Thoracic paravertebral blockade in breast surgery: Is pneumothorax an appreciable concern? A review of over 1000 cases

Continuous Erector Spinae Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Elderly Patients After Thoracoscopic Lobectomy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of ultrasound-guided continuous erector spinae plane block to continuous thoracic paravertebral block on postoperative analgesia in elderly patients who underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

METHODS

Elderly patients (N = 50) who underwent nonemergent thoracoscopic lobectomy in the thoracic surgery department of our hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 were selected and randomly divided into continuous erector spinae block (ESPB; n = 25) group and continuous thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB; n = 25) group. The patients in the two groups were guided by ultrasound with ESPB or TPVB before anesthesia induction. The visual analog scale at rest and cough in 2 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours after surgery, the supplementary analgesic dosage of tramadol, time of tube placement, the stay time in postanesthesia care unit (PACU), the first ambulation time after surgery, the length of postoperative hospital stay and postoperative complications were recorded.

FINDINGS

There were no significant differences between the two groups in visual analog scale score at rest and cough at each time point and supplementary analgesic dosage of tramadol within 48 hours after surgery (P > .05). The time of tube placement and the postoperative hospital stay in ESPB group was significantly shorter than that in TPVB group (P < .05). There were no differences in PACU residence time and first ambulation time between the two groups (P > .05). There were 4 patients in TPVB group and 2 patients in ESPB group who had nausea and vomiting (P > .05), 1 case of pneumothorax and 1 case of fever in the TPVB group. There were no incision infections or respiratory depression requiring clinical intervention in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Both ESPB and TPVB alleviated the patients postoperative pain effectively for elderly patients underwent thoracoscopic lobectomy. Compared with TPVB, patients with ESPB have a shorter tube placement time, fewer complications and faster postoperative recovery.

Ultrasound-guided mid-point transverse process to pleura block versus thoracic paravertebral block in pediatric open-heart surgery: A randomized controlled non-inferiority study

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The mid-point transverse process to pleura block (MTPB) is a new variant of thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB). This study aimed to compare TPVB and MTPB with respect to intraoperative attenuation of the hemodynamic stress response to surgery and postoperative analgesia in pediatric open heart surgery with midline sternotomy.

DESIGN

A single-center, randomized, controlled, double-blind, non-inferiority study.

SETTING

Tertiary care children's university hospital.

PATIENTS

We recruited 83 children aged 2-12 years of both sexes with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status class II who were scheduled for elective open cardiac surgeries with midline sternotomy for the repair of simple noncyanotic congenital heart defects.

INTERVENTIONS

Eligible participants were randomized into either the TPVB or MTPB groups at a ratio of 1:1. In the TPVB group, patients were bilaterally injected with 0.4 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine in the paravertebral space at T4 and T5. In the MTPB group, patients were bilaterally injected with 0.4 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine mid-transverse process and pleura just posterior to superior costotransverse ligament at the level of T4 and T5.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary outcome was the hemodynamic responses to sternotomy incision, including heart rate (HR) and invasive mean arterial pressure (MAP), recorded before and after the induction of anesthesia, after skin incision, after sternotomy, 15 min after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and after the closure of the sternum. The secondary outcomes were time needed to perform the bilateral block, intraoperative fentanyl consumption, postoperative fentanyl consumption, modified objective pain score (MOPS) measured at 1, 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after extubation, extubation time, intensive care unit (ICU) discharge time, and the incidence of non-surgical complications (postoperative pruritus, postoperative vomiting, pneumothorax, hematoma or local anesthetic toxicity).

