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Frontiers in Surgery 2024Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common and effective procedure. Optimizing pain control and reducing postoperative discomfort are essential for patient satisfaction....
BACKGROUND
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common and effective procedure. Optimizing pain control and reducing postoperative discomfort are essential for patient satisfaction. No studies have examined the safety and efficacy of intra-articular corticosteroid injections following TKA. This study aims to examine the safety and efficacy of corticosteroids in intra-articular multimodal analgesic injections.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a historically controlled study conducted at a single academic institution. Before May 2019, patients received an intra-articular cocktail injection without corticosteroids during surgery, referred to as the non-corticosteroid (NC) group. After June 2019, intraoperatively, patients received an intra-articular cocktail injection containing corticosteroids, referred to as the corticosteroid (C) group. Finally, 738 patients were evaluated, 370 in the C cohort and 368 in the NC cohort. The mean follow-up duration was 30.4 months for the C group and 48.4 months for the NC group.
RESULTS
The mean VAS scores at rest on postoperative day (POD) 1 (2.35) and POD3 (3.88) were significantly lower in the C group than those in the NC group, which were 2.86 (POD1) and 5.26 (POD3) ( < 0.05). Walking pain in the C group (4.42) was also significantly lower than that (5.96) in the NC group on POD3 ( < 0.05). Patients in the C group had a significantly higher mean range of motion (ROM) (92.55) on POD3 than that (86.38) in the NC group. The mean time to straight leg raise for group C (2.77) was significantly shorter than that (3.61) for the NC group ( < 0.05). The C group also had significantly fewer rescue morphine (1.9) and metoclopramide (0.21) uses per patient than the NC group, which were 3.1 and 0.24, respectively. No significant differences in fever or vomiting rates between groups were found. Patients in neither group developed periprosthetic joint infections or skin necrosis. One patient in the C group suffered from wound dehiscence, and the wound healed well after debridement. No patient died or had a re-operation in either group.
CONCLUSIONS
This pilot trial found that intra-articular injection of multimodal analgesia (including corticosteroids) reduced initial postoperative pain, increased ROM in the early postoperative days (up to POD3), and did not increase wound complications or infection rates in approximately 30 months of follow-up.
PubMed: 38919978
DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2024.1279462 -
Journal of Anaesthesiology, Clinical... 2024Moderate-to-severe intensity pain is reported on the first day following lower abdominal surgery. No study has compared transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Moderate-to-severe intensity pain is reported on the first day following lower abdominal surgery. No study has compared transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block with retrolaminar block (RLB) in laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery for postoperative pain relief.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In this prospective, randomized trial, 42 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II, aged 18-65 s, and having a BMI <40 kgm received TAP or RLB following laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery. A standard general anesthetic technique was performed. Patients were randomized into two groups: single-shot TAP block (gp I) (n 21) or the RLB (gp II) (n 21) with bilateral 20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine. Postoperatively, IV paracetamol 1 was administered as rescue analgesia. Postoperative cumulative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score 24 hours after surgery was considered as the primary outcome.
RESULTS
Postoperative cumulative VAS score at rest at 24 , represented as mean ± S.D (95% CI), in the TAP block group was 3.54 3.04 2.16-4.93) and in the RLB group was 6.09 4.83 3.89-8.29). value was 0.112 and VAS on movement was 7.95 3.41 6.39-9.50 [2.5-15.0]) in TAP block group, whereas value was 0.110 and VAS on movement was 10.83 5.51 8.32-13.34) in the RLB group.
CONCLUSION
Similar postoperative cumulative pain score on movement at 24 was present in patients receiving TAP block or RLB. However, VAS score at rest and on movement was reduced in patients receiving TAP block at 18 and 24 postoperatively.
PubMed: 38919452
DOI: 10.4103/joacp.joacp_424_22 -
Journal of Anaesthesiology, Clinical... 2024Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has been found to be simple, safe, and effective at thoracic and lumbar levels. There is no randomized controlled trial evaluating its...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has been found to be simple, safe, and effective at thoracic and lumbar levels. There is no randomized controlled trial evaluating its effectiveness at sacral level. The present study was conducted to evaluate its effectiveness at sacral level for postoperative analgesia in pediatric patients undergoing hypospadias repair.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Forty children of 2-7 years with ASA grade I or II were included. They were randomly allocated to one of the two groups of 20 patients each. After induction of general anesthesia, patients of group I were given ultrasound-guided sacral ESPB with 1 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine, and patients of group II were not given block. Postoperatively, pain was assessed using face, legs, activity, cry, consolability (FLACC) scale at 0 hour, every 15 min up to 1 hour, every half an hour up to 2 hours, 2 hourly up to 12 hours, and at 18 hour and 24 hour postoperatively. At FLACC score ≥4, rescue analgesia was given using 15 mg/kg paracetamol infusion. Primary objective was to compare postoperative analgesic (paracetamol) consumption, and secondary objective was time to first rescue analgesia.
