ABSTRACT
@#Objective To determine the effectiveness of continuous intercostal nerve block for pain relief after thoracotomy. Methods From November 2017 to October 2018, 120 patients who received thoracotomy procedure in our hospital were collected, including 60 males and 60 females aged 40-77 (58.10±7.00) years. The patients were randomly allocated into three groups by digital table including a continuous intercostal nerve block group (group A, n=40), a single intercostal nerve block group (group B, n=40), and an epidural analgesia group (group C, n=40). All the groups received the same basic analgesia. The pain scores and rescue analgesic doses were compared. Results On postoperative day (POD) 0, all groups achieved effective pain control, and the visual analogue score was 2.02±0.39 points in the group A, 2.13±0.75 points in the group B and 2.03±0.69 points in the group C (P>0.05). On POD 0-2 and POD 3-4 (without basement analgesia), there was no significant difference between the group A and group C in the pain scores (2.08±0.28 points vs. 1.93±0.53 points, 3.20±0.53 points vs. 3.46±0.47 points, P>0.05), however, the difference between POD 0-2 and POD 3-4 in each group was stastically different (group A, 2.08±0.28 points vs. 3.20±0.53 points; group B, 2.42±0.73 points vs. 5.45±0.99 points; group C 1.93±0.53 points vs. 3.46±0.47 points, P<0.05). In terms of the rescue analgesic doses, there was no significant difference between the group A and group C (220.00±64.08 mg vs. 225.38±78.85 mg, P>0.05); it was larger in the group B than that in the group A and group C (343.33±119.56 mg vs. 220.00±64.08 mg; 343.33±119.56 mg vs. 225.38±78.85 mg, P<0.05). Conclusion Multimodal analgesia is an optimal choice in the initial stage after thoracotomy surgery. Continuous intercostal nerve block is an effective way to pain management in patients with thoracotomy.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Thoracic epidural analgesia has greatly improved the pain experience and its consequences and has been considered the ‘gold standard’ for pain management after thoracotomy. This view has recently been challenged by the use of paravertebral nerve blocks. Nevertheless, severe ipsilateral shoulder pain and the prevention of post-thoracotomy pain syndrome remain the most important challenges for post-thoracotomy pain management. Aim of the study: To compare paravertebral block and continuous intercostal nerve block after thoracotomy. Materials and methods: Fifty adult patients undergoing elective posterolateral thoracotomy were randomized to receive either a continuous intercostal nerve blockade or a paravertebral block. Opioid consumption and postoperative pain were assessed for 48 hours. Pulmonary function was assessed by forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) recorded at 4 hours intervals. Results: With respect to the objective visual assessment (vas), both techniques were effective for post-thoracotomy pain. The average vas score at rest was 29±10 mm for paravertebral block and 31.5±11 mm for continuous intercostal nerve block. The average vas score on coughing was 36±14mm for the first one and 4 ±14 mm for the second group. Conclusion: Thoracic epidural analgesia or nerve blocks are so far considered as the best option but one needs to consider personnel and equipment resources available. A combination of local anesthetics along with opioids can be given to reduce the agony of the patient and early discharge from the hospital.