisional infiltration with ropivacaine plus triamcinolone is superior to ropivacaine alone in relieving postoperative pain for adults undergoing VATS. The investigators also compare the effects of the two intervention measures on postoperative pain management, patient safety, and recovery quality.

Minimum Effective Volume of Bupivacaine for Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

This study aims to determine the minimum effective volume of bupivacaine required for the serratus posterior superior intercostal plane (SPSIP) block in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The SPSIP block is an ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia technique used to provide postoperative pain relief after thoracic surgery. Using a stepwise dose-adjustment method, the volume of local anesthetic will be increased or decreased based on the effectiveness of the block in each patient. The main outcome of the study is to identify the volume that provides effective pain control in 50% of patients. The results may help optimize pain management while minimizing drug exposure.

Revised-Paravertebral Nerve Blocks for Enhanced Recovery After Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Pneumonectomy

Revised-Paravertebral Nerve Block (r-PVB) is performed right after induction of general anesthesia and before lateral positioning of surgery. Under ultrasound guidance, an intercostal space between the 6th and 8th ribs at the midaxillary line is identified. Using an in-plane technique, the needle is advanced into the internal intercostal muscle, and 30 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine is injected to achieve the block. Traditional Paravertebral Nerve Block (PVB) is performed right after the lateral positioning of surgery under ultrasound guidance. According to the operator's preference, choose any of the commonly used three traditional paravertebral block approaches. Among these 3 approaches, the axial plane approach is recommended as the first choice: use the convex probe to identify the 6th and 8th transverse processes, then scan cranially to display the superior costotransverse ligament, pleura, and paravertebral space. Under sterile conditions, insert the needle in-plane approximately 2 cm lateral to the probe, ensuring the ultrasound probe remains stable and dynamically visualizing the needle advancement. Stop advancing the needle when the tip passes through the superior costotransverse ligament. Administer 2% lidocaine in pulsatile injections, 1-2 ml per pulse, observing the spread of fluid at the needle tip on ultrasound and depression of the pleura. Repeat pulsatile injections until a total of 5 ml lidocaine is administered, and if necessary, increase with another 5 ml of pulsatile lidocaine. The fluid movement and pleura depression observed on ultrasound confirm proper needle placement. Then, use this needle to inject 30 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine to complete the PVB. The surgical procedure will start right after the intervention blocks.

Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Thoracoscopically-Guided Intercostal Nerve Block in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Effective postoperative pain management is essential after thoracic surgery. Insufficient pain control may impair breathing and coughing, increasing the risk of pulmonary complications such as collapsed lungs (atelectasis) or pneumonia. Although minimally invasive lung surgery (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, VATS) is less painful than open surgery, people can still have significant pain after the operation. The goal of this randomized comparative study is to compare two commonly used regional anesthesia techniques for pain control after VATS in adults. Researchers will compare an ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB), performed by anesthesiologists, to a thoracoscopically-guided intercostal nerve block (ICNB), performed by surgeons. Participants will: * Undergo elective VATS lung resection surgery * Receive either ESPB or ICNB, according to random assignment * Have the received amount of analgesics recorded during the first 24 hours * Have their pain levels assessed at predefined time points after surgery The main questions this study aims to answer are: * Does ESPB result in similar analgesic consumption in the first 24 hours after surgery? * Does ESPB provide similar postoperative pain relief compared to ICNB? * Is the time needed to perform ESPB similar to ICNB?

Target-Controlled Infusion (TCI) vs Inhalational Anesthesia in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS)

This study is designed as a prospective observational cohort to evaluate recovery after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). In our clinic, anesthesia for VATS is commonly provided either with target-controlled infusion (TCI) or with inhalational agents, depending on the routine practice of the anesthesiologist. No randomization or additional intervention will be performed. During the study period, patients who receive either method as part of standard care will be followed, and perioperative and postoperative data will be recorded. Awakening time, extubation time, Aldrete score progression, pain levels, and early postoperative complications will be compared between the two groups. The aim is to better understand how these widely used anesthesia techniques may influence recovery in VATS patients and to support future clinical decision-making.