MAIN RESULTS

There were no significant differences in HR and MAP in the TPVB group compared with the MTPB group at the following time points: baseline, after induction, after skin incision, after sternotomy, 15 min after CPB, and after sternal closure. Intergroup comparisons of HR and MAP did not reveal significant differences between the groups. The median (IQR) time needed to perform bilateral MTPB (7[6-8] min) was significantly (p < 0.001) shorter than that of TPVB (12[10-13] min). Intraoperative fentanyl consumption and fentanyl consumption in the first postoperative 24 h after extubation were similar in the TPVB and MTPB groups (4[2-4] vs 4[2-4] and 4.66 ± 0.649 vs 4.88 ± 1.082 μg/kg), respectively. Extubation time and ICU discharge time were comparable in the TPVB and MTPB groups (2[1-3] vs 2[1-3] h and 21.2 ± 2.5 vs 20.8 ± 2.6 h), respectively. Measurements of MOPS pain scores at 1, 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after extubation were similar in both groups. The incidence of nonsurgical complications was similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

MTPB is non-inferior to TPVB in attenuating the intraoperative hemodynamic stress response to noxious surgical stimuli and in reducing perioperative opioid consumption, extubation time, and ICU discharge time. Moreover, MTPB is technically easier than TPVB and requires less time to perform. Clinical trial registration number The clinical trial registration was prospectively performed at the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR202204901612169, approval date 01/04/2022, URL https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=22602).

Comparison of the efficacy of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block and thoracic paravertebral block combined with intercostal nerve block for pain management in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial

Background

The objective of this study was to compare analgesic efficacy of erector spinae plane block(ESPB) and thoracic paravertebral block(TPVB) combined with intercostal nerve block(ICNB) after video assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS).

Methods

Patients were enrolled into three groups according to analgesia technique as ICNB, TPVB + ICNB or ESPB + ICNB: respectively Group C(n = 58), Group T (n = 56) and Group E (n = 59). Patients were followed up by a trained data investigator at 2, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48 h after surgery, and the visual analog scale(VAS) at rest and coughing were recorded. The moderate and severe pain mean VAS ≥ 4 when coughing. The postoperative opioids consumption, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), supplementary analgesic requirements within 48 h, length of stay in PACU, ambulation time, postoperative days in hospital and potential side effects, such as hematoma, hypotension, bradycardia, hypersomnia, uroschesis, pruritus and apnea were recorded.

Results

The incidence of moderate-to-severe pain was no significant difference between 3 groups in 24 h and 48 h (P = 0.720). There was no significant difference among the 3 groups in the resting pain intensity at 2, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery(P > 0.05). In 2-way analysis of variance, the VAS when coughing in Group T were lower than that in Group C (mean difference = 0.15, 95%CI, 0.02 to 0.29; p = 0.028). While no difference was found when comparing Group E with Group C or Group T(P > 0.05). There was no difference between the three groups in the sufentanil consumption( within 24 h p = 0.472, within 48 h p = 0.158) and supplementary analgesic requirements(p = 0.910). The incidence of PONV and the length of stay in PACU, ambulation time and postoperative days in hospital were comparable in the 3 groups(P > 0.05). Two patients from Group T developed hematoma at the site of puncture.

Conclusions

The present randomized trial showed that the analgesic effect of TPVB + ICNB was superior to that of INCB after VATS, the analgesic effect of ESPB was equivalent to that of TPVB and ICNB.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2100049578. Registered 04 Aug 2020 Retrospectively registered.

Applications of the ultrasound-guided nerve block technique for nonanalgesic effects

The nerve block technique guided by ultrasound has been able to accurately block tiny nerves throughout the body in recent years. It has been increasingly used to treat multisystem diseases or analgesia in surgical patients, but the latter accounted for the vast majority of cases. The nonanalgesic effect of nerve blocks is also in wide demand. After searching ultrasound-guided nerve block works on the PubMed database, we systematically summarized the current clinical application of the nerve block technique and the unique role and related mechanism of nerve block in the prevention and treatment of multi-system diseases or symptoms, including disorders of the circulatory and respiratory systems, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, immune function, posttraumatic stress disorder, and postoperative digestive system, to put forward the potential prospective application in future and serve as a reference for future research of nerve block therapy in these diseases mentioned.

