Bupivacaine wound infiltration reduces postoperative pain and analgesic requirement after thyroid surgery

Post-thyroidectomy pain relief is enhanced by wound infiltration. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

INTRODUCTION

Thyroidectomy is a common surgical procedure. Traditional options for pain management, such as analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), are limited by their side effects. Surgical wound infiltration with local anesthetics has the potential to reduce the need for analgesics in a number of surgical procedures. This systematic review and meta-analysis wanted to resolve these concerns and assess the efficacy of WI in the management of postoperative pain after thyroidectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The review adhered to Cochrane Collaboration and PRISMA standards. RCTs comparing WI with no infiltration or placebo were included. Patients with benign or malignant thyroid disease who underwent open thyroidectomy were eligible. Postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) as the primary outcome. Time to first rescue dose, the need for analgesic rescue in the first 24 h, and total opioid analgesic consumption were secondary outcomes. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and odds ratio (OR) were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

16 randomized controlled trials involving 1202 patients were included. At 6 and 8 h postoperatively, WI exhibited a statistically significant impact on pain management. In the WI group, the need for analgesic rescue was significantly reduced. At 4 h postoperatively, non-anesthetic medications demonstrated a significant analgesic effect.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis support the use of WI with local anesthetics for postoperative pain management after thyroidectomy. These findings have significant implications for improving perioperative care, especially in ambulatory settings where effective pain management is essential.

Local Wound Infiltration for Thyroidectomized Patients in the Era of Multimodal Analgesia

The first few hours following thyroidectomy are the most crucial for pain management. Adequate postoperative pain control, reduction in opioid abuse and the possibility of implementing one-day operations are the considered parameters when developing the postoperative analgesic strategy. A study of the available literature was conducted, exploring the efficacy of (open) thyroidectomy wound infiltration. Seventeen full-text RCTs were extracted. Local anesthetics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were infiltrated. Emphasis was given to postoperative pain scores and requirements for rescue analgesia with opioids. Most authors agree that local wound infiltration for thyroidectomized patients is effective in the management of postoperative pain parameters. In the era of multimodal analgesia, thyroidectomy wound infiltration could represent an essential adjunct contributing to lower VAS scores and reduced opioid requirements.

Ketamine infiltration improves analgesia after thyroid surgery

Background: Postoperative pain increases the risk of postoperative complications and may predispose patients to chronic post-surgical pain. This study aims to evaluate the impact of ketamine wound infiltration versus placebo at the end of thyroid surgery on postoperative pain and analgesic requirements. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, we prospectively studied patients who underwent thyroid surgery. Patients were randomized into two groups: group S, where local infiltration was performed using 10 ml of a physiological saline solution; and group K, where 10 ml of a solution containing 2 mg/kg ketamine was infiltrated. Standardized thyroidectomies were performed in the 2 groups. Pain perception was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) every 10 minutes in the post-anesthetic care unit (PACU) for 2 hours and thereafter every 6 hours during the first 24 hours. The opioid requirement in the PACU was evaluated. A comparison between the 2 groups was carried out. Results: Postoperatively, the mean VAS was higher in group S compared to group K during all PACU stay periods and the first 24 hours. Pain scores during swallowing were significantly lower for group K in the PACU at 0, 10, and 20 minutes. The mean morphine consumption in the PACU was 0.71 mg and 0 mg respectively in group S and group K (p=0.03). The incidence of nausea and vomiting was similar in both groups. Conclusions: Ketamine wound infiltration is an efficient modality to reduce postoperative opioid consumption compared to a placebo after thyroid surgery.

Comparison of the Analgesic Effect of Subcutaneous Bupivacaine Infiltration and Intravenous Diclofenac vs. Intravenous Diclofenac Monotherapy After Inguinal Hernioplasty: A Retrospective Study

Background

Postoperative pain is a significant problem encountered by patients after a surgical intervention, and there is a crucial need for effective postoperative pain control. The studies have shown that multimodal analgesia and wound infiltration are effective ways to reduce this pain and have a substantial role in the reduction of postoperative medications requirement. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of subcutaneous infiltration of bupivacaine hydrochloride and intravenous (IV) diclofenac as postoperative pain relief in adults undergoing inguinal hernia repair.

