Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy and pain control: a series of 100 cases

The evaluation of feasibility of ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy using intraoperative instillation of bupivacaine: a retrospective observational study

Purpose

This study aimed to compare outcomes of opioid patients-controlled anesthesia (PCA) and intraoperative local anesthesia in terms of postoperative pain, lab results, patient surveys, and discharge scores to evaluate the feasibility of ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods

Patients who underwent LC for acute cholecystitis were assigned to the outpatient surgery (OPS) group or inpatient surgery (IPS) group according to the surgeon. In the OPS group, a mixture of bupivacaine and epinephrine was injected into trocar sites and sprayed on the surgical dissection field. Oral opioid and analgesics were given twice a day. In the IPS group, patients received opioid PCA. Numeric rating scale (NRS) for walking, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), CRP, self-assessed survey on general physical condition and discharge, and discharge score of ambulatory surgery were assessed postoperatively.

Results

NRS was significantly lower in the OPS group. There were no significant differences in ESR and CRP between the groups. Self-assessed survey on general conditions and the possibility of discharge were significantly better in the OPS group. The discharge scores at 3, 6, and 9 hours were significantly higher in the OPS group.

Conclusion

Intraoperative instillation of bupivacaine at port sites and dissection fields had a better effect on short-term postoperative pain, patient surveys, and discharge criteria of ambulatory surgery than opioid PCA.

Effects of negative-pressure therapy with and without ropivacaine instillation in the early evolution of severe peritonitis in pigs

PURPOSE

The abdomen is the second most common source of sepsis and secondary peritonitis, which likely lead to death. In the present study, we hypothesized that instillation of local anesthetics into the peritoneum might mitigate the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in the open abdomen when combined with negative-pressure therapy (NPT) to treat severe peritonitis.

METHODS

We performed a study in 21 pigs applying a model of sepsis based on ischemia/reperfusion and fecal spread into the peritoneum. The pigs were randomized into three groups, and treated for 6 h as follows: Group A: temporary abdominal closure with ABTHERA™ Open Abdomen Negative-Pressure Therapy; Group B: temporary abdominal closure with ABTHERA™ Open Abdomen Negative-Pressure Therapy plus abdominal instillation with physiological saline solution (PSS); and Group C: temporary abdominal closure with ABTHERA™ Open Abdomen Negative-Pressure Therapy plus peritoneal instillation with a solution of ropivacaine in PPS.

RESULTS

A comparison between the three groups revealed no statistically significant difference for any of the parameters registered (p > 0.05), i.e., intra-abdominal pressure, blood pressure, heart rate, O2 saturation, diuresis, body temperature, and blood levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and c-reactive protein (CRP). In addition, histological studies of the liver, ileum, kidney and lung showed no difference between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of abdominal instillation (with or without ropivacaine) did not change the effect of 6 h of NPT after sepsis in animals with open abdomen. The absence of adverse effects suggests that longer treatments should be tested.

Analgesic effect of postoperative laparoscopic-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block, associated with preoperative port-site infiltration, within an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol in one-anastomosis gastric bypass: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The use of ultrasonography to assist needle placement during transverse abdominal plane (TAP) technique has provided direct visualization of surround anatomical musculature and facial planes. However, the increased girth in patients undergoing bariatric surgery is challenging to visualize via ultrasonography which may lead to poor postoperative analgesia.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to investigate whether the addition of postoperative laparoscopic-guided TAP block as part of a multimodal analgesic regimen within the ERAS protocol compared to no block provides better postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing one-anastomosis gastric bypass surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective clinical trial was performed. Patients were randomized into two groups: patients undergoing postoperative laparoscopic-guided TAP (TAP-lap) and patients not receiving TAP-lap (Control). Multimodal analgesia included preoperative port-site infiltration with Bupivacaine 0.25% in both groups and systemic Acetaminophen. Pain quantification as measured by visual analogic scale (VAS) was assessed at 6 and 24 h after surgery, and 24-h postoperative opioid consumption.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty patients were included, 70 in each group. The mean operation time was 78.5 ± 14.4 min in TAP-lap and 75.9 ± 15.6 min in Control (NS). The mean postoperative pain, as measured by VAS, 6 h after surgery was 23.1 ± 11.3 mm in TAP-lap and 41.8 ± 16.2 mm in Control (p = 0.001). 24 h after surgery was 16.6 ± 11.4 mm in TAP-lap and 35.4 ± 12.7 mm in Control (p = 0.001). Morphine rescues were necessary in 14.2% in Control and 2.8% in TAP-lap (p = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic-guided TAP block as part of a multimodal analgesia regimen can reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption, without increasing operative time.

