Acute pain management for patients undergoing thoracotomy

Dexmedetomidine for enhanced recovery after non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND

Non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery combines a minimally invasive technique with multimodal locoregional analgesia to enhance recovery. The mainstay sedation protocol involves propofol and fentanyl. Dexmedetomidine, given its opioid-sparing effect with minimal respiratory depression, facilitates sedation in non-intubated patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine during non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

METHODS

A total of 114 patients who underwent non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery between June 2015 and September 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. Of these, 34 were maintained with dexmedetomidine, propofol, and fentanyl, and 80 were maintained with propofol and fentanyl. After a 1:1 propensity score-matched analysis incorporating sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, pulmonary disease and hypertension, the clinical outcomes of 34 pairs of patients were assessed.

RESULTS

The dexmedetomidine group showed a significantly lower opioid consumption [10.3 (5.7-15.1) vs. 18.8 (10.0-31.0) mg, median (interquartile range); P = 0.001] on postoperative day 0 and a significantly shorter postoperative length of stay [3 (2-4) vs. 4 (3-5) days, median (interquartile range), P = 0.006] than the control group. During operation, the proportion of vasopressor administration was significantly higher in the dexmedetomidine group [18 (53) vs. 7 (21), patient number (%), P = 0.01]. On the other hand, the difference of the hypotension and bradycardia incidence, short-term morbidity and mortality rates between each group were nonsignificant.

CONCLUSION

Adding adjuvant dexmedetomidine to propofol and fentanyl is safe and feasible for non-intubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. With its opioid-sparing effect and shorter postoperative length of stay, dexmedetomidine may enhance recovery after surgery.

Cryoablation Reduces Opioid Consumption and Length of Stay After Pulmonary Metastasectomy

INTRODUCTION

Intraoperative cryoablation of intercostal thoracic nerves is gaining popularity as a technique that decreases postoperative pain in thoracic surgery. Our study evaluates the efficacy and safety of cryoablation in pain management of pediatric cancer patients undergoing thoracotomy.

METHODS

We reviewed cancer patients undergoing thoracotomies for pulmonary metastasis resection at our children's hospital from 2017 to 2023. Patients who received cryoablation were compared to those who did not. Our primary outcomes were self-reported postoperative pain scores (from 0 to 10) and opioid consumption, measured as oral morphine equivalent per kilogram.

RESULTS

Thirty eight procedures were performed in 17 patients, of which 11 (64.7%) were males. Cryoablation was used in 14 (32.4%) procedures, while it was not in 24 (67.6%). Median age (17 y in both groups, P = 0.84) and length of surgery (300 cryoablation versus 282 no cryoablation, P = 0.65) were similar between the groups. Patients treated with cryoablation had a shorter hospital stay compared to those who did not (3.0 versus 4.5 d, respectively, P = 0.04) and received a lower total dose of opioids (2.2 oral morphine equivalent per kilogram versus 14.4, P = 0.004). No significant difference was noted in daily pain scores between the two groups (3.8 cryoablation versus 3.9 no cryoablation, P = 0.93). There was no difference in rates of readmissions between the cryoablation and no-cryoablation groups (14.3% versus 8.3%, P = 0.55).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that cryoablation of the thoracic nerves during a thoracotomy is associated with reduced opiate consumption and shorter hospital stay. Cryoablation appears to be a promising technique for pain management in this patient population.

Effects of benidipine, paracetamol, and their combination on postoperative and normal tissue pain thresholds

Introduction: In clinical practice, inadequate pain inhibition leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Increased intracellular calcium, oxidants, and proinflammatory cytokines are known to play a role in the pathogenesis of postoperative pain. Therefore, we investigated the analgesic effects of benidipine, paracetamol, and benidipine-paracetamol combination (BPC) on postoperative and normal pain thresholds in rats. Material and methods: Sixty-four male albino Wistar rats weighing 285-295 g were used. The without-incision rats were divided into 4 subgroups: healthy control, benidipine alone, paracetamol alone, and BPC. The scalpel-incision rats were divided into 4 subgroups: scalpel incision, scalpel incision + benidipine, scalpel incision + paracetamol, and scalpel incision + BPC. Paw pain thresholds of rats were measured using a Basile algesimeter. Biochemical analyses were performed on the paw tissues of 6 rats randomly taken from the experimental groups, each containing 8 rats. Rats were sacrificed immediately after the measurements. After the pain threshold tests were finished, the paw tissues were removed and malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (tGSH), cyclooxygenase (COX), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in paw pain threshold and measured biochemical parameters in rats without incision. The decrease in the pain threshold of the incised paw was also best prevented by BPC, followed by benidipine and then paracetamol. Furthermore, increases in scalpel-incised paw tissue MDA, COX-2, and IL-6 levels and the decrease in tGSH were significantly suppressed by benidipine and BPC, while paracetamol could only significantly inhibit the increase in IL-6 production. Conclusion: The combination of the L-type Ca2+ channel blocker benidipine and paracetamol (BPC) may provide potent analgesia. Our experimental results support that BPC may be useful in the treatment of severe pain that cannot be adequately inhibited by paracetamol.

Negative pressure dressings and the impact on pain management on thoracic incisions in patients undergoing oesophagectomy: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Pain control is recognised as a crucial post-operative measure for patients undergoing oesophagectomy with a thoracotomy incision for oesophageal cancer, where ineffective breathing due to pain is directly correlated with increased morbidity. The analgesic benefits of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) appear to be a relatively new and emerging finding. This pilot study aims to investigate the effects of NPWT on post-operative pain control and determine the feasibility of a larger trial.

METHOD

Ten consecutive patients undergoing oesophagectomy were prospectively enrolled to have a PREVENA Incision Management System placed over a closed thoracotomy wound. This dressing was changed at post-operative day 5 and removed after day 10. Post-operative morbidity was recorded and analgesia was prescribed by the Acute Pain Service who were blinded to the study aims. Analgesia requirements were recorded in oral morphine equivalents (OME) and compared to 30 patients that had previously undergone oesophagectomy via thoracotomy.

RESULTS

One patient was withdrawn from the study and there was no significant differences in patient demographics. The study group had less average daily analgesia requirements and reduced overall reported pain. Patients in the study group were less likely to develop pneumonia (44% and 57%) and less likely to require re-operation for complications of their surgery (0% and 10%).

CONCLUSION

This pilot study shows reduced post-operative analgesia requirements and reduced morbidity when using NPWT over a closed thoracotomy wound, and affirms the feasibility of a future randomized control trial.

The comparison of the analgesic efficacy of continuous paravertebral block alone compared with continuous paravertebral and intercostal nerve block for thoracotomy in adults: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

The study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of two analgesic interventions, continuous paravertebral (PVB) nerve block alone with continuous paravertebral and intercostal nerve block (PVB/ICB) in patients undergoing thoracotomy.

