Clinical Research Directory

Comparison of M-TAPA and ESPB for Postoperative Pulmonary Function After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

This prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial aims to compare the effects of two ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks, the Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) and the Modified Thoracoabdominal Nerve Block through Perichondrial Approach (M-TAPA), on postoperative pulmonary function and analgesic consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most frequently performed abdominal surgical procedures worldwide. Despite minimally invasive techniques, postoperative pain remains a significant clinical problem due to port-site trauma, pneumoperitoneum, diaphragmatic irritation, and visceral manipulation. Inadequate pain control may lead to impaired respiratory mechanics, reduced mobilization, delayed recovery, and an increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Postoperative pulmonary dysfunction is a common consequence of upper abdominal surgery and may persist for several days, contributing to reductions in forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), which are associated with increased postoperative morbidity. Although opioid-based analgesia is widely used, it is associated with adverse effects such as respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, ileus, and delayed recovery. Therefore, regional anesthesia techniques and multimodal analgesia strategies are increasingly recommended to reduce opioid consumption while improving pain control. ESPB and M-TAPA are ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks used for postoperative analgesia in abdominal surgery. ESPB provides somatic and visceral analgesia through the spread of local anesthetic affecting the spinal nerve rami, while M-TAPA targets the anterior branches of the thoracoabdominal nerves to provide extensive anterior and lateral abdominal wall analgesia. Despite their increasing use, there is limited high-quality comparative evidence evaluating the effects of ESPB and M-TAPA on postoperative pulmonary function and opioid consumption in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study compares these two regional anesthesia techniques in a randomized controlled design to evaluate their impact on postoperative respiratory function and analgesic requirements.

Chest Tube-Delivered Bupivacaine to Decrease Postoperative Pain After Cardiac Surgery

Background: After heart surgery, patients require temporary chest tubes - plastic drains placed inside the chest to prevent fluid building up around the heart and lungs. These tubes are often very painful and can limit breathing, coughing, and movement, which necessitates usage of painkiller medication (opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)) that have negative side effects and can prolong hospital recovery. Despite this common problem, routine care lacks simple, add-on strategies that directly numb pain at the chest tube sites rather than relying solely on whole-body painkiller medicine. Purpose: To determine whether injecting a long-acting numbing medicine (bupivacaine 0.5%) through chest tubes safely reduces pain and lowers opioid and NSAID use compared with placebo. Objective: With ethics approval, data access, and study procedures already in place before May, the specific objective for this studentship is to collect and analyze data to evaluate the short-term effect of bupivacaine versus placebo on: * Mean pain scores from initial recovery to chest tube removal * Total mean opioid and NSAID use Methods: This single-centre, 1:1 block randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will enroll 60 adults undergoing coronary artery bypass (procedure to bypass blocked blood vessels supplying heart muscle using healthy blood vessels) at the Foothills Medical Centre. Patients receive either 10 mL bupivacaine 0.5% or normal saline (saltwater placebo) through chest tubes by heart surgeons whenever pain hits ≥3/10 using the Numeric Rating Scale (0 = no pain; 10 = most intense pain), from initial recovery to chest tube removal. Standard pain care will continue for all patients. The study team will record pain scores, opioid and NSAID doses, and any side effects for each group. Interval pain reduction will be measured 30, 60, 120 and 240 minutes post injection. Mean pain reduction and total painkiller use will be compared between the two groups.

Effectiveness of Unilateral Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block vs Bilateral TAP Block in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

In this study, patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy will be randomly divided into 2 groups after consent. Group A patients will be administered a one-sided (right unilateral) regional TAP block and group B patients will be administered the same block on both sides (bilateral) and the effects in terms of post surgery pain during the 1st 24 hours, nausea vomiting, and the need and dosage of intravenous analgesic and antiemetic will be studied to see whether one technique is superior to the other or not.

Efficacy of Ultrasound Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus Ultrasound Guided Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Postoperative Pain Control Following Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgeries (VATS): Randomized Control Trial

The aim of the study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of Erector spinae plane block versus Serratus anterior plane block in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries.

Intravenous Acetaminophen to Reduce Post-operative Opioid Consumption

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a commonly used medication after surgery to control pain. Tablets for oral use and suppositories for rectal use are the most frequently employed forms of acetaminophen after surgery. Intravenous (IV) acetaminophen is widely used in several countries but is not a standard medication for the adult population in Canada. It is mainly considered when it is impossible to take medication in tablet or suppository form. Opioids (Morphine, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone, etc.) are another class of medications commonly used after surgery for pain management. While they are generally very effective and stronger than acetaminophen or other pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen/Advil), reducing their use is preferable, as they can cause various side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and dependence. IV acetaminophen may help control pain while also reducing opioid consumption. However, there are few high-quality scientific studies proving the benefits of IV acetaminophen compared to other forms, such as tablets or suppositories. Acetaminophen has been available in Canada for many years and has already been recommended for use in Quebec by the Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux (INESSS) under certain conditions. This study aims to validate its benefits with clear data.

Intracanal Dexamethasone Extrusion and Postoperative Endodontic Pain

The aim of this research is to assess the effect of intentionally extruding a corticosteroid intracanal solution into the periapical tissues on the postoperative pain after root canal treatment in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis and symptomatic apical periodontitis (SIP/SAP). The main question it aims to answer: Is there an analgesic effect of extruding an intracanal solution of DXA into the periapical tissues in patients diagnosed with SIP/SAP? Researchers will compare dexamethasone to a placebo to see if the extrusion dexamethasone works in reducing post-endodontic treatment pain.