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Zhang S, Zhang J, Zhang R. Safety and effectiveness of opioid-free anaesthesia in thoracoscopic surgery: a preliminary retrospective cohort study. BMC Anesthesiol 2024; 24:60. [PMID: 38336669 PMCID: PMC10854143 DOI: 10.1186/s12871-024-02441-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to observe the effect of opioid-free anaesthesia (OFA) on intraoperative haemodynamic,postoperative analgesia and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in thoracoscopic surgery in order to provide more evidence for evaluating the safety and effectiveness of OFA technology. METHODS This was a single-centre retrospective observational study.Adult patients who underwent thoracoscopic surgery with the preoperative thoracic paravertebral block between January 2017 and June 2020 were included.A cohort of 101 thoracoscopic surgery patients who received the OFA technique were matched with 101 thoracoscopic surgery patients who received standard opioid-containing anaesthesia(SOA). Heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were measured before anaesthesia induction, immediately after endotracheal intubation, at the beginning of surgery, and 10, 20, and 30 min after surgery began.The total amount of intraoperative infusion, frequency of vasoactive drugs use, morphine ingested via the patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) 24 h post-surgery,visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest and activity on the first day post-surgery, and frequency of nausea and vomiting within 24 h post-surgery were analysed. RESULTS There was no significant difference in intraoperative HR between the two groups (F = 0.889, P = 0.347); however, there was significant difference in intraoperative MAP (F = 16.709, P < 0.001), which was lower in SOA patients than in OFA patients. The frequency of vasoactive drug use and amount of infusion was less in OFA patients (P = 0.001). The consumption of morphine used by the PCIA 24 h post-surgery was significantly lower in OFA patients (OFA, 1.8 [0, 4.8] mg vs. SOA, 3.6 [0.6, 23] mg, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in VAS scores at rest (P = 0.745) or during activity (P = 0.792) on the first day post-surgery. There was also no statistically significant difference in nausea and vomiting within 24 h post-surgery (P = 0.651). CONCLUSIONS This case-control study demonstrated that compared with SOA, OFA can effectively maintain the stability of intraoperative MAP, reduce the incidence of hypotension. Although OFA reduced morphine consumption via the PCIA pump 24 h post-surgery, postoperative pain scores and nausea and vomiting within 24 h post-surgery were similar between the groups.But this study was only a preliminary study and needed to confirm in a larger, more robust trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Children's Hospital, National Center for Children's Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Children's Hospital, National Center for Children's Health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Peking University People's Hospital, No.11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District 100044, Beijing, China.
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Sharma R, Louie A, Thai CP, Dizdarevic A. Chest Wall Nerve Blocks for Cardiothoracic, Breast Surgery, and Rib-Related Pain. Curr Pain Headache Rep 2022; 26:43-56. [PMID: 35089532 DOI: 10.1007/s11916-022-01001-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Perioperative analgesia in patients undergoing chest wall procedures such as cardiothoracic and breast surgeries or analgesia for rib fracture trauma can be challenging due to several factors: the procedures are more invasive, the chest wall innervation is complex, and the patient population may have multiple comorbidities increasing their susceptibility to the well-defined pain and opioid-related side effects. These procedures also carry a higher risk of persistent pain after surgery and chronic opioid use making the analgesia goals even more important. RECENT FINDINGS With advances in ultrasonography and clinical research, regional anesthesia techniques have been improving and newer ones with more applications have emerged over the last decade. Currently in cardiothoracic procedures, para-neuraxial and chest wall blocks have been utilized with success to supplement or substitute systemic analgesia, traditionally relying on opioids or thoracic epidural analgesia. In breast surgeries, paravertebral blocks, serratus anterior plane blocks, and pectoral nerve blocks have been shown to be effective in providing pain control, while minimizing opioid use and related side effects. Rib fracture regional analgesia options have also expanded and continue to improve. Advances in regional anesthesia have tremendously improved multimodal analgesia and contributed to enhanced recovery after surgery protocols. This review provides the latest summary on the use and efficacy of chest wall blocks in cardiothoracic and breast surgery, as well as rib fracture-related pain and persistent postsurgical pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richa Sharma