Methods

A single-center retrospective study included 104 patients aged 18-65 undergoing unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy at the selected hospital. The patients were in two groups of 52 each. Group A received a 75 mg dose of IV diclofenac plus a subcutaneous injection of 10 mL of bupivacaine hydrochloride (HCl) 0.5% while Group B only received the IV diclofenac without the bupivacaine injection. The postoperative pain was assessed at one, two, three, six, and 12 hrs after the operation using the visual analog scale (VAS), which exhibited a range of pain from zero (no pain) to 10 (extreme pain).

Results

Of a total of 104 patients, 92% of patients were male. The patients' mean age was 36 ± 11 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 22 ±3 kg/m². American Society of Anesthesiologists physical class I was similar in both groups (90.4% versus 84.6%). Patients in Group A had significantly lower VAS pain scores at one, two, three, six, and 12 hrs after the operation and a longer emergence time than Group B (all p-values were < 0.001). Subcutaneous bupivacaine infiltration and IV diclofenac were also found to be an effective analgesic technique in open hernia repair with mesh (p-value < 0.001 for all).

Conclusion

Subcutaneous injection of bupivacaine combined with IV diclofenac provides superior analgesia to monotherapy intravenous diclofenac after inguinal hernia repair.

Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Versus Local Wound Infiltration for Postoperative Pain After Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Resection: a Randomized, Double-Blinded Study

BACKGROUND

Despite the extensive administration of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program, postoperative pain remains a major concern for patients. Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and local wound infiltration (LWI) are two techniques that have been widely applied in abdominal surgery. However, these two techniques have rarely been compared in terms of their analgesic effects on patients that undergo laparoscopic colorectal surgery with the ERAS program.

METHODS

A randomized, double-blinded study was conducted in this study. Briefly, 174 patients that underwent colorectal surgery with the ERAS program were randomly allocated to TAP block treatment (TAP group) or local wound infiltration (LWI group). All patients were assessed for their pain scores at rest and in motion at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after surgery. The administration frequency of bolus for PCIA and the use amount of rescue analgesics (parecoxib) were recorded. Finally, the patients were monitored with follow-up surveys on their postoperative function recovery, complications, lengths of stay, treatment cost, and satisfaction.

RESULTS

In terms of the pain scores at rest and in motion, the two groups revealed no significant difference throughout the study sessions, and no difference was found in the administration frequency of bolus and the use amount of parecoxib. Moreover, the two groups demonstrated similar results in their postoperative recovery, and no significant differences were found in terms of postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with local wound infiltration, transversus abdominis plane block is not significantly advantageous for postoperative pain control and recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery with the ERAS program. However, local wound infiltration might be preferred since it is available with less technical difficulties.

Updates on Wound Infiltration Use for Postoperative Pain Management: A Narrative Review

Local anesthetic wound infiltration (WI) provides anesthesia for minor surgical procedures and improves postoperative analgesia as part of multimodal analgesia after general or regional anesthesia. Although pre-incisional block is preferable, in practice WI is usually done at the end of surgery. WI performed as a continuous modality reduces analgesics, prolongs the duration of analgesia, and enhances the patient’s mobilization in some cases. WI benefits are documented in open abdominal surgeries (Caesarean section, colorectal surgery, abdominal hysterectomy, herniorrhaphy), laparoscopic cholecystectomy, oncological breast surgeries, laminectomy, hallux valgus surgery, and radical prostatectomy. Surgical site infiltration requires knowledge of anatomy and the pain origin for a procedure, systematic extensive infiltration of local anesthetic in various tissue planes under direct visualization before wound closure or subcutaneously along the incision. Because the incidence of local anesthetic systemic toxicity is 11% after subcutaneous WI, appropriate local anesthetic dosing is crucial. The risk of wound infection is related to the infection incidence after each particular surgery. For WI to fully meet patient and physician expectations, mastery of the technique, patient education, appropriate local anesthetic dosing and management of the surgical wound with “aseptic, non-touch” technique are needed.

