Thoracic Epidural Block Research Articles

Comparison of Continuous Thoracic Epidural Analgesia Versus Bilateral Erector Spinae Plane Block for Pain Management in Coronary Bypass Surgery.

Background Effective pain control is vital for patients undergoing heart surgery. Utilizing a multimodal approach to analgesia is essential, as poor pain management can result in hemodynamic and systemic complications. This study aimed to compare perioperative pain management techniques in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), specifically evaluating continuous thoracic epidural analgesia and ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae block. Methods This randomized comparative study was conducted at a tertiary care centreover a period of six months, with approval from the institute's ethics committee. A total of 24 patients undergoing CABG under general anesthesia participated in the study. They were randomly assigned to either the continuous thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) group (Group A) or the ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane (ESP) block group (Group B) using a simple randomization method. The study assessed intraoperative intravenous opioid requirements for maintaining stable hemodynamics, as well as postoperative resting and coughing Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and peak inspiratory spirometry. Results Twelve patients from each group completed the study, with comparable demographics (age, gender). Both groups exhibited similar resting and coughing VAS scores at 0, 3, 6, and 12 hours postoperatively (p > 0.05). However, at 24, 36, and 48 hours, Group A had significantly higher VAS scores compared to Group B (p < 0.05). Group A maintained an overall mean VAS score of 4 or less during rest and coughing. Peak inspiratory spirometry results were consistent between both groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion The ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae block provided pain control comparable to thoracic epidural analgesia, making it a viable alternative for perioperative pain management. This is particularly beneficial for CABG patients where early postoperative anticoagulant therapy is crucial for graft patency. Effective pain management also contributes to faster recovery in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block versus thoracic epidural block for postoperative analgesia in pediatric Nuss surgery: a randomized noninferiority trial.

Thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) is often used for analgesia after thoracic surgery. Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has been proposed to provide adequate analgesia. We hypothesized that ESPB would be noninferior to TEA as a part of multimodal analgesia in pediatric patients undergoing the Nuss procedure. Patients aged 7-18years and scheduled for the Nuss procedure were randomly allocated to receive bilateral single-shot ESPB or TEA and a multimodal analgesic regimen including parent-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA). At 6h, 12h, 18h, and 24h postoperatively, pain was evaluated using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and opioid consumption was assessed by counting the number of PCIA boluses. The joint primary outcomes were the average pain score and opioid consumption at 24h after surgery. The secondary outcomes were the NRS scores and the number of opioid boluses administered at different postoperative time points, adverse events, and recovery quality. Three hundred patients underwent randomization, and 286 received ESPB (147 patients) or TEA (139 patients). At 24h postoperatively, ESPB was noninferior to TEA in terms of the average NRS score (mean difference, - 0.1, 95% confidence interval [CI], - 0.3-0.1, margin = 1, P for noninferiority < 0.001) and the number of opioid boluses administered (mean difference, - 1.1, 95% CI, - 2.8-0.6, margin = 7, P for noninferiority < 0.001). Adverse events and patient recovery were comparable between groups. The results demonstrate that combined with a multimodal analgesia, ESPB provides noninferior analgesia compared to TEA with respect to pain score and opioid consumption among pediatric patients undergoing the Nuss procedure.

