Randomised controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of thoracic epidural and paravertebral blockade in reducing chronic post-thoracotomy pain (TOPIC): a pilot study to assess feasibility of a large multicentre trial.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Thoracotomy is considered one of the most painful surgical procedures. The incidence of chronic post-thoracotomy pain (CPTP) is up to 50%. Paravertebral blockade (PVB) may be superior to thoracic epidural blockade (TEB) in preventing CPTP. The specific objective of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger trial to determine whether PVB at thoracotomy is more effective in reducing CPTP compared with TEB.

Design

A randomised, parallel, external pilot study was conducted to assess whether a large randomised trial of TEB and PVB with CPTP as the primary outcome is feasible.

Setting

Two adult thoracic centres in the UK.

Participants

All adult patients admitted for elective open thoracotomy. Participants were excluded if they w

SUBMITTER: Yeung J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6624049 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature