Freezing nerves vs. nerve block: which eases heart surgery pain better?

NCT ID NCT06086535

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron Research Institute Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested two methods to control pain after heart surgery done through a small cut in the chest. One method freezes the nerves between the ribs during surgery, and the other injects a numbing medicine near those nerves after surgery. The goal was to see which approach provides better pain relief and reduces the chance of long-term nerve pain. The study included 63 adults who had heart surgery through a minithoracotomy.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Ropivacaine
What this could lead to: If one method works better, it could lead to better pain control after heart surgery with less need for strong painkillers.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed study with only 63 people. Results may not apply to everyone, and both methods carry risks like nerve damage or infection.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Pain, Postoperative

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

POST-OPERATIVE PAIN

Contacts and locations

Locations

Susana González Suárez

Barcelona, Catalonia, 08035, Spain

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