Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia Versus Paravertebral Block for Awake Thoracotomy

Launched by CAIRO UNIVERSITY · May 15, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking to compare two types of pain relief methods—thoracic epidural anesthesia and paravertebral block—used during a procedure called awake thoracotomy, where patients are awake but sedated while surgeons work on their chest. The goal is to find out which method provides better pain control for patients undergoing this surgery.

To be part of this study, participants need to be between 18 and 60 years old and have a specific health status (classified as ASA II or III, which means they have mild to moderate health issues). However, certain conditions might exclude someone from participating, such as having poor heart or lung function, previous surgeries on the chest, or other specific health concerns. If eligible, participants can expect to receive either of the two pain management techniques during their surgery, and the results will help improve care for future patients undergoing similar procedures.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age from 18 to 60 years.
• • Both genders.
• • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification II or III.
• • Scheduled for thoracotomy.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Poor cardiac function (ejection fraction less than 50%).
• • Patients with bad pulmonary function testing (PFTs). Absolute contraindication to thoracic epidural anesthesia includes patient refusal, allergy to local anesthetics, coagulopathy, active neurologic disorders, skin infection at the insertion site, uncooperative patients, uncontrolled cough, and unfavorable anatomy for thoracic epidural.
• • Thoracic spine disorders require chest wall resection or emergency thoracic surgery.
• • Had a previous thoracotomy (scarring due to prior surgery can limit the effectiveness of paravertebral block, and these patients may have existing chronic pain).