Effect of Transauricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation on Postoperative Pain Management in Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery

Launched by PEKING UNION MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL · Mar 30, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating a new pain management technique called transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) to see if it can help reduce pain after video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). VATS is a minimally invasive surgery used to treat conditions in the chest, and many patients experience significant pain afterward. The trial will involve 116 patients who are scheduled for this surgery. Participants will be randomly divided into two groups: one group will receive the taVNS treatment, while the other will receive a sham (or placebo) treatment. Researchers will measure how effective this technique is in relieving pain on the first day after surgery and track patients' experiences over the next three months.

To be eligible for the trial, participants must be 18 years or older, scheduled for VATS, and have a pain score of at least 30 mm on a scale of 0 to 100 on the day of surgery. Patients who have certain health conditions or who have taken specific medications may not qualify. Those who join the study can expect to receive either the taVNS treatment or the placebo, and will be closely monitored for their pain levels and any side effects during their recovery. This trial aims to provide valuable insights into a non-invasive option for managing postoperative pain, which could ultimately improve recovery for patients undergoing VATS.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Age 18 years or older;
• • 2. ASA classification I-III;
• • 3. No prior taVNS treatment;
• • 4. Scheduled to undergo VATS (including segmentectomy and lobectomy);
• • 5. VAS ≥ 30 mm at any time on the day of surgery;
• • 6. Patients and their families can understand the study design and are willing to cooperate and participate in the study.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Psychiatric disorders or other conditions that prevent cooperation;
• • 2. Long-term use of steroids or opioids;
• • 3. Scheduled for bilateral VATS surgery;
• • 4. History of thoracic surgery;
• • 5. History of chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, or persistent infections.
• Withdrawl Criteria:
• • 1. Patient request;
• • 2. Surgery cancellation or change in surgical method resulting in failure to meet inclusion criteria;
• • 3. Severe perioperative complications and adverse events;
• • 4. Severe intervention-related adverse events.