- Division of Regional Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Aaron Louie
- Division of Regional Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Carolyn P Thai
- Division of Regional Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Anis Dizdarevic
- Division of Regional Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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Devarajan J, Balasubramanian S, Nazarnia S, Lin C, Subramaniam K. Current Status of Neuraxial and Paravertebral Blocks for Adult Cardiac Surgery. Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2021; 25:252-264. [PMID: 34162252 DOI: 10.1177/10892532211023337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac surgeries are known to produce moderate to severe pain. Pain management has traditionally been based on intravenous opioids. Poorly controlled pain can result in increased incidence of respiratory complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia leading to prolonged intubation and intensive care unit length of stay and subsequent prolonged hospital stay. Adequate perioperative analgesia improves hemodynamics and immunologic responses, which would result in better outcomes after cardiac surgery. Opioid sparing "Enhanced Recovery After Surgery" protocols are increasingly being incorporated into cardiac surgeries. This will reduce opioid requirements and opioid-related side effects and facilitate fast-tracking of patients. Regional analgesia can be provided by neuraxial blocks, fascial plane blocks, peripheral nerve blocks, or simply by the infiltration of the wound with local anesthetics for cardiac surgery. Neuraxial analgesia is provided through epidural, spinal, and paravertebral routes. Though they are being replaced by peripheral fascial plane blocks, epidural and spinal analgesia are still being used in some centers. In this article, neuraxial forms of analgesia are focused. We sought to review epidural analgesia and its impact in suppressing hemodynamic stress response, reducing pulmonary complications, and development of chronic pain. The relationship between intraoperative heparinization and potential neuraxial hematoma is discussed. Other neuraxial options such as spinal and paravertebral analgesia and their usefulness, benefits, and limitations are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Charles Lin
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Sun L, Li Q, Wang Q, Ma F, Han W, Wang M. Bilateral thoracic paravertebral block combined with general anesthesia vs. general anesthesia for patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting: a feasibility study. BMC Anesthesiol 2019; 19:101. [PMID: 31185919 PMCID: PMC6560727 DOI: 10.1186/s12871-019-0768-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) is useful in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCABG) remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of bilateral PVB combined with general anesthesia (GA) in patients undergoing OPCABG. METHODS This feasibility study assessed 60 patients scheduled for OPCABG at the Qingdao Municipal Hospital in 2016-2017. Patients were randomly assigned to receive nerve stimulator-guided bilateral PVB combined with GA (PVB + GA) or GA alone (n = 30/group). Patients were asked to rate rest and cough pain hourly after the surgery. The primary endpoint was the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score within 48 h postoperatively. Secondary endpoints were rescue analgesia and morphine consumption, fentanyl dose within 48 h postoperatively, as well as operative time, time to extubation, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, hospital stay and other postoperative adverse events. RESULTS Both rest and cough pains were lower in the PVB + GA group at 12, 24, 36, and 48 h after surgery compared with the GA group. There were fewer patients who needed rescue analgesia in the PVB + GA group at 12 and 24 h than in the GA group. Morphine consumptions at 24 and 48 h were lower in the PVB + GA group compared with the GA group. Time to extubation (P = 0.035) and ICU stay (P = 0.028) were shorter in the PVB + GA group compared with the GA group. AEs showed no differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Nerve stimulator-guided bilateral thoracic PVB combined with GA in OPCABG is associated with a reduced rescue analgesia and morphine consumption, compared to GA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixin Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, 266011, Shandong, China
| | - Qiujie Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, 266011, Shandong, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, 266011, Shandong, China
| | - Fuguo Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, 266011, Shandong, China
| | - Wei Han
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, 1 Jiaozhou Road, Qingdao, 266011, Shandong, China.
