AuthorisedPhase III and phase IV (Integrated)Interventional

OFA-VATS : Impact of opioid free anesthesia on postoperative quality of recovery and analgesia after video or robot assisted thoracic surgery

This study, called OFA-VATS, is looking into how different types of pain relief medication used during lung surgery affect how well patients recover afterwards. Specifically, it's comparing methods that use very strong painkillers (opioids) with approaches that use little or none of these strong painkillers. Doctors want to see if avoiding these strong painkillers during operations like video-assisted or robot-assisted lung surgery helps patients feel better, experience less pain, and recover more quickly. The study will pay close attention to how patients feel, their pain levels, and any side effects like sickness over several days and even up to six months after their surgery. This research aims to improve pain management and recovery for people having lung operations.

At a glance

Status

Authorised

Phase

Phase III and phase IV (Integrated)

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire De Rennes

Enrolment target

176

Start

05 Jun 2026

indication for pulmonary resection surgery (segmentectomy or lobectomy), video-assisted thoracoscopy or scheduled robot-assisted surgery.

What is this study about?

This research study, called OFA-VATS, is looking at different ways to manage pain during and after lung surgery. When you have an operation, you're usually given medicines to make sure you don't feel pain. Some of these medicines are very strong painkillers called opioids. Recent medical interest has focused on whether using fewer or no opioids during surgery could help patients recover better and feel less pain afterwards, without the common side effects that opioids can cause.

In this study, doctors are comparing what happens when people have lung surgery (specifically, operations to remove part of a lung, called segmentectomy or lobectomy, done using special cameras or robots) using different methods of pain relief. One group of patients might receive the usual strong painkillers, while another group might receive a different combination of medicines that don't include as many, or any, strong opioids. The main goal is to find out if avoiding or reducing these strong painkillers during the operation improves how well patients recover in the first day or so after surgery.

After the operation, the study will check many things. This includes asking patients how they feel and how much pain they have, how much pain medicine they need, and if they experience common issues like feeling sick. They will also look at how quickly patients start eating and moving around, and if there are any breathing problems or memory issues. The doctors will continue to check on patients for up to six months after surgery to see if there's any long-term pain. The aim is to help doctors understand the best and safest ways to manage pain during lung surgery to improve patient comfort and recovery.

Key takeaways

This study explores different pain relief methods for lung surgery patients.
It aims to see if less powerful painkillers during surgery lead to better recovery.
Key measures include pain levels, general well-being, and side effects after surgery.
Participation involves filling out questionnaires and being monitored for up to six months.
The goal is to improve pain management and recovery for people having lung operations.

Who may be eligible?

To be able to take part in this study, you need to be an adult (18 years old or over). You must also be scheduled to have a specific type of lung surgery, either a 'segmentectomy' or 'lobectomy', which means part of your lung is being removed. This surgery will be performed using a special camera (video-assisted thoracoscopy) or with the help of a robot.

The study is open to both men and women who meet these criteria. There aren't any upper age limits, as long as you're over 18. The medical team will check carefully to make sure you're a good fit for the study and that it's safe for you to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you scheduled to have a lung surgery called a segmentectomy or lobectomy?
Will your surgery be done using a camera (video-assisted) or a robot?
Are you willing to participate in follow-up checks for up to six months?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you'll be assigned to one of the pain relief groups during your lung surgery. Neither you nor your doctors will know which group you're in, to keep the results fair. After your operation, you'll be asked to fill out a questionnaire on the first day, rating how well you feel and recover. Nurses will also ask you about your pain levels over the first couple of days after surgery, both when you're resting and when you cough.

The study team will also monitor how much pain medicine you need, if you feel sick, and how quickly your body gets back to normal functions, like your bowels. They'll check your breathing and memory too. You'll have follow-up checks for any breathing problems for up to 28 days, and your general mobility and hospital stay will be monitored. You'll also receive a phone call at six months to ask about any long-term pain and how much pain medication you might still be taking. The total duration of active follow-up for the study will be about six months.

Potential risks and benefits

Participating in this study might offer the benefit of helping to improve pain management and recovery for future patients undergoing lung surgery. For you personally, there's a chance you might experience better pain control or fewer side effects from strong painkillers, depending on the treatment group you are in. However, as with any medical procedure, there are always potential risks; the specific risks would be discussed in detail by your medical team and relate to the surgery itself and the different medications used. You are always free to change your mind and withdraw from the study at any time without it affecting your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

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Unverified
France

Common questions

What kind of surgery is this study for?

This study is for people having lung surgery where a part of the lung is removed, done using special camera (video-assisted) or robot methods.

What medicines are being compared in the study?

The study is comparing different pain relief medicines used during surgery, including Sufentanil, Dexmedetomidine, and Remifentanil, focusing on approaches that may use fewer or no strong painkillers (opioids).

Will I know which treatment I'm getting?

No, neither you nor your doctors will know which specific pain relief approach you receive during surgery until after the study is complete. This helps ensure fair results.

How long will I be involved in the study?

Your involvement in the study will mostly focus on the period around your surgery and the first few days afterwards, with a final check-up at six months by phone.

Is this study safe?

All medicines and procedures used in the study are standard medical treatments. Your safety and well-being will be carefully monitored by the medical team throughout the process.