Effect of Intravenous Dexamethasone Dose on the Occurrence of Rebound Pain after Axillary Plexus Block in Ambulatory Surgery.

Rebound pain (RP) remains a challenge in ambulatory surgery, characterized by severe pain upon resolution of a peripheral nerve block (PNB). Intravenous (IV) administration of Dexamethasone (DEXA) potentiates PNB analgesic effect and reduces RP incidence although preventive effective dose remains undetermined. This retrospective analysis evaluates the preventive effect of IV DEXA on RP in outpatients undergoing upper limb surgery under axillary block. DEXA was divided into high (HD > 0.1 mg/kg) or low (LD < 0.1 mg/kg) doses. RP was defined as severe pain (NRS ≥ 7/10) within 24 h of PNB resolution. DEXA HD and LD patients were matched with control patients without DEXA (n = 55) from a previous randomized controlled study. Records of 118 DEXA patients were analyzed (DEXA dose ranged from 0.05 to 0.12 mg/kg). Intraoperative IV DEXA was associated with a significant reduction of the pain felt when PNB wore off as well as to a significant reduction of RP incidence (n = 27/118, 23% vs. 47% in controls, p = 0.002) with no effect related to the dose administered (p = 0.053). Our results support the administration of intraoperative DEXA as a preventive measure to reduce the occurrence of RP.

Evaluation of intraoperative ketamine on the prevention of severe rebound pain upon cessation of peripheral nerve block: a prospective randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Pain after resolution of peripheral nerve block, known as 'rebound pain' (RP), is a major problem in outpatient surgery. The primary objective was to evaluate the benefit of intraoperative ketamine at an anti-hyperalgesic dose on the incidence of rebound pain after upper limb surgery under axillary plexus block in ambulatory patients. The secondary objective was to better understand the rebound pain phenomenon (individual risk factors). METHODS: In this prospective, double-blind study, patients were randomised to receive either a single dose of i.v. ketamine (0.3 mg kg-1) or a placebo. Preoperative mechanical temporal summation and central sensitization inventory were applied to question underlying central sensitisation. Pain catastrophising and Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaires were used. Rebound pain was defined as pain intensity score >7 (numeric rating scale, 0-10) after block resolution. Postoperative pain was recorded at Days 1, 4, and 30 after discharge. RESULTS: A total of 109 subjects completed the study, and 40.4% presented with rebound pain. Ketamine administration did not reduce rebound pain incidence or intensity. Temporal summation and central sensitisation inventory scores did not differ between subjects with and without rebound pain. The predictive risk factors were bone surgery (odds ratio [OR]=5.2; confidence interval [CI], 1.9-14.6), severe preoperative pain (OR=4.2; CI, 1.5-11.7), and high pain catastrophising (OR=4.8; CI, 1.0-22.3). At Day 30, the average daily pain was higher in the rebound pain group involving neuropathic characteristics. CONCLUSION: Ketamine at an anti-hyperalgesic dose showed no benefit on rebound pain development. Although central sensitisation might not be involved, preoperative pain intensity, and catastrophising stand as risk factors. Because rebound pain remains frequent despite adequate procedure-specific postoperative analgesia, future studies should focus on patient-specific pain management.

Evaluation of virtual reality combining music and a hypnosis session to reduce anxiety before hand surgery under axillary plexus block: A prospective study.

AIMS: Preoperative anxiety, which can affect postoperative recovery, is often present in patients undergoing surgery under loco-regional anaesthesia (LRA). Minimising preoperative anxiety with premedication can be effective but results in drug-related side effects. Therefore, the use of non-pharmacological techniques should be encouraged. METHODS: We evaluated whether a virtual reality (VR) incorporating music and a hypnosis session, provided during the performance of LRA, can reduce preoperative anxiety. Fifty patients scheduled for elective hand surgery under an axillary plexus block were enrolled (March-June 2019). The primary outcome measure was the change in the Amsterdam Anxiety and Preoperative Information Scale (APAIS) questionnaire 5 min after the VR session as compared to before the VR session. The secondary outcome measures were the visual analog scale (VAS) for anxiety before and 2 h after the surgery and the Evaluation du Vécu de l'ANesthésie-LocoRégionale (EVAN-LR) satisfaction score. RESULTS: Data from 48 patients were analysed. The APAIS score as well as VAS for anxiety were significantly reduced after a VR session (p < .001 for both scores). Patients were very satisfied (EVAN-LR: 92 (88, 94)). CONCLUSIONS: The use of VR incorporating music and a hypnosis session could be an effective tool in the management of a patient's preoperative anxiety during the performance of an axillary plexus block.

Hypnosis Sedation Reduces the Duration of Different Side Effects of Cancer Treatments in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Reducing side effects of cancer treatments is a major challenge for clinicians involved in the management of breast cancer patients. METHODS: We analyzed data from 63 patients (32 in the general anesthesia group and 31 in the hypnosis sedation group) who were included in 1 prospective non-randomized trial evaluating hypnosis sedation in breast cancer treatment. The patients were followed every 3 months for 2 years. All patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 4 cycles of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by taxanes. Thereafter, patients underwent surgery while on general anesthesia or while on hypnosis sedation. Radiotherapy was administered according to institutional guidelines. Endocrine therapy was prescribed if tumors expressed hormone receptors. Prevalence, intensity and duration of polyneuropathy, musculoskeletal pain, postoperative pain and cancer-related fatigue were assessed at each medical visit. RESULTS: Symptoms duration was statistically reduced for polyneuropathy (p < 0.05), musculoskeletal pain (p < 0.05) postoperative pain and cancer-related fatigue (p < 0.05) in the hypnosis group. CONCLUSION: Despite the limitations of this study (lack of randomization and small size) we conclude that hypnosis sedation may exert a role on different side effects of breast cancer treatment in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, mainly by reducing their duration.