Comparison of Postoperative Opioid Consumption of Paravertebral Block and Erector Spinae Plane Block After Thoracotomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Thoracotomy is associated with severe postoperative pain. Pain developing after thoracotomy causes lung infections, inability to expel secretions, and atelectasis as a result of deep breathing. Effective management of acute pain after thoracotomy may prevent these complications. A multimodal approach to analgesia is widely employed by thoracic anesthetists using a combination of regional anesthetic blockade and systemic analgesia, with both non-opioid and opioid medications and local anesthesia blockade. Nowadays, regional anesthesia techniques such as thoracic epidural paravertebral block (PVB), erector spinae plane block (ESPB), and serratus plane block are frequently used to prevent pain after thoracotomy. In this study, we compared paravertebral block with erector spinae block for pain relief after thoracotomy. Our primary aim was to determine whether there was a difference between postoperative opioid consumption and pain scores. We also compared the two regional anesthesia techniques in terms of intraoperative hemodynamic data and postoperative complications. Methodology Patients aged between 18 and 75 years with an American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status I-III and scheduled for elective thoracotomy were included in the study. Using www.randomizer.org, patients were divided into two different groups, namely, ESPB and PVB.All patients were provided with a patient-controlled analgesia device preloaded with morphine. Postoperative 24-hour morphine consumptions were recorded. Results Data from 45 patients were used in the final analyses. Morphine consumption was higher in the ESPB group than in the PVB group at 24 hours postoperatively (19.2 ± 4.26 mg and 16.2 ± 2.64 mg, respectively; p < 0.05).There was no significant difference in numerical rating scale scores both at rest and with coughing (p > 0.05). Intraoperative heart rates were similar between groups. However, mean intraoperative blood pressure was significantly lower in the PVB group at 30 minutes (p < 0.05). Nausea and vomiting were observed in two patients in the ESPB group and one patient in the PVB group. The complication of nausea and vomiting was not statistically significant between the two groups (p > 0.05). Catastrophic complications such as hematoma, pneumothorax, and local anesthetic systemic toxicity were not observed in either group. Conclusions We found that patients who underwent PVB consumed less morphine postoperatively than patients who underwent ESPB. However, we did not observe any difference in pain scores between both groups. We think that ESPB can be considered a reliable method in thoracotomy surgery due to its ease of application and the fact that the place where the block is technically performed is farther from the central structures compared to PVB.In light of the results of our study, ESPB can be used as an alternative to PVB, which has been proven as postoperative analgesia in thoracic surgery.

To evaluate the analgesic effectiveness of bilateral erector spinae plane block versus thoracic epidural analgesia in open cardiac surgeries approached through midline sternotomy

BackgroundThe efficacy of the erector spinae plane (ESP) block in mitigating postoperative pain has been shown for a range of thoracic and abdominal procedures. However, there is a paucity of literature investigating its impact on postoperative analgesia as well as its influence on weaning and subsequent recovery in comparison to thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) in median sternotomy-based approach for open-cardiac surgeries and hence the study.MethodsIrrespective of gender or age, 74 adult patients scheduled to undergo open cardiac surgery were enrolled and randomly allocated into two groups: the Group TEA (thoracic epidural block) and the Group ESP (bilateral Erector Spinae Plane block). The following variables were analysed prospectively and compared among the groups with regard to pain control, as determined by the VAS Scale both at rest (VASR) and during spirometry (VASS), time to extubation, quantity and frequency of rescue analgesia delivered, day of first ambulation, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and any adverse cardiac events (ACE), respiratory events (ARE), or other events, if pertinent.ResultsClinical and demographic variables were similar in both groups. Both groups had overall good pain control, as determined by the VAS scale both at rest (VASR) and with spirometry (VASS) with Group ESP demonstrating superior pain regulation compared to Group TEA during the post-extubation period at 6, 9, and 12 h, respectively (P > 0.05). Although statistically insignificant, the postoperative mean rescue analgesic doses utilised in both groups were comparable, but there was a higher frequency requirement in Group TEA. The hemodynamic and respiratory profiles were comparable, except for a few arrhythmias in Group TEA. With comparable results, early recovery, fast-track extubation, and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were achieved.ConclusionsThe ESP block has been found to have optimal analgesic effects during open cardiac surgery, resulting in a decreased need for additional analgesic doses and eliminating the possibility of a coagulation emergency. Consequently, it presents itself as a safer alternative to the potentially invasive thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA).

Development of an augmented reality system for simulated thoracic epidural block training on the soft embalmed Thiel cadaver

Development of an augmented reality system for simulated thoracic epidural block training on the soft embalmed Thiel cadaver

External Oblique Intercostal Plane Block for Open Cholecystectomy - A Novel Technique

Abstract The conversion of laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy with a large oblique subcostal incision may be associated with severe pain, leading to basilar atelectasis, delayed post-operative recovery and respiratory failure. Various techniques like thoracic epidural block, paravertebral blocks, erector spine block, transverse abdominis plane blocks and anterior quadratus lumboram plane block can be practised to alleviate the pain. In this particular case, we describe an External Oblique Intercostal Block which was given for postoperative analgesia after open cholecystectomy.

