Comparison of Intrapleural with Paravertebral Levobupivacaine Analgesia for Thoracoscopic Sympathectomy: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Palmar hyperhidrosis is a benign disease of excessive sweating in the palm that exceeds the physiological state. Thoracoscopic sympathectomy is an effective surgical treatment for localized hyperhidrosis. AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare paravertebral block (PVB) with intrapleural analgesia in thoracoscopic sympathectomy. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A total of 90 patients physical status American Society of Anesthesiologists Classes I or II scheduled for arthroscopic thoracoscopic sympathectomy were enrolled in this study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly allocated into three groups; in the controlled (C) group, no regional block was performed. In the intrapleural (I) group or paravertebral (P) group using a volume of 20 ml of levobupivacaine 0.5%. The first request for analgesia postoperatively was our primary concern. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, the cumulative consumption of fentanyl during the 1st postoperative day, pulmonary functions, blood gases, and complications. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 19.0, Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: First request of analgesia in paravertebral group was statistically significantly longer when compared with either control or intrapleural group. In addition, total fentanyl dose was significantly higher in control group when compared with the other groups. Groups I and P showed statistically significant less pain scores, better pulmonary function, and blood gases when compared with control group. CONCLUSION: We concluded that either intrapleural or paravertebral analgesia compared with control group in thoracoscopic sympathectomy resulted in later request of analgesia, improved pain control, reduced analgesic requirements postoperatively, preservation of lung function and acid-base balance. The PVB, compared to intrapleural, had an advantage of longer and effective analgesia.

Dexamethasone Versus Ketamine in the Interscalene Block in Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: A Randomized Double-Blinded Study.

OBJECTIVE: Arthroscopic shoulder surgery (ASS) is often followed by severe pain. Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) was used to relieve such pain. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of adding either dexamethasone or ketamine to ISB on time to the fi rst request for analgesia. METHODS: Sixty patients scheduled for ASS were enrolled in this study. Before induction of general anaesthesia, patients were randomly allocated to two groups; in Group D, patients received ISB with bupivacaine 0.3%, 5 mL lidocaine 2% plus 8 mg dexamethasone. Whereas in Group K, patients received ISB with bupivacaine 0.3%, 5 mL lidocaine 2% plus 50 mg ketamine. Time to the fi rst administration of supplemental analgesic postoperative was our primary concern. Secondary outcomes included pain score, patient satisfaction, and side effects of either block or drugs. Student's t-test was utilized for comparison between the two groups. Chi-square test was used to test the association between categorical variables. RESULTS: Time to the first request of analgesia was statistically significantly longer in Group D when compared to Group K. The onset of sensory and motor blocks, number of patients requiring rescue analgesia and patient satisfaction showed no difference between the two groups. Pain score in Group K, compared to Group D, was statistically signifi cant less early postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that addition of dexamethasone to local anesthetic in ISB for patients undergoing ASS resulted in longer time elapsed to the first request of analgesia when compared with ketamine. Pain score in the early postoperative period was statistically improved in ketamine group, but this might be of no clinical signifi cance, when compared with dexamethasone.

Rectus sheath block for postoperative analgesia in patients with mesenteric vascular occlusion undergoing laparotomy: A randomized single-blinded study.

BACKGROUND: Acute mesenteric ischemia is a life-threatening vascular emergency that requires early diagnosis, immediate anticoagulation, and intervention to restore mesenteric blood flow adequately. AIMS: To investigate the effect of rectus sheath block (RSB) for postoperative analgesia in patients with mesenteric vascular occlusion. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Forty patients with mesenteric vascular occlusion, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II or III, scheduled for laparotomy were enrolled in this study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomized into two groups; control group (C Group) and rectus block group (RB Group). In both groups, general anesthesia was induced fentanyl 1 µg/kg with sleeping dose of propofol and 0.15 mg/kg cisatracurium. Then, anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen 100%. In RB Group, under aseptic condition, RSB guided by ultrasound was performed. Surgery is then continued and intravenous fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia pump started. Postoperative pain, sedation, and opioid side effects were assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 19.0, Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: Patients in the RB Group consumed statistically significant less opioid in comparison to control group either intraoperatively or postoperatively. Mean pain scores were statistically significant less in RB Group than in the control group at 2, 4, and 6 h postoperatively. Sedation score, incidence of nausea and vomiting were statistically significant less in the RB Group in comparison to control group. More patients' satisfaction was reported in the RB Group. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided RSB resulted in postoperative reduction of pain scores and opioid consumption compared with general anesthesia alone. Moreover, RSB was associated with better patient satisfaction and less nausea and vomiting.

