Role of postoperative continuous subfascial bupivacaine infusion after posterior cervical laminectomy: Randomized control study

Inter-Semispinalis Plane Block Versus General Anesthesia for Postoperative Analgesia in Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Postoperative pain management is crucial for improving patient outcomes following posterior cervical spine surgery. Opioids are effective but carry a risk of respiratory depression. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used but may not provide adequate pain relief and have potential complications. The inter-semispinalis plane (ISPB) block is a novel technique for postoperative analgesia in cervical spine surgery.

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of the ISPB with general anesthesia in terms of analgesia, postoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores, patient-surgeon satisfaction levels, and the occurrence of postoperative complications.

Methods

This double-blind, randomized controlled trial was blinded to both the patient and the assessor. Fifty adult patients (18 - 60 years old) undergoing elective posterior cervical spine surgery were enrolled. The participants were divided into 2 groups: The ISPB group (receiving bilateral ultrasound-guided ISPB at the C5 level) and the control group (receiving general anesthesia only), with each group comprising 25 patients. The study assessed intraoperative fentanyl use, postoperative VAS pain levels, the need for rescue analgesia, and complications.

Results

The ISPB group showed significantly lower intraoperative fentanyl consumption (median 100 vs. 100 - 150 μg, P = 0.022) and lower postoperative pain scores at 1, 8, 12, and 48 hours (P = 0.016, 0.009, 0.005, 0.016). Additionally, the ISPB group required less postoperative pethidine (20% vs. 64%, P = 0.002) and had a longer delay before requesting pethidine (hazard ratio 0.215, P = 0.001). Surgeon satisfaction was significantly higher in the ISPB group (P = 0.003). These results suggest that the ISPB can effectively reduce pain and analgesic requirements.

Conclusions

The ISPB is an effective analgesic technique for posterior cervical spine surgery, reducing opioid consumption, providing better pain control, and enhancing surgeon satisfaction without increasing complications. This approach has the potential to improve postoperative care and patient outcomes in this surgical population.

Inter-semispinal plane (ISP) block for postoperative analgesia following cervical spine surgery: A prospective randomized controlled trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the perioperative analgesic effects of the inter-semispinal plane (ISP) block in patients undergoing posterior cervical spine surgery.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial.

SETTING

Operating room and surgical ward.

PATIENTS

60 patients aged 18-60 years of either gender, ASA I-II, undergoing elective posterior cervical spine surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomly assigned into a control group (general anesthesia only), ISP group received bilateral ultrasound guided ISP block at the level of C5 using 20 ml bupivacaine 0.25% on each side.

MEASUREMENTS

Visual analog scale (VAS), intraoperative fentanyl and 24 h postoperative pethidine consumptions and time to first rescue analgesic request were documented.

MAIN RESULTS

The median (quartiles) of 24 h postoperative rescue pethidine consumption was significantly lower in the ISP group [0 (0-46.25) mg] compared to that of the control group [143 (116.75-169.00) mg]; P < 0.001). VAS was significantly lower in the ISP group at 30 min, 1 h, 2 h,4 h, 6 h, 8 h and 12 h postoperative compared to control group (P < 0.05). At 18 and 24 h, VAS was not significantly different between groups. The median (quartiles) of intraoperative fentanyl consumption in the ISP group [0 (0-40.75) μg] was significantly lower compared to that of the control group [63.5 (39.5-90.25) μg]; P < 0.001]. The time to first rescue analgesic administration was significantly longer in the ISP group compared to the control group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Bilateral ultrasound-guided ISP block can provide decreased 24 h postoperative analgesic consumption as well as lower pain scores in the first 12 postoperative hours in patients undergoing posterior cervical spine surgery.

Wound infiltration of dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to local anesthesia in postoperative analgesia for lumbar surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The vast majority of patients undergoing lumbar surgery experience varying degrees of incision pain, leading to prolonged postoperative recovery and poor satisfaction with treatment. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to local anesthesia for postoperative pain control after lumbar surgery.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

Two authors independently searched eligible random controlled trials in electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure), CBM (The Chinese BioMedical database) using the search terms 'dexmedetomidine', 'infiltration', and 'lumbar'. The random-effect model was used to perform the meta-analysis based on deviance information criteria.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Six trials evaluating a total of 330 patients were included in this review. Wound infiltration with dexmedetomidine significantly reduced the postoperative VAS scores (4th hour static VAS scores (MD=-1.03; 95% CI: -1.58 to -0.47; p=0.0003); 24th hour static VAS scores (MD=-0.66; 95% CI: -0.91 to -0.40; p<0.00001); 6th hour dynamic VAS scores (MD=-1.84; 95% CI: -2.23 to -1.45; p<0.00001)) and total supplemental analgesic consumption (SMD=-2.01; 95% CI: -3.04 to -0.98; p<0.00001), prolonged the median time to first rescue analgesia (SMD=3.53; 95% CI:2.31 to 4.76; p<0.00001), and reduced the incidence of nausea or vomiting (RR=0.40; 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.93; P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Dexmedetomidine infiltration appears to be a promising and safe adjunct for postoperative pain control after lumbar surgery. However, more studies are needed to assess the prevalence of other side effects.

Unintentional Epidural Anesthesia Mimicking Cauda Equina Syndrome from Suprafascial Injection of Liposomal Bupivacaine After Lumbar Foraminotomy: A Case Report

CASE

This case report describes a 46-year-old woman undergoing right-sided L5 to S1 decompression who received liposomal bupivacaine (LB) for postoperative analgesia and developed unintentional epidural anesthesia with symptoms mimicking cauda equina syndrome. The patient's symptoms resolved 72 hours postoperatively, approximately the length that LB typically lasts. At the 16-month follow-up, the patient demonstrated complete neurological function with no lower extremity strength or sensation deficits.

CONCLUSIONS

Tracking of LB into the epidural space after lumbar surgery may cause transient epidural anesthesia with symptoms that mimic cauda equina syndrome.

Nanotechnology application to local anaesthesia (LA)

Several advancements have been made on the exact release of local anaesthetics formulation and its efficiency at inducing motor and sensory block for an extended time has been harnessed in clinical practice. The use of sustained release formulations delivers analgesia for a lengthier period of time with one administration, thereby reducing complications that usually arise with administration of conventional analgesia. In addition, controlled release of an anaesthetic drug is said to prevent overdosing, reduced side effects, especially cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity and tissue lesions. The use of nanotechnology knowledge via liposomal formulation has recorded high successful results in pain control and quick patient recovery.