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

The effect of preemptive retrolaminar block on lumbar spinal decompression surgery

PURPOSE

Spinal decompression surgery causes severe pain. Retrolaminar block (RLB) is block, which is done by infiltration of local anesthetic to block spinal nerves between the lamina and superior costotransversospinalis muscle. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of RLB on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing spinal surgery. Secondary aims are effects on additional anesthetic and analgesic consumption.

METHODS

The sixty (60) patients who underwent lumbar spinal surgery between May 2020 and May 2021 under general anesthesia with or without applied preemptive RLB for postoperative analgesia were included in this prospective observational study. Group I received ultrasound-guided preemptive RLB. In Group II, no intervention was performed. Postoperative VAS scores were compared in groups as primary outcome, perioperative additional anesthetic and analgesic needs were compared as secondary outcome.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference between the groups in favor of the RLB group in terms of postoperative VAS scores at rest [1.33 (0.33-3.509)] and movement [2.40 (1.20-4.00)] (p < 0.001). Perioperative sevoflurane consumption was significantly low in block group (p < 0.001). Postoperative tramadol consumption was lower in Group I compared with Group II [Group 1: 200 (100-300); Group 2: 37.5 (0-200); p < 0.001].

CONCLUSION

Preemptive RLB may be used to reduce patients' pain in lumbar decompression surgery as well as to be part of a multimodal analgesia and anesthesia regimen to reduce anesthetic and analgesic drug consumption. Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT04209907).

The efficacy of the ultrasound-guided retrolaminar block versus the classic paravertebral block in patients undergoing unilateral inguinal hernioplasty: a randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND

In daily surgical practice, inguinal hernioplasty is a frequent procedure that is frequently accompanied by severe postoperative pain. Multiple regional blocks have been described for analgesia after such operations. Retrolaminar block (RLB) is a paravertebral block (PVB) variant that provides excellent analgesia and reduces the risk of complications. This prospective trial compared the analgesic efficacy of PVB and RLB in the inguinal hernioplasty.

METHODS

The 56 patients included were randomly assigned into two equal groups according to the block performed under ultrasound guidance at the T12 level: PVB group (28 patients) and RLB (28 patients). Time until the first rescue analgesia was our primary outcome. Other outcomes included the time to perform the block, changes in intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, postoperative VAS, 24-h morphine consumption, the level of patient satisfaction, and the incidence of block-related complications.

RESULTS

Demographic data were comparable in the two groups. However, the time needed for the block was significantly shortened with the RLB (p < 0.001). Patients in the PVB groups expressed better pain scores and lower opioid consumption. Additionally, the time to the first call for opioid analgesia showed a significant prolongation in association with the PVB. There was no discernible difference in the frequency of adverse events and recorded MAP and HR.

CONCLUSION

The PVB has a superior perioperative analgesic profile compared to the RLB, which manifested in the prolonged duration to the first rescue analgesics, better pain scores, and less opioid consumption, with no significant increase in block-related complications.

The postoperative analgesia of retrolaminar block in patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Postoperative pain has always been a difficult problem in anesthesia management. The neurological block technique has been used for postoperative analgesia management, but compared with the traditional block method, the effect of postoperative analgesia after layer block is still controversial, and a clear literature review is needed. This systematic review's goal was to investigate RLB's impact on postoperative analgesia.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The literature search was performed using the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases. Patients aged 18 years who underwent retrolaminar block were considered eligible. The article must report the results of the original study related to postoperative analgesia. The characteristics of the study sample and evaluating the RLB for postoperative analgesia were extracted from each included article and concluded.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Eleven randomized controlled trials (726 patients) were included. After summarizing the analysis of the results of RLB on changing postoperative analgesia indexes in different surgeries, we concluded that PVB is better used for postoperative analgesia compared with RLB. The analgesic effect of RLB provides advantages compared with EPSB, SCPB, etc.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of this review, RLB can be applied to thoracic surgery, abdominal surgery and parotid surgery, but its analgesic effect is not significant enough, and further research is needed in the future to provide stronger evidence for postoperative analgesia in surgical patients.

Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Versus Anatomical Landmark-Guided Thoracolumbar Retrolaminar Techniques in Canine Cadavers

The retrolaminar block was developed in humans as an easier and safer alternative to the thoracic paravertebral block. This study aims to describe an ultrasound-guided thoracolumbar retrolaminar injection in canine cadavers and compare the injectate distribution between a landmark-guided and an ultrasound-guided thoracolumbar retrolaminar technique using computed tomography. Ten canine cadavers were randomised to receive two injections each of 0.6 mL/kg of iodinated contrast at the level of the twelfth thoracic vertebra (T12): a landmark-guided retrolaminar injection was performed on one hemithorax (group B, n = 10) and an ultrasound-guided on the other hemithorax (group U, n = 10). Groups were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. The median (range) spread of the contrast in the paravertebral space was 0 (0-3) and 1 (0-5) vertebrae in groups B and U, respectively (p = 0.038). The median (range) extent of the spread surrounding the interverbal foramina was 4 (0-5) in group B and 4 (3-5) in group U. The median (range) spread along the retrolaminar space cranial and caudal to T12 was 3 (0-6) retrolaminar segments in group B and 3 (3-4) in group U. The potential of the ultrasound-guided retrolaminar injection to provide analgesia for dogs suffering from thoracolumbar pain should be further investigated.