Can thoracic paravertebral block replace thoracic epidural block in pediatric cardiac surgery? A randomized blinded study.

To compare the outcomes of thoracic epidural block with thoracic paravertebral block for thoracotomy in pediatric patients. A prospective double-blind study. 60 pediatric patients aged 1-24 months, ASA II, III scheduled for thoracotomy were randomly allocated into two groups. After induction of general anesthesia, thoracic epidural catheter was inserted in group E (epidural) patients and thoracic paravertebral catheter was inserted in group P (paravertebral) patients. Post operative pain score was recorded hourly for 24 hours. Plasma cortisol level was recorded at three time points. Tidal breathing analysis was done preoperatively and 6 hours postoperatively. Analgesia, serum cortisol level, and pulmonary function parameters were comparable in the two groups. However, failure rate (incorrect placement of catheter) was significantly higher in epidural group than in paravertebral group (7% versus 0%, respectively). The complications were also significantly higher in epidural group (vomiting 14.8%, urine retention 11.1% and hypotension 14.8%) than paravertebral group (0%, 0%, and 3.6%, respectively). We conclude that both thoracic paravertebral block and thoracic epidural block results in comparable pain score and pulmonary function after thoracotomy in pediatric patients; the paravertebral block is associated with significantly less failure rate and side effects.

The outcome of thoracic epidural anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) improves analgesia and outcomes after a cardiac surgery. As aging is a risk factor for postoperative pulmonary complications, TEA is of particular importance in elderly patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). METHODS: Fifty patients aged 65-75 years; ASA II and III scheduled for elective CABG were included in the study. Patients were randomized to receive either general anesthesia (GA) group alone or GA combined with TEA group. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and central venous pressure were recorded. Total dose of fentanyl µg/kg, aortic cross clamping, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, time to first awaking and extubation, arterial blood gases, visual analog scale (VAS) score in intensive care unit were reported. Postoperative pulmonary function tests were done. RESULTS: TEA showed a significant HR and lower MAP compared with the GA group. The total dose of intraoperative fentanyl and nitroglycerine were significantly lower in the TEA. Patients in TEA group have statistically significantly higher PaO(2), lower PaCO(2), increase in Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV(1)) CONCLUSIONS: TEA reduced severity of postoperative pulmonary function and restoration was faster in TEA group in elderly patients undergoing CABG. Also, it resulted in earlier extubation and awakening, better analgesia, lower VAS.

Effect of acupuncture on nausea and/or vomiting during and after cesarean section in comparison with ondansetron.

PURPOSE: Acupuncture has been used for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study compared the effect of electrical acustimulation with ondansetron for preventing intraoperative and postoperative emetic symptoms and improving patient satisfaction. METHODS: After gaining ethical approval, 450 parturients scheduled for elective cesarean delivery were randomly allocated to receive either electrical stimulation using P6 acupoint (pericardium 6) bilaterally for 30 min before spinal anesthesia (group III; n = 150), or 4 mg ondansetron 30 min before spinal anesthesia (group II; n = 150), or placebo (group II; n = 150). Nausea and vomiting were evaluated and recorded intraoperatively and postoperative for 24 h by an independent anesthetist. RESULTS: The three groups were not significantly different with respect to intraoperative ephedrine dose and duration of surgery. Nausea and vomiting occurred statistically significantly less often in the active treatment groups (II, III) during operation and for 6 h postoperatively. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the incidence of nausea and vomiting from 6 to 24 h postoperatively. Patient satisfaction with PONV control was higher with the active treatment groups compared with group I. CONCLUSION: Electrical acustimulation is comparable to ondansetron in prevention of PONV during and after cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia and in improving patient satisfaction.