Patient-controlled Analgesia Research Articles

Effects of ultrasound-guided external oblique intercostal plane block on the postoperative analgesia after open liver surgery: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Open liver surgery remains a primary surgical approach for complex liver resections and liver transplantation. However, the postoperative pain management is still a major challenge. Ultrasound-guided external oblique intercostal (EOI) plane block is a novel approach of regional anaesthesia and has a great potential to relieve postoperative pain after upper abdominal surgeries. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided EOI plane block in managing postoperative pain after open liver surgery. Seventy-four participants scheduled for open liver surgery will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group, receiving an ultrasound-guided EOI plane block with a single dose of 30ml 0.375% ropivacaine, or the control group, which will not receive this block. All participants will be provided with opioid-based patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) postoperatively. The primary outcome is resting pain score at 3h postoperatively, assessed using numerical rating scale. Secondary outcomes include pain score at 6, 24, 48, and 72h postoperatively, perioperative opioid consumption, remedial analgesics within 72h postoperatively, PCIA usage within postoperative 72h, postoperative recovery, length of hospital stay, postoperative side effects, block-related complications, and ropivacaine plasma concentration of participants receiving the block. This study is a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided EOI plane block for postoperative analgesia after open liver surgery. As regional anaesthesia plays an important role in the multimodal pain management, EOI plane block may prove to be an effective regional technique for enhancing postoperative pain relief and contributing to enhanced recovery after open liver surgery. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200065745. Registered on November 14, 2022.

Effects of pericapsular nerve group block on early postoperative cognitive function in older people undergoing hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block has emerged as a reliable analgesia technique for hip arthroplasty (HA). However, the effects of PENG block on perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) after HA has not yet been assessed. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of PENG block on early postoperative cognitive function in older people undergoing hip arthroplasty. Sixty older patients undergoing HA under spinal anesthesia were randomly assigned to group P (n = 30) receiving PENG block with ropivacaine and patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) pump with sufentanil after surgery or group C (n = 30) only receiving PCIA pump with sufentanil after surgery. The primary outcome was the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score at 7 days postoperatively. Secondary outcomes consisted of the incidence of PND 7 days postoperatively, the static VAS pain scores at 6, 12, 24, and 48h postoperatively; cumulative sufentanil consumption and the requirement of rescue analgesia during the 0-24h period after surgery; quality of recovery-15 (QoR-15) scale scores at 24h postoperatively; and the plasma levels of high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) preoperatively and 1day after surgery, and adverse events. After surgery, the PENG block group had higher MMSE score than the control group at 7 days postoperatively (27.0 ± 1.8 vs. 26.1 ± 1.7, P = 0.048), with a mean difference of 0.9 (95%CI, 0.1-0.9). The incidence of PND at 7 days postoperatively was 6.7% in group P, lower than that of 30% in group C (P = 0.044). In group P, the static VAS scores at 6, 12, and 24h postoperatively were significantly lower than those in group C (all P < 0.05). Compared with group C, the cumulative sufentanil consumption and the number of patients required rescue analgesia during the 0-24h period after surgery were significantly lower in group P (all P < 0.05). The scores of QoR-15 scale were higher in group P at 24h postoperatively than those in group C (P < 0.05). Patients in group P showed lower plasma levels of HMGB1 than group C at 1day after surgery (P < 0.05), and the rate of complications didn't differ between both groups. Older people undergoing HA receiving a PENG block for perioperative analgesia experience improved early postoperative cognitive function, reduced postoperative pain, higher quality of recovery, and less postoperative inflammatory response. Chictr.org.cn identifier ChiCTR2200061055 (Date of registry: 15/06/2022, prospectively registered).