METHODS

A total of 70 patients undergoing thoracotomy were randomly enrolled in either continuous paravertebral nerve block (PVB) group or in continuous paravertebral and intercostal nerve block (PVB/ICB) group and received corresponding blocks. Analgesic efficacy measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, hemodynamic effects, total narcotic consumption, sedation score, patient's length of stay in hospital and patient's satisfaction with the analgesic technique were recorded.

RESULTS

Demographic characteristics of the patients were similar in both groups. The mean VAS pain score was not statistically significant in both groups at 24 h. The mean pulse rate and blood pressures were comparable in both groups for the first 24 h. Nalbuphine consumption was significantly higher in PVB group as compared to PVB/ICB group at 1 h (p = 0.01), 6 h (p = 0.03) and 12 h (p = 0.009) and 24 h (p = 0.03). The mean total nalbuphine consumption in the PVB group was higher (28.29 mg vs. 22.63 mg) and statistically significant then PVB/ICB group (p = 0.03). The total tramadol consumption as a rescue analgesic was higher in the PVB group (131.42 mg) as compared to PVB/ICB group (120 mg) after 24 h but not statistically significant (p = 0.17).

CONCLUSION

Continuous paravertebral nerve block with intercostal nerve block provides effective post-operative pain relief after thoracotomy with reduced narcotic consumption compared to continuous paravertebral nerve block alone.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Clinicaltrails.gov NCT04715880.

Efficacy of Ice Compress Combined With Serratus Anterior Plane Block in Analgesia After Thoracoscopic Pneumonectomy: A Randomized Controlled Study

PURPOSE

To explore the analgesic effect of the ice pack combined with serratus anterior plane block after thoracoscopic pulmonary resection.

DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial design.

METHODS

This prospective randomized controlled trial recruited patients who underwent thoracoscopic pneumonectomy in a grade A tertiary hospital from October 2021 to March 2022. The patients were randomly divided into the control group, the serratus anterior plane block group, the ice pack group, and the ice pack combined with serratus anterior plane block group. The analgesic effect was evaluated by collecting the postoperative visual analog score.

FINDINGS

A total of 133 patients agreed to participate in this study, of which 120 patients were eventually included (n = 30/group). The primary outcome was that the pain in SAP block group, ice pack group, and ice pack combined with SAP block group decreased significantly within 24 hours compared with the control group (P < .05). Also, significant differences were noted in other secondary outcomes, such as Prince-Henry pain score within 12 hours, 15-item quality of recovery (QoR-15) score within 24 hours, and fever times within 24 hours. No significant difference was detected in the C-reactive protein value, white blood cell count, and the use of additional analgesics within 24 hours postoperatively (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients after thoracoscopic pneumonectomy, ice pack, serratus anterior plane block, and ice pack combined with serratus anterior plane block produce better postoperative analgesic effects than intravenous analgesia. The combined group exhibited the best outcomes.

Impact of Regional Anesthesia on Subjective Quality of Recovery in Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Regional anesthesia can be effective for managing pain after thoracic surgery. This study evaluated whether it can also improve patient-reported quality of recovery (QoR) after such surgery.

DESIGN

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

SETTING

Postoperative care.

INTERVENTION

Perioperative regional anesthesia.

PATIENTS

Adults undergoing thoracic surgery.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary outcome was total QoR scores 24 hours after surgery. Secondary outcomes were postoperative opioid consumption, pain scores, pulmonary function, respiratory complications, and other adverse effects. Eight studies were identified, of which 6 involving 532 patients receiving video-assisted thoracic surgery were included in the quantitative analysis of QoR. Regional anesthesia significantly improved QoR-40 score (mean difference 9.48; 95% CI 3.53-15.44; I2 = 89%; 4 trials involving 296 patients) and QoR-15 score (mean difference 6.7; 95% CI 2.58-10.82; I2 = 0%; 2 trials involving 236 patients). Regional anesthesia also significantly reduced postoperative opioid consumption and the incidence of nausea and vomiting. Insufficient data were available to meta-analyze the effects of regional anesthesia on postoperative pulmonary function or respiratory complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The available evidence suggests that regional anesthesia can enhance QoR after video-assisted thoracic surgery. Future studies should confirm and extend these findings.

Comparison of Analgesic Effects of Ketorolac Plus Apotel to Meperidine in Patients Undergoing Right Thoracotomy: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Background

Postoperative pain management using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with no narcotic-attributed adverse effects, such as respiratory depression, nausea, and vomiting, is still the subject of extensive research. However, concerns about bleeding and nephrotoxicity have limited routine use.

Objectives

The present trial aimed to compare the effects of ketorolac/apotel and meperidine on postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing thoracotomy.

Methods

This randomized controlled trial enrolled 122 patients who were candidates for right thoracotomy. The patients were randomly divided into two groups that received ketorolac (30 mg)/apotel (1 g) or meperidine (0.5 - 1 mg/kg) at the beginning of recovery, respectively. This study assessed the Numeric Rating Scale pain score immediately and 30 and 60 minutes after the surgery in the recovery room, blood pressure, oxygen saturation (SpO2), sweating, and pulse rate.

Results

The average pain score at recovery time was significantly lower in the ketorolac/apotel group (2.06 ± 1.40) than in the meperidine group (2.76 ± 1.61) (P = 0.011). In contrast to the ketorolac/apotel group, an increasing trend was observed in pain scores in the meperidine group throughout the time sequence (P < 0.05). However, a slight non-significant increase was also observed in the ketorolac/apotel group. No statistical differences were observed in blood pressure (P = 0.826), SpO2 (P = 0.826), and pulse rate (P = 0.811) between the two study groups.

Conclusions

This study provides support that the combination of ketorolac/apotel offers a slightly superior analgesic effect for patients undergoing thoracotomy, compared to meperidine. Pain management is crucial during recovery, and the current study's findings suggest that administering ketorolac/apotel provides effective analgesia during recovery after thoracic surgery.

Music therapy for pain and anxiety in patients after cardiac valve replacement: a randomized controlled clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess how listening to music after cardiac valve replacements affected patients' pain, anxiety, and vital signs.

METHOD

In Fuzhou, China's Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, the cardiac surgery division conducted a randomized controlled clinical experiment. 86 patients were enrolled, and 43 were assigned randomly to each group (control and experimental group). The standard treatment was given to the control group, while the experimental group was given standard treatment + a 15-min music intervention 3 times. Indicators include pain, anxiety and vital signs (respiratory rate, heart rate, and blood pressure).

RESULTS

In comparison to the control group, the experimental group, over time, demonstrated a statistically substantial decrease in pain, anxiety, systolic blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate (all P < 0.001), yet, there were no discernible variations (P > 0.05) in diastolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, these results provide additional proof for using music therapy to minimize cardiac postoperative pain and anxiety, as well as systolic blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. Moreover, it should be regarded as a supplementary treatment for pain and anxiety after cardiac valve replacement and other medical procedures with comparable postoperative pain.