Midpoint Transverse Process to Pleura Block for Analgesia in Breast Surgeries: A Case Series

Among the various techniques described for analgesia in breast surgeries, thoracic epidural and thoracic paravertebral block is the gold standard but have potential complications of hypotension and pneumothorax. Midpoint transverse process to pleura (MTP) block is one of the newest techniques developed to reduce these complications by injection of local anesthetic between the midpoint of the posterior transverse process and pleura. Originally performed at multiple levels, the literature is scant regarding the placement of a catheter. We report MTP block with catheter placement providing continuous infusion in five patients posted for modified radical mastectomy and found it a safe and effective alternative.

Case report of non-tracheal intubation—an alternative for postpneumonectomy patients undergoing contralateral pulmonary resection

BackgroundSurgery on the contralateral or other lungs after pneumonectomy on one side is highly challenging and complex. It is critical to creating conditions for fluent surgical maneuvers while ensuring adequate ventilation for a patient during such an operation in the same chest cavity that appears incompatible.Case presentationWe have reported herein the case of a patient who, following a left pneumonectomy, underwent a right upper pulmonary nodule wedge resection via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery without requiring endotracheal intubation. We managed ventilation with a laryngeal mask airway under general anesthesia combined with a thoracic epidural block. The diseased lobe collapsed well for the surgical procedure during VATS without hypoxia, after which the resection was safely performed.ConclusionsNon-tracheal intubation anesthesia can be a potentially attractive alternative for patients undergoing contralateral pulmonary resection after pneumonectomy.

Effectiveness of Ultrasonography Guided Pectoral Nerve Block for Post-Operative Analgesia in Modified Radical Mastectomy

Background: Modified radical mastectomy surgery results in high morbidity and patient dissatisfaction due to incomplete postoperative pain relief. The most frequent malignancy among women worldwide is breast cancer. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess effectiveness of ultrasonography-guided Pectoral nerve block for postoperative analgesia after Modified radical mastectomy. Methods: This descriptive type of cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Anaesthesia, Analgesia, Palliative and Intensive Care Medicine in collaboration with department of surgery, Dhaka Medical College &amp; Hospital, Dhaka during July 2021 to June 2022. A total of 28 patients were participate in this study. Purposive sampling technique was followed. After taking consent and matching eligibility criteria, data were collected from patients using the predesigned structured questionnaire by interview. Statistical analyses of the results were obtained by using window-based Microsoft Excel and Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS-25). Results: Mean age of patient was 54.7 ± 7.3 years majority belonged to 50-59 years of age (39.2%). Maximum patient had ASA Class II (60.7%). In case of staging of the cancer 39.2% were in stage I and 60.8% were in stage II. Average duration of surgery was 119.4 ± 14.2 minutes. The mean VAS score of the patients at 2nd hrs was 0.52±0.2, at 4th hrs was 0.65±0.3, at 6th hrs was 1.12±0.6, at 8th hrs was 2.31±1.35, at 10th hrs was 3.34±1.45, at 12th hrs was 4.83±1.40, at 14th hrs was 2.24±1.30, at 16th hrs, at 18th hrs 2.74±1.65, at 20th hrs was 4.48±1.70 and at 24th hrs was 2.28±1.80. the mean 1st analgesic demand (hour) was 12.2±2.1 and the Total opioid consumption (mg) was 165.7±18.2. Conclusion: For postoperative pain management after breast surgery, various procedures have been employed, including local anesthetic infiltration, intercostal nerve block, thoracic epidural block, and paravertebral block. They might not be appropriate ..

