Chronic pain 1 year after foot surgery: Epidemiology and associated factors.

BACKGROUND: Most studies of chronic postoperative pain focussed on major surgical procedures. Chronic postoperative pain occurred in 10% to 50% of patients and exhibited neuropathic features in 5% to 68% of cases. The objectives of this prospective single-centre study were to determine the rates of occurrence and associated factors of any chronic pain and of neuropathic chronic pain 1 year after orthopaedic surgery on the foot. METHODS: We included consecutive patients who underwent scheduled orthopaedic surgery on the foot or ankle at a university hospital centre between 2009 and 2011. All patients received a multimodal analgesia regimen that usually combined a continuous popliteal sciatic nerve block, paracetamol, and ketoprofen, with additional ketamine if deemed appropriate. A telephone interview was conducted 1 year after the surgical procedure. The main outcome measures were moderate-to-severe pain (numerical rating scale score>3/10) 1 year after surgery at rest and during walking, and presence of neuropathic pain (defined using the DN2 score). Multivariate analysis was performed to look for associations of various perioperative clinical variables with pain. RESULTS: One year after surgery, 55 of 260 (21%) patients reported moderate-to-severe pain at rest, 111 (43%) moderate-to-severe pain during walking, and 9 (3%) neuropathic pain. By multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with moderate-to-severe pain at rest and/or during walking 1 year after surgery were moderate-to-severe pain during the first postoperative night (P=0.048) and/or day (P=0.043) and revision surgery (P=0.001). DISCUSSION: The rate of occurrence of moderate-to-severe pain 1 year after orthopaedic foot surgery is similar to that seen after major surgical procedures, whereas neuropathic pain seems rare. Orthopaedic surgery on the ankle or hindfoot is not more likely to be followed by chronic pain compared to surgery for hallux valgus or toe abnormalities. There is some evidence that earlier surgery might be beneficial. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, prospective observational longitudinal cohort study.

A survey of percutaneous chest drainage practice in French university surgical ICU's.

OBJECTIVE: Percutaneous chest drainage guidelines were published in 2010 by the British Thoracic Society. On several points (insertion technique, drain size), they seem to differ from French practices. Our objectives were to evaluate practice of pleural drainage in French University surgical intensive care units (ICU's), and to compare it with the British guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: National phone survey. METHODS: Physicians working in 58 ICU's were surveyed first in 2007, and subsequently in 2012. They were read a questionnaire to evaluate the demographic characteristics of their units, their indication for pleural drainage, how they quantified pleural effusion, and their technique for drain insertion. Data from the two surveys were compared to detect an evolution in practice following the publication of the British guidelines. Results are expressed as the mean response. RESULTS: In 2007, pleural drainage indications relied on various respiratory criteria in 91% of cases (versus 95% in 2012) and/or on pleural effusion volume in 71% of cases (versus 59% in 2012). Trocars (Monod or Joly) were used in 68% of the procedures in 2007. In the rest, either blunt dissection, a Pleurocath® or the Seldinger technique was utilized. From 2007 to 2012, the Seldinger technique increased in frequency (10% versus 22%, P=0.005) while Monod trocar usage decreased (41% vs 29%, P=0.012). Ultrasound before pleural effusion drainage became nearly systematic in 2012 (60% vs 86%, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The frequent use of trocar (and therefore of large drains) for pleural drainage in French ICU's differs significantly from the British guidelines.

Tranexamic acid decreases risk of haematomas but not pain after hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Tranexamic acid decreases total blood loss after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Total blood loss is the sum of external bleeding and bleeding into tissues, i.e., haematomas. Haematomas may cause acute or even chronic postoperative pain. HYPOTHESIS: Tranexamic acid decreases haematomas, thereby diminishing postoperative pain after THA. METHODS: In a retrospective matched case-control study, patients receiving tranexamic acid (15 mg/kg, before the incision and again at skin closure) were compared to controls not given tranexamic acid. Matching was on sex, surgeon, and peri-operative analgesics (ketamine, ketoprofen, pregabalin, and nefopam). Standardised protocols were used for anaesthesia, analgesia, and blood sparing. Haematoma volume was computed as the difference between total blood loss (estimated from the erythrocyte counts on days -1 and +5) and measured external blood loss. Patients were monitored from D0 to D7 then interviewed by telephone on D30, D90, and D180. To detect a 30%-decrease in the morphine dose at H24 (criterion 1) and D7 (criterion 2) and a 20% decrease in haematoma volume on D5 (criterion 3), the required numbers of patients were 90, 90, and 77, respectively; therefore, 95 patients were included. RESULTS: Tranexamic acid decreased haematoma volume by 30% (351±254 mL versus 247±189 mL erythrocytes, P=0.002), had no effect on morphine consumption at H24 (12±11 mg versus 14±12 mg, P=0.346), increased morphine consumption on D7 (26±24 mg versus 35±36 mg, P=0.029), and had no effect on long-term pain. DISCUSSION: After THA, tranexamic acid decreases haematoma volume without improving analgesia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 (case-control study).

