The Analgesic Efficacy of the Single Erector Spinae Plane Block with Intercostal Nerve Block Is Not Inferior to That of the Thoracic Paravertebral Block with Intercostal Nerve Block in Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery

The Efficacy of Continuous Serratus Anterior and Erector Spinae Plane Blocks vs Intercostal Nerve Block in Uniportal-Vats Surgery: A Propensity-Matched Prospective Trial

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of continuous erector spinae plane block(c-ESPB) and serratus anterior plane block(c-SAPB) versus the intercostal nerve block (ICNB) in Uniportal-VATS in terms of pain control, drug consumption, and complications.

METHODS

Ninety-three consecutive patients, undergone one of the three peripheral nerve blocks after Uniportal-VATS, were prospectively enrolled. A 1:1 propensity score matching was used to minimize bias.

RESULTS

C-ESPB and c-SAPB groups had no difference in morphine request upon awakening compared to ICNB. A higher VAS-score was recorded in c-ESPB compared to ICNB in the first 12 h after surgery. A significantly lower consumption of paracetamol in II postoperative day (p.o.d.) and tramadol in I and II p.o.d. was recorded in the c-ESPB group compared to the ICNB group. A higher dynamic VAS score was recorded at 24 h and 48 h in the ICNB group compared to the c-SAPB. No difference was found in safety, VAS-score and drug consumption between c-ESPB and c-SAPB at any given time, except for a higher tramadol request in c-SAPB in II p.o.d.

CONCLUSIONS

C-ESPB and c-SAPB appear to have the same safety and analgesic efficacy when compared between them and to ICNB in Uniportal-VATS approach. C-ESPB showed a delayed onset of analgesic effect and a lower postoperative drug consumption compared to ICNB.

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.

Editorial for the Special Issue: "Advances in Postoperative Pain Management and Chronic Postoperative Pain"

Acute and chronic pain are two completely distinct universes [...].