A Randomized Controlled Trial of Continuous Subpleural Bupivacaine After Thoracoscopic Surgery

Opioid-Free Anaesthesia Effectiveness in Thoracic Surgery-Objective Measurement with a Skin Conductance Algesimeter: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Chest surgery is associated with significant pain, and potent opioid medications are the primary medications used for pain relief. Opioid-free anaesthesia (OFA) combined with regional anaesthesia is promoted as an alternative in patients with an opioid contraindication.

METHODS

Objective: To assess the efficacy of OFA combined with a paravertebral block in pain treatment during video-assisted thoracic surgery.

DESIGN

A randomized, open-label study.

SETTING

A single university hospital between December 2015 and March 2018.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty-six patients scheduled for elective video-assisted thoracic surgery were randomized into two groups. Of these, 16 were subsequently excluded from the analysis.

INTERVENTIONS

OFA combined with a paravertebral block with 0.5% bupivacaine in the OFA group; typical general anaesthesia with opioids in the control group.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Intraoperative nociceptive intensity measured with a skin conductance algesimeter (SCA) and traditional intraoperative monitoring.

RESULTS

Higher mean blood pressure was observed in the control group before induction and during intubation (p = 0.0189 and p = 0.0095). During chest opening and pleural drainage, higher SCA indications were obtained in the control group (p = 0.0036 and p = 0.0253), while in the OFA group, the SCA values were higher during intubation (p = 0.0325). SCA during surgery showed more stable values in the OFA group. Pearson analysis revealed a positive correlation between the SCA indications and mean blood pressure in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

OFA combined with a paravertebral block provides effective nociception control during video-assisted thoracic surgery and can be an alternative for general anaesthesia with opioids. OFA provides a stable nociception response during general anaesthesia, as measured by SCA.

A Nurse-Led Voiding Algorithm for Managing Urinary Retention After General Thoracic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Untreated postoperative urinary retention (POUR) leads to bladder overdistension. Treatment of POUR involves urinary catheterization, which predisposes patients to catheter-associated urinary tract infections. The hospital's rate of POUR after lobectomy was 21%, exceeding the Society of Thoracic Surgeons' benchmark of 6.4%. Nurses observed that more patients were being catheterized after implementation of a newly revised urinary catheter protocol.

OBJECTIVE

To reduce the incidence of POUR by implementing a thoracic surgery-specific nurse-led voiding algorithm.

METHODS

Experts validated the voiding algorithm that standardized postoperative assessment. It was initiated after general thoracic surgery among 179 patients in a thoracic surgery stepdown unit of a large Magnet hospital. After obtaining verbal consent from patients, nurses collected demographic and clinical data and followed the algorithm, documenting voided amounts and bladder scan results. Descriptive statistics characterized the sample and the incidence of POUR. Associations were determined between demographic and clinical factors and POUR status by using the t test and χ2 test.

RESULTS

The POUR-positive group and the POUR-negative group were equivalent with regard to demographic and clinical factors, except more patients in the POUR-positive cohort had had a lobectomy (P = .05). The rate of POUR was 8%. Society of Thoracic Surgeons reports revealed a rapid and sustained reduction in the hospital's rates of POUR after lobectomy: from 21% to 3%.

CONCLUSION

The use of this nurse-led voiding algorithm effectively reduced and sustained rates of POUR.

PROSPECT guidelines for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a systematic review and procedure-specific postoperative pain management recommendations

Video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery has become increasingly popular due to faster recovery times and reduced postoperative pain compared with thoracotomy. However, analgesic regimens for video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery vary significantly. The goal of this systematic review was to evaluate the available literature and develop recommendations for optimal pain management after video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery. A systematic review was undertaken using procedure‐specific postoperative pain management (PROSPECT) methodology. Randomised controlled trials published in the English language, between January 2010 and January 2021 assessing the effect of analgesic, anaesthetic or surgical interventions were identified. We retrieved 1070 studies of which 69 randomised controlled trials and two reviews met inclusion criteria. We recommend the administration of basic analgesia including paracetamol and non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs or cyclo‐oxygenase‐2‐specific inhibitors pre‐operatively or intra‐operatively and continued postoperatively. Intra‐operative intravenous dexmedetomidine infusion may be used, specifically when basic analgesia and regional analgesic techniques could not be given. In addition, a paravertebral block or erector spinae plane block is recommended as a first‐choice option. A serratus anterior plane block could also be administered as a second‐choice option. Opioids should be reserved as rescue analgesics in the postoperative period.

Intercostal Catheters for Postoperative Pain Management in VATS Reduce Opioid Consumption

Background: Postoperative pain after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) affects patients’ recovery, postoperative complications, and length of stay (LOS). Despite its relevance, there are no guidelines on optimal perioperative pain management. This study aims to analyse the effects of an additional intercostal catheter (ICC) in comparison to a single shot intraoperative intercostal nerve block (SSINB). Methods: All patients receiving an anatomic VATS resection between June 2019 and May 2020 were analysed retrospectively. The ICC cohort included 51 patients, the SSINB cohort included 44 patients. Results: There was no difference in age, gender, comorbidities, or duration of surgery between cohorts. Pain scores on the first postoperative day, after chest drain removal, and highest pain score measured did not differ between groups. The overall amount of opioids (morphine equivalent: 3.034 mg vs. 7.727 mg; p = 0.002) as well as the duration of opioid usage (0.59 days vs. 1.25 days; p = 0.005) was significantly less in the ICC cohort. There was no difference in chest drain duration, postoperative complications, and postoperative LOS. Conclusions: Pain management with ICC reduces the amount of opioids and number of days with opioids patients require to achieve sufficient analgesia. In conclusion, ICC is an effective regional anaesthesia tool in postoperative pain management in minimally invasive thoracic surgery.