Heterogeneity in meta-analyses of treatment of acute postoperative pain: a review.

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneity and its causes must be assessed using meta-analyses (meta-analysis). Especially in meta-analysis dealing with treatment of acute postoperative pain, the type of surgery is a source of heterogeneity. We aimed to assess whether the type of surgery is considered a source of heterogeneity in meta-analysis and how it is taken into account in meta-analysis evaluating the efficacy of treatment of acute postoperative pain. We further compared meta-analysis that pooled trials of surgeries with highly heterogeneous postoperative pain levels, the heterogeneous group, with meta-analysis that pooled trials involving surgeries with homogeneous pain levels, the homogenous group. METHODS: The meta-analysis reports available in Issue 3, 2011 of the electronic database of the Cochrane library and pooling results of randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials that assessed the efficacy of treatment of acute postoperative pain alone were considered. A survey of experts established a rating of the postoperative pain levels for the type of surgery. For each meta-analysis, the different pain level ratings associated with the trials included in the meta-analysis were considered and the standard deviation (sd) of these ratings calculated. From the distribution of sd values, we defined the heterogeneous and homogeneous groups. RESULTS: Sixty-one meta-analyses were included; all assessed heterogeneity. Twenty-six meta-analyses considered the type of surgery as a subgroup (50% vs 38% in the homogeneous group vs heterogeneous group). Forty-four reports discussed the type of surgery as a source of clinical heterogeneity (85% vs 62% for the homogeneous vs heterogeneous group). Twenty-nine meta-analyses compared 'postoperative pain from dental surgery' to 'other type of surgery'. CONCLUSIONS: Meta-analyses evaluating treatment of postoperative pain should explore clinical heterogeneity associated with the type of surgery for better implications for practice.

Nefopam after total hip arthroplasty: role in multimodal analgesia.

BACKGROUND: Multimodal analgesia combining several non-opioid analgesics is recommended for pain control after surgery. In one study of total hip arthroplasty (THA), pain relief achieved by adding ketamine to the paracetamol-ketoprofen combination was statistically significant but remained inadequate in most patients. In two other studies, the analgesic effect of nefopam was synergistic with that of ketoprofen and additive with that of paracetamol. Adding nefopam to the paracetamol-ketoprofen-ketamine combination has not been evaluated. HYPOTHESIS: Adding nefopam to the paracetamol-ketoprofen-ketamine combination significantly improves analgesia after THA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective single-centre comparative non-randomised study (control group then nefopam group) was conducted in patients undergoing THA under general anaesthesia. All patients received paracetamol-ketoprofen-ketamine and morphine/droperidol patient-controlled analgesia. The nefopam group also received a continuous infusion of nefopam (120 mg/d for 48 h). Pain was evaluated daily for 7 days. The main evaluation criteria were morphine consumption, and pain intensity evaluated using a numerical rating scale and a validated questionnaire. To detect a 40% morphine-sparing effect by H24 (α=0.05 and ß=0.2), 85 patients were needed in each group. RESULTS: The two groups (90 patients/group) had no significant differences for perioperative characteristics, pain scores, morphine consumption at H24 (nefopam, 13 ± 12 mg and control, 14 ± 13 mg, P=0.39), or functional recovery. Compared to the control group, the nefopam group had lower rates of nausea/vomiting (P<0.0001), pruritus (P=0.002), and visual disturbances (P=0.02). DISCUSSION: Nefopam failed to improve pain relief when added to a multimodal analgesia regimen but alleviated several morphine-induced side effects. Redundancy between nefopam and ketamine may explain the absence of greater pain relief. This study emphasises the need for clinical evaluations of every analgesic regimen, as the available data were not sufficient to predict these results. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, case-control study.

