Erector Spinae Plane Block With Bupivacaine for Medical Thoracoscopy

A Triple-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial of Erector Spinae Plane Block With Bupivacaine Versus Placebo in Patients Undergoing Medical Thoracoscopy

PlAcebo versus erector spINae pLane block for mEdical ThoracoScopy Study (PAINLESS). This is a prospective triple-blind, randomized controlled trial that evaluates the efficacy of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) with Bupivacaine in reducing pain after medical thoracoscopy (MT) in addition to monitored anesthesia care vs monitored anesthesia care alone.

This is a single-site prospect triple-blind, randomized controlled trial, that evaluates the efficacy of erector spinae plane (ESP) block with Bupivacaine in reducing pain after medical thoracoscopy (MT). The study aims to compare the effectiveness of ESP block with monitored anesthesia care (MAC) vs MAC alone for patients undergoing MT. Patient will be evaluated post operatively in the post anesthesia care unit and 24 hours after the procedure.

Inclusion criteria:

• Referral for medical thoracoscopy
• Age ≥ 18

Exclusion criteria:

• Inability to provide informed consent.

• Study subject has any disease or condition that interferes with safe completion of the study including:

  • Allergic reaction to Bupivacaine.
  • Need for pleurodesis.
  • Allergies to lidocaine or other local anesthetics.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Advanced liver disease where the clinician deems the procedure unsafe.