New pain block may cut opioid use after gastric sleeve surgery
NCT ID NCT07253610
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a specific nerve block, called a rectointercostal fascial plane block, could reduce pain and the need for strong painkillers after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Fifty-six adults undergoing weight-loss surgery were randomly assigned to receive either the nerve block plus standard pain control or standard pain control alone. The main goal was to measure total opioid use in the first 24 hours after surgery.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- local anesthetic (nerve block)
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this nerve block could reduce the need for strong painkillers after weight-loss surgery, leading to faster recovery and fewer side effects.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, completed study with 56 participants. The nerve block may not work for everyone, and there is a small risk of complications like infection or bleeding from the injection.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
56 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2025
- Finished
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Dec 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18 and 65 years * Body mass index (BMI) \> 35 kg/m² * American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status II-III * Scheduled for elective laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy under general anesthesia * Provided written informed consent to participate in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Chronic opioid use or dependence * History of chronic pain * Known allergy or contraindication to local anesthetics or opioids * Severe cardiac, hepatic, or renal disease * Severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., psychosis, dementia) * STOP-BANG score ≥ 5 (high risk for obstructive sleep apnea) * Block failure or incomplete block after local anesthetic injection
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Istinye University Faculty of Medicine, Medical Park Gaziosmanpasa Hospital
Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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