Comparative Efficacy of Postoperative Pain Management Techniques Following Costal Cartilage Harvest: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

Efficient pain control is essential in reconstructive surgeries, particularly in procedures involving the harvest of costal cartilage. This study examines and compares different pain relief treatments using a network meta-analysis (NMA) to determine the most effective techniques for managing pain. We performed a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) by scanning several databases such as PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and Weipu till March 18, 2024. The review analyzed randomized controlled trials and observational studies that evaluated the effectiveness of local anesthetics and multimodal analgesia techniques in treating postoperative pain following costal cartilage harvest. Primary outcomes were pain scores at 6-, 12-, 24-, and 48-h post-surgery, while secondary outcomes included the need for rescue analgesia and opioid-related adverse effects. Fourteen studies involving 935 participants were included. The analysis revealed that multimodal strategies, particularly 'Methylene Blue and Ropivacaine Intercostal Nerve Block (MB & Ropivacaine ICNB) combined with Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA),' were the most effective techniques to reduce pain scores across 6, 24, and 48-h time points. "Pre-operation SAPB & PSB + PCA" was most effective in reducing pain score at 12h and significantly decreased the need for rescue analgesia and opioid-related adverse effects. In contrast, traditional ICNB with single drug consistently showed the least efficacy. The results of our study strongly support the use of multimodal analgesic techniques instead of typical single medication ICNB for managing postoperative pain after costal cartilage harvest. These strategies not only provide superior pain control but also contribute to reducing the dependency on opioids, aligning with current clinical priorities to enhance recovery and minimize opioid-related risks. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Combined spinal-epidural vs. dural puncture epidural techniques for labour analgesia: a randomised controlled trial.

The dural puncture epidural technique is a modification of the combined spinal-epidural technique. Data comparing the two techniques are limited. We performed this randomised study to compare the quality of labour analgesia following initiation of analgesia with the dural puncture epidural vs. the combined spinal-epidural technique. Term parturients requesting labour epidural analgesia were allocated randomly to receive either dural puncture epidural or combined spinal-epidural. Analgesia was initiated with 2 mg intrathecal bupivacaine and 10 μg fentanyl in parturients allocated to the combined spinal-epidural group and with 20 ml ropivacaine 0.1% with 2 μg.ml-1 fentanyl in parturients allocated to the dural puncture epidural group. Analgesia was maintained using patient-controlled epidural analgesia with programmed intermittent epidural boluses. The primary outcome of the study was the quality of labour analgesia, which was defined by a composite of five components: asymmetric block after 30 min of initiation (difference in sensory level of more than two dermatomes); epidural top-up interventions; catheter adjustment; catheter replacement; and failed conversion to neuraxial anaesthesia for caesarean delivery, requiring general anaesthesia or replacement of the neuraxial block. One hundred parturients were included in the analysis (48 combined spinal-epidural, 52 dural puncture epidural). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the primary composite outcome of quality of analgesia (33% in the combined spinal-epidural group vs. 25% in the dural puncture epidural group), risk ratio (95%CI) 0.75 (0.40-1.39); p = 0.486. Median (IQR [range]) pain scores at 15 min were significantly lower in patients allocated to the combined spinal-epidural group compared with the dural puncture epidural group (0 (0-1[0-8]) vs. 1 (0-4 [0-10]); p = 0.018). There were no significant differences in the quality of labour analgesia following initiation of a combined spinal-epidural compared with a dural puncture epidural technique.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block versus the combined obturator nerve and adductor canal block application in postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery

Background: Arthroscopic knee surgery is a surgical intervention that is frequently performed by orthopedic clinics and new studies are constantly carried out by anesthetists to ensure effective pain control. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided suprainguinal fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) versus the combined adductor canal and obturator nerve block application in terms of postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery under spinal anesthesia.Materials and Method: Sixty patients, who underwent arthroscopic knee surgery under elective conditions were included in the study. They were randomly divided into two groups, Group 1 (n=30) and Group 2 (n=30), using a lottery method. Patients operated under spinal anesthesia received ultrasound-guided suprainguinal fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) for Group 1. The combined adductor canal and obturator nerve block for Group 2 at the end of the surgery. Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device containing tramadol was connected to all patients in both groups, and they were evaluated for Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores at 0, 2, 4, 12, and 24 hours of ward follow-up. The amount of PCA used at 24 hours, additional analgesic use, development of side effects, mobilization capabilities, and satisfaction levels were assessed at the end of 24 hours.Results: There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of demographic characteristics and the type of surgery performed (p&gt;0.05). In Group 1, where fascia iliaca block was applied the block administration time was observed to be significantly shorter compared to Group 2 (p&lt;0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of postoperative VAS scores, PCA usage amounts, incidence of side effects, postoperative mobilization abilities, and satisfaction measures (p&gt;0.05).Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block alone can be effectively applied for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery, instead of combined adductor canal and obturator nerve block.

