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Background and Aims: Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is associated with persistent postoperative pain. Paravertebral block (PVB) is the gold standard for postoperative analgesia. A pecto-intercostal fascial plane (PIFB) block added to the pectoral nerve block (Pecs) may provide effective analgesia. This trial aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of Pecs-PIFB with PVB. Methods: Fifty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I/II patients scheduled for MRM were randomly assigned to receive either Pecs-PIFB block with 30 mL for Pecs block and 15 mL for PIFB or PVB block with 20 mL (0.2% ropivacaine). Postoperatively, intravenous (IV) morphine was administered through a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. The primary outcome was to compare the time to the first demand dose of rescue analgesic. The secondary outcomes were postoperative 24-hour opioid consumption, pain scores (30 mins and 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h), patient satisfaction score (24 h), and block-related complications. The unpaired t -test compared quantitative normally distributed data, while the Mann-Whitney U test compared quantitative discrete data. A P value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Patients in the Group Pecs-PIFB had an increased median time to first demand dose: 440 [interquartile range (IQR): 360–540] versus 340 (IQR: 180–360) minutes (P = 0.019) and lower median 24-h postoperative morphine consumption: 4 (3–6) versus 6 (4–8) mg (P = 0.020). Patients in the Group Pecs-PIFB had better pain scores at 30 minutes and 1 h. Conclusion: Compared to thoracic PVB, the combination of Pecs and PIFB block prolonged the duration of analgesia and decreased postoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing MRM surgeries. There was no statistical increase in complications in patients receiving this block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acetaminophen is a widely used analgesic for postoperative pain management. However, data on its combined use with nefopam for managing postoperative pain following laparoscopic hysterectomy are limited. This study evaluated the effects of a single intravenous dose of acetaminophen combined with fentanyl- and nefopam-based patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in patients undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy. Methods: In this prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 84 patients were randomized to receive either 1 g of intravenous acetaminophen (treatment group, n = 42) or normal saline (control group, n = 42) at the end of surgery. All patients received fentanyl and nefopam via PCA, postoperatively. PCA consumption, pain scores at rest, and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) scores were assessed at 1, 6, and 24 h postoperatively. Patient satisfaction and opioid-related side effects were also evaluated. The primary outcome was the total PCA consumption within the first 24 h. Results: No significant difference in 24-h PCA consumption was observed between the control and treatment groups (27.9 ± 16.6 vs. 26.4 ± 11.2, P = 0.623). The pain scores at rest measured at 1, 6, and 24 h after surgery were also not significantly different between the two groups. There were no differences in the satisfaction scores, PONV scores, rescue analgesic use, adverse effects, or length of hospital stay between the groups. Conclusions: A single intraoperative dose of intravenous acetaminophen, combined with nefopam- and fentanyl-based PCA, did not significantly reduce analgesic requirements, pain scores at rest, or opioid-related side effects compared with placebo in laparoscopic hysterectomy patients. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT03644147 | August 21, 2018). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design.: Retrospective controlled cohort. Objective.: To evaluate the effect of intraoperative liposomal bupivacaine (LB) through erector spinae plane block (ESPB) on patients with postoperative adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with and without patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Background.: Pain control after posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for AIS includes opioids and other modalities. The goal of these modalities is to reduce pain and opioid consumption. Two new modalities for pain control include LB and ESPB. There are scant studies on these modalities tested in concert on patients undergoing PSF for AIS. Patients and Methods.: Seventy-two consecutive patients with AIS who underwent PSF were separated into patients who had a PCA (group A) as part of their postoperative pain management and those who did not (group B). Opioid consumption was measured through morphine milligram equivalents. Pain scores were measured through the visual acuity score (Visual Analog Scale). Patient mobility was measured by steps taken. These were measured by the function of postoperative days from surgery. Results.: Group B had significantly lower morphine milligram equivalents at every point after surgery, most notably throughout the entire hospital stay (99.8 vs. 200.7). Postoperative pain scores in group B were the same if not better than group A. There was no difference in mobility between the cohorts. Group B had lower LOS (3.7 vs. 4.1). Conclusion.: In postoperative PSF for patients with AIS receiving LB through ESPB, those who did not receive a PCA had lower opioid consumption without worse pain scores or mobility and had a lower LOS. Adding LB through ESPB to postoperative pain regimens effectively replaces a PCA by providing the same pain control and reducing overall opioid consumption and LOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ropivacaine for thoracoscopy-guided thoracic paravertebral block (TTPB) offers