Ultrasound-Guided Mid-Point Transverse Process to Pleura Block Versus Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Pain Management in Patients With Multiple Rib Fractures (A Prospective Randomized Double- Blinded, Non-inferiority Trial )

Launched by ASSIUT UNIVERSITY · May 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at two different methods of pain relief for patients who have multiple rib fractures due to trauma. The researchers want to see if a new technique called the Mid-Point Transverse Process to Pleura Block (MTPB) is just as effective as the traditional Thoracic Paravertebral Block (TPVB) in managing pain. Both methods involve using ultrasound to help guide the injection, but they target different areas. The goal is to find out if MTPB can provide similar pain relief without being worse than TPVB.

To take part in this study, you need to be an adult between 18 and 70 years old with multiple rib fractures (three or more) confirmed by a CT scan. However, there are some important reasons why someone might not be eligible, such as having a serious head injury, high pain levels, certain other serious injuries, or specific health conditions like obesity or allergies to local anesthetics. If you join the trial, you can expect to receive either of the two pain relief methods, and the study will carefully monitor your pain levels and recovery. This research is not yet recruiting participants, so it’s still in the planning stage.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adult patients aged between 18 and 70 years, from both genders, who had uni lateral traumatic multiple rib fractures (three or more confirmed by a CT chest scan).
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Significant head injury/unconsciousness (GCS less than 15).
• • Patients with Pain score \>6.
• • those having significant trauma outside the chest wall, e.g., acute spine or pelvic fracture, severe traumatic brain or spinal cord injury, or abdominal visceral injuries.
• • Obese patients with body mass index ≥ 35.
• • coagulopathy.
• • History of drug allergy to local anesthetics.
• • Patient refusal.
• • Local infection at the injection site.
• • Opioid addiction.