EIT Evaluation of Pulmonary Ventilation With Different Ropivacaine Concentrations in Intercostal Nerve Blockade

Launched by FUDAN UNIVERSITY · Jul 22, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is looking at how different strengths of a local anesthetic called ropivacaine affect lung breathing when used during a nerve block for breast surgery. A nerve block is a way to numb the area around the ribs to reduce pain during and after surgery. The researchers want to find out which strength of ropivacaine provides good pain relief while keeping lung function safe. To do this, they will use a special, non-invasive imaging method called electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to watch how well the lungs are working before and after the nerve block.

Adults aged 18 to 80 who are generally healthy or have mild health issues and are scheduled for breast quadrantectomy (a type of breast surgery) may be eligible to join. People with certain lung problems, allergies to anesthetics, or other health issues won’t be able to participate. If you join, you will be randomly given one of three different strengths of ropivacaine during your nerve block, but neither you nor the doctors will know which one to keep the study fair. Your lung function will be monitored closely before and after the procedure, and the team will also check how well the anesthesia controls pain and watch for any side effects. The goal is to help doctors choose the safest and most effective anesthetic dose for future patients having similar breast surgeries.

Gender

FEMALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients scheduled for elective breast quadrantectomy;
• • Aged 18-80 years;
• • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-II;
• • Body mass index (BMI) \<35 kg/m².
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Contraindications for nerve block: infection at the puncture site, local anesthetic allergy, coagulation dysfunction or bleeding risk;
• • Patients with unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis;
• • Patients with severe ventilatory or gas exchange dysfunction;
• • Complicated with acute or chronic pulmonary and bronchial diseases, sleep apnea syndrome;
• • Mental disorders;
• • Patients who refuse to participate;
• • Patients whom the researchers consider unsuitable for the clinical trial, with reasons to be specified.