Continuous thoracic epidural versus continuous paravertebral analgesia in patients undergoing open renal surgery: Evaluation of pulmonary function; randomized double-blinded clinical trial

ABSTRACT Background This study aimed to assess pulmonary functions after either continuous thoracic paravertebral block (cTPVB) or thoracic epidural block (cTEB) in open renal surgeries. Methodsː The double-blinded, randomized clinical trial included 40 patients scheduled for open renal surgeries at Urology Hospital-Assiut University, equally assigned into group E (n = 20) and group P (n = 20), both at the level of 7th-8th thoracic vertebra. Initially, 7.5–12 mL of bupivacaine 0.25% was started before the induction of general anesthesia, followed by bupivacaine 0.125% continuously at a rate of 5–15 ml/h. Forced vital capacity (FVC) measured every 6 hours postoperatively within the first 24 hours was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), diaphragmatic excursion (DE), postoperative analgesia, total opioid consumption, total local anesthetic dose, hemodynamics and complications. Resultsː FVC, FEV1 and DE were better preserved in cTPVB where the lowest postoperative readings as a fraction of preoperative control were 0.7 ± 0.11 vs 0.65 ± 0.11 L, 0.74 ± 0.11 vs 0.64 ± 0.10 L and 0.73 ± 0.1 vs 0.58 ± 0.1 cm, respectively. The lowest postoperative PEFR was reported in cTEB (p-value = 0.128). Analysis of numeric rating pain scale, total opioid consumption and time of first rescue analgesic request revealed a statistical nonsignificant difference. The total infused dose of local anesthetic was significantly higher in cTPVB group. Incidence of sympatholytic complications was higher in cTEB. Conclusion cTEB and cTPVB had convergent effect on respiratory function and diaphragmatic motility and equivalent analgesic efficacy after open renal surgeries. Although cTPVB was technically easier and less time-consuming than cTEB, higher dose of local anaesthetic was required in cTPVB.

Comparison of safety and efficacy of thoracic epidural block and erector spinae plane block for analgesia in patients with multiple rib fractures: A pilot single-blinded, randomised controlled trial.

Pain associated with rib fractures is challenging to manage. This pilot trial aimed to assess the efficacy of erector spinae plane block (ESPB) compared with thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) for controlling pain associated with multiple rib fractures. This randomised, single-blinded, controlled pilot study was conducted on trauma patients who had three or more rib fractures and had been admitted at a tertiary care centre. The study was conducted after receiving ethical approval and trial registration. Patients were randomised into two groups: TEA and ESPB, from February 2019 to February 2020. In the ESPB group, a unilateral or bilateral catheter was inserted in the erector spinae space, and an infusion of 0.125% bupivacaine was started. In the TEA group, the thoracic epidural catheter was inserted, and 0.125% bupivacaine infusion was started. Rescue analgesia using intravenous morphine (0.1 mg/kg) was administered if the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score was >3 for 48 hours postoperatively. The primary endpoint was total morphine consumption after administration of ESPB and TEA in patients with a rib fracture. Forty patients completed the study, with 20 in each group. Total morphine consumption by patients in the ESPB group was 5.38 ± 2.6 mg per 48 hours, and by those in the TEA group was 5.22 ± 2.11 mg per 48 hours (P = 0.883). Thirty minutes after starting the infusion, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was 64.8 ± 2.1 mmHg in the ESPB group and 57.2 ± 1.3 mmHg in the TEA group (P = 0.00001). Total morphine consumption was not statistically different in this pilot trial among the two groups. ESP block may provide similar analgesia with better haemodynamic stability compared to TEA in patients with multiple traumatic rib fractures.

Serratus anterior plane block versus thoracic epidural block in patients undergoing thoracotomy: a randomized double-blind trial