Labor epidural analgesia among Han and Uyghur parturients: a prospective observational study in China

BackgroundDisparities in pain sensitivity and tolerance have been described, however, little is known about variability in the experience of labor pain and childbirth in China. MethodsThis prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Xinjiang, China with two major ethnic groups: Han and Uyghur women. Women with a vaginal delivery with labor epidural analgesia were enrolled. The primary outcome was cervical dilation at labor epidural analgesia request, and multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to determine associated variables. Secondary outcomes were pain score at epidural request and epidural analgesics use. Data presented as mean ± standard deviation. ResultsCervical dilatation at labor epidural analgesia request was significantly lower (1.2 ± 0.7 vs. 0.8 ± 0.6 cm; p=0.0095), and pain score (numerical pain scale 0-10) was significantly higher (0.8 ± 1.0 vs. 4.2 ± 1.2; p=0.0002) among Uyghur compared to Han women. In the multivariate model, Uyghur women had a lower cervical dilation (p=0.0392) and a higher pain score (p<0.0001) at epidural request. During the labor process, a larger proportion of Uyghur women used the patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) pump (77.8% vs 53.6%, p=0.0011). They pressed the pump in a significantly shorter time (61.3±41.2 vs 104.0±105.2min, p=0.0015) and for more times (1.9±1.7 vs 1.2±1.4, p=0.0022), contributing to significantly more epidural analgesic use (sufentanil: 0.06±0.02 vs 0.07±0.03 μg/kg/h, p=0.0150, ropivacaine: 0.11±0.04 vs 0.14±0.06 mg/kg/h, p=0.0003, respectively). ConclusionsOur findings suggest that Uyghur women experience labor pain with higher levels of pain with a higher use of epidural analgesics than Han women. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether these differences are clinically relevant.FundingThis study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 72074162).Ethics and Trial registration: Ethical approval was obtained (www.chictr.org.cn Identifier: ChiCTR2200062630).

Postoperative Pain Control After ACL Reconstruction With Semitendinosus Tendon Graft: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Adductor Canal Block to Local Infiltration Analgesia

Background: Both adductor canal block (ACB) and local infiltration (LI) are effective for postoperative pain management after arthroscopic-assisted anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). While LI is a more straightforward procedure, its effectiveness remains debated. Purpose: To evaluate morphine consumption within 48 hours after ACLR with a semitendinosus tendon graft, comparing ACB and LI; secondary objectives: to evaluate pain levels, patient satisfaction, quadriceps strength, range of knee motion, and complications. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Patients undergoing primary ACLR with a semitendinosus tendon graft were randomized to receive either ACB (0.25% bupivacaine; 20 mL) or LI at the surgical wound, graft harvest area, and intra-articular injection. The LI group received morphine (3 mg), ketorolac (30 mg), and tranexamic acid (1 g). Morphine consumption within 48 hours was monitored using an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia device. Results: A total of 48 patients were analyzed (n = 24 in each group); baseline characteristics were similar between groups. The LI group consumed significantly less morphine than the ACB group at 6 hours (median [interquartile range, IQR], 3 mg [0-4.8 mg] for the LI group vs 5.5 mg [2-9] for the ACB group; P = .003). However, no significant differences were observed in morphine consumption at other time points. Additionally, no significant difference was found in cumulative morphine consumption at 48 hours between the groups (median [IQR], 21.5 mg [11-34.5 mg] for the ACB group vs 16.5 mg [8.5-21.8 mg] for the LI group; P = .137). Postoperative pain scores, quadriceps strength, and patient satisfaction were similar between the 2 groups. Conclusion: Morphine consumption at 48 hours postoperatively was comparable between the LI and ACB groups, and no significant group differences were found in postoperative pain, quadriceps strength, or patient satisfaction. Registration: TCTR20190320003 (Thai Clinical Trial Registry).

Opioid-free strategies for patient-controlled intravenous postoperative analgesia: a review of recent studies.

