Analgesic Efficacy and Safety of Intrathecal Morphine or Intercostal Levobupivacaine in Lung Cancer Patients after Major Lung Resection Surgery by Videothoracoscopy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Lung resection using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) improves surgical accuracy and postoperative recovery. Unfortunately, moderate-to-severe acute postoperative pain is still inherent to the procedure, and a technique of choice has not been established for the appropriate control of pain. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of intrathecal morphine (ITM) with that of intercostal levobupivacaine (ICL). Methods: We conducted a single-center, prospective, randomized, observer-blinded, controlled trial among 181 adult patients undergoing VATS (ISRCTN12771155). Participants were randomized to receive ITM or ICL. Primary outcomes were the intensity of pain, assessed by a numeric rating scale (NRS) over the first 48 h after surgery, and the amount of intravenous morphine used. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of adverse effects, length of hospital stay, mortality, and chronic post-surgical pain at 6 and 12 months after surgery. Results: There are no statistically significant differences between ITM and ICL groups in pain intensity and evolution at rest. In cough-related pain, differences in pain trajectories over time are observed. Upon admission to the PACU, cough-related pain was higher in the ITM group, but the trend reversed after 6 h. There are no significant differences in adverse effects. The rate of chronic pain was low and did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusions: ITM can be considered an adequate and satisfactory regional technique for the control of acute postoperative pain in VATS, compatible with the multimodal rehabilitation and early discharge protocols used in these types of surgeries.

Coadyuvantes farmacológicos con efecto ahorrador de opioides en el periodo perioperatorio / Farmacologic adyuvants with saving effect of opioids in the perioperative period

En los últimos 15 años, el interés en las vías de recuperación y rehabilitación postoperatorias (ERAS) ha aumentado, ya que los tiempos de recuperación quirúrgica y las estadísticas intrahospitalarias han sido analizados tanto por médicos como por gestores. Aunque el enfoque para reducir la duración de la estancia hospitalaria es multifactorial e incluye objetivos de manejo para varios parámetros como la hemodinámica, administración de fluidos, ventilación, alimentación, motilidad intestinal y movilidad precoz, el manejo del dolor postoperatorio debe ser un área de enfoque fundamental. Los opioides son ampliamente conocidos por tener un perfil de efectos secundarios que ralentiza la recuperación hospitalaria, retrasando tanto el alta hospitalaria como el retorno a la normalidad funcional. Estos efectos secundarios incluyen la disminución de la motilidad intestinal, íleo, náuseas y vómitos postoperatorios, sedación y delirio. Además, se ha sugerido una asociación entre la administración de opioides y la recurrencia del cáncer en la población de oncología quirúrgica, específicamente cáncer de mama y próstata. Los anestesiólogos están bien posicionados para influir en el éxito de los protocolos ERAS para el control adecuado del dolor, teniendo muchas herramientas a su disposición para proporcionar preservación de opioides o incluso libres de ellos durante el periodo perioperatorio. Esta revisión resume la evidencia disponible sobre las terapias farmacológicas para conseguir un ahorro de opioides perioperatorios, exceptuando los antinflamatorios que tienen un efecto demostrado en este campo, y respalda el uso de dexmedetomidina, clonidina, ketamina, pregabalina, lidocaína, magnesio y esmolol como adyuvantes no-opioides dentro de programas multimodales para el tratamiento del dolor postoperatorio. A pesar de ello, se necesitan ensayos adicionales para dilucidar las combinaciones óptimas de estos adyuvantes

In the last 15 years, the interest in the postoperative recovery and rehabilitation pathways (ERAS) has increased since both doctors and managers have analyzed the times of surgical recovery and intrahospital statistics. Although the approach to reduce the length of hospital stay is multifactorial and includes management objectives for various parameters such as hemodynamics, fluid administration, ventilation, feeding, intestinal motility and early mobility, the management of postoperative pain should be an area of basic importance. Opioids are widely known to have a side effect profile that slows down hospital recovery, delaying both hospital discharge and return to functional normalcy. These side effects include decreased bowel motility, ileus, postoperative nausea and vomiting, sedation and delirium. In addition, an association has been suggested between the administration of opioids and the recurrence of cancer in the surgical oncology population, specifically breast and prostate cancer. Anesthesiologists are well positioned to influence the success of ERAS protocols for adequate pain control, having many tools at their disposal to provide opioid preservation or even free of them during the perioperative period. This review summarizes the available evidence on pharmacological therapies to achieve a saving of perioperative opioids, except anti-inflammatories that have a proven effect in this field, and supports the use of dexmedetomidine, clonidine, ketamine, pregabalin, lidocaine, magnesium and esmolol as non opioid adjuvants as agents within multimodal programs for the treatment of postoperative pain Despite this, additional tests are needed to elucidate the optimal combinations of these adjuvants