Background &amp; Objective: Standard pain management technique after thoracic surgery is thoracic epidural analgesia, parentral analgesics and nerve blocks. Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) has many known complications, including respiratory depression and urinary retention. Serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) is a simple procedure, which provides postoperative pain relief by blocking the lateral cutaneous branches of T2–T9 spinal neurons. We compared the analgesic efficacy of both of these techniques in thoracotomy patients in this randomized trial.&#x0D; Methodology: The study involved 74 cancer patients scheduled for thoracotomy. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. The patients in Group SAPB underwent ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plan block (SAPB) with catheter insertion. The second group (Group TEA) underwent TEA with preoperative indwelling catheter insertion. In both groups blocks were activated before induction of routine general anesthesia (GA) by a bupivacaine bolus dose, then continued as bupivacaine infusion in ICU for postoperative analgesia. Hemodynamic monitoring was started. Intraoperative fentanyl consumption, postoperative morphine consumption, and time to first request for analgesic were noted including MAP in the two groups.&#x0D; Results: Both groups were statistically comparable regarding intraoperative fentanyl consumption, postoperative morphine consumption, and time to first request for analgesia in the two groups. Hypotensive episodes were significantly more frequent (P &lt; 0.001) in the TEA group (n = 17; 45.9%) compared to the Group SAPB (n = 2; 5.4%). Ramsey sedation scores (RSS) were comparable in the two groups immediately postoperatively and after 2 h. After 4 h after recovery all patients in both groups had an RSS of 2.&#x0D; Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block is associated with reduced intraoperative and postoperative fentanyl consumption, but the Ramsey sedation scores were equivalent in the two groups after recovery and upto 4h.&#x0D; Abbreviations: GA: General Anesthesia; PTPS: Post-Thoracotomy Pain Syndrome: RSS: Ramsey Sedation Score; SAPB: Serratus Anterior Plane Block; TEA: Thoracic Epidural Analgesia; VATS: Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery&#x0D; Key words: Pain, Postoperative; Serrataus plane block; Thoracotomy; Ultrasound; Thoracic epidural&#x0D; Citation: Gamal RM, Bossily SS, Ali AR, Samy SF, Seif NE, Ahmed HI. Serratus anterior plane block versus thoracic epidural block in patients undergoing thoracotomy: a randomized double-blind trial. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2023;27(3):389−395.&#x0D; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v27i3.2243&#x0D; Received: March 06, 2023; Reviewed: March 31, 2023; Accepted: April 01, 2023

A Change in the Educational Landscape of Regional Anesthesia: A National Survey of Anesthesiology Residency Programs to Assess the Correlation Between the Frequency of Teaching a Block Technique and Clinical Importance.

Introduction Variability regarding which blocks are performed most often can be quite high amonganesthesiology residency training programs. Which techniques are viewed by residency programs as "critical" for their graduates to know can also be inconsistent. We administered a national survey to investigate correlations between the cited importance of techniques and the relative frequency with which they are being taught. Materials and methods A three-round modified Delphi method was used to develop the survey. The final survey was sent to 143 training programs across the United States. The surveys collected information on the frequency with which thoracic epidural blocks, truncal blocks, and peripheral blocks were taught. The respondents were also asked to rate how critical each technique is to learn during residency. A correlation between the relative frequency of block teaching and cited importance to education was calculated using Kendall's Tau statistic. Results Among truncal procedures, transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and thoracic epidural blocks were frequently viewed as "indispensable for daily practice." Among peripheral nerve blocks, interscalene, supraclavicular, adductor, and popliteal blocks were frequently viewed as indispensable. All truncal blocks showed a strong correlation between the relative frequency of block teaching and cited importance to education. However, the frequency of teaching interscalene, supraclavicular, femoral, and popliteal blocks failed to correlate with their reported importance ranking. Conclusions Perceived importance was significantly associated with the reported frequency of block teaching for all truncal and peripheral blocks except for interscalene, supraclavicular, femoral, and popliteal. The lack of correlation between the frequency of teaching and perceived importance is reflective of a changing educational landscape.

Thoracic and lumbar paravertebral anesthesia in pediatric orthopedics and traumatology: A literature review