RESULTS
Mean postoperative paracetamol consumption was 360 ± 156.60 mg in group I and 997.50 ± 310.87 mg in group II ( = 0.001). Time to first rescue analgesia was 906 ± 224.51 min in group I and 205.00 ± 254.92 min in group II ( = 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Sacral ESPB has been found to be effective in reducing postoperative analgesic consumption in pediatric patients undergoing hypospadias repair.
PubMed: 38919450
DOI: 10.4103/joacp.joacp_418_22 -
Journal of Anaesthesiology, Clinical... 2024The upper thoracic (T2) erector spinae plane block (UT-ESPB) has been proposed as an alternative to interscalene brachial plexus block for postoperative analgesia in...
The efficacy of ultrasound-guided upper thoracic erector spinae plane block for postoperative analgesia in proximal shoulder surgery and its effect on phrenic nerve function: A prospective exploratory study.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
The upper thoracic (T2) erector spinae plane block (UT-ESPB) has been proposed as an alternative to interscalene brachial plexus block for postoperative analgesia in shoulder surgery. The current study was conducted to evaluate the same.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Patients scheduled for shoulder surgery under general anesthesia (GA) received ultrasound-guided UT-ESPB. The outcomes measured were diaphragmatic movements, block characteristics, and quality of recovery at 24 h.
RESULTS
A total of 43 patients were recruited. The incidence of phrenic nerve palsy was 0%. The sensory level achieved by the maximum number of patients at the end of 30 min was C7-T5 level, and none had a motor block. Forty-two percent of patients did not require rescue analgesia till 24 h postoperative. In the rest of the patients, the mean (SD) duration of analgesia was 724.2 ± 486.80 min, and the mean postoperative requirement of fentanyl was 98.80 ± 47.02 μg. The median pain score (NRS) during rest and movement is 2 to 3 and 3 to 4, respectively. The median quality of recovery score at the end of 24 h after the block was 14 (15-14).
CONCLUSION
The upper thoracic ESPB resulted in a sensory loss from C7-T5 dermatomes without any weakness of the diaphragm and upper limb. However, the block was moderately effective in terms of the total duration of analgesia, postoperative pain scores, analgesic requirement, and quality of recovery in patients undergoing proximal shoulder surgeries under GA. Further studies are required to establish its role due to its poor correlation with sensory spread.
PubMed: 38919449
DOI: 10.4103/joacp.joacp_434_22 -
Journal of Anaesthesiology, Clinical... 2024Although thoracic paravertebral blockade (TPVB) is employed in thoracic surgery to ensure satisfactory postoperative analgesia, large doses of anesthetics are required...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Although thoracic paravertebral blockade (TPVB) is employed in thoracic surgery to ensure satisfactory postoperative analgesia, large doses of anesthetics are required and manifestations of local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) may appear. Currently, there are limited data on the pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine after continuous TPVB. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate ropivacaine kinetics, in the arterial and venous pools, after continuous TPVB and assess the risk of LAST.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Immediately after induction of general anesthesia, an ultrasound-guided continuous TPVB at T5 or T6 or T7 thoracic level was performed in 18 adult patients subjected to open thoracotomy. A 25-ml single bolus injection of ropivacaine 0.5% was administered through thoracic paravertebral catheter, followed by a 14 ml/h continuous infusion of ropivacaine 0.2% starting at the end of surgery. Quantification of total ropivacaine concentrations was performed using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method. Population pharmacokinetic models were developed separately for arterial and venous ropivacaine data.
RESULTS
The best model was one-compartment disposition with an additional pre-absorption compartment corresponding to thoracic paravertebral space. Gender had a significant effect on clearance, with females displaying lower elimination than males. Some patients had ropivacaine concentrations above the toxic threshold, but none displayed evidence of LAST. Continuous thoracic paravertebral nerve blocks provided adequate postoperative analgesia.
CONCLUSION
Ropivacaine doses at the upper end of clinical use (800 mg/d) did not inflict the manifestations of LAST and provided adequate postoperative pain control. Pharmacokinetic models were developed, and the effect of gender was identified.