Postoperative pain management has consistently been a critical topic in the medical field, with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) being one of the most commonly utilized methods for postoperative analgesia. Currently, opioids remain the primary choice for PCIA in clinical practice. However, in recent years, an increasing number of studies have explored analgesic strategies aimed at reducing or eliminating the use of opioids in PCIA to mitigate the associated side effects and dependence. This article systematically reviews the progress of research on opioid-free analgesic strategies in PCIA through a comprehensive analysis of relevant literature.

Effects of Ketamine 0.5 mg/kgBW administration as preemptive analgesia on analgesia duration and the need for Fentanyl following hysterectomy surgery: a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure with a high number of moderate to severe postoperative pain complications. Preemptive analgesia prevents central sensitization before surgery, hampering postoperative hyperesthesia. Ketamine is one of several preemptive analgesia available. This study aims to study the effects of ketamine 0.5 mg/kgBW administration as preemptive analgesia on analgesia duration and the need for fentanyl following hysterectomy surgery. MATHERIALS AND METHODS: This study is a double-blind randomized controlled trial experiment on two groups: the treatment group (n = 20) was given ketamine 0.5 mg/kgBW and the control group (n = 20). The duration was measured starting from surgery completion up to the need for additional fentanyl 25 µg analgesia through Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) within 24-hour periods following surgery. Numerical data statistical analysis was done using unpaired T-test and Mann—Whitney for normally distributed data and non-normally distributed data respectively. Categorical data statistical analysis was done using the Exact Fisher test. RESULTS: The mean time recorded until additional analgesia was needed in the treatment group was 246.00 ± 33.150 minutes and in the control group was 121.50 ± 23.792 minutes. The mean total 24-hour post-surgery additional analgesia was 82.50 ± 11.75 µg and 118.75 ± 11.10 µg for the treatment group and control group respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the duration of analgesia and the need for additional analgesia between the two subject groups (p &lt; 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Administration of ketamine preemptive analgesia at a dose of 0.5 mg/kgBW resulted in longer analgesia duration and reduced the need for fentanyl as an additional analgesic in postoperative patients compared with no preemptive analgesia and showed no significant side effects.

Patient controlled epidural analgesia during labor: Protocol for a scoping review.

Childbirth remains one of the most painful experiences for women. Patient-controlled epidural analgesia provides the women in labor with self-control and thereby a shorter time interval between onset of pain and administration of analgesia, thus potentially improving the childbirth experience. This scoping review aims to investigate PCEA during labor involving maternal satisfaction, risks of adverse effects and obstetric interventions by mapping the evidence and identifying gaps in the current evidence base. The forthcoming review will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. A systematic search will be carried out across major peer-reviewed databases and gray literature will be sought. All study types involving women in labor receiving PCEA will be eligible for inclusion. The extracted data will be charted regarding trial characteristics, population/participation characteristics, interventions, outcomes, and key findings. The results will be presented through relevant tables, figures, and graphs when appropriate. Alongside this, we present the data descriptively to explain how the results align with the objectives of the review. PCEA offers women greater autonomy during childbirth, making it essential to examine its effects and potential risks. By mapping current evidence regarding PCEA, this review aims to identify knowledge gaps and provide insights to enhance maternal care and improve childbirth experiences.

Effect of multimodal opioid-sparing anesthesia on intestinal function and prognosis of elderly patients with hypertension after colorectal cancer surgery

PurposeColorectal cancer (CRC) surgery in elderly patients with hypertension poses challenges due to potential complications and prolonged recovery. This study aimed to assess the impact of multimodal opioid-sparing anesthesia on intestinal function and prognosis of elderly hypertension patients undergoing CRC surgery.MethodsA total of 80 elderly hypertension patients who underwent open surgery for CRC in the People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from October 2020 to October 2022 were selected and randomly divided into two group (A and B, n = 40) through the random number table method. Group A received multimodal opioid-sparing anesthesia, defined as low-dose opioid general anesthesia combined with a transversus abdominis plane block, incision infiltration with local anesthetics, and postoperative analgesia via a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump, with the remifentanil dose set at one-third (± 10%) of the conventional group’s dose. Group B received conventional opioid anesthesia, involving standard general anesthesia maintained with remifentanil at 0.4–0.5 µg/(kg·min), incision infiltration with local anesthetics, and postoperative PCA. Primary outcomes included mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), changes in albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell (WBC), indicators of intestinal function recovery (the recovery time of bowel sounds, the first exhaust time, the first defecation time and the feeding recovery time), and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores. Second outcomes included postoperative complications and total hospital stays.ResultsAfter excluding 8 patients, 72 were included in the final analysis. Compared with patients in the B group, patients in the A group exhibited shorter recovery time of bowel sounds, first exhaust time and feeding recovery time (P < 0.05), higher levels of postoperative albumin, and lower levels of CRP and WBC (P < 0.05). Moreover, the incidence of nausea and vomiting was lower and the total hospital stays were fewer in the A group than in the B group (P < 0.05).ConclusionMultimodal opioid-sparing anesthesia contributes to rapid recovery of postoperative intestinal function and reduction of postoperative adverse reactions. Therefore, it is safe and feasible to apply multimodal opioid-sparing anesthesia to elderly hypertension patients receiving open surgery for CRC.

