Effect of interfascial pressure on block success during anterior quadratus lumborum block application: a prospective observational study

Background@#The quadratus lumborum block (QLB) has recently been used frequently for postoperative analgesia after abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pressure changes between the middle thoracolumbar fascia layers to which the anterior QLB (aQLB) is applied at the level of the sensory block. @*Methods@#A total of 67 patients planned to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy were evaluated in the context of this prospective study. Bilateral aQLBs were administered to all patients, and a peripheral nerve block catheter was placed between the psoas and quadratus lumborum muscles. The correlation of interfascial pressures (IFPs) during block application, 30 min intraoperatively, and 30 min postoperatively with the sensory block level was determined as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were the sensory block levels 30 min after block application and 30 min postoperatively; visual analog scale scores 30 min and 6, 12, and 24 h postoperatively; and 24 h tramadol consumption. @*Results@#The preoperatively and intraoperatively measured IFPs differed significantly between the right and left sides (P < 0.05). The preoperative and postoperative block levels also differed significantly between the right and left sides (P < 0.05). The preoperative and postoperative block levels and preoperatively measured IFPs showed a weakly negative correlation (right: r = 0.374; left: r = 0.470). @*Conclusions@#The results of this study show that pressure changes between the fasciae may be effective in aQLB application.

Comparison of two different lung ultrasound imaging protocols in COVID-19 pneumonia

Purpose@#The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of two different lung ultrasonography (LUS) methods that can be used in the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to investigate their correlations with computed tomography (CT). @*Methods@#In this prospective, randomized, and single-blind study, 60 patients with COVID-19 were included. The patients were randomized to either the 12-zone LUS group (n=30) or the 14-zone LUS group (n=30). The correlation between LUS and thoracic CT scores was evaluated. As a secondary outcome measure, the characteristic features of the findings of thoracic CT and LUS were examined. @*Results@#The study was completed with a total of 59 patients. Moderate and high correlations were found between the total CT and LUS scores in the 12-zone and 14-zone study groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the lesion types detected in patients using LUS and CT (P>0.05). The left lung lower lobe CT scores were statistically significantly lower in the 14-zone study group than in the 12-zone group (P=0.019). The left lower lobe CT and LUS scores were highly correlated in the 14-zone group (P<0.001, r=0.902). @*Conclusion@#The results of our study indicated that the two different LUS examination methods performed in different patients had similar findings in terms of the diagnosis and their correlations with CT results.

Application of unilateral rhomboid intercostal and subserratus plane block for analgesia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a quasi-experimental study / 대한마취과학회지

Background@#Interfascial plane block can be used to treat postoperative pain after laparoscopic surgery. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided unilateral rhomboid intercostal and subserratus plane (RISS) block after laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the amount of analgesic consumption. @*Methods@# Fifty patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in this quasi-experimental study. Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were analyzed in two groups: RISS group (RISS block with 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine + intravenous patient-controlled analgesia [IV-PCA] tramadol [n = 25]); and Control group (IV-PCA tramadol [n = 25]). The primary outcome was the total amount of tramadol used over 24 h. Secondary outcomes included side effects, additional analgesic use, and postoperative pain (at rest and during activity) at 2, 6, 12, and 24 h according to numerical rating scale (NRS) scores. @*Results@# Postoperative tramadol consumption at 24 h was significantly lower in the RISS group than in the Control group (P 0.05). @*Conclusions@# Unilateral RISS block was an effective method for pain management after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and can be used as a part of multimodal analgesia.

Ultrasound-guided anterior quadratus lumborum block for postoperative pain after percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a randomized controlled trial / 대한마취과학회지

Background@# The Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB), which is reported to provide analgesia to the abdominal region, is a newly defined fascial plane block method. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasound guided anterior QLB on the postoperative pain scores after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. @*Methods@# In this prospective, randomized, controlled single-blind study, 60 patients with elective percutaneous nephrolithotomy operations were randomized into 2 groups. In Group B (n = 30): anterior QLB+ intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine and in Group C (n = 30): intravenous PCA morphine. Outcome measures were included for visual analog scale (VAS) scores and morphine consumption for 24 hours postoperatively. Adverse effects, additional analgesic requirement, and intraoperative opioid requirement were recorded. @*Results@# The mean values of the quantity of morphine used at the 6th, 12th, and 24th hours were found to be statistically significantly lower in Group B (p 0.05). @*Conclusion@# The study results suggest that anterior QLB is an effective treatment option for postoperative analgesia of percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Efficacy of rhomboid intercostal block for analgesia after thoracotomy / 대한통증학회지

Regional anesthesia, including central and plane blocks (serratus anterior plane block and erector spinae block), are used for post-thoracotomy pain. The rhomboid intercostal block (RIB) is mainly performed by injection to the upper intercostal muscle plane below the rhomboid muscle. It has been reported to provide analgesia at the T3–T9 levels. The RIB was performed on 5 patients who had been scheduled for thoracotomy. The catheter was advanced in the area under the rhomboid muscle between the intercostal muscles. Postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) scores were observed and each patient’s resting VAS score remained below 3 for 48 hours. The RIB has been observed to be a convenient plane block for post-thoracotomy analgesia. We believe that further information from detailed studies is required.

Serratus Anterior Plane (SAP) Block Used for Thoracotomy Analgesia: A Case Report

Thoracotomy is a surgical technique used to reach the thoracic cavity. Management of pain due to thoracotomy is important in order to protect the operative respiratory reserves and decrease complications. For thoracotomy pain, blocks (such as thoracic epidural, paravertebral, etc.) and pleural catheterization and intravenous drugs (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], and opioids, etc., can be used. We performed a serratus anterior plane (SAP) block followed by catheterization for thoracotomy pain. We used 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine for analgesia in a patient who underwent wedge resection for a lung malignancy. We provided analgesia for a period of close to seven hours for the patient, whose postoperative VAS (visual analog scale) scores were recorded. We believe that an SAP block is effective and efficient for the management of pain after thoracotomy.