NCT07067892: pain

Effectiveness of Ultrasonography-Guided Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block in Thoracic Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Completed Last updated 12 December 2025

What this trial tests

trial in Postherpetic Neuralgia ( PHN ), Ultrasound Guided, Block in 34 participants. Completed in 15 September 2025.

Timeline

1 July 2025

Primary endpoint
1 August 2025

15 September 2025

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital
Status	Completed
Study type	OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment	34
Start date	1 July 2025
Primary completion	1 August 2025
Estimated completion	15 September 2025
Sites	1 location across Turkey (Türkiye)

Conditions studied

• Postherpetic Neuralgia ( PHN ), Ultrasound Guided, Block — all drugs for Postherpetic Neuralgia ( PHN ), Ultrasound Guided, Block →
• Ultrasound Guided Injection — all drugs for Ultrasound Guided Injection →

Sponsor

Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital

Who can join

18 and older, any sex, with Postherpetic Neuralgia ( PHN ), Ultrasound Guided, Block or Ultrasound Guided Injection. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a chronic pain syndrome that can be resistant to treatment, leading to physical and social disability, psychological disturbances, and potentially persisting for years . The varicella-zoster virus remains latent in the sensory neurons of individuals who have previously contracted varicella (chickenpox). Reactivation of the latent virus results in herpes zoster (HZ). In most patients, HZ initially presents with dermatomal pain, and within a few days, characteristic dermatomal vesicular eruptions typically develop. These skin lesions usually heal within 2-4 weeks; however, pain may persist even after the resolution of the rash .

The pathogenesis of PHN involves increased sensitization of central neurons, decreased function of inhibitory neuronal pathways, inflammation and nerve injury within the peripheral nervous system, and abnormal signal transmission following such damage. PHN represents the most common complication of HZ. It occurs in approximately 9-19% of all patients with HZ. The incidence of PHN increases with advancing age: it affects approximately 2% of individuals younger than 50 years, about 20% of those older than 50 years, and nearly 35% of those older than 80 years . Various treatment modalities, including pharmacologic agents and interventional procedures, are available for the management of PHN-related pain. This study primarily aims to evaluate the change in pain in PHN patients who underwent SPSIPB using the NRS-11. The secondary aim was to evaluate the effect of SPSIPB on neuropathic pain characteristics using the DN-4 scale and to investigate its effects on patients' quality of life using SF-12 scale.

Publications & conference data

1 peer-reviewed publication reference this trial (live from Europe PMC):

1. The efficacy of serratus posterior superior intercostal plane block performed under ultrasound guidance in thoracic postherpetic neuralgia: a retrospective cohort study.
   Altun HI, Altun G. · · 2026 · PMID 42015012 · DOI 10.1186/s12871-026-03817-9