Chronic pain after carpal tunnel surgery: epidemiology and associated factors.

BACKGROUND: Chronic postoperative pain (CPOP) has been assessed after major orthopedic surgeries but not after carpal tunnel surgery (CTS). This study aimed at describing the evolution of nocturnal and diurnal pains during the year following CTS, and at looking for factors associated with CPOP. METHODS: Cohort of adult outpatients operated by one single surgeon, under regional anaesthesia (RA). Patients were questioned in the recovery room, and phoned 3 days and 12 months later. A multivariate analysis tested the association between CPOP and preoperative demographics, regional anaesthesia protocol, pain during RA, surgery and the first 3 postoperative days, postoperative complications. RESULTS: Between November 2006 and June 2010, 324 of 389 patients could be included. The nocturnal and diurnal pains disappeared on the evening of the procedure in 55% (180/324) and 50% (163/324) of patients respectively. At one year, 12% of patients (40/324) complained of pain which characteristic was similar to the preoperative one, and 22% (71/324) complained of a new pain (different from the preoperative one), which was therefore considered as CPOP. CPOP was associated with a decreased functional score (QuickDASH). After multivariate analysis, CPOP was associated with postoperative pain from D0 to D3 (p=0.02), minor postoperative complications (p<0.001) and absence of hypnotic approach during surgery (p=0.01). CONCLUSION: One year after CTS, 22% of patients have CPOP. This incidence is similar to the one observed after major surgeries. This study suggests for the first time that a hypnotic approach during the surgical procedure might decrease the CPOP incidence.

[Tolerance and efficacy of peripheral nerve blocks for carpal tunnel release]. / Tolérance et efficacité des blocs nerveux périphériques pour la chirurgie du canal carpien.

INTRODUCTION: Several peripheral nerve block techniques (PNB) are performed for hand surgery. Their tolerance by patients or their efficacy are poorly described. We evaluated them for blocks at the wrist and at the brachial canal. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cohort of outpatients undergoing open carpal tunnel release under PNB with arm tourniquet. Various anaesthetic protocols existed in our staff. The primary end points were a moderate to severe pain (greater than 3/10 on a numerical rating scale) felt during needle puncture, nerve stimulation, mepivacaine injection, at the surgical site (intraoperatively) or at the arm tourniquet, an intraoperative lidocaine supplementation, the occurrence of vasovagal events. For each primary end point, a logistic regression analyzed: the effects of gender, age, operated side, Emla(®)application, sedation before PNB (midazolam-sufentanil), wrist or brachial canal approach, musculocutaneous or radial block were using. RESULTS: Between January 2007 and June 2010, 551 consecutive patients were analyzed. Puncture pain, mepivacaine injection pain, pain tourniquet and vasovagal events were associated with wrist block (P=0.003, relative risk=1.86; P<0.001, RR=4.22; P<0.001, RR=4.52; P=0.035, RR=6.40). An intraoperative pain greater than 3/10 at the surgical site, or a supplementation by the surgeon were associated with the absence of musculocutaneous block (P=0.013, RR=2.44; P=0.013, RR=2.51). DISCUSSION: Wrist blocks are less tolerated than brachial canal blocks. The musculocutaneous nerve might often participate in the palm sensitive innervation. For open carpal tunnel release, median, ulnar and musculocutaneous nerves blocks at the brachial canal should be preferred.

[Benefits and safety of perioperative pregabalin: a systematic review]. / Balance bénéfique risque de la prégabaline en périopératoire : revue systématique de la littérature.

OBJECTIVE: Perioperative gabapentine administration improves analgesia, reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting, but increases sedation. Pregabalin is also a gabapentinoid, with an improved bioavailability. This systematic review evaluates the analgesic effect and tolerance of perioperative pregabaline. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: Systematic search in Pubmed database of clinical human randomized controlled studies dealing with perioperative administration of pregabalin. A quantitative review of pregabalin efficiency and an analysis of the main side effects reported in these studies was then performed. RESULTS: Twenty-three study arms (884 patients) received at least one dose of pregabalin in 17 studies (totalizing 1577 patients). Pregabalin improved analgesia in 11 of 23 study arms. Pregabalin improved analgesia in three of 12 study arms after ambulatory surgery, and in eight of 11 after major surgery (P=0.04). Two of three studies about chronic postoperative pain revealed improved results in pregabalin groups. Nevertheless, pregabalin did not reduce postoperative nausea/vomiting, pruritus and headache, but increased trouble with vision, drowsiness, severe sedation and dizziness during the first postoperative hours, without severe clinical consequence. Severe sedation seemed clearly dose dependant, while drowsiness, dizziness or visual disturbance did not. CONCLUSION: A favorable benefit risk-ratio is demonstrated only for major surgery (excluding ambulatory surgery). The lack of data concerning tolerance of pregabalin in the elderly and/or in case of renal dysfunction forbids any conclusion in these populations.

