Ultrasound-guided continuous erector spinae plane block vs continuous thoracic epidural analgesia for the management of acute and chronic postthoracotomy pain: a randomized, controlled,double-blind trial

Introduction

Postthoracotomy pain (PTP) is a severe pain complicating thoracic surgeries and its good management decreases the risk of PTP syndrome (PTPS).

Objectives

This randomized controlled study evaluated the efficacy of ultrasound-guided continuous erector spinae plane block (ESPB) with or without dexmedetomidine compared with thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) in managing acute postoperative pain and the possible emergence of PTPS.

Methods

Ninety patients with chest malignancies planned for thoracotomy were randomly allocated into 3 equal groups. Group 1: TEA (20 mL of levobupivacaine 0.25% bolus, then 0.1 mL/kg/h of levobupivacaine 0.1%), group 2: ESPB (20 mL of levobupivacaine only 0.1% bolus every 6 hours), and group 3: ESPB (20 mL of levobupivacaine 0.25% and 0.5 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine Hcl bolus every 6 hours).

Results

Resting and dynamic visual analog scales were higher in group 2 compared with groups 1 and 3 at 6, 24, and 36 hours and at 8 and 12 weeks. Postthoracotomy pain syndrome incidence was higher in group 2 compared with groups 1 and 3 at 8 and 12 weeks, whereas it was indifferent between groups 1 and 3. The grading system for neuropathic pain score was higher in group 2 compared with groups 1 and 3 at 8 and 12 weeks, whereas it was indifferent between groups 1 and 3. Itching, pruritis, and urine retention were higher in group 1 than in ESPB groups.

Conclusion

Ultrasound-guided ESPB with dexmedetomidine is as potent as TEA in relieving acute PTP and reducing the possible emergence of chronic PTPS. However, the 2 techniques were superior to ESPB without dexmedetomidine. Erector spinae plane block has fewer side effects compared with TEA.

Evaluation of the accuracy of oscillometric non-invasive blood pressure measurement at the ankle in children during general anesthesia

This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of oscillometric blood pressure measurement at the ankle in children using invasive blood pressure as reference standard. This prospective observational study included children undergoing noncardiac surgery. Paired radial invasive and ankle non-invasive blood pressure measurements were obtained. Delta blood pressure was calculated as the difference between two consecutive readings. The primary outcome was the mean bias and agreement between the two methods using the Bland-Altman analysis. The ISO standard was fulfilled if the mean bias between the two methods was ≤ 5 ± 8 mmHg. Other outcomes included the trending ability of ankle blood pressure using the four-quadrant plot and the accuracy of ankle measurement to detect hypotension using area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis. We analyzed 683 paired readings from 86 children. The mean bias between the two methods for systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure (SBP, DBP, MAP) was - 7.2 ± 10.7, 4.5 ± 12.8, and - 1.8 ± 8.2 mmHg, respectively. The concordance rate of ankle blood pressure was 72%, 71%, and 77% for delta SBP, DBP and MAP, respectively. The AUC (95% confidence interval) for ankle MAP ability to detect hypotension was 0.91 (0.89-0.93) with negative predictive value of 100% at cut-off value ≤ 70 mmHg, We concluded that in pediatric population undergoing noncardiac surgery, ankle blood pressure was not interchangeable with the corresponding invasive readings with the ankle MAP having the least bias compared to SBP and DBP. An ankle MAP > 70 mmHg can exclude hypotension with negative predictive value of 100%.

Ultrasound Guided Continuous Erector Spinae Plane Block versus Patient Controlled Analgesia in Open Nephrectomy for Renal Malignancies: A Randomized Controlled Study

Background

It is critical to manage acute postoperative pain for patient satisfaction and better outcome. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) can produce sensory blocking on both visceral and somatic levels. This study aimed to evaluate the ESPB efficacy in controlling acute postoperative pain in open nephrectomy for renal malignancies.

Methods

This prospective randomized, controlled, open-label trial included 60 cases scheduled for open nephrectomy for renal malignancy under general anesthesia. Cases were assigned randomly into two equal groups. Group E administered continuous preoperative unilateral ESPB (20mL bupivacaine 0.25% bolus then 6 mL/h 0.1% for 48 hours). Group C administered intravenous (IV) patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine (0.01 mg/kg/h). Postoperative analgesia was managed by morphine (3 mg IV in group E or 0.01 mg/kg bolus with a 15-min lockout in group C) to keep the visual analog scale (VAS) scores <4.

Results

Intraoperative fentanyl consumption and total morphine consumption in 1st 48 hours postoperatively were significantly lower in group E than group C (P= 0.001 and <0.001, respectively). The time to first analgesic request was significantly longer in group E than group C (P <0.001). VAS scores at movement and rest were significantly lower in group E than group C (P <0.001).

Conclusion

In renal malignancies, ESPB provided better analgesia with prolonged time and lower pain scores at both rest and movement compared to IV PCA following open nephrectomy.

Role of pre–extubation fentanyl in mastectomy: a randomized, controlled, double–blind study

Background: Both tracheal intubation and extubation are associated with dangerous consequences such as tachycardia, hypertension, myocardial ischemia and arrhythmias. The aim was to evaluate pre–extubation two different doses of fentanyl on hemodynamic stabilization and delayed recovery in mastectomy. Methodology: The randomized controlled double–blind study was conducted on 126 patients aged 16–60 years, with controlled hypertension, receiving chemotherapy before surgery and underwent mastectomy for breast cancer. Patients were randomly allocated into 3 equal groups. Before extubation, patients received 10 ml saline in group (C), 1 µg/kg fentanyl in Group–F1: and 2 µg/kg fentanyl in Group–F2. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded at T1 (after maintenance of anesthesia), T2 (after giving the test drug), T3 (immediately after extubation), T4 (5 min. after extubation) and T5 (15 min after extubation). Results: MAP was significantly lower in fentanyl groups compared to Group–C at T2 and T3 without significant deference between fentanyl groups. HR was significantly lower in fentanyl groups compared to Group–C and in Group–F2 compared to Group–F1 at T3, T4 and T5. Time of extubation was significantly prolonged in Group–F2 compared to Group–F1 and Group–C without a significant difference between Group–F1 and Group–C. Conclusions: Pre–extubation fentanyl 1 µg/kg blunted cardiovascular responses to extubation without respiratory depression or prolonged recovery. Pre–extubation fentanyl 2 µg/kg provide more control in HR but with delay in the extubation time compared to 1 µg/kg of fentanyl. Key words: Pre–Extubation, Fentanyl, Mastectomy, Hemodynamics, Recovery Preregistration: The study was registered in the Ethical Committee of Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt (approval number: 281) Citation: Salman A, Zayed NO, Mansour A, Howaidi R, Foly AG, ElSharkawy MS, Abdelgalil AS. Role of pre–extubation fentanyl in mastectomy: a randomized, controlled, double–blind study. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2021;25(2):143-149. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v25i2.1462. Abbreviations: CST=Craniosacral therapy; SMT=Sensorimotor training; NCLBP=Nonspecific chronic low back pain; VAS=Visual analogue scale; ODI=Oswestry disability index, BDI-II=Beck depression inventory-II, and SF-36=Short Form-36; CSF=cerebral spinal fluid; CSS=craniosacral system; PRM=primary respiratory movements Received: 27 June 2020, Reviewed: 24 July 2020, Accepted: 27 July 2020