Effect of ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block with rectus sheath block on patients undergoing laparoscopy-assisted radical resection of rectal cancer: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Preoperative Bilateral External Oblique Intercostal Plus Rectus Sheath Block for Postoperative Pain Management Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Noninferior Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has proven efficacy and is an important component of multimodal analgesia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The external oblique intercostal (EOI) block can provide a dermatomal sensory blockade of T6 to T10 using an anterior axillary line injection. The bilateral rectus sheath (RS) block can significantly reduce early postoperative pain caused by umbilical or periumbilical incisions. The current study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacies of ultrasound-guided subcostal TAP (UG-TAP) combined with the RS block and ultrasound-guided EOI (UG-EOI) combined with the RS block for LC.

METHODS

Patients were randomly assigned to TAP or EOI group. Patients in TAP group received UG-TAP combined with an RS block. Patients in EOI group received UG-EOI combined with an RS block. The primary outcome was postoperative 24-hour sufentanil consumption.

RESULTS

A total of 49 patients were included in the final analysis. The postoperative 24-hour sufentanil consumption in the EOI group was significantly lower than that in the TAP group (9.79±10.22 vs. 18.67±12.58 µg; P [noninferiority] <0.01; noninferiority confirmed). Fewer patients in the EOI versus TAP group had a numerical rating score of >3 during motion. Furthermore, the mean postoperative 48-hour sufentanil consumption was lower in the EOI versus TAP group (11.54±11.70 vs. 23.04±17.10 µg; P =0.01). The mean postoperative 24-hour Quality of Recovery-15 score was higher in the EOI versus TAP group (135.21±4.40 vs. 131.91±5.11; P =0.02).

DISCUSSION

These findings suggest that UG-EOI combined with an RS block was superior to UG-TAP combined with an RS block for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing LC.

Perioperative pain management with regional analgesia techniques for visceral cancer surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Regional analgesia following visceral cancer surgery might provide an advantage but evidence for best treatment options related to risk-benefit is unclear.

DESIGN

Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCT) with meta-analysis and GRADE assessment.

SETTING

Postoperative pain treatment.

PATIENTS

Adult patients undergoing visceral cancer surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

Any kind of peripheral (PRA) or epidural analgesia (EA) with/without systemic analgesia (SA) was compared to SA with or without placebo treatment or any other regional anaesthetic techniques.

MEASUREMENTS

Primary outcome measures were postoperative acute pain intensity at rest and during activity 24 h after surgery, the number of patients with block-related adverse events and postoperative paralytic ileus.

MAIN RESULTS

59 RCTs (4345 participants) were included. EA may reduce pain intensity at rest (mean difference (MD) -1.05; 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.35 to -0.75, low certainty evidence) and during activity 24 h after surgery (MD -1.83; 95% CI: -2.34 to -1.33, very low certainty evidence). PRA likely results in little difference in pain intensity at rest (MD -0.75; 95% CI: -1.20 to -0.31, moderate certainty evidence) and pain during activity (MD -0.93; 95% CI: -1.34 to -0.53, moderate certainty evidence) 24 h after surgery compared to SA. There may be no difference in block-related adverse events (very low certainty evidence) and development of paralytic ileus (very low certainty of evidence) between EA, respectively PRA and SA.

CONCLUSIONS

Following visceral cancer surgery EA may reduce pain intensity. In contrast, PRA had only limited effects on pain intensity at rest and during activity. However, we are uncertain regarding the effect of both techniques on block-related adverse events and paralytic ileus. Further research is required focusing on regional analgesia techniques especially following laparoscopic visceral cancer surgery.

Effect of Rectus Sheath Block on Postoperative Quality of Recovery After Transabdominal Midline Gynecological Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction

Rectus sheath block is an emerging technique that provide effective perioperative analgesia and is related to lower perioperative opioid consumption and decrease opioid-related adverse effects. The present research is designed to explore the effect of rectus sheath block on recovery quality in patients following transabdominal midline gynecological surgery.

Methods

Ninety female patients following elective transabdominal midline gynecological surgery were enrolled. Patients were randomized to group R (n = 45) which receive preoperative ultrasound-guided RSB with 0.4% ropivacaine or group C which is control group (n = 45). The primary outcome was the quality of recovery on the first postoperative day. The quality of recovery was assessed by the 40-item Quality of Recovery questionnaire (QoR-40). Secondary outcomes included the intraoperative opioid consumption, time to first flatus and time to first discharging from bed, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and patient satisfaction.