Comparison of deep and combined serratus anterior plane block after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; a prospective randomized trial

Aim: Ultrasound-guided plane blocks have been employed frequently in Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of deep and combined serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) after VATS. Material and Method: The patients, in the age range of 18 to 65 years, with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of I-III, and body mass index (BMI) of 18-30 kg/m2, and undergoing lung resection with VATS were included in the study. Patients were informed about the study, and their written consent was obtained. Patients were divided into Deep SAPB (DSAPB) (Group 1) and combined SAPB (CSAPB) (Group 2) groups according to the analgesia protocol. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic characteristics and surgical features (p > 0.05). When the groups were evaluated in terms of the block performance time, it was found to be statistically significantly longer in the CSAPB group than in the DSAPB group (p < 0.001). When the groups were evaluated in terms of VAS resting scores, the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 16th, 24th, and 48th-hour VAS resting results were found to be statistically significantly higher in the DSAPB group than the CSAPB group (p < 0.05). VAS cough scores were statistically significantly higher in the DSAPB group at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, and 16th, 24th, and 48th-hour (p < 0.05). When the groups were evaluated in terms of the side effects, additional analgesic use, and morphine consumption, they were found to be statistically significantly higher in the DSAPB group than in the CSAPB group (p: 0.026, p: 0.020, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: CSAPB provided effective analgesia after VATS for 48 hours. In addition, morphine consumption and the need for additional analgesics were low in CSAPB. However, the duration of the block procedure was longer in the CSAPB application.

Intraoperative electroneurography-guided intercostal nerve cryoablation for pain control after thoracoabdominal aneurysm open surgical repair

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pain after thoracoabdominal (TAAA) or thoracic (TAA) aortic aneurysm open surgical repair may be debilitating and induce limitations in mobilization resulting in a longer length of stay, higher rate of pulmonary adverse events, readmissions and a higher risk of mortality. Commonly employed analgesic strategies do not completely solve this issue and have their own drawbacks. Cryoablation of intercostal nerves has been proposed as an appealing alternative to address the post-operative pain.

METHODS

Between 2020 and 2021, data of all consecutive patients undergoing TAA or TAAA aortic aneurysms open repair with electroneurography-guided cryoablation of intercostal nerves were collected. Post-operative pain was recorded using patient-reported 0-10 numeric rating scale (NRS). Need for adjunctive opioid drugs and postoperative complications were also recorded. Narcotic usage was calculated as Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MMEs) per day.

RESULTS

A total of 15 patients (8 males, mean age 61.1-year-old) underwent open surgical repair for TAAA (13 cases) or TAA (2 cases) and received intercostal nerve cryoablation. There were no intraoperative deaths and cases of spinal cord ischemia. Overall, 70 intercostal nerves underwent electroneurography-guided cryoablation, with a a mean of 4.6 nerves per patient. On the first day after extubation, mean NRS was 4.6 and the MMEs calculated was 6.7, decreasing over the days. There was one case of pneumonia and atelectasis requiring bronchoscopy. There were no reported bowel complications. The mean postoperative length of stay was 16 days and in the intensive care unit stay was 6.5 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Electroneurography-guided cryoablation of intercostal nerves is a safe and reproducible technique which can be used in addition to systemic pain management for TAA and TAAA open repair.

Coping, Anxiety, and Pain Intensity in Patients Requiring Thoracic Surgery

Stress, anxiety, and post-surgical chest pain are common problems among patients with thoracic surgical pathology. The way in which psychological distress is managed-the coping style-can influence the postsurgical evolution and quality of life of patients. In our study, we monitored the influence of coping style on patients' anxiety and the intensity of post-operative chest pain. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 90 subjects with thoracic surgical pathology. One month after their surgeries, patients completed the following scales and questionnaires, translated, adapted, and validated for the Romanian population: COPE scale inventory, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Questionnaire, McGill Pain Questionnaire, and Numeric Pain Rating Scale. Anxiety (evaluated using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Questionnaire) and postoperative thoracic pain intensity (evaluated by means of the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Number of Words Chosen, and McGill Pain Questionnaire) were significantly higher in patients exhibiting social-focused coping than in patients presenting emotion-focused or problem-focused coping as their main coping style (Kruskal-Wallis, p = 0.028, p = 0.022, p = 0.042, p = 0.007). In our study, there were no differences observed in pain intensity relative to level of anxiety. Coping style is an important concept in the management of anxiety and pain experienced by patients undergoing chest surgery. Therefore, a multidisciplinary approach should be considered in clinical practice.

Multimodal opioid-sparing pain management after lung transplantation and the impact of liposomal bupivacaine intercostal nerve block

Opioid analgesics are commonly used post-lung transplant, but have many side effects and are associated with worse outcomes. We conducted a retrospective review of all lung transplant recipients who were treated with a multimodal opioid-sparing pain protocol. The use of liposomal bupivacaine intercostal nerve block was variable due to hospital restrictions. The primary objective was to describe opioid requirements and patient-reported pain scores early post-lung transplant and to assess the impact of intraoperative liposomal bupivacaine intercostal nerve block. We treated 64 lung transplant recipients with our protocol. Opioid utilization decreased to a mean of 43 milligram oral morphine equivalents by postoperative day 4. Median pain scores peaked at 4 on postoperative day 1 and decreased thereafter. Only three patients were discharged home with opioids, all of whom were taking opioid agonist therapy pre-transplant for opioid use disorder. Patients who received liposomal bupivacaine intercostal nerve block in the operating room had a significant reduction in opioid consumption over postoperative day 1 through 4 (228 mg vs. 517 mg, P= .032). A multimodal opioid-sparing pain management protocol is feasible and resulted in weaning of opioids prior to hospital discharge.

Preemptive Intercostal Nerve Block as an Alternative to Epidural Analgesia

BACKGROUND

The necessity of thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) during minimally invasive surgery remains unclear. We investigated TEA efficacy in minimally invasive surgery vs. thoracotomy and the non-inferiority of a preemptive intercostal nerve block (ICNB) to TEA in minimally invasive surgery.

METHODS

We investigated 393 patients who underwent lung resection, with and without TEA, between 2014 and 2019 (242 minimally invasive surgery, 151 thoracotomy) and 93 patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery with ICNB between 2019 and 2020. To address selection bias, 70 TEA and 70 ICNB patients were propensity-score-matched. Endpoints were 1) pain score during hospitalization, 2) postoperative complications, 3) duration of operating room use, 4) analgesia-related adverse effects, and 5) use of supplemental pain medication.

RESULTS

One-third of patients with minimally invasive surgery discontinued TEA on postoperative day 1 or earlier; those with early TEA discontinuation reported worse pain the next day. TEA was associated with lower pain scores compared to non-TEA, regardless of surgical invasiveness, and a lower complication risk in patients with thoracotomy, but not minimally invasive surgery. For minimally invasive surgery, ICNB was associated with equivalent pain score on postoperative day 1, lower average pain score during hospitalization, shorter duration of operation room use, less frequent use of supplemental pain medication, and similar risk of postoperative complication and analgesia-related adverse effects compared to TEA after matching.