The Comparison of Postoperative Analgesic Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Paravertebral Block and Mid-Point Transverse Process Pleura Block in Mastectomy Surgeries: A Randomized Study

PURPOSE/AIM OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this triple-blind randomized study is to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of Mid-Point Transverse Process Pleura Block (MTP) and Paravertebral Block (PVB) in patients undergoing breast surgery.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05332028). A total of 64 patients undergoing unilateral simple mastectomy operation due to breast cancer were included in the study. Before the anesthesia procedure, participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group 1: Participants undergoing PVB or Group 2: Participants undergoing MTP block. All block applications were performed using 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine. Routine general anesthesia protocol was performed on all patients. In the postanesthetic care unit, fentanyl infusion was given to all patients postoperatively via a patient-controlled analgesia device. Postoperative fentanyl consumption, time to the first request for analgesia, VAS score values at rest and in motion, and blocked dermatome areas were recorded.

RESULTS

Postoperative total opioid consumption, the number of patients given rescue analgesia, the time requiring postoperative supplemental analgesia, postoperative pain scores at rest and in motion, and blocked dermatome areas at both anterior and posterior lower and upper limits were not different between groups (p > 0.05, for all).

CONCLUSIONS

It was concluded that ultrasound-guided PVB and MTP blocks have similar postoperative analgesic efficacy in patients undergoing breast surgery. The MTP block may be preferred as an alternative to PVB for breast surgeries with less risk of complications.

Comparison of plasma levobupivacaine concentrations with and without epinephrine following erector spinae plane block for breast cancer surgery: a randomized controlled trial

Background

The erector spinae plane (ESP) block requires a large volume of local anesthetic to provide effective analgesia, which has the potential to cause local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST). Adjunctive epinephrine slows the entry of local anesthetic into the plasma and decreases its toxic effect on vulnerable tissues. We compared plasma levobupivacaine concentrations with and without epinephrine after ESP blocks for breast cancer surgery.

Methods

In this prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, 35 patients who underwent elective unilateral partial mastectomy with sentinel lymph node biopsy were enrolled. The patients were randomized to group L (ESP block with 2 mg/kg levobupivacaine) or LE (ESP block with 2 mg/kg levobupivacaine and 5 μg/mL epinephrine). Blood samples were obtained at 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after the ESP block, and plasma concentrations of levobupivacaine were compared.

Results

Twenty-nine patients were included in the analysis. The maximum plasma concentration (C_max) and the time to maximum concentration (T_max) were, respectively, 1.24 μg/mL and 6.0 min in group L and 0.62 μg/mL and 7.2 min in group LE. The two groups showed no significant differences in the numerical rating scale scores immediately after extubation and 5 and 9 h after the ESP block, or in the interval from the ESP block to the first rescue analgesia. No patient developed symptoms suggestive of LAST.

Conclusions

A single bolus of 2 mg/kg levobupivacaine in the ESP block resulted in a short T_max with high C_max. Adding epinephrine to levobupivacaine decreased the C_max and delayed the T_max after ESP blocks but had no effect on postoperative analgesia.

Trial registration

UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, UMIN000034479. The trial was retrospectively registered on October 13, 2018.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12871-022-01632-6.

Iatrogenic pneumothorax after breast reduction surgery caused by local anesthesia infiltration - a case report

We present a case of a 44-year-old woman, who underwent bilateral breast reduction mammoplasty and suffered a unilateral pneumothorax that was detected postoperatively. Infiltration of a local anesthetic was considered the cause of the pneumothorax. We recommend a more tangential direction of needle placement when infiltrating a local anesthetic.

Single-Injection Midpoint Transverse Process-to- Pleura Block Versus Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Uniportal Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

The effect of midpoint transverse process-to-pleura block (MTPB) is unclear. The authors compared the analgesic characteristics of MTPB with those of thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) in patients undergoing uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (uVATS) and examined the 2 types of blocks for noninferiority.

DESIGN

A randomized, controlled trial.