BACKGROUND: Paravertebral anesthesia is an old regional anesthesia technique, with a history of more than 100 years. Generally, paravertebral anesthesia is used in adults as a strong analgesic tool for pain treatment. Paravertebral anesthesia is not a simple way of inducing regional anesthesia, as it has several complications. Paravertebral anesthesia has been a serious contraindication in pediatric surgery. At present, technical progress in ultrasonography permits the use of paravertebral anesthesia successfully in children in orthopedics and traumatology practice by discovering new possibilities for the surgical treatment of pain.&#x0D; AIM: This study aimed to assess the current state and near-term prospects of using paravertebral anesthesia as a significant component of anesthesia in pediatric orthopedics and traumatology.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study data were obtained from public scientific sources, which were searched in the PubMed, Crossref, Google Scholar, Scopus, and RSCI databases without language restrictions. The depth of the information search was 90 years (up to 1932). In this study, analysis and synthesis based on the information obtained were used to build an analytic conclusion.&#x0D; RESULTS: Various case reports and case reviews have described the experience of using thoracic and lumbar paravertebral anesthesia in pediatric orthopedics and traumatology, as well as reconstructive surgery and revealed that thoracic paravertebral anesthesia (in combination with general anesthesia) is currently the method of choice, competing with the thoracic epidural block and the high back straightening muscle block.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: Paravertebral anesthesia as the psoas compartment block with the ultrasonography control is the most reliable and suitable method of regional anesthesia for pelvis orthopedic surgery.

Continuous Erector Spinae Plane Block in Paediatric VATS: A Case Series.

Decortication and stripping of infected pleura by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery or thoracotomy is the treatment of choice in cases of empyema. The stripping is associated with intense post-operative pain. Erector spinae block is an excellent and safe alternative to thoracic epidural block. The experience in paediatric erector spinae plane block is very limited. We present our experience of continuous erector spinae block and one single-shot erector spinae plane block in paediatric video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries. We had 5 patients aged 2-8 years with right-sided empyema, who were taken up for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery decortication, and 2 patients aged 1-4 years with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery CDH repair. After induction and intubation, using high-frequency straight ultrasound probe, an erector spinae plane catheter was inserted and the local anaesthetic agent was administered. The patients were monitored for signs of effective analgesia. Post-extubation continuous erector spinae plane block was continued for 48 hours using bupivacaine and fentanyl. All patients had excellent postoperative analgesia for more than 48 hours. There were no side effects like motor block, nausea, vomiting, or respiratory depression. Continuous erector spinae plane block provides excellent analgesia in paediatric patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, causing minimal side effects. Further, a prospective randomized control trial is suggested to establish the efficacy of this block in paediatric video-assisted thoracoscopic surgeries.

Combined Serratus Intercostal Fascial Block (SIFB) and Rectus Sheath Block (RSB) for Chest Wall Fracture

Purpose: Rib fractures are common in patients presenting chest trauma and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Traditional pain management options for rib fractures include thoracic epidural and/or paravertebral blocks. However, novel regional anesthesia techniques have been demonstrated to improve pain scores and aid patient recovery. We describe the application of a combined Serratus-Intercostal Fascial (SIFB) and Rectus Sheath (RS) nerve blocks to provide analgesia for a patient with lower anterior and lateral rib fractures. Clinical Features: To perform the combined block, an 18-gauge Tuohy needle was inserted deep to the rectus sheath muscle above the transversus muscle with obvious spread of local anesthetic superficial to the posterior rectus sheath where 10mls of 0.375% bupivacaine was injected. The needle continued laterally under the external oblique until it was positioned deep to the left serratus anterior muscle where an additional 15ml was injected. In both blocks, CPNB catheters were inserted beyond the end of the Tuohy needles. On postoperative day 2, the patient reported no pain in his anterior chest and abdomen with improved inspiratory capacity and was able to ambulate. After postoperative day 7 the patient no longer required his oral scheduled opioids and continued to report no chest pain. Conclusion: A combined SIFB and RS block using a single-incision was effective in providing analgesia while being less invasive and providing more control over potential infection sites. The technique also allows for lower dosage of anesthetics which can be relevant in other clinical settings.