CONCLUSIONS

Given early TEA discontinuation after minimally invasive surgery and ICNB's non-inferior pain relief, preemptive ICNB can be an alternative for TEA in patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery.

Analgesic effect of intercostal nerve block given preventively or at the end of operation in video-assisted thoracic surgery: a randomized clinical trial

OBJECTIVE

To compare the analgesic effect of intercostal nerve block (INB) with ropivacaine when given preventively or at the end of the operation in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).

METHODS

A total of 50 patients undergoing VATS were randomly divided into two groups. The patients in the preventive analgesia group (PR group) were given INB with ropivacaine before the intrathoracic manipulation combined with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). The patients in the post-procedural block group (PO group) were administered INB with ropivacaine at the end of the operation combined with PCA. To evaluate the analgesic effect, postoperative pain was assessed with the visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and Prince Henry Pain Scale (PHPS) scale at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery.

RESULTS

At 6 h and 12 h post-surgery, the VAS at rest and PHPS scores in the PR group were significantly lower than those in the PO group. There were no significant differences in pain scores between two groups at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-surgery.

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing VATS, preventive INB with ropivacaine provided a significantly better analgesic effect in the early postoperative period (at least through 12 h post-surgery) than did INB given at the end of surgery.

Electroacupuncture for post-thoracotomy pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Thoracotomy is an invasive surgical procedure that produces intense postoperative pain. Electroacupuncture has been used to induce analgesia in various situations, including after surgery. The aim of the following systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture on post-thoracotomy pain.

Methods

The studies for the systematic review were searched using the following 9 databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE Complete, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Korean Medical Database (KMBASE), Koreanstudies Information Service System (KISS), and OASIS, without language restriction. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that met the inclusion criteria were selected. The quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and RevMan 5.3 was used for meta-analysis. The review protocol is registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) as CRD42019142157.

Results

Eleven randomized controlled trials were included in the systematic review. The meta-analysis was performed for two outcome measures: pain score 24 hours after surgery and total dose of opioid analgesics. A subgroup analysis was performed according to the control group: sham acupuncture and conventional analgesia group. Pain score 24 hours after surgery of electroacupuncture group showed a standard mean difference of -0.98 (95% CI: -1.62 to -0.35) compared to sham acupuncture. The standard mean difference was -0.94 (95% CI: -1.33 to -0.55) compared to conventional analgesia. The total dose of opioid analgesics of electroacupuncture group showed a standard mean difference values of -0.95 (95% CI: -1.42 to -0.47) compared to sham acupuncture. The standard mean difference was -1.96 (95% CI: -2.82 to -1.10) compared to conventional analgesia.

Conclusion

Current evidence suggests that electroacupuncture might provide useful pain relieving effect on post-thoracotomy patients. However, due to low quality and high heterogeneity of existing data, further rigorously designed studies should be performed to confirm the safety and efficacy.

Efficacy of Erector Spinae Plane Block for Analgesia in Thoracic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine whether erector spinae plane block (ESPB) can provide an effective analgesia for managing pain after thoracic surgery and compare the efficacy of ESPB with that of other regional analgesic techniques.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

SETTING

PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients undergoing thoracic surgeries.

INTERVENTION

Erector spinae plane block with local anesthetics for postoperative analgesia.

MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS

Seventeen studies, including 1,092 patients, were included in the final analysis. Erector spinae plane block reduced 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption (mean difference [MD] -17.49, 95% CI -26.87 to -8.12), pain score at rest (MD -0.82, 95% CI -1.31 to -0.33), and pain score at movement (MD -0.77, 95% CI -1.20 to -0.3) compared to no block. Compared with other regional blocks, various results have been observed. Although statistical results showed that ESPB is inferior to thoracic paravertebral block and intercostal nerve block and superior to serratus anterior plan block in postoperative analgesia, clinical differences remain unclear. The incidence of hematoma was lower in the ESPB group than in the other groups (odds ratio 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.73).

CONCLUSION

Erector spinae plane block may provide effective analgesia after thoracic surgery. Compared with other techniques, it is a safer method, without clinically important differences, for postoperative pain control. Therefore, ESPB may be considered as a valuable option for postoperative pain management after thoracic surgery.

Continuous serratus anterior plane block improved early pulmonary function after lung cancer surgery

BACKGROUND

Serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) has been proven to be an efficient way to control postoperative pain. This study explored whether the use of continuous SAPB in combination with flurbiprofen could improve early pulmonary function in lung cancer patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

METHODS

From July 2019 to April 2020, patients who scheduled for elective lung resection undergoing thoracoscopic surgery were randomly allocated to receive patient-controlled SAPB in combination with intravenous flurbiprofen or patient-controlled intravenous analgesia. Postoperative pulmonary function parameters, including forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and forced vital capacity were collected before and 24, 48, and 72 hours after surgery. Pain intensity was measured at rest and on coughing. Comfort score during breathing exercises, postoperative pulmonary complications and adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS

A substantial reduction in lung function was exhibited in both groups after surgery (P < 0.001), but lung function parameters in continuous SAPB group were significantly higher (P < 0.001) throughout postoperative period up to 72 hours, regardless of the surgery type. Meanwhile, there were significant differences of pain intensity at rest and on coughing between both groups (P < 0.001). The incidence of pneumonia, pulmonary atelectasis, hypoxemia, vomiting and the comfort score in continuous SAPB group was significantly lower (P< 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative acute pain treatment with continuous SAPB in combination with flurbiprofen enhanced pulmonary function and reduced postoperative pulmonary complications in lung cancer patients undergoing VATS.

Pre-emptive epidural analgesia for acute and chronic post-thoracotomy pain in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and objectives

Epidural analgesia is the gold standard for post-thoracotomy pain management and can be started before or after surgical incision. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated whether pre-emptive epidural analgesia before thoracotomy incision reduces acute and chronic post-thoracotomy pain in adults compared with epidural analgesia after incision.

Methods

We searched databases including MEDLINE, Embase, and CENTRAL for randomized controlled trials comparing epidural analgesia initiated before (pre-emptive group) and after (control group) thoracotomy incision in adults. The primary outcomes were the pain intensity during rest and coughing within 72 hours after surgery and the incidence of pain 1 to 6 months after surgery. Data were combined with random-effects meta-analyses. We rated the quality of evidence as high, moderate, low, and very low using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) method.

Results

We included 19 trials with 1062 participants involving 529 in the pre-emptive group and 533 in the control group. The pain intensity was significantly lower at rest within 72 hours after surgery (19 studies, n=1062) and during coughing within 48 hours after surgery (11 studies, n=638), and the incidence of pain was significantly lower 1 to 6 months after surgery (6 studies, n=276) in the pre-emptive group than in the control group. The quality of evidence was moderate or low in the primary outcomes.

Conclusions

Our review provides low-quality evidence that pre-emptive epidural analgesia reduces the intensity of acute pain and the incidence of chronic pain after thoracotomy in adults.

Protocol registration number

CRD42019131620.