SETTING

A single-institution, university hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

The study comprised 82 patients between 18 and 75 years of age. Eighty-one patients were included for final analysis.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients were randomly allocated to either the MTPB group (Group M) or the TPVB group (Group P).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

The primary outcome was the mean difference in the postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) score between Group M and Group P at rest and at 12 hours. The secondary outcomes included VAS scores during rest and coughing, nerve block performance, intraoperative consumption of anesthetics and vasoactive medication, time at first use of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA), number of uses of PCIA, consumption of sufentanil in PCIA, and side effects. The mean difference in VAS score in the MTPB and TPVB group at rest and 12 hours postoperatively was 0.5 (95% confidence interval, -0.26 to 0.36). There was no significant difference in the time at first use of PCIA, which was 12 (10, 12) hours and 11 (10, 12) hours in Group M and Group P, respectively. The depth of puncture was shallower, and the time to perform block was shorter in Group M compared with Group P (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The analgesic effect of single-level-injection MTPB is noninferior to that of TPVB in patients undergoing uVATS. The target point of the needle in MTPB is shallower and farther away from the pleura compared with TPVB. For these reasons, it is quicker and safer and, thus, may be preferable.

Comparison of the analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided paravertebral block and ultrasound-guided retrolaminar block in Uniportal video-assisted Thoracoscopic surgery: a prospective, randomized study

Background

The optimal modality for postoperative analgesia after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UVATS) for the treatment of lung cancer has not yet been determined. Both ultrasound-guided paravertebral block (PVB) and retrolaminar block (RLB) have been reported to be successful in providing analgesia after UVATS. However, which block technique provides superior analgesia after UVATS is still unclear. This randomized study was designed to compare the postoperative analgesic effects and adverse events associated with ultrasound-guided PVB and RLB after UVATS.

Methods

Sixty patients with lung cancer were randomized to undergo ultrasound-guided PVB (group P) or ultrasound-guided RLB (group R). In group P, 30 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine was injected at the T3 and T5 levels via ultrasound-guided PVB (15 mL at each level on the operative side). In group R, 30 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine was injected at the T3 and T5 levels via ultrasound-guided RLB (15 mL at each level on the operative side). The primary outcome was the numerical rating scale (NRS) score within 48 h after surgery. The secondary outcomes were total postoperative sufentanil consumption, time to first analgesic request and adverse events.

Results

At 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h postoperatively, the NRS score at rest in group P was lower than that in group R (p < 0.05). At 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 h postoperatively, the NRS score while coughing in group P was lower than that in group R (p < 0.05). The total postoperative sufentanil consumption in group P was significantly lower than that in group R (p < 0.001). Additionally, the time to first analgesic request was longer in group R than in group P (p < 0.0001). The incidence of nausea in group R was higher than that in group P (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

In patients with lung cancer undergoing UVATS, ultrasound-guided PVB with 0.5% ropivacaine provides better analgesia and results in less nausea than ultrasound-guided RLB. Compared with ultrasound-guided RLB, ultrasound-guided PVB seems to be a better technique for analgesia in UVATS.

Trial registration

The name of this study is the Effect And Mechanism Of Ultrasound-guided Multimodal Regional Nerve Block On Acute And Chronic Pain After Thoracic Surgery. This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100044060). The date of registration was March 9, 2021.

Effect of thoracic paravertebral nerve block on the early postoperative rehabilitation in patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical lung cancer surgery

Objective

To evaluate the effect of thoracic paravertebral nerve block on early postoperative rehabilitation in patients undergoing radical thoracoscopic surgery for lung cancer.

Methods

Ninety patients scheduled for elective video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy of lung cancer were divided into 2 groups: the general anesthesia group (GA group, n = 45) and the TPVB group (TP group, n = 45). The primary outcome was the decline rate of the 6-min walking test (6MWT); the second outcomes were as follows: absolute value and the completion rate of 6MWT, postoperative analgesia deficiency and pain scores, oxycodone consumption, sleep quality, the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications, and the hospital stay.