| | - Mingshan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, 266011, Shandong, China
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Fang B, Wang Z, Huang X. Ultrasound-guided preoperative single-dose erector spinae plane block provides comparable analgesia to thoracic paravertebral block following thoracotomy: a single center randomized controlled double-blind study. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 7:174. [PMID: 31168455 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2019.03.53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background Thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) technique for thoracotomy has seen increased application. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) technique is simpler to perform than TPVB. However, whether it can be employed as a safe alternative analgesic technique has not been verified by a head-to-head clinical study. Methods Ninety-four patients scheduled for thoracotomy lung surgeries were randomly allocated to an ESPB or TPVB group. Patients in both groups were provided with an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device containing sufentanil. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores under the status of rest and cough were recorded at 1, 6, 12, and 24 h postoperatively. In addition, total press times of PCA were read from the PCA memory. The adverse effects, puncture time and success rate of one puncture were also recorded. Results There were no significant differences in pain scores at rest and cough between the ESPB and TPVB groups in each of the first two days after surgery, and no difference between the two groups was identified regarding postoperative sufentanil usage (P>0.05). There was no statistical difference in post-operative nausea and vomiting. There was significantly less hypotension (6.7% vs. 21.7%, P=0.04), bradycardia (0 vs. 8.7%, P=0.04), hematoma (0 vs. 10.9%, P=0.02) and a higher success rate of one puncture (82.2% vs. 54.3%, P<0.001) in the ESPB group. Conclusions Preoperative single-injection ESPB plus postoperative sufentanil PCA provided similar effects of pain relief for patients undergoing thoracotomy when comparing to TPVB. Yet, ESPB had the advantages of a lower adverse effect incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Fang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Zhaomin Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Xiaojing Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
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D’Ercole F, Arora H, Kumar PA. Paravertebral Block for Thoracic Surgery. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2018; 32:915-927. [DOI: 10.1053/j.jvca.2017.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Blackshaw WJ, Bhawnani A, Pennefather SH, Al-Rawi O, Agarwal S, Shaw M. Propensity score-matched outcomes after thoracic epidural or paravertebral analgesia for thoracotomy. Anaesthesia 2018; 73:444-449. [DOI: 10.1111/anae.14205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- W. J. Blackshaw
- Anaesthetic Department; Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Trust; Liverpool UK
| | - A. Bhawnani
- Anaesthetic Department; Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Trust; Liverpool UK
| | - S. H. Pennefather
- Anaesthetic Department; Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Trust; Liverpool UK
| | - O. Al-Rawi
- Anaesthetic Department; Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Trust; Liverpool UK
| | - S. Agarwal
- Anaesthetic Department; Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Trust; Liverpool UK
| | - M. Shaw
- Anaesthetic Department; Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Trust; Liverpool UK
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Malekpour M, Hashmi A, Dove J, Torres D, Wild J. Analgesic Choice in Management of Rib Fractures. Anesth Analg 2017; 124:1906-1911. [DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000002113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Krakowski JC, Arora H. Con: Thoracic Epidural Block Is Not Superior to Paravertebral Blocks for Open Thoracic Surgery. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2015; 29:1720-2. [DOI: 10.1053/j.jvca.2015.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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10
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Neuburger PJ, Ngai JY, Chacon MM, Luria B, Manrique-Espinel AM, Kline RP, Grossi EA, Loulmet DF. A Prospective Randomized Study of Paravertebral Blockade in Patients Undergoing Robotic Mitral Valve Repair. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2015; 29:930-6. [DOI: 10.1053/j.jvca.2014.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Koyyalamudi VB, Arulkumar S, Yost BR, Fox CJ, Urman RD, Kaye AD. Supraclavicular and paravertebral blocks: Are we underutilizing these regional techniques in perioperative analgesia? Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol 2014; 28:127-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bpa.2014.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2013] [Revised: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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12
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Hitt JM, Demmy TL. Managing pain after thoracic surgery. Lung Cancer Manag 2013. [DOI: 10.2217/lmt.13.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY It is generally accepted that thoracic surgery for lung cancer produces some of the most intense and difficult perioperative and chronic pain challenges. In the acute period of recovery, practitioners must optimize patient comfort and pulmonary function. This can be achieved through a combination of systemic treatment and regional analgesic options. Thoracic surgery also causes relatively high levels of persistent postsurgical pain. Many of the cases of persistent pain have a clear neuropathic pain mechanism, but a significant number of cases do not. While persistent pain correlates directly with the extent of operative trauma, even video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery approaches can cause chronic pain. Persistent pain is treated with medical and interventional therapies customized to an individual patient’s complaints and medication tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Hitt
- Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Carmona P, Llagunes J, Casanova I, Mateo E, Cánovas S, Martín E, Marqués JI, Peña JJ, de Andrés J. [Continuous paravertebral analgesia versus intravenous analgesia in minimally invasive cardiac surgery by mini-thoracotomy]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 59:476-82. [PMID: 22657350 DOI: 10.1016/j.redar.2012.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2011] [Accepted: 04/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Minimal access cardiac surgery via minithoracotomy aims faster recovery and shorter hospital length of stay. Pain control is essential in order to achieve this goal. A study was conducted to assess the quality of post-operative analgesia and complications related to the analgesia techniques after cardiac surgery by minithoracotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS A descriptive, observational and retrospective study was conducted on the patients subjected to minimal access cardiac surgery in our centre between the years 2009 to 2011. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of analgesia received: analgesia through a paravertebral catheter, with an infusion of local anaesthetics (PVB group), and intravenous analgesia with opioids (IOA group). The aim of the study was to compare the analgesic quality and the complications associated to the analgesic technique, extubation time, post-surgical complications, and length of hospital stay between both techniques. RESULTS A total of 37 patients underwent to a modified minimally invasive Heart-Port access cardiac surgery. Fifteen patients received analgesia through a paravertebral block and the other 22 IV analgesia with opioids. Data are shown as means and standard deviation (SD). Mean tracheal extubation time less than 4 hours was observed in 60% of the patients in the PVB group, compared to 22% in the IOA group (P<.05). Length of stay in ICU for the PVB group was 1.2 (0.7) days compared to 2.2 (0.7) days in the IOA group (P<.05). Mean hospital stay was 4.8 (1.2) days for the PVB group, and 5.6 (2.8) for the IOA group (P>.05. No complications associated to the continuous paravertebral block were observed. DISCUSSION PVB analgesia is an acceptable safe technique in cardiac surgery via thoracotomy which enables early extubation with optimal pain control when compared with IV analgesia with opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Carmona
- Servicio de Anestesiología, Reanimación y Terapéutica del dolor, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, España.
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Elsayed H, McKevith J, McShane J, Scawn N. Thoracic Epidural or Paravertebral Catheter for Analgesia After Lung Resection: Is the Outcome Different? J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2012; 26:78-82. [DOI: 10.1053/j.jvca.2011.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Abstract
Colon cancer is a systemic disease in 19% of patients and metastasizes most frequently to the liver and the lung. Survival is enhanced with complete surgical resection of pulmonary metastases. Comprehensive restaging and verification of preoperative fitness must precede resection. The operative approach is dictated by the anatomic location of the metastases, whereas the extent of resection remains a balance between complete removal of metastatic deposits while preserving as much lung parenchyma as possible. The presence of metastatic involvement of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes is ominous. Multidisciplinary care is highly recommended. An evidence-based algorithm for the identification assessment and treatment of patients with pulmonary metastases is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P James Villeneuve
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Asaad B, Gordin V. Postthoracotomy Pain. Pain Manag 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-1-4377-0721-2.00082-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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Park SI, Kim YH, Han KC, Lee SY, Youn AM, Yoon SH, Choi YH. Thoracic paravertebral block for breast surgery in a pregnant woman -A case report-. Korean J Anesthesiol 2010; 59 Suppl:S73-6. [PMID: 21286466 PMCID: PMC3030062 DOI: 10.4097/kjae.2010.59.s.s73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2010] [Revised: 06/29/2010] [Accepted: 08/03/2010] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-obstetrical surgery during the first trimester is stressful to both the mother and the fetus. Anesthesiologists are also stressed, not only because of the effects of surgery itself, but also because of the uncertain influences of anesthesia thrown upon on the fetus. The authors present a case of breast surgery successfully performed on a woman 8 weeks pregnant requiring removal of breast abscess by the application of thoracic paravertebral block without any complications. Thoracic paravertebral block may be a safe anesthetic method for non-obstetric surgery during early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Il Park
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
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Norum HM, Breivik H. A systematic review of comparative studies indicates that paravertebral block is neither superior nor safer than epidural analgesia for pain after thoracotomy. Scand J Pain 2010; 1:12-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sjpain.2009.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The “gold standard” for pain relief after thoracotomy has been thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA). The studies comparing TEA with paravertebral block (PVB) and recent reviews recommend PVB as a novel, safer method than TEA.