Postdischarge Pain Management After Thoracic Surgery: A Patient-Centered Approach

BACKGROUND

Postoperative analgesia is paramount to recovery after thoracic surgery, and opioids play an invaluable role in this process. However, current 1-size-fits-all prescribing practices produce large quantities of unused opioids, thereby increasing the risk of nonmedical use and overdose. This study hypothesized that patient and perioperative characteristics, including 24-hour before-discharge opioid intake, could inform more appropriate postdischarge prescriptions after thoracic surgery.

METHODS

This prospective observational cohort study was conducted in 200 adult thoracic surgical patients. The cohort was divided into 3 groups on the basis of 24-hour before-discharge opioid intake in morphine milligram equivalents (MME): (1) no (0 MME), (2) low (>0 to ≤22.5 MME), or (3) high (>22.5 MME) before-discharge opioid intake. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association of patient and perioperative characteristics with self-reported after-discharge opioid use.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis showed that preoperative opioid use, 24-hour before-discharge acetaminophen and gabapentinoid intake, and 24-hour before-discharge opioid intake were associated with higher after-discharge opioid use. Multivariable modeling demonstrated that 24-hour before-discharge opioid intake was most significantly associated with after-discharge opioid use. For example, compared with patients who took high amounts of opioids before discharge, patients who took no opioids before discharge were 99% less likely to take a high amount of opioids after discharge compared with taking none (odds ratio, 0.011; 95% confidence interval, 0.003 to 0.047; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Assessment of 24-hour before-discharge opioid intake may inform patient requirements after discharge. Opioid prescriptions after thoracic surgery can thereby be targeted on the basis of anticipated needs.

Postoperative Clinical Course and Opioid Consumption Following Repair of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: Open Versus Thoracoscopic Techniques

Introduction: Minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approaches for thoracic procedures in adults result in an improved postoperative course with less pain, but there are limited data on similar procedures in neonates. We aimed to evaluate postoperative opioid consumption and pain management practices in neonates and infants following MIS versus open repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Materials and Methods: This was an IRB approved, retrospective study from 2012 to 2016. Demographic data, intraoperative analgesic regimen, total 7-day postoperative opioid consumption, and use of adjunctive pain medications were compared by surgery type (open versus MIS). Secondary measures included time to tracheal extubation, oral feeds, and discharge home. Results: The study cohort included 28 patients (13 female, median age 5 days, average gestational age 39 weeks, and weight 3 kg). MIS was performed in 8 patients. In the first 7 postoperative days, the median postoperative opioid consumption was 0.3 mg/kg of oral morphine equivalents (interquartile range [IQR] 0.2, 18.3) in the MIS group versus 32.3 mg/kg (IQR 9.9, 53.6) in the open group (95% CI of differences in medians: 8.2-42.9; P = .006). No difference was noted in intraoperative opioid administration. Among secondary outcomes, length of stay was significantly longer in the open group. Conclusions: Although several factors may impact the hospital course of neonates with CDH, we found that patients had a more than 100-fold difference in median opioid consumption following repair with MIS versus an open approach. The study also noted significant variation in analgesic regimens suggesting other avenues for improved care of postsurgical neonates.

A comparative study of the analgesic effects of intravenous ketorolac, paracetamol, and morphine in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: A double-blind, active-controlled, randomized clinical trial

Background

Opioids are traditionally used as the drug of choice for the management of postoperative pain. However, their use is limited in patients undergoing Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), due to their side effects, such as respiratory depression, nausea, and vomiting.

Aim

In this double-blind active-controlled randomized study, we have compared the analgesic effects of ketorolac and paracetamol to morphine.

Methods

Patients were randomly chosen from a pool of candidates who were undergoing VATS and were divided into three groups. During the first 24 h postsurgery, patients in the control group received a cumulative dose of morphine 20 mg, while patients in two treatment groups received ketorolac 120 mg and paracetamol 4 g in total. Doses were administered as bolus immediately after surgery and infusion during the first 24 h. Patients' pain severity was evaluated by visual analogue scale rating (VAS) at rest and during coughing episodes.

Results

The average pain score at recovery time was 2.29 ± 2.13 and 2.26 ± 2.16 for ketorolac and paracetamol, respectively, and it was significantly lower than the morphine group with an average pain score of 3.87 (P = 0.003). Additionally, the VAS score during cough episodes was significantly higher in the control group throughout the study period compared to study groups. Comparison of mean morphine dose utilized as liberation analgesic (in case of patients had VAS >3) between three groups was not significantly different (P = 0.17).

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates the non-inferiority of ketorolac and paracetamol to morphine in controlling post-VATS pain without causing any significant side effects. We also show that ketorolac and paracetamol are superior to morphine in controlling pain during 2 h postsurgery.

Decreasing use of epidural analgesia with increasing minimally invasive lobectomy: Impact on postoperative morbidity

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study is to investigate the use of EA and its impact on the postoperative short-term outcomes of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received a lobectomy by either minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or thoracotomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We investigated 793 patients who underwent lobectomy for pathological stage I-III NSCLC without induction therapy during two time periods, an early-time period (2009-2010: MIS, n = 204 [53%]; and thoracotomy, n = 182 [47%]) and a late-period (2014-2015: MIS, n = 308 [76%]; and thoracotomy, n = 99 [24%]). Patient characteristics, including pulmonary function tests, comorbidities, and use of EA, as well as short-term outcomes, including length of stay, morbidity, and mortality were assessed and compared between early-and late-time periods. We also compared patients who received EA (n = 150) with patients who did not receive EA (n = 158) following MIS lobectomy in the late-time period.

RESULTS

The use of MIS lobectomy increased during the late-time period compared to the early-time period (p < 0.001). In patients who underwent MIS lobectomy, the use of EA significantly decreased in the late-time period compared to the early-time period (2009-2010 vs. 2014-2015, 95% vs. 51%; p < 0.001). There was no difference in postoperative morbidity and mortality between the two time periods in both MIS and thoracotomy. In the late-time period MIS group, the length of stay in the no EA group (n = 150) was shorter than that in the EA group (n = 158) (3 vs. 4 days, p = 0.038). There was no difference in morbidity and mortality between the EA and no EA groups.

CONCLUSION

In our study cohort, the observed decrease in the use of EA with the increasing rate of MIS lobectomy did not negatively affect postoperative short-term outcomes.

Intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine amplifies thoracic epidural analgesic effect after open thoracotomy: A prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The anesthetic-sparing effect of dexmedetomidine has led to its use as a general adjuvant. The present study aimed to determine intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine to epidural analgesia after open thoracotomy.

METHODS

Forty-four patients scheduled for admission to the intensive care unit after open thoracotomy were divided into 2 groups. An epidural catheter was placed at T4 to T7. Thirty minutes before the end of thoracotomy, group D was injected with 0.3 μg/kg/h of dexmedetomidine and group C received an equal dose of normal saline. For patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA), 150 mL of levobupivacaine 300 mg was infused at a rate of 1 mL/h, plus a bolus dose of 3 mL with a lockout time of 30 minutes. The primary outcome evaluated was analgesic efficacy using a visual analog scale (VAS) 48 hours postoperatively. Other outcomes included additional analgesic use, total consumed local analgesia via PCEA, sedation score, blood pressure, heart rate, arterial blood gases, patient satisfaction, and adverse effects.