Results

Compared with the GA group, the TP group had a lower decline rate of the 6MWT on POD1 and POD2. The walking distance on POD1 and POD2 in the TP group was significantly longer than that in the GA group; the completion rate at POD1 in the TP group was higher than that in the GA group. The pain scores and oxycodone consumption at POD1 in the TP group were lower than the GA group. The sleep quality in the TP group was higher than the GA group.

Conclusions

TPVB can significantly improve postoperative rehabilitation in patients undergoing thoracoscopic radical lung cancer surgery, which is helpful for promoting the early recovery of patients.

Trial registration

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900026213. Registered 26 Sept. 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=43733.

Perioperative Blocks for Decreasing Postoperative Narcotics in Breast Reconstruction

CONTEXT

High rates of mortality and chemical dependence occur following the overuse of narcotic medications, and the prescription of these medications has become a central discussion in health care. Efforts to curtail opioid prescribing include Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) guidelines, which describe local anesthesia techniques to decrease or eliminate the need for opioids when used in a comprehensive protocol. Here, we review effective perioperative blocks for the decreased use of opioid medications post-breast reconstruction surgery.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

A comprehensive review was conducted using keywords narcotics, opioid, surgery, breast reconstruction, pain pump, nerve block, regional anesthesia, and analgesia. Papers that described a local anesthetic option for breast reconstruction for decreasing postoperative narcotic consumption, written in English, were included.

RESULTS

A total of 52 papers were included in this review. Local anesthetic options included single-shot nerve blocks, nerve block catheters, and local and regional anesthesia. Most papers reported equal or even superior pain control with decreased nausea and vomiting, length of hospital stay, and other outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Though opioid medications are currently the gold standard medication for pain management following surgery, strategies to decrease the dose or number of opioids prescribed may lead to better patient outcomes. The use of a local anesthetic technique has been shown to reduce narcotic use and improve patients' pain scores after breast reconstruction surgery.

Complication rate of ultrasound-guided paravertebral block for breast surgery

Background and objectives

Thoracic paravertebral blockade is often used as an anesthetic and/or analgesic technique for breast surgery. With ultrasound guidance, the rate of complications is speculated to be lower than when using landmark-based techniques. This investigation aimed to quantify the incidence of pleural puncture and pneumothorax following non-continuous ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral blockade for breast surgery.

Methods

Patients who received thoracic paravertebral blockade for breast surgery were identified by retrospective query of our institution’s electronic database over a 5-year period. Data collected included patient demographics, level of block, type and volume of local anesthetic, occurrence of pleural puncture, occurrence of pneumothorax, evidence of local anesthetic toxicity, and patient vital signs. The incidence of block complications, including pleural puncture, pneumothorax, and local anesthetic toxicity, were ascertained.

Results

529 patients underwent 2163 thoracic paravertebral injections. Zero pleural punctures were identified during block performance; however, two patients were found to have a pneumothorax on postoperative chest X-ray (3.6 per 1000 surgeries, 95% CI 0.5 to 13.6; 0.9 per 1000 levels blocked, 95% CI 0.1 to 3.3). There were no cases of local anesthetic systemic toxicity or associated lipid emulsion therapy administration.

Conclusions

Pneumothorax following non-continuous ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block using a parasagittal approach is an uncommon occurrence, with a similar rate to pneumothorax following breast surgery alone.

The emerging role of pectoral nerve block (PECS block) in breast surgery: A case-matched analysis

To evaluate the benefits of pectoral nerve block (PECS block) in breast cancer surgery, we compared outcomes of 100 patients receiving PECS vs 107 without PECS. Intraoperative use of fentanyl (P < .001) acetaminophen (P = .02), morphine (P < .01), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) (P < .01) was lower in the PECS group. Occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was lower in the PECS group (P = .04). On postoperative day 1, the use of acetaminophen (P = .23), morphine (P = .83), and NSAIDS (P = .4) did not differ. Twenty-one patients received surgery with PECS block plus sedation alone. PECS block can reduce intraoperative use of opioids and analgesic drugs, and is associated with reduced occurrence of PONV. Selected patients can receive breast-conserving surgery with PECS plus sedation, avoiding general anesthesia.