only a short duration of postoperative pain relief, which is inadequate for managing pain following thoracic surgery. Research has shown that combining dexamethasone with ropivacaine significantly prolongs the duration of analgesia from the nerve block. We hypothesised that TTPB with ropivacaine combined with dexamethasone would enhance postoperative analgesia and prolong the duration of analgesia in patients undergoing radical thoracoscopic lung cancer surgery. The study randomly assigned patients to either a control group (Group C, n = 40) or a dexamethasone group (Group D, n = 40). TTPB injection of ropivacaine or ropivacaine combined with dexamethasone prior to surgical sutures. The study compared postoperative pain satisfaction scores、48 h postoperative rescue analgesia frequency、visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, the 24-h patient-controlled analgesia (PCIA) sufentanil consumption, blood glucose levels, adverse events and recovery status. Group D demonstrated higher postoperative pain satisfaction scores and lower 48 h postoperative rescue analgesia frequency compared to Group C. Additionally, Group D had significantly lower VAS scores at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h post-operation, as well as a reduced 24-h PCIA sufentanil consumption, shorter time to first mobilization, and shorter hospital stay compared to Group C (all P < 0.05). The VAS scores at 2 h postoperatively were significantly lower in Group D compared to scores at 24 and 48 h postoperatively. Conversely, Group C showed significantly lower VAS scores at 2 h postoperatively compared to scores at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively. The addition of dexamethasone as an adjuvant to ropivacaine enhanced the analgesic efficacy of TTPB, prolonged the duration of pain relief, and reduced the time to first ambulation and hospital stay duration. Trial Registry: ChiCTR (2400086347); Registered 28/06/2024. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of oxycodone and sufentanil on postoperative analgesia and immune function in patients with laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer (CRC), as well as the serum level of inflammatory cytokine. Methods: 40 patients from August 2023 to August 2024 in Shenzhen Nanshan Hospital undergoing laparoscopic resection of CRC were randomly divided into Group O (n = 20) and Group S (n = 20). The visual analog scale (VAS) score and serial blood samples were assessed during perioperative period. The primary outcomes were VAS scores and immune indicators (including IL-2, C3, C4, IgG, IgA, IgE, IgM, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD4+/CD8+) at 24 h and 72 h post-surgery at 24 h and 72 h after surgery. The secondary outcomes were inflammatory markers (including IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-a and INF-y) at 24 h and 72 h after surgery. Results: The VAS scores at cough in Group O at 24 h and 72 h postoperative were lower than those in Group S (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found in VAS scores at rest between the two groups (P > 0.05). The immune indicators did not show significant changes after using oxycodone or sufentanil for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA), respectively. There was no significant difference in inflammatory factors at 24 h and 72 h after surgery between the Group O and Group S. Conclusion: Oxycodone is more effective than sufentanil in alleviating visceral pain, although it does not surpass sufentanil in managing cutting pain. In addition, there is no significant superiority in the effects of oxycodone on immune function and inflammatory cytokine release compared to sufentanil. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2400089072). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to explore the analgesic effects and safety of periarticular injections of methylene blue (MB) combined with a cocktail formulation following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: A total of 70 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty were selected and divided into two groups based on the cocktail formula used for periarticular infiltration, including the methylene blue group (M group, n = 35) and the control group (C group, n = 35). Both groups underwent spinal anesthesia. At the end of the surgery, the M group received a 0.05% methylene blue combined cocktail for periarticular infiltration block, while the C group received a conventional cocktail infiltration block. Postoperatively, both groups used intravenous patient-controlled analgesia. Then, the rest and movement Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores, postoperative sufentanil consumption, postoperative inflammatory markers, and the occurrence of adverse reactions such as wound infection and poor wound healing were compared after postoperative 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, and 7-day, 14-day, 28-day between the two groups. Results: The rest and during movement, NRS scores at postoperative 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 7-day, 14-day, and 28-day were significantly lower in the C group compared with the M group (P < 0.05). The total sufentanil consumption at postoperative 72 h was less in the M group (98.9 ± 11.3 µg) compared to the C group (129.1 ± 12.3 µg) (P < 0.01). It also showed a lower IL-6 in the M group at postoperative 24 h and 72 h (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in CRP levels between the two groups at 24 h and 72 h post-surgery (P > 0.05), and neither group experienced complications such as wound infection or poor wound healing. Conclusion: Methylene blue combined with a cocktail can be safely used for local infiltration after knee arthroplasty, which reduces postoperative opioid consumption and suppresses the release of inflammatory factors. Moreover, it synergistically