RESULTS

The VAS scores in group D were significantly lower than that in group C immediately, 1, 4, 12, 36, and 48 hours after admission to the intensive care unit (P = .016, .009, .015, .002, .001, and .042, respectively). The total dose of additional analgesic was also significantly lower in group D (P = .011). Patient satisfaction was higher in group D (P < .05). There were no significant differences in the other outcomes between groups.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine amplifies thoracic epidural analgesic effect after open thoracotomy.

Comparison of dexmedetomidine or sufentanil combined with ropivacaine for epidural analgesia after thoracotomy: a randomized controlled study

Background

Thoracotomy is frequently accompanied with moderate-to-severe postoperative pain, and excellent pain management is important for early rehabilitation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine for epidural analgesia after thoracotomy.

Methods

One hundred and thirty patients undergoing elective lung lobectomy were enrolled in the double-blind study and randomly divided into two groups. Group A received 0.5 µg/mL of dexmedetomidine plus 0.1% ropivacaine for postoperative analgesia, and group B (control group) received 0.5 µg/mL of sufentanil plus 0.1% ropivacaine for postoperative analgesia. Hemodynamic parameters were monitored. Pain intensity at rest was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) at 2, 4, 6，8, 12, 24, and 48 hrs postoperatively. Ramsay sedation score (RSS), analgesic consumption, postoperative respiratory depression, nausea and vomiting, pruritus, and bradycardia were recorded.

Results

The VAS values at rest during the postoperative 6–48 hrs were lower in group A than those in group B (P<0.05), and the RSS values were higher in group A during the postoperative 4–48 hrs compared to group B (P<0.05). Side effects were similar between the groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Dexmedetomidine combined with ropivacaine may provide better postoperative analgesia and sedative effect in patients undergoing thoracic surgery with fewer side effects. It is superior to sufentanil in analgesic effect during postoperative analgesia after thoracotomy.

Anesthetic considerations for lung resection: preoperative assessment, intraoperative challenges and postoperative analgesia

This article is intended to provide a general overview of the anesthetic management for lung resection surgery including the preoperative evaluation of the patient, factors influencing the intraoperative anesthetic management and options for postoperative analgesia. Lung cancer is the leading cause of death among cancer patients in the United States. In patients undergoing lung resection, perioperative pulmonary complications are the major etiology of morbidity and mortality. Risk stratification of patients should be part of the preoperative assessment to predict their risk of short-term vs. long-term pulmonary complications. Improvements in surgical technique and equipment have made video assisted thoracoscopy and robotically assisted thoracoscopy the procedures of choice for thoracic surgeries. General anesthesia including lung isolation has become essential for optimizing visualization of the operative lung but may itself contribute to pulmonary complications. Protective lung ventilation strategies may not prevent acute lung injury from one-lung ventilation, but it may decrease the amount of overall lung injury by using small tidal volumes, positive end expiratory pressure, low peak and plateau airway pressures and low inspired oxygen fraction, as well as by keeping surgical time as short as possible. Because of the high incidence of chronic post-thoracotomy pain syndrome following thoracic surgery, which can impact a patient's normal daily activities for months to years after surgery, postoperative analgesia is a necessary part of the anesthetic plan. Multiple options such as thoracic epidural analgesia, intravenous narcotics and several nerve blocks can be considered in order to prevent or attenuate chronic pain syndromes. Enhanced recovery after thoracic surgery is a relatively new topic with many elements taken from the experience with colorectal surgery. The goal of enhanced recovery is to improve patient outcome by improving organ function and decreasing postoperative complications, and therefore decreasing length of hospital stay.

Randomised controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of thoracic epidural and paravertebral blockade in reducing chronic post-thoracotomy pain (TOPIC): a pilot study to assess feasibility of a large multicentre trial

OBJECTIVES

Thoracotomy is considered one of the most painful surgical procedures. The incidence of chronic post-thoracotomy pain (CPTP) is up to 50%. Paravertebral blockade (PVB) may be superior to thoracic epidural blockade (TEB) in preventing CPTP. The specific objective of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger trial to determine whether PVB at thoracotomy is more effective in reducing CPTP compared with TEB.

DESIGN

A randomised, parallel, external pilot study was conducted to assess whether a large randomised trial of TEB and PVB with CPTP as the primary outcome is feasible.

SETTING

Two adult thoracic centres in the UK.

PARTICIPANTS

All adult patients admitted for elective open thoracotomy. Participants were excluded if they were American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status IV or V; or if there is contraindication to local anaesthetics; infection near the proposed puncture site; coagulation/thoracic spine disorders; required chest wall resection or emergency thoracic surgery or had a previous thoracotomy.

RESULTS

All patients presenting for thoracotomy were screened over a 12-month period with 194 found to be eligible. Of these, 69 (36%) were randomised (95% CI 29% to 42%). Discounting five participants who died, 54 of 64 participants (84%) returned questionnaire booklets at 6 months. The number of participants indicating at least a moderate level of chest pain at 6 months was lower with PVB but with high levels of uncertainty (RR: 0.7; 95% CI 0.3 to 1.7 for worst pain; RR: 0.3; 95% CI 0.0 to 2.8 for average pain). There were no safety concerns.

CONCLUSIONS

A large, multicentre randomised controlled trial of PVB versus TEB is feasible as it is possible to randomise and follow up participants with high fidelity. Pain scores were lower on average with PVB compared with TEB but a much larger trial is required to confirm this reliably.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ISRCTN45041624.

Intramuscular stimulation as a novel alternative method of pain management after thoracic surgery

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine whether electrical twitch-obtaining intramuscular stimulation (ETOIMS) can be an alternative to intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) for postoperative pain management in pneumothorax patients undergoing single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

Methods

This preliminary prospective randomized study was conducted between March 2017 and July 2017. A total of 26 patients undergoing single-port VATS were randomly assigned to two groups: the ETOIMS group (n=12), which received intramuscular stimulation prior to chest tube insertion toward the end of procedure, and the IV-PCA group (n=14), which received continuous infusion of fentanyl with a basal rate of 10 µg/mL/h. To measure postoperative pain, visual analogue scale (VAS; range, 0-10) was used as the primary endpoint.

Results

Baseline characteristics were not different between the two groups. According to the linear mixed model, there was statistical difference in the serial VAS score between the two groups (P=0.007). The ETOIMS group showed a significantly lower VAS score compared with the IV-PCA group, especially at postoperatively hour 8, day 1, and day 2.

Conclusions

We showed that ETOIMS may be a safe, effective, and simple alternative for pain management after single-port VATS.

REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA IN THORACIC AND ABDOMINAL SURGERY

Surgical procedure causes tissue damage which activates systemic inflammatory response and leads to changes in endocrine and metabolic system. Anaesthesia and pain can further disrupt immune performance. Regional anaesthesia causes afferent nerve blockade and in this way mediates immune protection. Thoracic epidural analgesia is the cornerstone of pain relief in thoracic and abdominal surgery. Alternatively thoracic paravertebral block can be used with less side effects and good analgesic properties. Drugs that interfere with blood coagulation obstruct the use of central regional blocks. Surgery has also changed recently from open to minimally invasive. Also pain treatment for this procedures has changed to less aggressive, systemic or locoregional techniques. It was shown that transversus abdominis plane block and epidural analgesia have the same effect on postoperative pain, but transversus abdominis plane block was better regarding hemodynamic stability and hospital stay. Multimodal approach combining regional and systemic analgesia is currently the most appropriate perioperative pain management strategy. More studies should be done to give recommendations.

Pectoral Fascial (PECS) I and II Blocks as Rescue Analgesia in a Patient Undergoing Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery

INTRODUCTION

Patients undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery have the potential for significant pain from the thoracotomy site. We report the successful use of pectoral nerve block types I and II (Pecs I and II) as rescue analgesia in a patient undergoing minimally invasive mitral valve repair.

CASE REPORT

In this case, a 78-year-old man, with no history of chronic pain, underwent mitral valve repair via right anterior thoracotomy for severe mitral regurgitation. After extubation, he complained of 10/10 pain at the incision site that was minimally responsive to intravenous opioids. He required supplemental oxygen because of poor pulmonary mechanics, with shallow breathing and splinting due to pain, and subsequent intensive care unit readmission. Ultrasound-guided Pecs I and II blocks were performed on the right side with 30 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine with 1:400,000 epinephrine. The blocks resulted in near-complete chest wall analgesia and improved pulmonary mechanics for approximately 24 hours. After the single-injection blocks regressed, a second set of blocks was performed with 266 mg of liposomal bupivacaine mixed with bupivacaine. This second set of blocks provided extended analgesia for an additional 48 hours. The patient was weaned rapidly from supplemental oxygen after the blocks because of improved analgesia.

CONCLUSIONS

Pectoral nerve blocks have been described in the setting of breast surgery to provide chest wall analgesia. We report the first successful use of Pecs blocks to provide effective chest wall analgesia for a patient undergoing minimally invasive cardiac surgery with thoracotomy. We believe that these blocks may provide an important nonopioid option for the management of pain during recovery from minimally invasive cardiac surgery.

The influence of the trocar choice on post-operative acute pain after thoracoscopy

Background

Acute post-operative pain following thoracic surgery procedures is still an unresolved problem despite the introduction of minimally invasive procedures such as video assisted surgery. Until now it is never investigated if different surgical instruments could influence post-operative pain. The aim of our study is to investigate the role of different type of trocar on post-operative pain in minimally invasive thoracic surgery.

Methods

This was a prospective randomized single center study. We identified 53 patients randomized into three groups underwent single port thoracoscopy for malignant pleural effusion with drainage of the fluid and talc poudrage. The three groups differ for the trocar type, rigid, flexible and wound protector.

Results

We compared the postoperative pain between the three groups in which there was no statistical difference. Rigid trocar seems to give a more stable level of pain during the days, flexible trocar gains more pain in the first few hours, however the pain at discharge decreases significantly, reaching the similar values, in all the three groups. The association between pain at discharge and operative time or days of drainage was analyzed by means of linear regression, no statistically significant difference was found.

Conclusions

Our study showed that different type of trocars during video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) produces similar level of acute postoperative pain. In future, further randomized study with a great number of patients enrolled needs to confirm our results.

Pregabalin as an analgesic option for patients undergoing thoracotomy: cost analysis of pregabalin versus epidural analgesia for post-thoracotomy pain relief

Background

Our previous randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effects of pregabalin on acute post-thoracotomy pain compared with epidural analgesia showed that pregabalin is a safe and effective treatment and that it may be an alternative to epidural analgesia for acute post-thoracotomy pain. In this analysis, to additionally analyze the economic aspects of pregabalin in patients undergoing thoracotomy, we compared the medical costs between pregabalin and epidural analgesia as an analgesic technique for post-thoracotomy pain.

Methods

Costs for patients undergoing thoracotomy and receiving either pregabalin or epidural analgesia for post-thoracotomy pain relief in the previous RCT were retrospectively collected from health insurance claims data. The following five cost categories were compared between the groups: (I) surgery costs; (II) costs for surgical materials and medications; (III) costs for anesthetic management; (IV) total hospitalization costs; and (V) costs for outpatient pain-relief medications (from hospital discharge to 6 months after thoracotomy).

Results

We analyzed data from 90 patients (45 patients for each group). Median costs for surgical materials and medications and those for anesthetic management were significantly lower in the pregabalin group than in the epidural analgesia group [(Japanese yen) ¥69,720 vs. ¥77,180, P=0.017; ¥161,000 vs. ¥195,500, P<0.001, respectively]. However, total hospitalization costs and costs for outpatient pain-relief medications were similar between the groups. Pregabalin was prescribed to more patients in the pregabalin group than those in the epidural analgesia group as outpatient treatment (75.0% vs. 37.5%), but median prescribed doses were much smaller in the pregabalin group.

Conclusions

Although the use of pregabalin did not result in lower total hospitalization costs, it may reduce fee-for-service surgery- and anesthesia-related costs. The economic benefits of pregabalin may reinforce its usefulness as an alternative to epidural analgesia, especially for patients who are unsuitable for epidural analgesia.

Nowadays open-chest surgery in the era of fast-track management

In more than a century, approaches to perform thoracic surgical procedures have had profound changes. A milestone of those changes has been the advent of video-assisted techniques which rapidly evolved from minor diagnostic procedures to the performance by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) of almost any major thoracic surgery. Nevertheless, indications remain for open chest procedures along with the fact that thoracotomy techniques have also evolved to minimally invasive ways, far different from the full thoracotomy of the past. This chapter reviews the evolution of open chest techniques and describes in detail present way to perform low invasiveness open chest surgery leading to excellent results through a mild postoperative course. Unsolved issues regarding the comparison of video-assisted and open techniques, particularly in lung cancer surgery are also considered.

Role of intercostal nerve block in reducing postoperative pain following video-assisted thoracoscopy: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The main advantages of video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) include less post-operative pain, rapid recovery, less postoperative complications, shorter hospital stay and early discharge. Although pain intensity is less as compared to conventional thoracotomy but still patients experience upto moderate pain postoperatively. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and morphine sparing effect of intercostal nerve block in alleviating immediate post-operative pain in patients undergoing VATS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty ASA I-III patients, aged between 16 to 60 years, undergoing mediastinal lymph node biopsy through VATS under general anaesthesia were randomly divided into two groups. The intercostal nerve block (ICNB group) received the block along with patient control intravenous analgesia (PCIA) with morphine, while control group received only PCIA with morphine for post-operative analgesia. Patients were followed for twenty four hours post operatively for intervention of post-operative pain in the recovery room and ward.