Erector spinae plane versus paravertebral nerve blocks for postoperative analgesia after breast surgery: a randomized clinical trial

Background

Paravertebral nerve blocks (PVBs) are frequently used to treat pain during and following breast surgery, but have various undesirable risks such as pneumothorax. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) also provides perioperative breast analgesia, but is purported to be easier to administer with a favorable safety profile. However, it remains unknown if the new ESPB provides comparable analgesia as the decades-old PVB technique.

Methods

Subjects undergoing unilateral or bilateral non-mastectomy breast surgery were randomized to a single-injection ESPB or PVB in a subject-blinded fashion (ropivacaine 0.5% with epinephrine; 20 mL unilateral or 16 mL/side for bilateral). We hypothesized that (1) analgesia would be non-inferior in the recovery room as measured on a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) with ESPB, and (2) opioid consumption would be non-inferior in the operating and recovery rooms with ESPB.

Results

Both pain scores and opioid consumption were higher in subjects with ESPBs (n=50) than PVBs (n=50; median NRS 3.0 vs 0; 95% CI −3.0 to 0; p=0.0011; and median morphine equivalents 2.0 vs 1.5 mg; 95% CI −1.2 to −0.1; p=0.0043). No block-related adverse events occurred in either group.

Conclusions

PVBs provided superior analgesia and reduced opioid requirements following non-mastectomy breast surgery. To compare the relatively rare complications between the techniques will require a sample size 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than the current investigation; however, without a dramatic improvement in safety profile for ESPBs, it appears that PVBs are superior to ESPBs for postoperative analgesia after non-mastectomy breast surgery.

Trial registration number

NCT03549234.

Pain Control in Breast Surgery: Survey of Current Practice and Recommendations for Optimizing Management-American Society of Breast Surgeons Opioid/Pain Control Workgroup

INTRODUCTION

The opioid epidemic in the United States is a public health crisis. Breast surgeons are obligated to provide good pain control for their patients after surgery but also must minimize administration of narcotics to prevent a surgical episode of care from becoming a patient's gateway into opioid dependence.

METHODS

A survey to ascertain pain management practice patterns after breast surgery was performed. A review of currently available literature that was specific to breast surgery was performed to create recommendations regarding pain management strategies.

RESULTS

A total of 609 surgeons completed the survey and demonstrated significant variations in pain management practices, specifically within regards to utilization of regional anesthesia (e.g., nerve blocks), and quantity of prescribed narcotics. There is excellent data to guide the use of local and regional anesthesia. There are, however, fewer studies to guide narcotic recommendations; thus, these recommendations were guided by prevailing practice patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

Pain management practices after breast surgery have significant variation and represent an opportunity to improve patient safety and quality of care. Multimodality approaches in conjunction with standardized quantities of narcotics are recommended.

Serratus anterior plane block or thoracic paravertebral block for postoperative pain treatment after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a retrospective propensity-matched study

Background

Reports of postoperative pain treatment after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery are limited. Thoracic paravertebral block and serratus anterior plane block have been described recently in pain management after thoracic surgery. A comparison between these two blocks for postoperative analgesia after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has not been previously reported. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic benefits of serratus plane block and thoracic paravertebral block after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery and examined the two block types for noninferiority.

Methods

From December 2015 to May 2018, a total of 636 relevant records of patients who underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery under general anaesthesia alone or with the addition of serratus plane block or thoracic paravertebral block performed preoperatively were identified. A propensity-matched analysis incorporating preoperative variables was used to compare the efficacy of postoperative analgesia in three groups.