Comparison of Edge of Lamina Block with Thoracic Paravertebral Block and Retrolaminar Block for Analgesic Efficacy in Adult Patients Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Study

Background

A novel ultrasound-guided paravertebral block, the edge laminar block (ELB) was reported recently. However, it was unclear how effective ELB was in comparison with traditional blocking methods. We conducted a trial to compare the analgesic efficacy of ELB with the thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) and the retrolaminar block (RLB) in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS).

Methods

We identified 90 patients who were scheduled for VATS and randomly assigned them to three groups: ELB group (Group E), TPVB group (Group T), and RLB group (Group R). Each group underwent ELB, TPVB, and RLB, respectively, under ultrasound guidance before general anesthesia induction. All patients received post-operative routine analgesia protocol. Our primary outcome was the extent of dermatomal sensory loss on the midclavicular, midaxillary, and scapular lines, measured using a pinprick 15 minutes after the nerve block. Secondary outcomes included the intraoperative dose of sufentanil, the numerical rating scale (NRS) scores assessed in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and at 6, 12, and 24 hours post-operatively, and pethidine administrated as analgesic rescue dose.

Results

The percentages of nerve block range reaching the midclavicular line, midaxillary line, and scapular line in Group E were 96.7%, 93.3%, 93.3%, and 60% in Group T and 30%, 56.7%, and 96.7% in Group R, respectively. Group E had wider dermatomal sensory loss on the midclavicular line and midaxillary line compared to Group R (P < 0.001) and had a wider range compared to Group T on the scapular line (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the intraoperative use of sufentanil in the three groups. Post-operative NRS scores at each time point were significantly lower in Group E than those in the other two groups (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

ELB had a wider nerve block range and applied better post-operative analgesia in comparison with TPVB and RLB.

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.

Erector Spinae Plane Block Combined with Serratus Anterior Plane Block Versus Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Postoperative Analgesia and Recovery After Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Non-inferiority Clinical Trial

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the postoperative analgesia and recovery of ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block combined with serratus anterior plane block (ESPB combined with SAPB) versus thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) after thoracoscopic surgery.

METHODS

Ninety-two patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) were randomly divided into group S (n=46) and group P (n=46). After anesthesia induction, the same anesthesiologist performed ultrasound-guided ESPB at T5 and T7 levels combined with SAPB at the level of the fifth rib in the midaxillary line in group S and ultrasound-guided PVB at T5 and T7 levels in group P. Patients in both groups were given 40 mL of 0.4% ropivacaine. Eighty-six patients completed the study (group S, n=44; group P, n=42). The morphine consumption, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest and coughing, and frequency of remedial analgesia were recorded at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h postoperatively. Pulmonary function parameters were recorded at 1, 4, and 24 h postoperatively, and the quality of recovery (QoR)-15 score at 24 h postoperatively. The adverse effects, duration of chest tube drainage and length of stay were also recorded.

RESULTS

The morphine consumption at postoperative 4 and 8 h and the incidence of ipsilateral shoulder pain (ISP) were significantly lower in group S than in group P. The QoR-15 questionnaire score at postoperative 24 h was significantly lower in group P than in group S (P<0.05). The morphine consumption was lower at 24 h postoperatively in group S than in group P, with no significant difference found yet. The morphine consumption at other observed times, VAS scores, pulmonary function parameters, frequency of remedial analgesia, duration of chest tube drainage, length of stay, and incidence of other adverse events were comparable between group S and group P.

CONCLUSION

Ultrasound-guided ESPB combined with SAPB is non-inferior to PVB in terms of morphine consumption at postoperative 24 h and postoperative recovery. But, this approach can significantly reduce morphine consumption in the early postoperative period (0-8 h) after thoracoscopy with lower incidence of ISP. It is a simpler and safer operation.

The Shining Star of the Last Decade in Regional Anesthesia Part-I: Interfascial Plane Blocks for Breast, Thoracic, and Orthopedic Surgery

Regional anesthesia has benefits beyond just treating acute postoperative pain. Interfascial plane blocks, which have been very popular with ultrasound in recent years, function primarily by administering a high volume of a local anesthetic to the fascial plane. Contrary to traditional peripheral nerve blocks, the targeted nerve or structure in interfacial plane blocks is not fully defined, and the indications have not been fully revealed yet. Anatomical, cadaveric, and radiological studies show how effective the interfascial plane blocks play a role. This review focuses on the benefits, techniques, indications, and complications of interfascial plane blocks in the context of breast, thoracic, and orthopedic surgery.

