Bilateral superficial cervical plexus block for transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy (vestibular approach): a randomized controlled study

Abstract

Background Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy is one of the scarless approaches for thyroid surgery. The aim of this study was to assess analgesic efficacy of cervical plexus block after general anesthesia for transoral thyroidectomy. The secondary goals are hospital stay, total analgesic consumption, and adverse effects of either anesthesia or surgery. Patients and methods This study was carried out in Mansoura Oncology Hospital. After informed consent, patients undergoing transoral thyroidectomy were randomized into two groups: the first group received general anesthesia (group G) and the second group received bilateral superficial cervical plexus block with ropivacaine 0.5% after induction of general anesthesia (group GB). Analgesic efficiency was our primary concern. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction, hospital stay, rescue analgesic, and adverse effects. Results After applying the exclusion criteria, 40 patients were randomized into two groups in this study. The postanesthesia care unit time, pain score for 8 h postoperatively, postoperative opioid requirement, and hospital stay were statistically significantly less in group GB than in the control group. Patient satisfaction is more observed in group GB. Conclusion Bilateral superficial cervical plexus block provided effective analgesia after transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy. Moreover, it results in more patient satisfaction and less hospital stay.