Perioperative pain management for thyroid and parathyroid surgery: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

A growing body of evidence suggests that surgeons have historically over-prescribed opioid pain medications following thyroid and parathyroid surgery, thereby potentially contributing to the current US opioid epidemic. We reviewed the evidence supporting multimodal methods of pain control after cervical endocrine surgery.

METHODS

Fifty-one randomized clinical trials, 9 prospective cohort studies, 7 retrospective studies/reviews, and 1 survey regarding pain management for cervical endocrine surgery were include.

RESULTS

Most studies reported in-hospital pain scores and opioid consumption. Data on pain scores following discharge were limited. In several studies, the interventional dose was much greater than what is commonly used clinically.

CONCLUSION

Several evidence-based, non-opioid interventions can be incorporated into a standardized pain management protocol following cervical endocrine surgery. Little is known regarding the effects of these interventions on post-discharge pain scores and patient quality of life during recovery.

Perioperative pain management and opioid-reduction in head and neck endocrine surgery: An American Head and Neck Society Endocrine Surgery Section consensus statement

BACKGROUND

This American Head and Neck Society (AHNS) consensus statement focuses on evidence-based comprehensive pain management practices for thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Overutilization of opioids for postoperative pain management is a major contributing factor to the opioid addiction epidemic however evidence-based guidelines for pain management after routine head and neck endocrine procedures are lacking.

METHODS

An expert panel was convened from the membership of the AHNS, its Endocrine Surgical Section, and ThyCa. An extensive literature review was performed, and recommendations addressing several pain management subtopics were constructed based on best available evidence. A modified Delphi survey was then utilized to evaluate group consensus of these statements.

CONCLUSIONS

This expert consensus provides evidence-based recommendations for effective postoperative pain management following head and neck endocrine procedures with a focus on limiting unnecessary use of opioid analgesics.

LAW Trial - The Impact of Local Anesthetics Infiltration in Surgical Wound for Gastrointestinal Procedures (LAW): A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Prior studies have suggested that infiltration of local anesthetics reduce the rate of surgical site infections (SSIs). Opioid usage has become an epidemic. Some analgesic modalities, such as epidural analgesia and transversus abdominis plane block are associated with shorter length of stay and lower opioid use. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between local infiltration of bupivacaine with rates of SSI and pain control.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective, double-blinded randomized controlled trial in patients who underwent open major gastrointestinal procedures from July 2016 to June 2017. Patients were divided into two groups based on administration of 0.5% bupivacaine (n = 30) (group 1) or placebo (n = 30) (control group). Outcomes evaluated were SSI, postoperative opioid requirements and pain scores.

RESULTS

Patients in the bupivacaine group required a lower dose of epidural analgesia during the first 24 h (5.3 mcg/kg/h vs. 6.4 mcg/kg/h; p = 0.05). Opioid requirement was shorter in the bupivacaine group (3.5 ± 2.3 days vs. 5.7 ± 2.9 days; p = 0.01). No difference was found between groups in terms of SSI rates (0% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.49).

CONCLUSIONS

There is no clear association between bupivacaine infiltration and reduction of SSI rate according to our study. Wound bupivacaine infiltration is associated with a lower dose of epidural infusion and opioid requirements.