A comparison of regional anesthesia techniques in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery: A network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pain control remains challenging in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). This study aimed to investigate the relative efficacy of different regional anesthesia interventions for VATS using a Network Meta analysis (NMA).

METHODS

A literature search was conducted for NMA using Pubmed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, and the Web of Science databases to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the analgesic effects of different regional analgesia techniques from inception to February 2022. The primary outcome was opioid consumption during the first 24 h postoperatively. The secondary outcomes were morphine consumption at 48 h postoperatively, pain intensity, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and hospital length of stay. Pain scores at two different intervals from different regional analgesia techniques were measured and investigated in this NMA.

RESULTS

A total of 38 RCTs (2224 patients) were included. Two studies compared three arm interventions of intercostal nerve block (ICNB) vs. thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) vs. erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in intravenous morphine consumption at 24 h and 48 h postoperatively, and showed patients who received TPVB had less demand for morphine than ICNB and ESPB (P = 0.001, P = 0.001). For resting pain scores at 24 h postoperatively, ESPB was superior to serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) (P = 0.01), and TPVB provided effective analgesia compared to ICNB, retrolaminar block (RLB), and ESPB (P = 0.05, P = 0.01, P = 0.03). Similarly, pain scores at rest at 48 h, SAPB and TPVB showed the best results (P = 0.04, P = 0.001, P = 0.01) compared with local infiltration analgesia (LIA), ICNB, RLB, and ESPB. Additionally, pain scores at coughing at 24 h and 48 h, TPVB showed superior results compared with RLB,ESPB(P = 0.02, P = 0.02, P = 0.03). SAPB was superior to LIA in reducing the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

In regional anaesthesia, TPVB is a better option than other analgesic methods, and its combination with other methods can be beneficial. However, our findings can only provide objective evidence. Clinicians should choose the treatment course based on the individual patient's condition and clinical situation.

Anatomical classification and clinical application of thoracic paraspinal blocks

Various techniques for regional anesthesia and analgesia of the thorax are currently being used in clinical practice. A recent international consensus has anatomically classified paraspinal blocks in the thoracic spinal region into the following four types: paravertebral, retrolaminar, erector spinae plane, and intertransverse process blocks. These blocks have different anatomical targets; thus, the spreading patterns of the injectates differ and can consequently exhibit different neural blockade characteristics. The paravertebral block directly targets the paravertebral space just outside the neuraxial region and has an analgesic efficacy comparable to that of the epidural block; however, there are multiple potential risks associated with this technique. Retrolaminar and erector spinae plane blocks target the erector spinae plane on the vertebral lamina and transverse process, respectively. In anatomical studies, these two blocks showed different injectate spreading patterns to the back muscles and the fascial plane. In cadaveric studies, paravertebral spread was identified, but variable. However, numerous clinical reports have shown paravertebral spread with erector spinae plane blocks. Both techniques have been found to reduce postoperative pain compared to controls; however, the results have been more inconsistent than with the paravertebral block. Finally, the intertransverse process block targets the tissue complex posterior to the superior costotransverse ligament. Anatomical studies have revealed that this block has pathways that are more direct and closer to the paravertebral space than the retrolaminar and erector spinae plane blocks. Cadaveric evaluations have consistently shown promising results; however, further clinical studies using this technique are needed to confirm these anatomical findings.

The effect of ultrasound-guided bilateral thoracic retrolaminar block on analgesia after pediatric open cardiac surgery: a randomized controlled double-blind study

Background

The thoracic retrolaminar block (TRLB) is a relatively new regional analgesia technique that can be used as an alternative to the thoracic paravertebral block. This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative analgesia effects of ultrasound-guided TRLB in children undergoing open cardiac surgery via median sternotomy incision.

Methods

Sixty-six patients aged 2–8 years were recruited. In the TRLB group, 0.25% bupivacaine 0.4 ml/kg was injected into the retrolaminar space on both sides at the level of the T4 lamina. Patients in the control group were injected with 0.9% saline. The primary outcome measure was fentanyl consumption in the first 24 h post-extubation. The secondary outcome measures were the total intraoperative fentanyl consumption, postoperative modified objective pain score (MOPS), and time to extubation.

Results

The total intraoperative fentanyl requirements and fentanyl consumption in the first 24 h post-extubation were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the TRLB group (9.3 ± 1.2; 6.9 ± 2.1 μg/kg, respectively) than in the control group (12.5 ± 1.4; 16.6 ± 2.8, respectively). The median (Q1, Q3) time to extubation was significantly shorter (P < 0.001) in the TRLB group (2 [1, 3] h) than in the control group (6 [4.5, 6] h). The MOPS was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the TRLB group than in the control group at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 h post-extubation.

Conclusions

Bilateral ultrasound-guided TRLB is effective in providing postoperative analgesia in children undergoing open cardiac surgery via median sternotomy incision.