PubMed: 38919447
DOI: 10.4103/joacp.joacp_353_22 -
Journal of Anaesthesiology, Clinical... 2024Perioperative lidocaine infusion has many interesting properties such as analgesic effects in the context of enhanced recovery after surgery. However, its use is limited...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Perioperative lidocaine infusion has many interesting properties such as analgesic effects in the context of enhanced recovery after surgery. However, its use is limited in liver surgery due to its hepatic metabolism.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This prospective, monocentric study was conducted from 2020 to 2021. Patients undergoing liver surgery were included. They received a lidocaine infusion protocol until the beginning of hepatic transection (bolus dose of 1.5 mg kg, then a continuous infusion of 2 mg kg h). Plasma concentrations of lidocaine were measured four times during and after lidocaine infusion.
RESULTS
Twenty subjects who underwent liver resection were analyzed. There was 35% of preexisting liver disease before tumor diagnosis, and 75% of liver resection was defined as "major hepatectomy." Plasmatic levels of lidocaine were in the therapeutic range. No blood sample showed a concentration above the toxicity threshold: 1.6 (1.3-2.1) μg ml one hour after the start of infusion, 2.5 (1.7-2.8) μg ml at the end of hepatic transection, 1.7 (1.3-2.0) μg ml one hour after the end of infusion, and 1.2 (0.8-1.4) μg ml at the end of surgery. Comparative analysis between the presence of a preexisting liver disease or not and the association of intraoperative vascular clamping or not did not show significant difference concerning lidocaine blood levels.
CONCLUSION
Perioperative lidocaine infusion seems safe in the field of liver surgery. Nevertheless, additional prospective studies need to assess the clinical usefulness in terms of analgesia and antitumoral effects.
PubMed: 38919445
DOI: 10.4103/joacp.joacp_391_22 -
Journal of Anaesthesiology, Clinical... 2024The objective of the study was to evaluate the performances of qCON and qNOX indices in pediatric populations undergoing surgery under general anesthesia (GA), focusing...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
The objective of the study was to evaluate the performances of qCON and qNOX indices in pediatric populations undergoing surgery under general anesthesia (GA), focusing on the induction and recovery periods. Both the indices are derived from electroencephalogram (EEG) and implemented in the CONOX monitor (Fresenius Kabi, Germany).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
After approval of the institutional ethics committee, this prospective observational study was conducted in pediatric patients of either sex in the age group of 1-12 years belonging to the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) grade I and II undergoing elective surgery under GA. Anesthetic technique was GA with or without regional analgesia (RA). All patients underwent inhalation induction and maintenance using sevoflurane. Patients were monitored with the use of a CONOX monitoring system (Fresenius Kabi, Germany), connected via a set of electrodes placed over the forehead. qCON and qNOX scores were recorded during awake (on operating table premedicated with oral midazolam 0.5 mg/kg), at induction, at loss of eyelash reflex, intubation/laryngeal mask airway (LMA) insertion, before and after regional anesthesia, surgical incision, at cessation of anesthesia, emergence, extubation, and eye-opening. Registered results were also analyzed compared with the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane (MAC).
RESULTS
A total of 46 pediatric patients were enrolled in the study with a mean age of 5.6 years. All the patients were either ASA I or II. There was a simultaneous fall and rise of qCON and qNOX upon induction and recovery, respectively. There was a rise in qNOX with surgical incision irrespective of RA. However, there was a greater rise in qNOX following surgical incision in those who did not receive RA ( = 0.33) Also both qCON ( = 0.06) and qNOX ( = 0.41) were poorly correlated with MAC values of sevoflurane during GA in the pediatric population.
CONCLUSIONS
Both qCON and qNOX values change predictably with changes in the conscious level and with different noxious stimuli. Further studies are required to confirm the findings taking into account the postoperative assessment of delirium and recall of intraoperative events.