Results

The patients in two groups had comparable baseline characteristics. Postoperative global QoR-40 scores were significantly better in group R than in group C (165.0[159.5-170.0] vs 155.0[150.0-157.0], respectively; median difference 12[95% confidence interval: 8-15, P<0.001]). Preoperative RSB reduced intraoperative opioid consumption, reduced the time to first flatus, time to first discharging from bed and the post anaesthesia care unit discharge time. Furthermore, group R showed greater patient satisfaction.

Conclusion

A single preoperative administration of RSB with ropivacaine improved the quality of recovery in patients following transabdominal midline gynecological surgery.

Combined rectus sheath block with transverse abdominis plane block by one puncture for analgesia after laparoscopic upper abdominal surgery: a randomized controlled prospective study

BACKGROUND

Rectus sheath block (RSB) and transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) have been shown to reduce opioid consumption and decrease postoperative pain scores in abdominal surgeries. However, there are no reports about the one-puncture technique of RSB combined with TAPB for perioperative pain management during laparoscopic upper abdominal surgery.

METHODS

A total of 58 patients were randomly assigned to the control group (C), the TAP group (T), and the one-puncture technique of RSB combined with TAPB group (RT). The patients in group C did not receive any regional block. The patients in group T received ultrasound-guided subcostal TAPB with 30 mL of 0.33% ropivacaine on each side. The patients in the RT group received a combination of RSB and TAPB with 15 mL of 0.33% ropivacaine in each plane by one puncture technique. All patients received postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after surgeries. The range of blocks was recorded 20 min after the completion of the regional block. The postoperative opioid consumption, pain scores, and recovery data were recorded, including the incidence of emergence agitation (EA), the times of first exhaust and off-bed activity, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, dizziness.

RESULTS

The range of the one-puncture technique in group RT covered all areas of surgical incisions. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score of the RT group is significantly lower at rest and during coughing compared to groups T and C at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h after surgery, respectively (P < 0.05). The consumption of sufentanil and the number of postoperative compressions of the analgesic pumps at 24 and 48 h in the RT group are significantly lower than those in groups T and C (P < 0.05). The incidence of EA in the RT group is significantly lower than that in groups T and C (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The one-puncture technique of RSB combined with TAPB provides effective postoperative analgesia for laparoscopic upper abdominal surgery, reduces the incidence of EA during PACU, and promotes early recovery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR, ChiCTR2300067271. Registered 3 Jan 2023, http://www.chictr.org.cn .

Effects of remifentanil combined with propofol on hemodynamics and oxidative stress in patients undergoing resection of rectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Rectal carcinoma (RC) treatment primarily involves laparoscopic surgery, which may induce significant hemodynamic changes and weaken immune function. Certain anesthetic approaches using opioid drugs (including remifentanil and sufentanil) pose risks, such as hypotension.

AIM

To determine the effects of remifentanil combined with propofol on hemodynamics and oxidative stress in patients undergoing RC resection.

METHODS

A total of 211 patients one hundred and four patients with RC treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University between November 2018 and November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, the remifentanil group included 45 patients receiving remifentanil with propofol anesthesia and the sufentanil group included 59 patients receiving sufentanil with propofol anesthesia. Changes in the hemodynamic index, oxidative stress index, general data, consumption of remifentanil, and use of vasoactive drugs were compared. The incidences of adverse reactions were calculated.

RESULTS

The two groups did not significantly differ in terms of operation, anesthesia, and extubation times (P > 0.05). At 1 min after intubation, the sufentanil group showed a notably higher heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) compared with the remifentanil group (P < 0.05), whereas the sufentanil group showed a notably higher SBP and MAP compared with the remifentanil group at 5 min after pneumoperitoneum (P < 0.05). Thirty minutes after surgery, the remifentanil group showed significantly lower plasma cortisol, noradrenaline, and glucose levels than the sufentanil group (P < 0.001). The remifentanil group consumed significantly less remifentanil than the sufentanil group (P < 0.05), and the adoption frequency of ephedrine was lower in the remifentanil group than that in the sufentanil group (P < 0.05). The incidence of hypotension was notably higher in the sufentanil group than that in the remifentanil group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Remifentanil combined with propofol can improve hemodynamics and relieve oxidative stress in patients undergoing RC resection.

Application of dexmedetomidine combined with ultrasound-guided transverse abdominal fascia block during radical colorectal cancer surgery under general anesthesia

BACKGROUND

Radical surgery is the main treatment for colorectal cancer, and effective anaesthesia is required in the perioperative period to ensure a smooth operation. Dexmedetomidine is a commonly used anaesthetic drug, but the optimal dose for general anaesthesia in radical colorectal cancer surgery is still unknown.

AIM

To investigate the application of different doses of dexmede-tomidine combined with ultrasound-guided transverse abdominal fascial block in radical colorectal cancer surgery under general anesthesia.

METHODS

Two hundred patients proposed for radical colorectal cancer surgery under general anesthesia at our hospital from October 2017 to September 2022 were selected and divided into three groups (A, B, and C) using the random number table method. Sixty-seven patients in group A were given 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine, 67 patients in group B were given 0.25 μg/kg dexmedetomidine, and 66 patients in group C were given an equal dose of saline. The vital signs [heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SaO₂), and mean arterial pressure (MAP)] before induction of anesthesia (T0), after dexmedetomidine injection (T1), 1 h after the start of surgery (T2), and immediately after the end of surgery (T3), the visual analog scale (VAS) scores at 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h after surgery, the number of analgesic pump compressions at 24 h after surgery, the number of times of remedial analgesia, the levels of immune cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-10 (IL-10)], serum neurotransmitter [serum S100B protein (S100B), serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)] before surgery and 12 h and 24 h after surgery, and adverse effects were recorded.

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in SaO₂ among the three groups from T0 to T3 (P > 0.05), and HR and MAP at T1 and T2 were lower in group A than in groups B and C, and in group B than in group C (P < 0.05). VAS scores in group A were lower than those in groups B and C at 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h postoperatively, and the number of analgesic pump compressions and times of remedial analgesia at 24 h postoperatively were less in group A than in groups B and C (P < 0.05), and in group B than in group C (P < 0.05). Serum TNF-α and IL-10 at 12 h and 24 h postoperatively were lower in group A than in groups B and C, and IL-2 was higher than in groups B and C; these indexes in group B were superior to those in group C (P < 0.05). Serum S100B and NSE at 12 h postoperatively were lower in group A than in groups B and C, and BDNF was higher than in groups B and C; these indexes in group B were superior to those in group C (P < 0.05). The differences in the incidence of adverse reactions were not statistically significant among the three groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Compared with 0.25 μg/kg dexmedetomidine, 0.5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine combined with ultrasound-guided transverse abdominal fascial block for radical colorectal cancer surgery under general anesthesia can more effectively maintain the stability of patients' vital signs, with less impact on patients' immune function and neurological function, and better postoperative analgesia without increasing the risk of adverse effects.

Complications and Technical Consideration of Ultrasound-Guided Rectus Sheath Blocks: A Retrospective Analysis of 4033 Patients

BACKGROUND

Although the ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block (RSB) is usually regarded as an easy and safe procedure in clinical settings, there is currently no report on complications incidence. Therefore, the present study investigated complications in a large cohort and described the technical considerations to minimize complications of real-time ultrasound-guided RSBs.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent real-time ultrasound-guided RSBs for perioperative pain control in laparoscopic surgery with an umbilical port between February 1, 2017, and February 28, 2021, at the Asan Medical Center in South Korea. All RSBs were performed bilaterally using a 23-gauge Quincke needle, and a bilateral 2-block placement was regarded as 1 RSB. Patient data, including demographics, preoperative laboratory data, preoperative antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication with the duration of discontinuation, and type of surgery, were collected to show the study population characteristics and explore potential factors associated with adverse events such as hematoma. Ultrasound images of patients and adverse events of RSBs, including extrarectus sheath injections, vascular injuries, bowel injury, or local anesthetic systemic toxicity, were also analyzed accordingly.