Laparoscopic-Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block as Part of Multimodal Analgesia in Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Within an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Program: a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Despite the ultrasound guidance of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks has allowed greater precision of needle placement in the desired tissue plane, visualization of the abdominal wall muscles can be hindered by morbid obesity and could lead to failed regional anesthesia. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and effect of laparoscopic-guided TAP block in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and to compare it with port-site infiltration.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective randomized clinical trial was performed. Patients were randomized into two groups: patients undergoing laparoscopic-guided TAP (TAP-lap) and patients undergoing port-site infiltration (PSI). Pain quantification as measured by visual analogic scale (VAS) and morphine needs during the first 24 h were evaluated.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty patients were included, 70 in each group. The mean operation time was 83.3 + 15.6 min in TAP-lap and 80.5 + 14.4 min in PSI (NS). The mean postoperative pain, as measured by VAS, 24 h after surgery was 16.8 + 11.2 mm in PSI and 10 + 8.1 mm in TAP-lap (p = 0.001). Morphine rescues were necessary in 13.2% in PSI and 2.9% in TAP-lap (p = 0.026). The mean hospital stay was 2.1 + 1.2 days in TAP-lap and 2.9 + 1.3 days in PSI (p = 0.019). Hospital discharge during the first 48 h after surgery was possible in 52.9% of the patients in PSI and 71% in TAP-lap (OR 4.75; 95% CI 2.1-10.8; p = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic-guided TAP block can reduce postoperative pain, opioid needs, and hospital stay, when compared with port-site infiltration with the same anesthetic drug, without increasing operation time.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03203070.

Influence of pregabalin on post-operative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Background:

Pregabalin may have some potential in reducing post-operative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, the results remain controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of pregabalin on post-operative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Materials and Methods:

PubMed, Embase, Web of science, EBSCO and Cochrane Library databases have been systematically searched. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of pregabalin versus placebo on post-operative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy are included. The primary outcomes are pain scores at 8–12 h and 20–24 h. Secondary outcomes include sedation score, intraoperative fentanyl requirement, post-operative analgesic requirement, operative duration, post-operative nausea and vomiting, as well as respiratory depression. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.

Results:

Eight RCTs involving 528 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control intervention after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, pregabalin treatment is found to significantly reduce pain scores at 20–24 h (Standard Mean difference [Std. MD] = −0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −0.82–−0.10), and post-operative analgesic requirement (Std. MD = −2.64; 95% CI = −3.94–−1.33), but cannot substantially decrease pain scores at 8–12 h (Std. MD = −0.71; 95% CI = −1.70–0.27). In addition, pregabalin results in improved sedation score (Std. MD = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.55–1.29), but has no remarkable influence on intraoperative fentanyl requirement (Std. MD = 0.04; 95% CI = −0.30–0.39), operative duration (Std. MD = 0.34; 95% CI = −0.10–0.77), post-operative nausea and vomiting (Std. MD = 0.79; 95% CI = 0.59–1.11) as well as respiratory depression (Std. MD = 0.71; 95% CI = 0.17–3.02).

Conclusions:

Compared to control intervention after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, pregabalin treatment can significantly decrease pain scores at 20–24 h and post-operative analgesic requirement, with no increase in adverse events.

Effects of Gabapentinoids Premedication on Shoulder Pain and Rehabilitation Quality after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Pregabalin versus Gabapentin

Introduction

Gabapentinoids are increasingly used in preoperative premedication despite controversial results. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effects of preemptive use of gabapentin or pregabalin on postoperative shoulder pain and rehabilitation quality after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

This is a clinical trial comparing the effects of a preoperative premedication with 600 mg of gabapentin or 150 mg of pregabalin versus placebo on postoperative pain and recovery quality after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Premedication was taken 2 hours before the surgery beginning. Ninety patients were included and randomized into 3 groups (gabapentin, pregabalin, and placebo). The anesthetic protocol was the same for all patients. Primary endpoint was the shoulder pain intensity at the 48th postoperative hour. Secondary endpoints were postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), sleep quality during the first night, and the onset time for the first standing position.

Results

During the first 48 postoperative hours, the gabapentin and pregabalin groups had significantly lower shoulder pain than the placebo group (p < 0.05). In gabapentinoids groups, the incidence of PONV was lower and the sleep quality during the first postoperative night was better with significant results. Mean Spiegel scores were 22.43 ± 1.45, 22.30 ± 1.44, and 17.17 ± 1.66, respectively, in pregabalin, gabapentin, and placebo groups (p < 0.05). The delay for the first standing position was 14.9 ± 4.9 hours in the pregabalin group, 9.7 ± 3.6 hours in the gabapentin group, and 21.6 ± 2.1 hours in the placebo group. No superiority was found between gabapentin and pregabalin.

Conclusion

Preemptive premedication with gabapentinoids can enhance postoperative rehabilitation quality after laparoscopic cholecystectomy by reducing postoperative shoulder pain, decreasing PONV incidence, and improving sleep quality during the first postoperative night. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT03241875).