Effect of Dural Puncture Epidural Technique on Management of Breakthrough Pain for Parous Women Receiving Labor Analgesia during Induced Labor: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

This study assessed the effectiveness of the dural puncture epidural (DPE) technique in managing breakthrough pain in parous women receiving labor analgesia during induced labor. This single-center retrospective cohort study included term pregnant women with singleton pregnancies who received treatment for breakthrough pain during labor. All participants underwent induced labor, and some parous women among them underwent DPE. The DPE technique consisted of placing an epidural catheter after dural puncture with a 27-gauge spinal needle. Eligible women were allocated into a DPE group and conventional epidural (CE) anesthesia group. Pain was assessed with a numerical rating scale (NRS), and a patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) bolus was administered when the NRS score was ≥3. Breakthrough pain was defined as an NRS score ≥3 during PCEA management. The primary outcome was the efficacy of rescue interventions in managing breakthrough pain, as determined by a reduction in pain intensity to an NRS score <3 before birth. Among the 55 parous women who received labor analgesia, 44 required additional rescue administration for breakthrough pain. Of the remaining women, 23 received DPE and 19 received CE anesthesia. The DPE group experienced significantly more effective relief of breakthrough pain before birth than did the CE group (DPE: 100%; CE: 68.4%; p=0.005). In parous women, DPE anesthesia was more effective than CE anesthesia in providing analgesia for breakthrough pain immediately before delivery during induced labor.

The analgesic benefit of rectus sheath block in robotic gynecologic surgery: A retrospective study.

With the growing adoption of robotic techniques in gynecologic surgery, the advantages of minimally invasive procedures over traditional open surgery, such as reduced postoperative pain and quicker recovery, are clear. Yet, establishing an effective multimodal analgesic regimen remains a challenge. This retrospective study from a tertiary care center aimed to assess the analgesic efficacy of the rectus sheath block (RSB) on postoperative pain and opioid consumption after robotic gynecologic surgery. Between June 2022 and March 2023, 20 patients who underwent robotic gynecologic surgery were evaluated. Key parameters included postoperative visual analog scale scores, opioid consumption, and postoperative nausea/vomiting instances. Anesthesia protocols were standardized, with postsurgical pain management involving RSB and a patient-controlled analgesia device filled with morphine. Patients showed an average morphine intake of 8.2 ± 5.09 mg over the initial 24 hours postsurgery. During mobilization, average pain scores were consistently low, with no correlation identified between opioid consumption and age or body mass index. 40% of patients reported postoperative nausea on the first day, and no complications linked to the RSB were observed. The study underlines the potential of integrating RSB in a multimodal analgesic regimen after robotic gynecologic surgery. Its application may lead to reduced opioid consumption and more efficient postoperative pain management. Further randomized controlled trials are recommended to validate these findings.