Results

Overall, 123 patients were identified for analysis. Propensity score matching resulted in 41 patients in each group. The visual analogue scale scores were significantly lower in the serratus plane block group and the thoracic paravertebral block group than in the control group at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 6th postoperative hours. Cumulative opioid consumption was significantly lower in the serratus plane and thoracic paravertebral block groups than in the control group at 6 hrs (18.3±3.1 mg, 18.7±3.9 mg vs 21.5±4.4 mg; P=0.001) and 24 hrs (43.4±7.3 mg, 42.5±7.7 mg vs 49.3±8.8 mg; P<0.001) postoperatively. The serratus plane block group was noninferior to the thoracic paravertebral block group on pain score and opioid consumption.

Conclusion

The addition of single-injection serratus plane or thoracic paravertebral block is associated with early analgesic benefits in patients undergoing uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, including a reduction in the postoperative opioid consumption and pain scores. Serratus plane block is as effective as thoracic paravertebral block for reducing postoperative pain.

Ultrasound-Guided Midpoint Transverse Process to Pleura Block in Breast Cancer Surgery: A Case Report

To avoid the safety issues related to thoracic paravertebral blocks, we performed midpoint transverse process to pleura blocks in 3 patients before general anesthesia for modified radical mastectomies. The midpoint transverse process to pleura blocks served as the major component of multimodal analgesia. With ultrasound guidance, 7 mL of a mixture of 0.75% ropivacaine and 2% lidocaine with epinephrine were deposited at T2, T4, and T6 levels. We noted decreased sensation to cold and pinprick from T2 to T8 dermatome level with sparing of axilla and infraclavicular areas. The maximum pain numeric rating scale score (0-10) was 4 out on movement and none had mean 24-hour numeric rating scale >3.

Postoperative analgesic effect of hydromorphone in patients undergoing single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a randomized controlled trial

Objective: To study the general efficacy of hydromorphone as a systemic analgesic in postoperative pain management following single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and to explore the optimal administration regimen.

Methods: A prospective, randomized, double-blind study was designed and conducted in a tertiary hospital. In total, 157 valid patients undergoing single-port VATS were randomly allocated into three groups. A total of 53 patients received morphine bolus only for postoperative analgesia (Group Mb); 51 patients received a hydromorphone background infusion plus bolus (Group Hb + i), and 53 patients received a hydromorphone bolus only (Group Hb). The primary outcomes were patient-reported static and dynamic pain levels; the secondary outcomes included side effects, sleep quality, and recovery indexes.

Results: Patients in Group Hb + i experienced lower pain intensity (approximately 10 out of 100 on the visual analog scale) in both static pain and dynamic pain in the days following surgery (P<0.01), better sleep quality during the first night only (P=0.002), and a higher satisfaction level than those in the other two groups (P=0.006). A comparison of these variables in Group Mb and Group Hb resulted in no significant differences. Lastly, side effects and recovery indexes remained the same among bolus-only groups and bolus-plus-background-infusion groups.

Conclusion: There is no advantage to administering hydromorphone over morphine using bolus only mode. Within 24 h after surgery, a background infusion should be considered as a part of a standard protocol for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia. At 24 h after surgery, the background infusion should be adjusted in accordance with patient preferences and pain intensity.

Enhanced recovery pathways in thoracic surgery from Italian VATS Group: perioperative analgesia protocols

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive technique that allows a faster recovery after thoracic surgery. Although enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) principles seem reasonably applicable to thoracic surgery, there is little literature on the application of such a strategy in this context. In regard to pain management, ERAS pathways promote the adoption of a multimodal strategy, tailored to the patients. This approach is based on combining systemic and loco-regional analgesia to favour opioid-sparing strategies. Thoracic paravertebral block is considered the first-line loco-regional technique for VATS. Other techniques include intercostal nerve block and serratus anterior plane block. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol are essential part of the multimodal treatment of pain. Also, adjuvant drugs can be useful as opioid-sparing agents. Nevertheless, the treatment of postoperative pain must take into account opioid agents too, if necessary. All above is useful for careful planning and execution of a multimodal analgesic treatment to enhance the recovery of patients. This article summarizes the most recent evidences from literature and authors' experiences on perioperative multimodal analgesia principles for implementing an ERAS program after VATS lobectomy.