Methods
A systematic search of the Cochrane and PubMed databases for prospective, randomized trials (RCTs) comparing TEA and PVB for post-thoracotomy analgesia was done. We assessed how TEA and PVB were performed, methods of randomization, assessment of pain relief, and complications. Abstracts only were excluded.
Results
Ten studies were included, comprising 224 patients randomized to TEA, 243 to PVB. The studies were heterogeneous. Therefore, a systematic narrative review with our evaluations is presented.
Only 3/10 trials reported the method of randomization. Pain during coughing was reported in only 5/10, pain assessment not specified in 5/10. Only 1/10 trials found PVB superior to TEA, but placed TEA catheters too low (<T7). TEA was superior to PVB in 1/10, during first 1.5 days. PVB and TEA were equally effective in 8/10. 5/10 trials found PVB had less hypotension or urinary retention. None of the studies used appropriate and optimal TEA: TEA was started after end of surgery in half, catheters placed too low (2/10), too high (1/10), not reported in (1/10). 7/10 infused local anaesthetic only, 2/10 added fentanyl, 1/10 added morphine, and none added adrenaline. PVB infusions had higher concentration of bupivacaine (5 mg/ml) in 2/10, 1/10 added fentanyl, 1/10 added ornipressin. Loading doses were higher in 5/10, and with more concentrated solutions in 5/10 of PVB than in the TEA group.
Conclusions
10 heterogeneous, mostly small, studies comparing TEA and PVB for post-thoracotomy analgesia do not allow conclusions on which method has superior analgesic efficacy and safety. The main methodological problem was that none of the studies use optimal thoracic epidural analgesia, with siting of catheters inappropriate in some and the epidural infusion containing too concentrated local anaesthetic because opioid and adrenaline were not added. Anatomical considerations (the paravertebral space comprises parts of the epidural space and contains spinal cord arteries) and personally experienced complications with PVB (paraplegia) convince us that PVB must have higher risk of, infrequent but serious, spinal cord complications than TEA. Percutaneous PVB may puncture pleura and lung.
Some surgeons expressed satisfaction with PVB because the method omits costly acute pain services for monitoring on surgical wards and saves time in the operating room. They are, however, bound to experience serious complications from PVB, sooner or later.
To our knowledge, optimally conducted epidural analgesia has not been compared with PVB. Current literature and our experience with both techniques for up to four decades, indicate that PVB may be an alternative for post-thoracotomy pain when TEA is infeasible for various patient-related reasons (Breivik et al., 2009). Severely disturbed haemostasis is a contraindication for PVB and TEA. Higher concentrations of local anaesthetics are needed to obtain intercostal nerve blocks and epidural analgesia with PVB, risking local anaesthetic intoxication. Robust monitoring regimen for effects and adverse effects is as important for PVB as for TEA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilde M. Norum
- Division of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine , Medical Faculty , Rikshospitalet, 0027 Oslo , Norway
| | - Harald Breivik
- Division of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine , Medical Faculty , Rikshospitalet, 0027 Oslo , Norway
- University of Oslo , Medical Faculty , Oslo , Norway
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