PubMed: 38919439
DOI: 10.4103/joacp.joacp_453_22 -
Journal of Anaesthesiology, Clinical... 2024Cervical sympathetic or stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs) have been commonly used in the treatment of painful conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).... (Review)
Review
Cervical sympathetic or stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs) have been commonly used in the treatment of painful conditions like complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). However, there is literature to suggest its utility in managing non-painful conditions as well. The focus of this literature review is to provide an overview of indications for SGB for painful and non-painful conditions. We identified published journal articles in the past 25 years from Embase and PubMed databases with the keywords "cervical sympathetic block, stellate ganglion blocks, cervical sympathetic chain, and cervical sympathetic trunk". A total of 1556 articles were obtained from a literature search among which 311 articles were reviewed. Among painful conditions, there is a lack of evidence in favor of or against the use of SGB for CRPS despite its common use. SGB can provide postoperative analgesia in selective surgeries and can be effective in temporary pain control of refractory angina and the acute phase of herpes zoster infection. Among non-painful conditions, SGB may have beneficial effects on the management of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), refractory ventricular arrhythmias, hot flashes in postmenopausal women, and breast cancer-related lymphedema. Additionally, there have been various case reports illustrating the benefits of SGB in the management of cerebral vasospasm, upper limb erythromelalgia, thalamic and central post-stroke pain, palmar hyperhidrosis, orofacial pain, etc. In our review of literature, we found that SGB can be useful in the management of various non-painful conditions beyond the well-known treatment for CRPS, although further studies are required to prove its efficacy.
PubMed: 38919437
DOI: 10.4103/joacp.joacp_304_22 -
Journal of Anaesthesiology, Clinical... 2024Regional anaesthesia has gained popularity in managing post-operative pain in paediatric patients. Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is recognised as one of the...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Regional anaesthesia has gained popularity in managing post-operative pain in paediatric patients. Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is recognised as one of the peri-operative pain management techniques used during abdominal surgeries. However, no consensus about the best approach has been reached.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Sixty paediatric patients with ages ranging from 1 to 6 as well as classification I and II of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, scheduled for laparoscopic inguinal hernia, were allocated to receive either a posterior approach (Group I) or an anterior approach (Group II) QLB. Twenty four-hour morphine consumption, the face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability (FLACC) score, duration of analgesia, performance time, and block-related complications were recorded.
RESULTS
Group II showed significantly lower morphine consumption as well as a longer duration of analgesia ( = 0.039*, 0.020*, respectively), with an equivalent period for block performance being reported in the two groups ( = 0.080). At 2, 4, 6, and 12 hours post-operatively, the FLACC scores were substantially diminished in Group II compared to Group I ( = 0.001*, 0.012*, 0.002*, 0.028*, respectively). However, at twenty-four hours, comparable pain scores were observed between both groups ( = 0.626). In addition, there were no block-related complications.
CONCLUSIONS
In paediatric patients scheduled for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, the ultra-sound-guided anterior approach of the QLB was associated with significantly reduced post-operative morphine consumption, a lower FLACC score, and a longer analgesia duration when compared to the posterior approach.
PubMed: 38919434
DOI: 10.4103/joacp.joacp_366_22 -
Journal of Anaesthesiology, Clinical... 2024Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is associated with significant acute post-operative pain that may progress to chronic pain syndromes in 25-60% of patients. Serratus...
BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is associated with significant acute post-operative pain that may progress to chronic pain syndromes in 25-60% of patients. Serratus anterior muscle (SAM) block has proved to be an excellent analgesic option in patients undergoing MRM. Although many adjuvants have been utilized for the prolongation of analgesia, the role of tramadol in SAM has not been studied as yet. We hypothesize that the addition of tramadol to ropivacaine for SAM block may reduce morphine consumption in the post-operative period in patients undergoing elective MRM surgeries. The primary aim of the study was to compare cumulative post-operative morphine consumption over 24 h in patients receiving SAM block with or without tramadol. The secondary aims were to observe adverse events related to the procedure or medications. The other parameters recorded were non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP), pulse rate, respiratory rate, and nausea or vomiting.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Patients scheduled to undergo MRM were randomly allocated by block randomization into two groups. The study group (Group T) received a SAM block with 0.25% ropivacaine (18 ml) with tramadol 100 mg while the control group (Group P) received a SAM block with 18 ml of 0.25% ropivacaine and 2 ml of saline. Patients were assessed for pain scores, analgesic requirement, time to first analgesic request, hemodynamic variables, and any side-effects at 30 min, 1 h, 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, and 24 h post-operatively.
RESULTS
Cumulative morphine consumption over 24 h in the post-operative period was less in the group T (3.06 ± 1.53 mg vs 4.34 ± 1.53 mg; 0.001). Time to the first analgesic requirement was more in group T (10.44 ± 5.04 h vs 6.11 ± 2.73 h; < 0.001). Pain scores were significantly lower in the group T at all time points.
CONCLUSION
Tramadol, when used as an adjuvant to ropivacaine for SAM block reduces post-operative pain scores in the first 24 h and prolongs the time of first morphine requirement.
PubMed: 38919426
DOI: 10.4103/joacp.joacp_436_22