Comparison of the analgesic effects of infraspinatus-teres minor interfascial block and interscalene block under ultrasound guidance in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery

Objective: To compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided infraspinatus-teres minor interfascial block and interscalene block in shoulder arthroscopic surgery. Methods: A total of 74 patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopic surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Jiaxing University from December 2023 to February 2024 were prospectively included, whose age ranged from 18 to 80 years and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade were Ⅰ-Ⅲ. Patients were divided into two groups using block randomization: infraspinatus-teres minor interfascial block group (observation group) and interscalene block group (control group), with 37 cases in each group. In the anesthesia preparation room, all patients received nerve blocks under ultrasound guidance with 20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine. Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) was administered to all patients following surgery. The primary outcome was the area under the curve (AUC) of the numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain within 24 hours postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures included the highest NRS score within 48 hours postoperatively, the amount of sufentanil used via PCIA within 48 hours postoperatively, the incidence of rescue analgesia and rebound pain, QoR-40 scores, and the rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 24 hours. The non-inferiority margin for the AUC of NRS scores between the two types of regional nerve blocks was set at "2.6". Results: A total of 35 patients were included in the observation group [17 males, 18 females, aged (58.1±9.1) years], and 36 patients were included in the control group [12 males, 24 females, aged (57.0±9.8) years]. The AUC of the NRS scores at rest within 24 hours post-operation was 51.7±10.9 in the observation group and 62.6±13.6 in the control group. The difference in AUC between the two groups was -10.9 (95%CI:-16.8--5.1), with the upper limit of the 95%CI falling below the predefined non-inferiority margin of "2.6" (non-inferiority P<0.001). The highest NRS score [M (Q1, Q3)] within 48 hours post-surgery was 3 (3, 4) in the control group, which was significantly higher than the observation group's score of 2 (2, 3) (P<0.001). During the postoperative period of 0-12 hours, the observation group received a median dose of 12 (10, 14) μg of sufentanil, which was significantly higher than the control group's dose of 8 (6, 10) μg (P<0.001). During the postoperative period of 12-24 hours, the observation group received a median dose of 8 (8, 10) μg of sufentanil, which was significantly lower than the control group's median dose of 12 (10, 14) μg (P<0.001). During the postoperative period of 24-48 hours, there was no statistically significant difference in the dose of sufentanil between the two groups of patients (P=0.548). In the observation group, the incidence of rescue analgesia within 48 hours postoperatively was 0 (0/35), which was lower than that of the control group at 22.2% (8/36) (P=0.010). The occurrence of rebound pain in the observation group was 0 (0/35), and the control group was 11.1% (4/36), no statistically significant difference was found between two groups (P=0.130). In the observation group, the QoR-40 score within 24 hours post-operation was 180.2±3.2, which was higher than the control group's score of 175.8±4.7 (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 24 hours between the two groups (P=0.372). Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided infraspinatus-teres minor interfascial block demonstrates a comparable analgesic effect to interscalene block in shoulder arthroscopic surgery within the first 24 hours postoperatively.

Effect of small dose esketamine on perioperative neurocognitive disorder and postoperative depressive symptoms in elderly patients undergoing major elective noncardiac surgery for malignant tumors: A randomized clinical trial.

Perioperative neurocognitive disorder and postoperative depressive symptoms are significant complications after surgery. Studies have indicated that esketamine possesses neuroprotective and antidepressant qualities. This trial included 209 patients aged 60 to 86 years undergoing tumor resection who received esketamine (Group E) or not (Group C) during and after surgery. In group E, patients were given an intravenous dose of 0.5 mg/kg of esketamine 10 minutes after induction of general anaesthesia. In addition, esketamine (2 mg/kg) in combination with sufentanil was used for PCIA during 48 hours postoperatively. On the other hand, saline was used as a substitute for esketamine in group C. Cognitive function was evaluated using neuropsychological tests and telephone interview for cognitive status-modified, and symptoms of depression were assessed using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale 17. Compared to Group C, patients in Group E exhibited lower rates of depressive symptoms at 3, 7, and 90 days post-surgery (53.9% vs 67.7%, 26.3% vs 47.9%, and 13.3% vs 28.4%). Group E also showed decreased time for Trail Making Test on days 7 and 90. However, there were no significant differences in the incidence of delirium 1 to 5 days post-surgery or cognitive impairment 90 days post-surgery between the 2 groups (12.1% vs 10.9% and 8.4% vs 9.7%). Intraoperative low-dose esketamine and postoperative low-dose esketamine combined with sufentanil for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia has been shown to improve postoperative analgesia, alleviate postoperative depressive symptoms, and aid in the recovery of social executive ability. However, this approach did not reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium or postoperative cognitive dysfunction.

