Effects of single-injection intercostal nerve block as a component of multimodal analgesia for pediatrics undergoing autologous auricular reconstruction: A double-blinded, prospective, and randomized study

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Backgroundː Pain management is essential in postoperative settings, especially with pediatric patients. Donor site pain after rib cartilage harvest is severe, particularly during the early postoperative period. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of ultrasound guided single-injection intercostal nerve block (ICNB) as a component of multimodal analgesia for pediatrics undergoing autologous auricular reconstruction. Methodsː Fifty pediatric patients aged 6–16 years and scheduled for 2 rib cartilages harvest surgery were enrolled in this double-blind, prospective and randomized study. Pediatrics were randomly assigned into two groups: the intercostal nerve block group (group B) and the control group (group C). The nerve block was performed with 2 ml 0.25% ropivacaine each intercostal nerve in group B. Patients from group C received Tramadol 2 mg/kg by the end of the surgery as control. Tramadol-based patient-controlled intravenous analgesia and rescue analgesia were given in both groups. The primary outcome was pain scores at early postoperative period (VAS and FLACC scale, 4 h, and 8 h). The secondary outcome was the postoperative Tramadol consumption and time point of first rescue analgesic demand. Resultsː VAS score was significantly lower in group B than group C at 4 h and 8 h postoperatively [2.5(2–5) vs. 4(2.5–5.5), p = 0.041 at 4 h; 3(2.5–4.5) vs. 4(3–5), p = 0.047 at 8 h]. Total Tramadol consumption in group B decreased significantly in contrast with group C at 8 h (p < 0.01), 12 h, 24 h and 48 h (p < 0.05, respectively). The first rescue analgesia demand and number of rescue Tramadol in block group was considerably delayed or reduced than control group (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively). Conclusionsː Our findings indicated that ultrasound guided ICNB slightly but significantly reduced pain scores, and Tramadol consumption in pediatric patients after rib cartilage harvest as compared to who didn't receive nerve block at 4 h and 8 h postoperatively. Unified ICNB ropivacaine dosage might detrimental to providing superior analgesia.