Pro: intrapleural anesthesia is useful for thoracic analgesia

Comparative evaluation of effects of intrapleural block with adjuvants on analgesia and pulmonary function after intercostal drainage: A pilot study

Background

Inter-costal chest drain (ICD) used for varied thoracic pathologies causes continuous pain and irritation of the pleura, which limits respiratory efforts and impairs ventilatory function. Intrapleural block deposits local anaesthetic between the layers of pleura and may improve ventilatory function especially in non surgical patients.

Methods

Twenty eight ASA I-III patients treated with ICD, who could perform incentive spirometry, were included for study. They were randomized to 'Group C' (control group); 'Group B' (Bupivacaine); 'Group M' (Bupivacaine + Morphine) and 'Group D' (Bupivacaine + Dexmedetomidine). The drugs were administered via the ICD itself and clamped thereafter for 15 min. The success of the block was assessed by time for first analgesic demand, maximum inspiratory volume generated and Numerical Rating Scale score for pain; by patients.

Results

Effective analgesia was observed in Group B, M and D. Addition of an adjuvant significantly prolonged time for rescue analgesic demand. Patients who received local anaesthetic alone or with an adjuvant had significantly improved maximal inspiratory volume and required lesser rescue analgesics. No significant complications were observed in any group. Pain relief in post-surgical patients using intraplural block is masked by systemic analgesics. However its application in patients with ICD for non surgical indications was explored in this study and was found to improve patient comfort and ventilation.

Conclusion

Intra-pleural blockade is safe and effective in relieving the constant pleural irritation and pain of ICD, thus enabling the patient to improve ventilatory effort and faster recovery of respiratory function.

Epidural catheter misplaced into the thoracic cavity: Utilized to provide interpleural analgesia

Thoracic epidural analgesia is one of the most effective and time-tested modalities of providing postthoracotomy pain relief. It improves postoperative pulmonary outcome. Nevertheless, being a blind procedure several complications have been associated with the technique. Pleural puncture is one rare complication that might occur following thoracic epidural catheterization. We have discussed a patient who underwent a right thoracotomy for excision of emphysematous bulla of lung under general anesthesia with thoracic epidural. The epidural catheter was misplaced in the pleural cavity and was detected intraoperatively after thoracotomy. The catheter was left in situ and was successfully utilized to provide postoperative analgesia via the interpleural route.

Interpleural morphine vs bupivacaine for postthoracotomy pain relief

This prospective randomized double-blind trial was designed to compare the analgesic effects of interpleural bupivacaine and interpleural morphine for postthoracotomy pain management. Thirty-six American Society of Anesthesiologists class I and II patients undergoing an elective posterolateral thoracotomy were randomly divided into 2 groups of 18 each. Before chest closure, an interpleural catheter was inserted under direct vision. At the end of the operation and every 4 hours thereafter, they received either 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine or 0.2 mg x kg(-1) morphine sulfate interpleurally for 24 hours. The chest tubes were clamped during injection and for 15 min afterwards. Supplementary doses of intravenous morphine were given on request. The pain severity was evaluated at rest and on coughing before and 30 min after each interpleural injection, using an 11-point visual analog scale. Supplemental analgesic consumption and side effects were recorded. Both interpleural morphine and bupivacaine significantly reduced pain scores 30 min after each injection. However, pain scores and supplementary analgesic requirements were significantly lower in the interpleural morphine group. No serious side effects were detected in either group. Interpleural morphine provides better pain control than interpleural bupivacaine after a posterolateral thoracotomy.

Interpleural block – part 1

Interpleural blockade is effective in treating unilateral surgical and nonsurgical pain from the chest and upper abdomen in both the acute and chronic settings. It has been shown to provide safe, high-quality analgesia after cholecystectomy, thoracotomy, renal and breast surgery, and for certain invasive radiological procedures of the renal and hepatobiliary systems. It has also been used successfully in the treatment of pain from multiple rib fractures, herpes zoster, complex regional pain syndromes, thoracic and abdominal cancer, and pancreatitis. The technique is simple to learn and has both few contra-indications and a low incidence of complications. In the first of two reviews, the authors cover the history, taxonomy and anatomical considerations, the spread of local anaesthetic, and the mechanism of action, physiological, pharmacological and technical considerations in the performance of the block.

Unintentional intrapleural insertion of an epidural catheter: should we remove it or leave it in situ to provide perioperative analgesia?

We report three patients who had intrapleural insertion of an intended thoracic epidural catheter. These misplaced catheters were used for local anesthetic administration. Bupivacaine injection via these catheters in two cases was effective for reducing postoperative pain. We conclude that if an intended thoracic epidural catheter is found to be in the intrapleural cavity at the time of surgery and if correct replacement of the catheter into the epidural space is not believed to be feasible after surgery, then the administration of local anesthetic through the intrapleural catheter could be considered as a potential alterative analgesic method.

Interpleural analgesia does not influence postthoracotomy pain

The management of postthoracotomy pain is a problem and may contribute to atelectasis, leading to hypoxemia, pulmonary infection, and permanent alveolar damage. We sought to determine the efficacy of interpleural analgesia for pain control and to evaluate independent predictors for postoperative pain intensity. Eighty-three patients undergoing elective anterolateral (n = 37) and posterolateral (n = 46) thoracotomy were included in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded trial. Patients were assigned to receive either 0.5% bupivacaine or saline solution interpleurally every 4 h for 10 doses postoperatively. All patients also received patient-controlled analgesics (PCA) with piritramide as the opioid for additional pain control. Pain was assessed on the basis of PCA requirements and by using a visual analog scale. Visual analog scale scores and PCA requirements were not different between groups. Both interpleural bupivacaine and saline significantly reduced pain scores 30 min after the administration. We concluded that pain reduction by interpleural instillation of bupivacaine reflects a placebo-like effect; however, interpleural analgesia is not effective in patients undergoing lateral thoracotomy. Sex and surgical approach were shown to influence postoperative pain intensity at rest, but not during coughing. The female patients, and those undergoing posterolateral thoracotomy, exhibited higher pain scores. This observation appears to be of only marginal clinical significance. The efficacy of interpleural analgesia to reduce postoperative pain intensity in patients after lateral thoracotomy is controversial. In this study we demonstrated a lack of efficacy of interpleural analgesia.

IMPLICATIONS

The efficacy of interpleural analgesia to reduce postoperative pain intensity in patients after lateral thoracotomy is controversial. In this study, we demonstrated a lack of efficacy of interpleural analgesia.

A comparative evaluation of intrapleural and thoracic epidural analgesia for postoperative pain relief after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery

OBJECTIVE

To compare the efficacy of thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) and intrapleural analgesia (IPA) after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) surgery with regard to quality of analgesia and complications.

DESIGN

A prospective, randomized study.

SETTING

A specialty research hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty consenting adults scheduled for MIDCAB surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

All patients underwent elective MIDCAB surgery. Patients in the TEA group (n=25) had an epidural catheter inserted in the fourth to fifth thoracic interspace and those in the IPA group (n=25) had an intrapleural catheter inserted in the sixth to seventh intercostal space intraoperatively under vision.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Parameters evaluated after administration of bupivacaine (8 mL of 0.25% in the TEA group and 20 mL of 0.25% in the IPA group) on first demand included visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, cardiovascular and respiratory (clinical, blood gases) function, wakefulness, supplemental analgesic requirement, and complications. Measurements were made at 2-hour intervals for the next 12 hours. VAS scores were significantly lower at 2, 6, 8, and 12 hours in the IPA group (TEA = 3.5, 4.5, 4.9, 4.6; IPA = 2.2, 3.6, 3.5, 3.7). There were no significant differences in hemodynamic or respiratory parameters or postoperative requirement for supplemental analgesia. In the TEA group, three patients had catheter migration and four had severe backache.

CONCLUSION

IPA is a safe and effective technique for postoperative analgesia after MIDCAB surgery and has a low complication rate compared with TEA. Careful positioning, chest tube clamping, and anchoring of the catheter are mandatory for IPA to be effective.