Expression of concern: Protective effect of down-regulated microRNA-27a mediating high thoracic epidural block on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice through regulating ABCA1 and NF-κB signaling pathway [Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 112 (2019) 108606

Expression of concern: Protective effect of down-regulated microRNA-27a mediating high thoracic epidural block on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice through regulating ABCA1 and NF-κB signaling pathway [Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy 112 (2019) 108606

Perioperative Analgesic Efficiency of Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block versus Epidural Analgesia in Bladder Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy

Background and Aim: Multimodal analgesia is currently used for perioperative pain management after Radical cystectomy (RC). This study aimed to compare quadratus lumborum block (QLB) and thoracic epidural block (TEA) in patients subjected to RC.&#x0D; Methods: This prospective randomized controlled study included 34 patients with bladder cancer subjected to RC under general anesthesia, divided into two groups. The Quadratus Group (n=17) underwent bilateral ultrasound-guided continuous QLB, and the Epidural Group (n=17) underwent continuous TEA. The primary outcome was pain intensity measured by VAS score, and the secondary outcomes were total morphine consumption during the first 48 hours after surgery, postoperative nausea score, and patient satisfaction.&#x0D; Results: There were no differences between the two groups in postoperative VAS scores starting immediately after surgery up to 48 hours. Reduction of VAS score after QLB was delayed compared to that after TEA. The two groups had a comparable number of patients requesting rescue analgesia (p = 0.271) and total postoperative morphine consumption (p = 0.976) in the remaining patients. The nausea score was significantly lower in the Quadratus Group than in the Epidural Group (p = 0.020). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the satisfaction score (p=0.612). Few mild complications were detected in the two studied groups.&#x0D; Conclusion: QLB and TEA are safe and effective in managing postoperative pain after radical cystectomy with similar analgesic profiles. QLB was more effective in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Nonintubated versus intubated thoracoscopic bullectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax: A multicenter propensity-matched analysis.

We aimed at comparing in a multicenter propensity-matched analysis, results of nonintubated versus intubated video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) bullectomy/blebectomy for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). Eleven Institutions participated in the study. A total of 208 patients underwent VATS bullectomy by intubated (IVATS) (N = 138) or nonintubated (NIVATS) (N = 70) anesthesia during 60 months. After propensity matching, 70 pairs of patients were compared. Anesthesia in NIVATS included intercostal (N = 61), paravertebral (N = 5) or thoracic epidural (N = 4) block and sedation with (N = 24) or without (N = 46) laryngeal mask under spontaneous ventilation. In the IVATS group, all patients underwent double-lumen-intubation and mechanical ventilation. Primary outcomes were morbidity and recurrence rates. There was no difference in age (26.7 ± 8 vs 27.4 ± 9 years), body mass index (19.7 ± 2.6 vs 20.6 ± 2.5), and American Society of Anesthesiology score (2 vs 2). Main results show no difference both in morbidity (11.4% vs 12.8%; p = 0.79) and recurrence free rates (92.3% vs 91.4%; p = 0.49) between NIVATS and IVATS, respectively, whereas a difference favoring the NIVATS group was found in anesthesia time (p < 0.0001) and operative time (p < 0.0001), drainage time (p = 0.001), and hospital stay (p < 0.0001). There was no conversion to thoracotomy and no hospital mortality. One patient in the NIVATS group needed reoperation due to chest wall bleeding. Results of this multicenter propensity-matched study have shown no intergroup difference in morbidity and recurrence rates whereas shorter operation room time and hospital stay favored the NIVATS group, suggesting a potential increase in the role of NIVATS in surgical management of PSP. Further prospective studies are warranted.

Novel use of erector spinae plane block in laparoscopic surgery.

ABSTRACTBackground and Aims:Thoracic epidural and paravertebral blocks are gold standard analgesic techniques but they are associated with complications. Erector spinae plane (ESP) block is safer with comparable pain relief. ESP block is an established technique for postoperative pain relief. Its intraoperative use as an adjuvant to general anaesthesia (GA) is not yet known. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of ESP as an adjuvant to GA during laparoscopic surgery.Methods:This was a randomised controlled trial. Using a computer generated random number table, 50 patients were randomly allocated into two groups. Group G (n = 25) received GA and group GE (n = 25) received bilateral ESP (ultrasonography guided) block using 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine at the level of the transverse process of T6 before the induction of GA.Results:Group GE showed reduced requirement of fentanyl (P < 0.0001) and inhalational agents (P < 0.0001) with significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (P < 0.0001), diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.0001) and mean heart rate as compared to group G.Conclusion:ESP block is an easy, safe, excellent adjuvant to GA which reduces the requirement of analgesics and inhalational agents.