enhanced the local anesthetic analgesia and provided sustained pain relief for at least 4 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of esketamine-based patient-controlled intravenous analgesia following total hip arthroplasty. Methods: A total of 135 total hip arthroplasty patients were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups: esketamine, sufentanil or continuous fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) group. The primary endpoint was the postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores at rest and on movement. Secondary endpoints included preoperative 1-day and postoperative 7-day Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) scores, the satisfaction of patients and surgeons, postoperative 1-month and 3-month Harris function scores, the incidence of adverse reactions. Results: At 48 h post-surgery, the VAS pain scores in the esketamine and FICB groups at rest and on movement were significantly lower than those in the sufentanil group (P < 0.05). The satisfaction of patients in the esketamine group was higher than that in the sufentanil and FICB groups (P = 0.014). The satisfaction of surgeons in the esketamine and FICB groups was higher than that in the sufentanil group (P = 0.002). At postoperative day 7, the SAS scores and SDS scores in the esketamine group were significantly lower than those in the sufentanil and FICB groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the sufentanil group, the postoperative nausea and vomiting, dizziness and total adverse reactions in the esketamine group and FICB group were lower (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with esketamine has the potential to provide good postoperative analgesia for total hip arthroplasty patients, reduce the incidence of adverse reactions after the operation, improve the satisfaction of patients and surgeons, and significantly improve patients' postoperative mood. Trial registration: : ChiCTR2300069632 (https://www.chictr.org.cn/) (March 22th, 2023). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Appendicectomy is a common procedure in children. Regional anaesthesia helps reduce requirements for opioids and hospital stay and enhances recovery. Laparoscopic-assisted Transversus Abdominus Plane block (L-TAP) was shown to be efficient and potentially superior to port site infiltration (PSI); however, this was not previously studied in paediatric appendicitis. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of L-TAP compared to PSI in children undergoing laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA). Methods: A single-blinded RCT was performed to compare L-TAP to PSI with 0.25% plain bupivacaine at the end of an LA. Patients aged 6–16 years diagnosed with uncomplicated acute appendicitis (AAST grade 1) were randomised to either group in a 1:1 fashion. Complicated appendicitis, open or Lap-converted to open appendicectomies, were excluded. Outcome measures included the total amount and number of doses of opiates and clonidine required, length of stay (LOS), and visual analogue score (VAS) of pain. Results: 49 patients in the PSI group and 41 in the L-TAP group were included; the mean age was 11.3 ± 2.4 years. There was no significant difference in age and weight between the groups. One patient in each group required opioid-based patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in the theatre recovery room; however, on retrospective review, this was not clinically warranted. Seven patients in each group required morphine while in recovery (p = 0.4). There was no significant difference in total morphine (PSI 0.12 vs L-TAP 0.04 mg/kg body weight, p = 0.1) and clonidine (PSI 0.57 vs L-TAP 0.59 micro gm/kg body weight, p = 0.5) requirement during the hospital stay. Patients in the L-TAP group had two hours shorter LOS than the PSI group (38.0 ± 3.9 vs 39.7 ± 4.1, p = 0.38). There was no significant difference in VAS scores. Conclusion: There was no difference between L-TAP and PSI. L-TAP was feasible, easy to earn, and safe. We recommend that it be considered in clinical protocols and local guidelines as part of the peri-operative analgesia regimen, especially when ultra-sound guided blocks are unavailable. Overall, patients with uncomplicated appendicitis who undergo LA have low VAS scores and require mostly simple analgesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction It has been demonstrated that there was an increase in later-stage prostate cancer (PCa) at diagnosis after the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommended against prostate-specific antigen screening for prostate cancer. However, the cancer characteristics at diagnosis within the equal-access Military Health System (MHS) during the period have not been described. In this study, we compared PCa stage at diagnosis and its trends between the military health care system and the general public and further compared the trends in tumor stage by race. Materials and Methods This study was based on nonidentifiable data from the U.S. Department of Defense's Central Cancer Registry (CCR) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program of the National Cancer Institute. Patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2014 were included. The distributions of PCa stage at diagnosis over time were compared between the 2 populations. Comparisons were further conducted for White and Black patients, respectively. Results Among the 11,895 patients in the CCR and 544,142 patients in SEER, the majority of patients were diagnosed with stage I or II prostate cancer. However, the CCR had a larger proportion of early-stage tumors (stages I and II combined) with 84.3% vs. 80.0% of SEER patients. The proportion of late-stage tumors (stages III and IV combined) increased over time from 2008 for both populations and the proportion of early-stage tumors decreased for the general population. In