The effect of bupivacaine on postoperative pain following thyroidectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid surgery, which is usually followed by moderate postoperative pain, has gained increasing attention in recent years. A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effect of prophylactic bupivacaine on postoperative pain following thyroidectomy.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for specific keywords. RevMan 5.0 and Stata 12.0 software were used to perform meta-analyses. The endpoints were postoperative pain, rescue analgesic requirement, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) during the immediate 24 h postoperative period.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A total of 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 1308 patients were included in the meta-analysis. A significant reduction of pain according to the postoperative pain scale at 1 hour (P<0.05) and rescue analgesic requirement (P<0.05) was observed following local infiltration with bupivacaine. A bilateral superficial cervical plexus block (BSCPB) with bupivacaine also significantly reduced postoperative pain at 1 hour (P<0.01) and 24 hours (P<0.01), as well as rescue analgesic requirement (P<0.00001) and PONV (P<0.01). Compared with BSCPB, local infiltration with bupivacaine provides a better effect in terms of postoperative analgesia (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend local infiltration with bupivacaine ranged from 20 to 75 mg before or after skin closure or BSCPB with bupivacaine ranged from 25 to 100 mg to reduce postoperative pain after thyroidectomy.

Perioperative Analgesia for Patients Undergoing Thyroidectomy and Parathyroidectomy: An Evidence-Based Review

Objective:

To perform an evidence-based systematic review evaluating perioperative analgesia, including opioid alternatives, used for patients undergoing thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy.

Methods:

A comprehensive literature search from 1997 to January 2018 of Pubmed, Cochrane, and EmBase libraries was performed for studies reporting analgesic administration following thyroid or parathyroid surgery. This systematic review was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were evaluated for level of evidence and given a Jadad score to assess for risk of bias. Outcomes gathered included postoperative pain scores, time to rescue analgesia, rescue analgesic consumption, and adverse events.

Results:

Thirty-eight randomized controlled trials met inclusion criteria. The GRADE criteria determined the overall evidence to be moderate-high. Studies utilizing NSAIDs reported reduced requirements for rescue analgesics. Acetaminophen studies presented with conflicting data on effectiveness. Gabapentinoid studies demonstrated lower pain scores and an increased time to rescue analgesic. Local anesthetics were effective at decreasing Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores while also reducing rescue analgesic consumption. Ketamine was shown to increased postoperative nausea and vomiting. NSAIDs and local anesthetic studies had an aggregate grade of evidence A, while all others had grade B evidence.

Conclusion:

There is significant evidence supporting the use of NSAIDs and local anesthetics in the perioperative period for pain management for thyroid and parathyroid surgeries. Acetaminophen, gabapentinoid and ketamine have some supporting evidence and may serve as adequate alternatives. Further multi-institutional RCTs are warranted to delineate optimal analgesic regimens.

Level of Evidence:

NA

Postoperative Analgesic Requirement and Pain Perceptions after Nonaerodigestive Head and Neck Surgery

OBJECTIVES

Little data exist on associations between patient factors and postoperative analgesic requirement after head and neck (H&N) surgeries. Such information is important for optimizing postoperative care considering concerns regarding opioid misuse. We analyzed factors associated with narcotic use and pain perception following H&N surgery sparing the upper aerodigestive tract.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

From May to October 2017, data were collected for patients undergoing nonaerodigestive H&N procedures requiring hospitalization. Patients completed a preoperative survey querying chronic pain history, narcotic usage, and postoperative pain expectation. Demographics, surgical data, postoperative narcotic use defined by morphine milligram equivalents (MME), pain scores, and Overall Benefit of Analgesia Score (OBAS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Seventy-six patients, 44 (57.9%) females and 32 (42.1%) males with a mean age of 54.0 years, met inclusion criteria. The most common procedures were parotidectomy (27.6%) and total thyroidectomy (19.7%). Average cumulative 24-hour postoperative MME and calculated MME per hospital day (MME/HD, cumulative MME for hospitalization divided by length of stay) were 40.5 ± 30.6 and 60.8 ± 60.1, respectively. Average pain score throughout the initial 24 hours after surgery was 3.7/10 ± 2.0. Female sex and prior chronic pain diagnosis were associated with higher OBAS after multivariate linear adjustments.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative narcotic requirement in nonaerodigestive H&N surgery is overall low. Female sex and prior chronic pain diagnosis may be associated with higher postoperative OBAS, a validated assessment of pain and opioid-related side effects. This study may serve as a comparison for future studies evaluating narcotic-sparing analgesia and pain perception in nonaerodigestive H&N surgery.

