Novel analgesics in ambulatory surgical patients

Effect of intravenous dexamethasone on the duration of hyperbaric bupivacaine spinal anesthesia in lower abdominal surgery, Randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intravenous (IV) dexamethasone on the duration of hyperbaric bupivacaine spinal anesthesia.

METHODS

Two hundred patients between the ages of 18 and 60, of both sexes with ASA I- II classification scheduled for lower abdominal surgery under spinal anesthesia using hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% were randomly divided into two groups: the dexamethasone group (Dexa group) and the control group, with 100 patients in each group. Before the administration of spinal anesthesia, the Dexa group received an intravenous infusion of 8 mg dexamethasone in 500 mL normal saline, while the control group received 500 mL normal saline only. The primary outcome of this study was to assess the effect of IV dexamethasone on the regression of hyperbaric bupivacaine spinal anesthesia. Secondary outcome measures included the total duration of sensory and motor blocks, VAS score, time of first analgesic request, total analgesic consumption within the first 24 h, and the occurrence of any side effects.

RESULTS

The Dexa group had significantly delayed onset of 2 dermatomes regression (P < 0.001) compared to the control group. Additionally, the Dexa group had significantly longer duration of both sensory block (P = 0.01) and motor block (P < 0.001). The Dexa group had significantly longer duration until the first postoperative analgesic request (P < 0.001) and a lower incidence of side effects compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

Although the intravenous administration of dexamethasone had a limited effect on the duration of hyperbaric bupivacaine spinal anesthesia, it improved postoperative VAS scores compared to the control group and decreased overall postoperative analgesic consumption. Therefore, it can be considered a valuable addition to postoperative multimodal analgesia strategies, aiming to minimize total analgesic consumption.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ID: NCT04778189 (2/3/2021).

Evidence-based perioperative pain management protocol for day case surgery in a resource limited setting: Systematic review

Background

Worldwide, there is an increasing trend of performing more complex operations in a day care setting, usually driven by economic considerations. Provision of appropriate pain relief is still inadequate in this setting. Poor pain control and adverse effects of opioids provided for pain control are common reasons for readmission, with human and economic consequences. The aim of this review was to develop evidence-based protocol for pain management of day surgery in a resource limited setting.

Method

After formulating the key questions, scope, and eligibility criteria for the articles to be included, advanced search strategy of electronic sources from data bases and websites was conducted. Screening of literatures was conducted with proper appraisal checklist. This review was reported in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020 statement.

Results

A total of 333 articles were identified from data bases and websites using an electronic search. 45 articles were removed for duplication and 87 studies were excluded after reviewing titles and abstracts. At the screening stage, 73 articles were retrieved and evaluated for eligibility. Finally, 40 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this systematic review.

Conclusion

Day surgery encourages patients to mobilize soon after surgery and empowers them to manage their own pain. Thus, preoperative patient education and high-quality perioperative pain management are paramount. With increasing healthcare demands for more day-case procedures, multi-modal analgesic techniques in the perioperative period with good extension of analgesia into the postoperative discharge period are essential.

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Nearly one-third of patients experience moderate-to-severe pain after day surgery.

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Standardized pain evaluation, protocols, and multi-modal analgesia are keys to effective pain control.

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Patient education and preparation will improve patient compliance of analgesia.

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Alternatives to opioids should be promoted in day surgery.

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Local anesthetic techniques facilitate early and safe discharge of patients after day surgery.

Anesthesia and analgesia for transvaginal oocyte retrieval. Should we recommend or avoid any anesthetic drug or technique?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The objective of this review is to analyze and summarize the current anesthetic methods used to alleviate pain and discomfort during transvaginal oocyte retrieval procedures (TORP), to try to reach practical recommendations, based on the evidence, which will translate into daily practice, the knowledge on the anesthetic management of patients scheduled for TORP.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is no strong evidence to recommend the avoidance of any technique or drug for TORP, including nitrous oxide or halogenated agents. Women should be offered any available technique. The evidence available up to date is not convincing enough to recommend avoiding any anesthetic technique in terms of pregnancy and birth rates.

SUMMARY

TORP is painful for women and different techniques may be used for pain relief in day case surgery. The other important outcome to consider is the pregnancy rate, and any anesthetic technique or drug which would improve this pregnancy rate should be recommended. Conscious sedation and general anesthesia proved to be well tolerated for woman and the oocytes, despite the use of propofol, opioids, benzodiacepines, nitrous oxide, or other drugs. Spinal anesthesia and paracervical block are also acceptable options, and can be combined with conscious sedation. Nevertheless, more studies are needed to find out the ideal drug or technique combination for the woman and the oocyte.