The Efficacy and Safety of Liposomal Bupivacaine for Rhomboid Intercostal Nerve Block in Relieving Postoperative Pain After Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is less invasive compared to traditional thoracotomy. It is reported that the incidence of acute pain following VATS exceeds 80%. Inadequate postoperative analgesia may trigger a series of adverse physiological stress responses, increase the occurrence of postoperative complications, and affect the rehabilitation process.If acute pain is not managed promptly and sufficiently, nearly one-quarter of patients may develop chronic pain, impacting normal life and sleep quality after discharge.In recent years, multimodal postoperative analgesia protocols have been increasingly adopted in clinical practice. The Rhomboid intercostal block (RIB), as a novel regional anesthesia technique within the multimodal analgesia framework, has been widely utilized in various thoracic surgical procedures. Liposomal bupivacaine, an innovative long-acting sustained-release amide local anesthetic, provides prolonged analgesia for up to 72 hours. However, its efficacy and safety in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) have not yet been fully validated. Based on this premise, the present study aims to evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of ultrasound-guided Rhomboid intercostal block (RIB) utilizing liposomal bupivacaine combined with conventional bupivacaine for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing VATS.

The Efficacy and Safety of Liposomal Bupivacaine in Relieving Postoperative Pain After Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is less invasive compared to traditional thoracotomy. It is reported that the incidence of acute pain following VATS exceeds 80%. Inadequate postoperative analgesia may trigger a series of adverse physiological stress responses, increase the occurrence of postoperative complications, and affect the rehabilitation process.If acute pain is not managed promptly and sufficiently, nearly one-quarter of patients may develop chronic pain, impacting normal life and sleep quality after discharge. Local infiltration anesthesia at the incision site is one of the simplest, safest, and most effective methods for preventing postoperative incision pain. Liposomal bupivacaine(LB) is a novel, long-acting, sustained-release amide-type local anesthetic, providing localized analgesic effects for up to 72 hours. Some researchers have reported the analgesic effects of LB VS traditional local anesthetics infiltration, but the current research results are highly heterogeneous. More prospective studies are needed to evaluate whether LB infiltration is superior to the traditional local anesthetics for the management of postoperative pain. The investigators designed this study to compare the analgesic effect of using LB plus bupivacaine for local infiltration with bupivacaine along for patients after VATS.

ESP vs SPSIP Block in VATS Analgesia

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive procedure performed through small thoracic incisions, but postoperative pain remains significant due to tissue and rib trauma. Poorly controlled pain may lead to chronic postoperative pain; therefore, optimal analgesia is essential. According to PROSPECT guidelines, erector spinae plane block (ESPB) or paravertebral block (PVB) are recommended for VATS. The recently defined serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block (SPSIPB) provides analgesia between C3-T10 levels, but its efficacy compared with ESPB has not been studied. This study aims to compare postoperative analgesic efficacy and patient satisfaction between ESPB and SPSIPB in VATS patients.

Analgesic Effectiveness of SPSIPB Versus Thoracic Epidural and Systemic Opioid Analgesia After VATS (SPSIPB-VATS)

This prospective observational study aims to compare the postoperative analgesic effectiveness of three commonly used pain management strategies in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS): Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block (SPSIPB), Thoracic Epidural Analgesia (TEA), and systemic opioid analgesia. The study evaluates postoperative pain scores, opioid consumption, and the need for rescue analgesics within the first 24 hours after surgery. By analyzing analgesic performance and safety profiles of these techniques, the study seeks to provide evidence to guide optimal postoperative pain management for patients undergoing minimally invasive thoracic procedures.

Intraoperative Paravertebral Block and Postoperative Complications

This study aims to evaluate the clinical association between intraoperative paravertebral block and the reduction of postoperative complications following thoracic surgery.

A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind Study on the Effects of Different Anesthesia Strategies on Postoperative Cough in Patients Undergoing Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery.

This study aims to systematically evaluate the effects of different anesthesia methods on postoperative chronic cough in lung cancer patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic lung resection (VATS), and to clarify the effectiveness and safety of each anesthesia airway management strategy in reducing the incidence of postoperative chronic cough, shortening the duration of cough, alleviating the severity of symptoms, and improving the postoperative quality of life of patients.

Monarch Robotic Bronchoscopy for Lung Nodule ICG Dye Marking Before VATS

This is a single-center, prospective, single-arm clinical study conducted at Beijing Cancer Hospital to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and learning curve of preoperative indocyanine green (ICG) dye marking mixed with iodinated contrast agent under Monarch Robotic Assisted Bronchoscopy (RAB) with Cone-Beam CT (CBCT) for small pulmonary nodules that are difficult to locate during video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) sublobectomy. Eligible patients will undergo RAB localization immediately followed by VATS in the same operative session. The primary endpoints include the success rate of localization, effective localization, and VATS sublobar resection. Secondary endpoints include navigation success rate, operation times, reaching depth, complication rates, and health economic outcomes. The learning curve will be analyzed using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) method. A total of 50 patients will be enrolled and followed up for 14 days postoperatively.