Incidence and influential factors of postoperative pruritus in morphine-based intravenous patient-controlled analgesia

Background: Pruritus is a distressing symptom of systemic opioid analgesia that responds poorly to conventional antipruritus treatments. This study aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors for postoperative pruritus using intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA). Methods: Opioid-naïve patients who underwent morphine-based IV-PCA for postoperative pain at a tertiary center between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2023, were included retrospectively. The primary outcome was pruritus within 72 h after surgery. Cumulative morphine consumption and pain numerical rating scores were measured to evaluate the potential impact of pruritus on postoperative pain control. Results: A total of 1,696 patients were enrolled, of whom 119 (7.0%) developed pruritus during the study period. Five independent factors for pruritus were identified, including intraoperative uses of hydroxyethyl starch solutions [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.04–0.43], lockout interval of IV-PCA (aOR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.27–0.94, on base-2 logarithmic scale), droperidol addition to morphine solutions (aOR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.35–0.81), cumulative morphine dose (aOR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.47–2.12, on base-2 logarithmic scale), and postoperative uses of antihistamines (aOR: 2.90, 95% CI: 1.83–4.60) (c-statistic = 0.745). Patients with pruritus had higher postoperative morphine consumption (median: 67.5 mg, interquartile range: 38.3–94.0 vs. 38.0 mg, 21.0–65.4, p&lt;0.0001) but similar pain intensity compared to those without pruritus. Conclusion: Increasing the lockout interval and the droperidol regimen may protect patients from morphine-induced pruritus after IV-PCA. Further studies are warranted to clarify the mechanisms underlying the anti-pruritus effects of hydroxyethyl starch.

Erector Spinae Plane Block with Liposomal Bupivacaine for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery: No Patient Controlled Analgesia Needed.

Retrospective Controlled Cohort. To evaluate the effect of intraoperative liposomal bupivacaine (LB) via Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) on postoperative adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients with and without patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Pain control after posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for AIS includes opioids and other modalities. The goal of these modalities is to reduce pain and opioid consumption. Two new modalities for pain control include LB and ESPB. There are scant studies on these modalities tested in concert on patients undergoing PSF for AIS. 72 consecutive patients with AIS who underwent PSF separated into patients who had a PCA (Group A) as part of their postoperative pain management and those who did not (Group B). Opioid consumption was measured via Morphine Milligram Equivalents (MME). Pain scores were measured via the Visual Acuity Score (VAS). Patient mobility was measured by steps taken. These were measured by function of postoperative day from surgery (POD). Group B had significant lower MME at every point after surgery, most notably throughout the entire hospital stay (99.8 vs. 200.7). Postoperative pain scores in Group B were the same if not better than Group A. There was no difference in mobility between the cohorts. The Group B had lower LOS (3.7 s 4.1). In postoperative PSF for AIS patients receiving LB via ESPB, those who did not receive a PCA had lower opioid consumption without worse pain scores or mobility and had a lower LOS. Adding LB via ESPB to postoperative pain regimens effectively replaces a PCA by providing the same pain control and reducing overall opioid consumption and LOS.

Susceptibility of two different PCA pumps to inaccurate delivery associated with pole position at low flow-rates in a pediatric setting - an experimental study.

Vertical displacement of infusion pumps used in patient-controlled analgesia can cause irregularities in drug delivery and is especially crucial at low flow rates, which are commonly used in pediatrics. There is only scarce data available regarding the extent of these inaccuracies. The current in vitro study therefore aimed at a comparison of the performance of two commonly used PCA pumps at different pole positions due to vertical displacement. The Syramed® µSP6000 Chroma syringe infusion pump featuring a stepper motor drive was compared to the CADD®-Solis pump utilizing a linear peristaltic pump system at two different flow rates (0.3ml/h and 1ml/h) and three different levels of height (0, + 50 and - 50cm). Flow patterns and delivered volumes were measured after every change in position and infusion boluses, retrograde aspiration volumes and zero-drug delivery time were calculated. The Syramed® pump was more susceptible to vertical displacement than the CADD®-Solis pump and showed overall greater inaccuracies in the delivered volumes as well as higher infusion boluses, retrograde aspiration volumes and zero-drug delivery time at both flow rates. The observed differences between the pumps might be explained by the higher compliance of this syringe pump and the diverse working mechanisms. Overall, the CADD®-Solis pump might be considered a preferable option for patient-controlled analgesia in children. It is nonetheless essential for medical staff to be aware of the effects of vertical displacement of PCA pumps and to minimize these displacements as much as possible.

Effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on postoperative recovery quality in patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery: a randomized controlled trial

To observe the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on postoperative recovery and pain in patients undergoing elective endoscopic sinus surgery. One hundred and six patients scheduled for elective endoscopic sinus surgery were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 53 patients in each group. Patients in both groups received TEAS or sham TEAS, respectively, from 30 min before intravenous anesthesia induction until the end of surgery. Acupoints selected were bilateral Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36). The quality of requirements-15 (QoR-15) scores were assessed on the day before surgery (T0) and on postoperative days 1 (T1), 2 (T2) and 3 (T3). Pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were recorded at T1, T2 and T3. Athens insomnia scale (AIS) scores were measured at T0, T1, T2 and T3 in the two groups. The incidence of postoperative nausea-vomiting and dizziness-headache, usage of analgesics, number of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump presses, and extubating time were also recorded in the two groups. At T1, T2 and T3, the observation group had higher QoR-15 scores (P<0.01, P<0.001) and lower AIS scores (P<0.001) than the control group. At T1 and T2, the observation group had lower pain VAS scores than the control group (P<0.001). The incidence of postoperative nausea-vomiting and dizziness-headache was 24.5% (13/53) and 37.7% (20/53) in the observation group, which were lower than 56.6% (30/53) and 66.0% (35/53) in the control group (P<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in the use of rescue analgesics or the number of PCA pump presses between the two groups (P>0.05). The extubating time was shorter in the observation group compared with that in the control group (P<0.001). TEAS could improve postoperative recovery quality, alleviate postoperative pain, improve sleep quality, and reduce the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing elective endoscopic sinus surgery.

Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in radical cystectomy: a randomized controlled study

Background &amp; Objectives: Radical cystectomy (RC) is usually performed under general anesthesia, with the management of postoperative pain being a big challenge. Various approaches have been tried, including epidural analgesia, or regional nerve blocks in addition to the intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA). We compared the efficacy and safety of bilateral single-injection erector spinae plane block (ESPB) with IV-PCA administered morphine to manage postoperative pain following RC. Methodology: This prospective randomized controlled clinical study was performed on 60 participants ranging in age from 21 to 65 years, both sexes, BMI 20-40 kg/m2, ASA physical status II-III, planned for elective RC. Participants were randomized into two equal groups. Group ESPB received ultrasound-guided single shot ESPB at T10 with 20 mL bupivacaine 0.25% bilaterally; IV morphine 3 mg bolus was used as rescue analgesia when the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain score was ≥ 4. Group C (control group) received IV-PCA by morphine 3 mg IV when NRS pain score was ≥ 4 and repeated 1/2 mg if still pain score was recorded ≥ 4 for 15 min. Pain was measured on NRS at 2 , 4 , 8, and 12 h as well as the postoperative heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). Complications were noted, Results: Time to first analgesic request was substantially prolonged in Group ESPB compared to Group C (P &lt; 0.001). Total postoperative consumption of morphine in 1st 48 h and postoperative nausea and vomiting were substantially reduced in Group ESPB compared to Group C (P &lt; 0.05). NRS pain scores, postoperative HR and MAP measurements were substantially reduced at 2, 4, 8, and 12 h in Group ESPB than Group C (P &lt; 0.05). Bradycardia and hypotension varied insignificantly different between both groups. Respiratory depression and urinary retention did not occur in any patient in both groups. Conclusions: Compared with IV-PCA administered morphine, bilateral single-injection ESPB was associated with better hemodynamics and analgesic properties, as observed by lower pain scores, less postoperative opioid consumption, and longer time to first analgesic request with good safety profile after radical cystectomy. Keywords: Ultrasound; Erector Spinae Plane Block; Radical Cystectomy; Patient-Controlled Analgesia Citation: Ahmed AM, Tantawy AM, Mahran E, Abd El Galil TE, Abd El Galil AS. Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block in radical cystectomy: a randomized controlled study. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2024;28(5):939−944; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v28i5.2568 Received: July 16, 2024; Reviewed: August 05, 2024; Accepted: August 29, 2024