[Tranexamic acid reduces haematomas but not pain after total knee arthroplasty]. / L'acide tranexamique diminue les hématomes mais pas les douleurs après prothèse totale de genou.

AIM: Tranexamic acid (TxA) reduces total blood losses (TBL) and allogenic transfusion (TH) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). TBL can be external (surgical field, drains), or hidden (haematomas). Haematomas induce pain and limit postoperative rehabilitation. The aim of the study was to evaluate if TxA reduces haematomas and pain after TKA. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective non-randomized study. METHOD: After ethical committee approvement and written informed consent, the patients planned for a primary TKA were included (control group followed by a TxA group, 15 mg/kg before incision and at skin closure). General anaesthesia and analgesia were standardized (sciatic block, continuous femoral block, ketamine, ketoprofene, paracetamol, PCA with morphine). Volume of haematomas=TBL (calculated based on haemograms performed the day before surgery, and at postoperative day 5, and on transfusions)-measured external bleeding. Patients were followed up for 8 days, and at postoperative day 180 (by phone). Fifty patients per group allowed the detection of a 50% morphine sparing at day 8 (α=0.05 and ß=0.2), and a 25% reduction of haematoma volumes at day 5. RESULTS: Perioperative data, pain scores and functional parameters (until day 180) were not different between control group patients (n=52) and TxA group patients (n=55): morphine consumption at day 8 was respectively 35 ± 32 and 42 ± 38 mg (P=0.29). Yet, TxA reduced hematoma volumes (526 ± 202 versus 337 ± 165 mL of red blood cells, P<0.0001) and clinically apparent hematomas. Morphine consumptions at day 8 and haematoma volumes were not correlated. CONCLUSION: After TKA, TxA reduces the volume of hematomas, without any improvement in analgesia and rehabilitation until the sixth postoperative month.

[The anaesthesia and critical care specialty and new hospital management in France: an inquiry in university and general hospitals]. / La discipline anesthésie-réanimation et les pôles d'activité médicale (PAM) : résultats d'une enquête auprès des CHU et CHG.

OBJECTIVE: To know: (1) how French public services of anaesthesia and critical care (ACC) have applied the new principles of hospital management and (2) whether or not it has impacted the different components of ACC. STUDY DESIGN: National questionnaire at the end of 2008, i.e., after 2 years of new hospital management. MATERIAL: Heads of ACC services in general (GH) and university hospitals (UH). METHODS: Eighteen closed questions and open opinions analyzed. Comparisons of percentages (Chi(2) - Yates): linear correlation. RESULTS: Percentages of responses were 70% (n=51) for UH and 37% (n=146) for GH. The new management principles were mainly applied. The different clinical and academic components of the ACC specialty (ACC, emergency medicine, pain management) mainly remained associated in UH. In GH, the new management induced constant and various changes. They were mainly judged as defeating the object of the ACC speciality in GH, especially in those of lower and mild sizes. CONCLUSION: The general tendency is that the ACC specialty was able to maintain the family ties of its different components in the UH. However, this principle was not a cornerstone of the new management in the GH.

Modification of Tp-e and QTc intervals during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.

There are no guidelines for the anaesthetic management of caesarean section in women with long QT syndrome; the description of myocardial ventricular repolarisation in healthy women during caesarean delivery could be a first step. The aim of this study was to describe modification of the QT interval, corrected for heart rate, and the interval between the peak and the end of the T-wave (Tpeak-Tend interval) during caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. We studied 40 patients scheduled for caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either ephedrine or phenylephrine to prevent hypotension. We injected 5 IU oxytocin after delivery. Corrected QT and Tpeak-Tend intervals were unchanged from pre-operative values after induction of spinal anaesthesia, but increased significantly after oxytocin injection. The choice of vasopressor did not affect the Tpeak-Tend interval. The risk-benefit balance of oxytocin bolus during caesarean delivery should be discussed with women with a history of long QT syndrome.