Postmastectomy pain syndrome after preoperative stellate ganglion block: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effect of preoperative ultrasound (US) guided stellate ganglion block (SGB) with bupivacaine on the frequency of post mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS). METHODS: Eighty patients scheduled for mastectomy with axillary dissection for breast cancer were included in this randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomized into two equal groups: Group A received US guided SGB one hour before surgery using five mL of 0.5% bupivacaine and multimodal systemic analgesia, Group B (control) received multimodal systemic analgesia only. Patients were followed up for six months. PMPS was assessed using the grading system for neuropathic pain (GSNP). Postoperative opioid consumption in the first 24 hours and numeric rating scale (NRS) were documented. Patient daily activity and functional capacity were evaluated using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score. RESULTS: PMPS proportion was significantly lower in group A than group B (30% vs. 62.5%, P=0.004; 52% decrease [95% CI: 18.4%-71.8%]). Postoperative opioid consumption and NRS were significantly lower in group A as compared to group B. ECOG score was significantly higher in Group A than Group B. CONCLUSIONS: Following mastectomy with axillary dissection, preoperative US guided SGB is associated with less PMPS proportion, postoperative pain and opioid consumption and better patient daily activity and functional capacity.

Analgesic Potentials of Preoperative Oral Pregabalin, Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate, and their Combination in Acute Postthoracotomy Pain.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the preoperative combination of oral Pregabalin and intravenous (IV) magnesium sulfate as analgesic adjuvants in postthoracotomy pain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status II were allocated randomly into 1 of 4 groups. Group MP received 300 mg pregabalin orally and an IV infusion of magnesium sulfate 50 mg/kg mixed with 200 mL normal saline (NS); group P received 300 mg pregabalin orally and 200 mL NS infusion; group M received an IV infusion of magnesium sulfate 50 mg/kg mixed with 200 mL NS and a placebo capsule; and group C received placebo capsule and an IV infusion of 200 mL NS. All medications were given 1 hour before surgery in all groups. In the first 24 hours postoperatively, total morphine consumption, the Visual Analog Scale (0 to 10)-used as a pain measurement tool-and postoperative nausea and vomiting were assessed. RESULTS: The total morphine consumption in the first 24 hours postoperatively decreased significantly in group MP (28.47±5.76 mg) compared with group P (33.97±6.34 mg), group M (40.87±4.4 mg), and group C (42.2±6.1 mg), respectively. VAS scores were in the accepted range (≤4) in the 4 groups throughout the first 24 hours, as all patients were on patient-controlled analgesia. However, there was a statistically significant difference at 0 and 4 hours postoperatively in favor of groups MP and P. Postoperative nausea and vomiting decreased significantly in groups MP, P, and M in comparison with group C (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The combined preoperative single dose of pregabalin and magnesium sulfate is an effective method for attenuating postoperative pain and total morphine consumption in patients undergoing thoracotomy.

The Possible Preventive Role of Pregabalin in Postmastectomy Pain Syndrome: A Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT: Chronic postmastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) has a considerable negative impact on the quality of life of breast cancer patients. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the possible preventive role of perioperative pregabalin in PMPS. METHODS: This randomized controlled study included 200 patients with breast cancer scheduled for elective breast cancer surgery. They were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. The pregabalin group received 75 mg of pregabalin twice daily for seven days and the control group received oral equivalent placebo capsules. The primary outcome was development of neuropathic PMPS. Neuropathic pain was assessed using the Grading System for Neuropathic Pain. Secondary outcome measures were safety and Visual Analogue Scale scores. RESULTS: Neuropathic pain was significantly less frequent in the pregabalin group compared to the control group at four weeks (P = 0.005), 12 weeks (P = 0.002), and 24 weeks (P < 0.001) postoperatively. PMPS was diagnosed in 11 patients (11%) of the pregabalin group and 29 patients (29%) of the control group (P < 0.001, relative risk: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.12-0.56). At the three follow-up time points, Visual Analogue Scale scores during the first three postoperative weeks were comparable in both groups while they were significantly lower in the pregabalin group at 4, 12, and 24 weeks. These two groups were comparable in the frequency of adverse events (P = 0.552). CONCLUSION: Perioperative oral pregabalin 75 mg twice daily, starting at the morning of surgery and continued for one week, could reduce the frequency of postmastectomy pain syndrome.

The impact of intravenous dexamethasone on the efficacy and duration of analgesia of paravertebral block in breast cancer surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The study aimed at the evaluation of the impact of intravenous (IV) dexamethasone on efficacy and duration of analgesia of paravertebral block (PVB) in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy (MRM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This randomized, double-blind controlled trial included 50 patients with breast cancer scheduled for unilateral MRM. Ultrasound-guided PVB was performed in out-of-plane technique. The technique was repeated at each segment from C7 to T6. The participants were randomly allocated to one of two groups. Group BD (n=25) received IV 8 mg dexamethasone diluted with 8 mL of normal saline to reach 10 mL solution, while Group B received IV 10 mL normal saline. Top-up local infiltration analgesia into the surgical field was performed by the surgeon if needed using lidocaine 1% intraoperatively. Propofol infusion of 50-100 µg/kg/min was maintained throughout the surgery. The time to administration of the first postoperative analgesic dose, pain intensity as visual analog scale (VAS) score, number of patients who required rescue morphine analgesia, total morphine consumption, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) impact scale, and the overall satisfaction of patients with pain management were measured. RESULTS: Fifty patients were randomized and analyzed. The time to first rescue analgesic dose was significantly longer in Group DB (P<0.001). The VAS scores were significantly lower in Group DB compared to Group B up to 12 hours postoperatively. Morphine consumption was lower in Group DB compared to Group B. PONV Impact Scale score was significantly higher in Group B. CONCLUSION: Systemic dexamethasone increased the efficacy and duration of the single-shot multilevel PVB in breast cancer surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN registry, study ID: ISRCTN15920148.