Multimodal analgesia with ropivacaine wound infiltration and intravenous flurbiprofen axetil provides enhanced analgesic effects after radical thyroidectomy: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Thyroidectomy is a common procedure that causes mild trauma. Nevertheless, postoperative pain remains a major challenge in patient care. Multimodal analgesia comprising a combination of analgesics and analgesic techniques has become increasingly popular for the control of postoperative pain. The present study tested the hypothesis that multimodal analgesia with combined ropivacaine wound infiltration and intravenous flurbiprofen axetil after radical thyroidectomy provided better analgesia than a single dosage of tramadol.

METHODS

This randomized controlled trial was conducted in a tertiary hospital. Forty-four patients (age, 18-75 years; American Society of Anesthesiologists status I or II; BMI < 32 kg/m²) scheduled for radical thyroidectomy were randomly assigned to a multimodal analgesia group (Group M) or a control group (Group C) by random numbers assignments, and 40 patients completed the study. All participants and the nurse in charge of follow-up observations were blinded to group assignment. Anesthesia was induced with sufentanil, propofol, and cisatracurium. After tracheal intubation, Group M received pre-incision wound infiltration with 5 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine mixed with epinephrine at 1:200,000 (5 μg/ml); Group C received no wound infiltration. Anesthesia was maintained with target-controlled infusion of propofol, remifentanil, sevoflurane, and intermittent cisatracurium. Twenty minutes before the end of surgery, Group M received 100 mg flurbiprofen axetil while Group C received 100 mg tramadol. Postoperative pain was evaluated with the numerical rating scale (NRS) pain score. Remifentanil consumption, heart rate, and noninvasive blood pressure were recorded intraoperatively. Adverse events were documented. The primary outcome was analgesic effect according to NRS scores.

RESULTS

NRS scores at rest were significantly lower in Group M than in Group C before discharge from the postoperative anesthetic care unit (P = 0.003) and at 2 (P = 0.008), 4 (P = 0.020), and 8 h (P = 0.016) postoperatively. Group M also had significantly lower NRS scores during coughing/swallowing at 5 min after extubation (P = 0.017), before discharge from the postoperative anesthetic care unit (P = 0.001), and at 2 (P = 0.002) and 4 h (P = 0.013) postoperatively. Compared with Group C, NRS scores were significantly lower throughout the first 24 h postoperatively in Group M at rest (P = 0.008) and during coughing/swallowing (P = 0.003). No serious adverse events were observed in either group.

CONCLUSION

Multimodal analgesia with ropivacaine wound infiltration and intravenous flurbiprofen axetil provided better analgesia than tramadol after radical thyroidectomy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number # ChiCTR1800020290 ; date of registration: 22/12/2018).

Efficacy of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to local wound infiltration anaesthesia in abdominal surgery: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

To assess the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine (DEX) as an adjuvant to local wound infiltration anaesthesia in abdominal surgery, we conducted this meta-analysis. First, the systematic search strategy was performed on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library and five randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving 294 patients were included. Then, the outcome data were extracted from the studies and their effect sizes were calculated using Review Manager 5. As a result, the addition of DEX significantly reduced visual analogy scores at 6 hours after surgery (mean difference = -0.53[-0.82, -0.25], P < .001), 12 hours after surgery (mean difference = -0.39 [-0.73, -0.05]; P = .03), and 24 hours after surgery (mean difference = -0.20 [-0.29, -0.11], P < .001) and reduced total analgesic consumption within 24 hours after surgery (mean difference = -4.92 [-9.00, -0.84]; P = .02) compared with placebo groups. However, there was no difference in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (risk ratio = 0.68 [0.41, 1.14]; P = .14). In summary, DEX as a local anaesthetic adjuvant added for local wound infiltration anaesthesia in abdominal surgery could reduce visual analogy scores and postoperative analgesic consumption without changing incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting.