Efficacy of the bilateral ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric block with intrathecal morphine for postoperative cesarean delivery analgesia

Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Cesarean Delivery Analgesia: A Narrative Review

Effective postoperative analgesia using multimodal approach improves maternal and neonatal outcomes after cesarean delivery. The use of neuraxial approach (local anesthetic and opioids) and intravenous adjunctive drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acetaminophen, currently represents the standard regimen for post-cesarean delivery analgesia. Peripheral nerve blocks may be considered in patients who are unable to receive neuraxial techniques; these blocks may also be used as a rescue technique in selected patients. This review discusses the relevant anatomy, current evidence, and advantages and disadvantages of the various peripheral nerve block techniques. Further research is warranted to compare the analgesic efficacy of these techniques, especially newer blocks (e.g., quadratus lumborum blocks and erector spinae plane blocks). Moreover, future studies should determine the safety profile of these blocks (e.g., fascial plane blocks) in the obstetric population because of its increased susceptibility to local anesthetic toxicity.

Postoperative Analgesic Effectiveness of Peripheral Nerve Blocks in Cesarean Delivery: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

The purpose of this systematic review and network meta-analysis was to determine the analgesic effectiveness of peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs), including each anatomical approach, with or without intrathecal morphine (ITMP) in cesarean delivery (CD). All relevant randomized controlled trials comparing the analgesic effectiveness of PNBs with or without ITMP after CD until July 2021. The two co-primary outcomes were designated as (1) pain at rest 6 h after surgery and (2) postoperative cumulative 24-h morphine equivalent consumption. Secondary outcomes were the time to first analgesic request, pain at rest 24 h, and dynamic pain 6 and 24 h after surgery. Seventy-six studies (6278 women) were analyzed. The combined ilioinguinal nerve and anterior transversus abdominis plane (II-aTAP) block in conjunction with ITMP had the highest SUCRA (surface under the cumulative ranking curve) values for postoperative rest pain at 6 h (88.4%) and 24-h morphine consumption (99.4%). Additionally, ITMP, ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block in conjunction with ITMP, lateral TAP block, and wound infiltration (WI) or continuous infusion (WC) below the fascia also showed a significant reduction in two co-primary outcomes. Only the II-aTAP block had a statistically significant additional analgesic effect compared to ITMP alone on rest pain at 6 h after surgery (−7.60 (−12.49, −2.70)). In conclusion, combined II-aTAP block in conjunction with ITMP is the most effective post-cesarean analgesic strategy with lower rest pain at 6 h and cumulative 24-h morphine consumption. Using the six described analgesic strategies for postoperative pain management after CD is considered reasonable. Lateral TAP block, WI, and WC below the fascia may be useful alternatives in patients with a history of sensitivity or severe adverse effects to opioids or when the CD is conducted under general anesthesia.

Efficacy of regional blocks or local anaesthetic infiltration for analgesia after caesarean delivery: a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Caesarean delivery is common and can cause severe postoperative pain but injection of local anaesthetic at various sites for regional blocks or local anaesthetic infiltration may reduce this. We aimed to compare and rank these sites. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and CENTRAL to June 2021 for randomised controlled trials and performed a random-effects Bayesian model network meta-analysis. The primary outcome was dose of parenteral morphine equivalents in the first 24 postoperative hours. We used surface under cumulative ranking probabilities to order techniques. We analysed 114 trials (8730 participants). The ordered mean (95% credible interval) reduction in morphine equivalents, from 34 mg with placebo, were as follows: ilio-inguinal 15 (1-32) mg; ilio-inguinal-iliohypogastric 13 (6-19) mg; transversalis fascia 11 (4-26) mg; erector spinae 11 (10-32); transverse abdominis 9 (4-13) mg; wound catheter infusion 8 (2-15) mg; quadratus lumborum 8 (1-15) mg; wound infiltration 8 (2-13) mg; and no intervention -4 (-10 to 2) mg. Ordered efficacies for injection sites were different for other relevant outcomes, including pain (to 4-6 h and to 24 h) and time to rescue analgesia: there was no single preferred route of injection. The ordered mean (95% credible interval) reduction in dynamic pain scores (0-10 scale) at 24 h compared with placebo were as follows: wound infusion 1.2 (0.2-2.1); erector spinae 1.3 (-0.5 to 3.1); quadratus lumborum 1.0 (0.1-1.8); ilio-inguinal-iliohypogastric 0.6 (-0.5 to 1.8); transverse abdominis 0.6 (-0.1 to 1.2); wound infiltration 0.5 (-0.3 to 1.3); transversalis fascia -0.8 (-3.4 to 1.9); ilio-inguinal -0.9 (-3.6 to 1.7); and no intervention -0.8 (-1.8 to 0.2). We categorised our confidence in effect sizes as low or very low.

The analgesic effectiveness of ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric block for caesarean delivery: A meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

BACKGROUND

An effective analgesia strategy following caesarean delivery should be designed to improve fetomaternal outcomes. Much recent research has focused on the efficacy of ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric (II-IH) block for providing such analgesia.

DESIGN

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effectiveness of II-IH block in patients undergoing caesarean delivery. The primary outcome was the cumulative parenteral morphine equivalents at 24 h. Pain scores at 4 to 6 and 24 h postsurgery, time to first rescue analgesia and adverse effects were the secondary outcomes analysed.

DATA SOURCES

Two reviewers searched independently PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar and the Cochrane central registers of a controlled trial from their inception until June 2020.

METHODOLOGY

Prospective randomised control trials comparing II-IH block with either systemic analgesia alone or a placebo block (non-active controls) were eligible for inclusion. Only trials that reported their methods comprehensibly and transparently were included. Cochrane methodology was used to assess the risk of bias. Data are presented as mean difference with 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Thirteen trials comprising a total of 858 patients were included. Opioid (intravenous morphine equivalents) consumption was reduced by 15.57 mg (95% CI -19.87 to -11.28; P < 0.00001; I2 = 95%) during the first 24 h in patients receiving II-IH block when compared with placebo or no block. Patients receiving general anaesthesia showed a greater reduction in morphine requirement at 24 h than those receiving neuraxial anaesthesia. Adequate 'information size' for the above outcome was confirmed with trial sequential analysis to rule out the possibility of a false-positive result. II-IH also significantly reduced pain scores at rest more so at 4 to 6 h than at 24 h.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that the use of II-IH blocks is associated with a lower 24 h requirement for intravenous morphine equivalents in patients undergoing caesarean delivery. However, given the methodological limitations, data should be interpreted with caution until more studies are available.

European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Guidelines on peri-operative use of ultrasound for regional anaesthesia (PERSEUS regional anesthesia): Peripheral nerves blocks and neuraxial anaesthesia

Nowadays, ultrasound-guidance is commonly used in regional anaesthesia (USGRA) and to locate the spinal anatomy in neuraxial analgesia. The aim of this second guideline on the PERi-operative uSE of UltraSound (PERSEUS-RA) is to provide evidence as to which areas of regional anaesthesia the use of ultrasound guidance should be considered a gold standard or beneficial to the patient. The PERSEUS Taskforce members were asked to define relevant outcomes and rank the relative importance of outcomes following the GRADE process. Whenever the literature was not able to provide enough evidence, we decided to use the RAND method with a modified Delphi process. Whenever compared with alternative techniques, the use of USGRA is considered well tolerated and effective for some nerve blocks but there are certain areas, such as truncal blocks, where a lack of robust data precludes useful comparison. The new frontiers for further research are represented by the application of USG during epidural analgesia or spinal anaesthesia as, in these cases, the evidence for the value of the use of ultrasound is limited to the preprocedure identification of the anatomy, providing the operator with a better idea of the depth and angle of the epidural or spinal space. USGRA can be considered an essential part of the curriculum of the anaesthesiologist with a defined training and certification path. Our recommendations will require considerable changes to some training programmes, and it will be necessary for these to be phased in before compliance becomes mandatory.

Regional anaesthesia for labour, operative vaginal delivery and caesarean delivery: a narrative review

This narrative review discusses recent evidence surrounding the use of regional anaesthesia in the obstetric setting, including intrapartum techniques for labour and operative vaginal delivery, and caesarean delivery. Pudendal nerve blockade, ideally administered by an obstetrician, should be considered for operative vaginal delivery if neuraxial analgesia is contraindicated. Regional techniques are increasingly utilised in clinical practice for caesarean delivery to minimise opioid consumption, reduce pain, improve postpartum recovery and facilitate earlier discharge as part of enhanced recovery protocols. The evidence surrounding transversus abdominis plane and quadratus lumborum blockade supports their use when: long-acting neuraxial opioids cannot be administered due to contraindications; if emergency delivery necessitates general anaesthesia; or as a postoperative rescue technique. Current data suggest quadratus lumborum blockade is no more effective than transversus abdominis plane blockade after caesarean delivery. Transversus abdominis plane blockade, wound catheter insertion and single shot wound infiltration are all effective techniques for reducing postoperative opioid consumption, with transversus abdominis plane blockade favoured, followed by wound catheters and then wound infiltration. Ilio-inguinal and iliohypogastric, erector spinae plane and rectus sheath blockade all require further studies to determine their efficacy for caesarean delivery in the presence or absence of long-acting neuraxial opioids. Future studies are needed to: compare approaches for individual techniques; determine which combinations of techniques and dosing regimens result in optimal analgesic and recovery outcomes following delivery; and elucidate the populations that benefit most from regional anaesthesia in the obstetric setting.

A review of peripheral nerve blocks for cesarean delivery analgesia

Peripheral nerve blocks have a unique role in postcesarean delivery multimodal analgesia regimens. In this review article, options for peripheral nerve blocks for cesarean delivery analgesia will be reviewed, specifically paravertebral, transversus abdominis plane, quadratus lumborum, iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal, erector spinae, and continuous wound infiltration blocks. Anatomy, existing literature evidence, and specific areas in need of future research will be assessed. Considerations for local anesthetic toxicity, and for informed consent for these modalities in the context of emergency cesarean deliveries, will be presented.

A Review of the Impact of Obstetric Anesthesia on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes

Obstetric anesthesia has evolved over the course of its history to encompass comprehensive aspects of maternal care, ranging from cesarean delivery anesthesia and labor analgesia to maternal resuscitation and patient safety. Anesthesiologists are concerned with maternal and neonatal outcomes, and with preventing and managing complications that may present during childbirth. The current review will focus on recent advances in obstetric anesthesia, including labor anesthesia and analgesia, cesarean delivery anesthesia and analgesia, the effects of maternal anesthesia on breastfeeding and fever, and maternal safety. The impact of these advances on maternal and neonatal outcomes is discussed. Past and future progress in this field will continue to have significant implications on the health of women and children.

Efficacy of Bilateral Transversus Abdominis Plane and Ilioinguinal-Iliohypogastric Nerve Blocks for Postcaesarean Delivery Pain Relief under Spinal Anesthesia

Background

Caesarean delivery can be associated with considerable postoperative pain. While the benefits of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) and ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric (II-IH) nerve blocks on pain after caesarean delivery via Pfannenstiel incision have been demonstrated, no enough investigations on the comparison of these blocks on pain after caesarean delivery have been conducted in our setup.

Method

An institutional-based prospective observational cohort study was conducted to compare the analgesic efficacy of those blocks. We observed 102 postoperative parturients. The outcome measure was the severity of pain measured using a numeric rating scale.

Result

Twenty-four hours after surgery, the NRS score at rest was (0.90 ± 0.80) versus (0.67 ± 0.58) and at movement (1.2 ± 1.07) versus (0.88 ± 0.76) for the TAP and II-IH groups, respectively. Twenty-four hours after surgery, the mean tramadol consumption was (55.45 ± 30.51) versus (37.27 ± 27.09) mg in TAP and II-IH groups, respectively (p = 0.009). The mean first analgesic requirement time was also prolonged in the II-IH group.

Conclusion and Recommendations

There was no statically significant difference between TAP and II-IH blocks regarding postoperative pain score, but the II-IH block significantly reduced the total tramadol consumption and prolonged the time to first analgesic request than TAP. Thus, we recommend the II-IH nerve block.

Preventive effect of ilioinguinal nerve block on postoperative pain after cesarean section

Background:

Cesarean section is a major operation that can be the predictor of postoperative pain and discomfort and, therefore, providing the effective postoperative analgesia is an important factor to facilitate sooner movement of the patient, better care of infants. The aim of this study was to determine the preventive effect of ilioinguinal nerve block on pain after cesarean section.

Materials and Methods:

In a randomized clinical trial study, 80 female candidates for cesarean section under general anesthesia were selected and divided into two groups. In the first group, ilioinguinal nerve was blocked and in the control group, ilioinguinal nerve block was not done. Finally, postoperative pain was compared between the two groups.

Results:

The mean pain intensity at 6 and 24 h after operation had no significant difference between two groups but in the rest of the times, it was different between two groups. Furthermore, in sitting position, except for 6 h, the pain intensity at the rest of the time had a significant difference between two groups. The pain intensity in 12 h after operation had a significant difference while in 24 h after operation; there was no difference between two groups. Doing repeated measures, ANOVA also indicated that the process of changes in the pain intensity in three positions of rest, sitting and walking had no significant difference up to 24 h after operation (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Control of pain after cesarean as one of the most common factors for abdominal surgery will lead to decrease the staying of the patient in hospital, reduce morbidity and lower use of narcotics and analgesics after surgery.