RESULTS

A total of 4033 procedures were analyzed. The mean body mass index of the patients was 24.1 (21.8-26.5) kg/m2. The preoperative laboratory data were within normal range in 4028 (99.9%) patients. Preoperative antiplatelets or anticoagulants were administered in 17.3% of the patients. Overall, 96 complications (2.4%) were observed. Among them, extrarectus sheath injection occurred in 88 cases (2.2%), which included preperitoneal injection (0.9%) and intraperitoneal injection (1.3%). Vascular injuries constituted 8 cases (0.2%) and all vascular injuries resulted in hematoma: 7 cases of inferior epigastric artery injury with rectus sheath hematoma and 1 of inferior mesenteric artery injury with retroperitoneal hematoma. Bowel injury or local anesthetic systemic toxicity was not reported.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study of RSBs performed on 4033 patients using a 23-gauge Quincke needle in patients with low body mass index, there were 8 cases (0.2%) of vascular injury, all of which accompanied hematoma.

Correlation of Presacral Tumour Recurrence with Tumour Metastasis and Long-Term Tumour Recurrence Risk in Patients with Rectal Cancer

Objective

To explore the risk factors that affect long-term presacral tumour recurrence in patients with rectal cancer (RC) after radical rectal cancer resection.

Methods

In our study, a total of 50 patients with presacral tumour recurrence after radical resection of RC in our hospital between May 2017 and May 2018 were enrolled in the observation group, and the other 50 patients without presacral tumour recurrence after the resection over the same span were enrolled in the control group. The two groups were compared in distant metastatic rate and long-term recurrence, and corresponding K-M curves were drawn. Additionally, the quality of life of the two groups was also compared. Patients in both groups were assigned to a long-term recurrence group or a non-long-term recurrence group based on their long-term recurrence, and a multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out for analysis of risk factors of long-term recurrence.

Results

The two groups were not greatly different in clinical data (P > 0.05). The observation group was higher than the control group in terms of distant metastasis and long-term recurrence (P < 0.05). In addition, the MOS 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores of the observation group were all lower than those of the control group in the eight dimensions (P < 0.05). Moreover, tumour diameter (OR: 0.315, 95% CI: 0.118–0.835), differentiation (OR: 2.652, 95% CI: 1.086–6.852), and presacral recurrence (OR: 2.370, 95% CI: 1.263–4.447) were all independent risk factors for long-term recurrence of patients undergoing radical resection of RC.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing radical resection of RC face greatly higher risks of presacral tumour distant metastasis and long-term tumour recurrence, and tumour diameter ≥ 5 cm, low-differentiation degree, and presacral recurrence are independent risk factors for long-term recurrence of patients undergoing radical resection of RC. In the future, when performing radical resection of rectal cancer, it is necessary to pay attention to the changes in the above indicators in patients so as to prevent tumour recurrence.

Transversus abdominis plane block for laparoscopic colorectal surgery: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of transversus abdominis plane block (TAP) on pain management after laparoscopic colorectal surgery (CRS) remains unclear since the only relevant meta-analysis on this topic did not separate laparoscopic CRS from open CRS. The aim of the study was to compare the analgesic efficacy and safety of TAP with non-TAP in patients undergoing laparoscopic CRS.

METHODS

Four databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on this topic using relevant keywords. Two authors independently completed evidence selection, data extraction, and critical appraisal. Available data were pooled in the random-effects model, and point estimates with 95% confidence interval (CI) were reported for postoperative pain at rest and on coughing, opioid consumption, length of hospital stay, and adverse events.

RESULTS

A total of 14 RCTs (n = 1216) contributed to the present synthesis. Pooled result showed that patients in the TAP group had lower pain at rest than those in the non-TAP group at postoperative 2-h (mean difference [MD] = -1.42; P < 0.05), 4-h (MD = -0.97; P < 0.05), 12-h (MD = -0.75; P < 0.05), and 24-h (MD = -0.61; P < 0.05). Patients in the TAP group also had lower postoperative pain on coughing than those in the non-TAP group on the first day (MD = -1.02; P < 0.05). Moreover, TAP had lesser postoperative opioid consumption than non-TAP (standardized mean difference, -0.26; P < 0.05; I-square = 20%), and there were non-significant differences in hospital stay and adverse event between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative TAP is a safe and feasible pain management for laparoscopic CRS, particularly it is recommended when patient-controlled analgesia is not delivered. Therefore, laparoscopic TAP block might be a favorable administered strategy.