RESULTS

The pain was assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) at 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours. There was a significant decrease in pain score and morphine consumption in ICNB group as compared to control group in first 6 hours postoperatively. There was no significant difference in pain scores and morphine consumption between the two groups after 6 hours.

CONCLUSION

Patients receiving intercostal nerve block have better pain control and less morphine consumption as compared to those patients who did not receive intercostal nerve block in early (6 hours) post-operative period.

A Comparative Study for Post Operative Analgesia in the Emergency Laparotomies: Thoracic Epidural Ropivacaine with Nalbuphine and Ropivacaine with Butorphanol

BACKGROUND

Adequate postoperative pain therapy for emergency abdominal surgeries is important far beyond the perioperative period because sensitization to painful stimuli can cause postoperative morbidity. A prospective, double-blind, randomized study was carried out to compare the quality of postoperative analgesia and side-effect profile between epidurally administered butorphanol and nalbuphine as an adjuvant to 0.2% ropivacaine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of eighty patients, 43 men and 37 women between the age of 18 and 65 years of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Class I E and II E, who underwent intestinal perforation repair surgery were randomly allocated into two groups ropivacaine with butorphanol (RB) and ropivacaine with nalbuphine (RN), comprising of 40 patients each. Group RB received 0.2% ropivacaine containing 2 mg butorphanol while Group RN received 0.2% ropivacaine containing 10 mg nalbuphine through thoracic epidural catheter. Quality of analgesia, cardiorespiratory parameters, side-effects, and the need of rescue intravenous analgesia were observed.

RESULTS

The demographic profile and ASA Class were comparable between the groups. RN group had good quality of analgesia and stable cardiorespiratory parameters for the initial 6 h of postoperative period, after which they were comparable in both groups. Furthermore, the need of rescue analgesia was higher (20%) in the RB group during the first 6 h. The side-effect profile was comparable with a little higher incidence of nausea in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Thoracic epidurally administered ropivacaine with nalbuphine is more effective than ropivacaine with butorphanol for immediate postoperative pain relief in patients undergoing emergency exploratory laparotomy.

Comparison between continuous thoracic epidural block and continuous thoracic paravertebral block in the management of thoracic trauma

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pain is thought to be the single most important factor leading to ineffective ventilation and impaired secretion clearance after thoracic trauma. Effective pain relief can be provided by thoracic epidural analgesia but may have side effects or contraindications. Paravertebral block is an effective alternative method without the side effects of a thoracic epidural. We did this study to compare efficacy of thoracic epidural and paravertebral block in providing analgesia to thoracic trauma patients.

METHODS

After ethical clearance, 50 patients who had thoracic trauma were randomized into two groups. One was a thoracic epidural group (25), and second was a paravertebral group (25). Both groups received 10 ml of bolus of plain 0.125% bupivacaine and a continuous infusion of 0.25% bupivacaine at the rate of 0.1 ml/kg/h for 24 h. Assessment of pain, hemodynamic parameters, and spirometric measurements of pulmonary function were done before and after procedure. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were accepted as main outcome of the study and taken for power analysis.

RESULTS

There was significant decrease in postoperative pain in both the groups as measured by VAS score. However, the degree of pain relief between the groups was comparable. There was a significant improvement in pulmonary function tests in both the groups post-procedure. The change in amount of inflammatory markers between both the groups was not significantly different.

CONCLUSION

Paravertebral block for analgesia is comparable to thoracic epidural in thoracic trauma patients and is associated with fewer side effects.

Pain after sternotomy - review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Adequate analgesia after sternotomy reduces postoperative adverse events. There are various methods of treating pain after heart surgery, such as infiltration with a local anesthetic, nerve block, opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alpha-adrenergic agents, intrathecal and epidural techniques, and multimodal analgesia.

CONTENT

A review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, prevention and treatment of pain after sternotomy. We also discuss the various analgesic therapeutic modalities, emphasizing advantages and disadvantages of each technique.

CONCLUSIONS

Heart surgery is performed mainly via medium sternotomy, which results in significant postoperative pain and a non-negligible incidence of chronic pain. Effective pain control improves patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. There is no clearly superior technique. It is believed that a combined multimodal analgesic regimen (using different techniques) is the best approach for treating postoperative pain, maximizing analgesia and reducing side effects.

Electroacupuncture Reduces Postoperative Pain and Analgesic Consumption in Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery: A Randomized Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on postoperative pain management in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. A randomized study was conducted. Ninety-two thoracic surgical patients were randomly divided into an EA group and a sham group. Postoperative intravenous analgesia was applied with a half dose of the conventional drug concentration in both groups. In the EA group, EA treatment was administered for three consecutive days after the surgery with 6 sessions of 30 min each. Compared with the sham group, patients in the EA group had a lower visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 2, 24, 48, and 72 hours and consumed less analgesic after surgery. The incidence of opioid-related adverse effects of nausea was lower in the EA group. The time to first flatus and defecation was also shorter in the EA group. Furthermore, the plasma β-endorphin (β-EP) level was higher by radioimmunoassay and the plasma 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) level was lower in the EA group by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay during the first 72 hr after thoracic surgery. Therefore, EA is suitable as an adjunct treatment for postoperative pain management after thoracic surgery.

Prospective, comparative study of the On-Q® PainBuster® postoperative pain relief system and thoracic epidural analgesia after thoracic surgery

OBJECTIVE

Pain after thoracotomy is associated with intense discomfort leading to impaired pulmonary function.

DESIGN

Prospective, non-randomized trial from April 2009 to September 2011.

SETTING

Department of Thoracic Surgery, single-center.

PARTICIPANTS

Thoracic surgical patients.

INTERVENTIONS

Comparison of thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) with the On-Q® PainBuster® system after thoracotomy.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The TEA group (n=30) received TEA with continuous 0.2% ropivacaine at 4 mL-to-8 mL/h, whereas Painbuster® patients (n=32) received 0.75% ropivacaine at 5 mL/h until postoperative day 4 (POD4). Basic and on-demand analgesia were identical in both groups. Pain was measured daily on a numeric analog scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain) at rest and at exercise. There were no significant differences regarding demographic and preoperative data between the groups, but PainBuster® patients had a slightly lower relative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) (71±20% versus 86±21%; p=0.01). Most common surgical procedures were lobectomies (38.8%) and atypical resections (28.3%) via anterolateral thoracotomy. Most common primary diagnoses were lung cancer (48.3%) and tumor of unknown origin (30%). At POD1, median postoperative pain at rest was 2.1 (1; 2.8) in the TEA group and 2 (1.5; 3.8; p=0.62) in the PainBuster® group. At exercise, median pain was 4.3 (3.5; 3.8) in the TEA group compared to 5.0 (4.0; 6.5; p=0.07). Until POD 5 there were decreases in pain at rest and exercise but without significant differences between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Sufficient analgesia after thoracotomy can be achieved with the intercostal PainBuster® system in patients, who cannot receive TEA.