terms of temporal distributions by race, the trends were the same between White and Black groups in the general population. In the MHS, the trends in the White patients were similar to those in the general population, but in the Black patients, the percentages of stages I and II at diagnosis continued to increase and those of stages III and IV decreased, differing from those in the general population. Conclusions The MHS consistently diagnosed PCa at an earlier stage than the U.S. general population across all time periods evaluated in this study. Although similar trends were observed for White patients between both populations, the proportion of stages I and II at diagnosis increased from 2012 among Black patients in the MHS, which stands in sharp contrast to trends in the U.S. general population. Although the differences between the two populations may be associated with various factors, differences in accessibility to care and thus the use of prostate-specific antigen testing might play an important role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Living donor nephrectomies (LDN) at our institution transitioned from open access to laparoscopic and, more recently, to a minimally invasive robotic surgical approach between 2019 and 2022. Concurrently, postoperative analgesia transitioned from regional anesthesia to intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and eventually to simple analgesics with additional rescue analgesic agents, as needed, in accordance with individual physicians' preferences. This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the impact of these changes on surgical practice on the analgesic requirements and effectiveness of postoperative pain management. Methods: Electronic records of all LDN cases operated between January 2019 and March 2022 were accessed, and a comparative analysis of patient demographics, surgical approach, duration of surgery, postoperative pain scores, and the analgesics administered within the first 48 h was performed. Results: LDN (n = 527) was performed via laparoscopic (n = 432, 82%), robotic (n = 87, 17%), and open (n = 8, 2%) approaches. All patients were administered regular paracetamol 1 g 6 hourly. IV PCA was used in 85% of cases, predominantly in the laparoscopic (99%) and open (75%) groups (LG and OG, respectively); in contrast, the robotic group (RG) was mostly treated without PCA (81.7%). A variety of analgesic techniques were employed for the remaining patients, including epidural (25% of OG) and rectus sheath/transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block (2% of LG). Additional rescue analgesics were administered to 98% of the patients; 92% of LG needed 1–3 analgesic agents, whereas all of the OG and 37% of RG needed 1–2 rescue analgesics. No correlation was found between patient demographics and surgery duration on pain scores or analgesic requirements. Conclusions: Robotic surgery was associated with the lowest postoperative pain scores and analgesic demand; laparoscopic resection was the most painful of all. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute post-surgical pain is a common concern for patients undergoing living donor hepatectomy (LDH), potentially leading to unfavorable outcomes if not treated adequately. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the transition of surgical techniques from open and laparoscopic to robot-assisted minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approach, and the different types of graft resection, including right, left, and left lateral partial lobectomy (LL), on analgesia requirements during the first two postoperative days. Methods: A single-center retrospective electronic chart review of all patients who underwent LDH procedures between 2018 and 2020 was performed. Results: Patients underwent LDH procedure (n = 414) through open (n = 93, 22%), laparoscopic (n = 68, 16%), or robot-assisted MIS (n = 253, 61%) approaches; and had right lobectomy (n = 215, 52%), left lobectomy (n = 121, 29%), or LL (n = 78, 19%). Postoperatively within the first 48 h, the pain reported on a 3-point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), was mild 77%, moderate 21%, or severe only 2%. The laparoscopic approach and LL resection were associated with higher pain scores, whereas the robotic approach was the least painful overall. Conclusions: Robot-assisted MIS approach for LDH procedure resulted in lower acute pain scores when compared with other surgical approaches, obviating the need for intravenous (IV) patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Postoperative sleep disturbances are associated with delayed recovery and increased incidences of complications. This systematic review aims to determine the impact of perioperative pharmacological therapies on postoperative sleep quality in the hospital. Material and Methods: We searched MEDLINE, MEDLINE ePubs and In-Process Citations (Daily), Embase Classic + Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and PubMed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from inception to May 2022, with continued literature surveillance until August 2023. Studies included consisted of noncardiac surgical patients aged ≥18 years with postoperative sleep in the hospital. The primary outcome was improvement in postoperative sleep outcomes such as sleep quality, duration, efficiency, architecture, and insomnia ratings after pharmacological treatment. Additional outcomes included postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption. Results: The search strategy yielded 21 studies (n = 3276), and 18 reported improved sleep outcomes using eight validated sleep measurement tools. Eight of 10 studies using dexmedetomidine via patient-controlled analgesia or intravenous infusion reported better sleep quality versus controls. Opioids (nalbuphine, tramadol plus sufentanil), nonopioids (zolpidem, midazolam, pregabalin), propofol total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA), S -ketamine, and ropivacaine nerve blocks were superior to controls in enhancing postoperative sleep quality. Eleven studies (52%) which included the combination of dexmedetomidine with opioids reported concurrent improvements in postoperative pain and sleep. Dexmedetomidine also decreased postoperative opioid analgesia consumption. Conclusions: Evidence for the effects of perioperative pharmacological approaches on postoperative sleep are limited. High-quality RCTs of adequate power and methodology on the effects of pharmacology interventions on postoperative sleep are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Kidney transplantation (KT) is an important treatment modality for renal failure. However, moderate-to-severe pain often occurs in KT recipients. Multimodal analgesia using combined analgesic measures has been recommended to enhance postoperative recovery. This retrospective study explored the additional analgesic efficacy of paracetamol and nefopam infusions in living-donor KT recipients who received a transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block. Materials and Methods: Consecutive living-donor KT recipients at our institute between January 2020 and March 2022 were divided into groups that received a TAP block with paracetamol and nefopam infusions (Group TA) or a TAP block without analgesics (Group T) during surgery. Following propensity-score (PS) matching, 103 patients were included in each group. Postoperative pain intensity assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), opioid consumption via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) devices over 24 h, and postoperative outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: VAS pain intensity at rest was lower in group TA than in group T at 1 and 6 h after surgery [1 h: 29 (15–41) vs. 41 (29–51) mm, p < 0.001; 6 h: 32 (23–43) vs. 40 (32–54) mm, p < 0.001]. The VAS pain intensity during coughing was lower in group TA [1 h: 46 (30–58) vs. 59 (48–69) mm, p < 0.001; 6 h: 51 (40–63) vs. 60 (45–71) mm, p < 0.001]. Moreover, PCA consumptions during the first 6 h and between 6–24 h post-surgery was significantly lower in group TA. Other postoperative outcomes did not differ between the two groups. Conclusions: Multimodal analgesia with intraoperative paracetamol and nefopam infusions improved postoperative pain control in living-donor KT recipients who received a preoperative TAP block. Our findings demonstrate the efficacy of paracetamol and nefopam infusions in KT recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is associated with less postoperative pain than traditional open thoracotomy. However, trocar and chest tube placement may damage the intercostal nerves, causing significant discomfort. An ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) is a promising mode of pain management; this reduces the need for opioids and the associated side-effects. This study evaluated whether SAPB, compared to intravenous analgesia alone, reduces opioid consumption after thoracoscopic lung wedge resection. Materials and Methods: In total, 22 patients undergoing VATS lung wedge resections were randomized into two groups (SAPB and control): both received intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), and one group received additional SAPB. The primary outcome was the cumulative intravenous fentanyl consumption at 8 h postoperatively. The visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores and the incidence of postoperative complications were assessed over 48 h post surgery. Results: Fentanyl consumption by 8 h post surgery was significantly lower in the SAPB group than in the control group (183 ± 107 μg vs. 347 ± 202 μg, p = 0.035). Although the VAS scores decreased with time in both groups, the differences were not statistically significant. The SAPB group required fewer opioids by 48 h. No significant between-group differences were observed in postoperative complications, including nausea and vomiting. Conclusions: SAPB effectively reduced opioid consumption after VATS lung wedge resection. SABP may serve as a valuable component of multimodal pain management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Upper abdominal surgeries are associated with severe postoperative pain. External oblique intercostal (EOI) block blocks both anterior and lateral cutaneous branches of intercostal nerves. We compared the postoperative analgesic efficacy of unilateral EOI block with conventional unilateral subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block. Methods: Fifty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I/II patients scheduled for upper abdominal surgery via subcostal incision were randomly assigned to receive either EOI block (Group E) or subcostal TAP block (Group T) with 25 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine. Postoperatively, these patients received intravenous (IV) fentanyl through a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump with settings of demand-only mode. The primary outcome was the time to activation of PCA postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were 24-hour opioid consumption, pain scores (at 30 minutes and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours), patient satisfaction scores (48 hours), and block-related complications. Unpaired t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for analysis. A P value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Patients in Group E had an increased mean time of activation of PCA [610.28 [standard deviation (SD): 118.95)] minutes vs 409.68 (SD: 101.36) minutes] (P = 0.001). The 24-hour postoperative mean fentanyl consumption was 102.40 (SD: 25.70) μg in Group E versus 123.20 (SD: 34.38) μg in Group T (P = 0.019). Patients in Group E had better satisfaction scores (P < 0.001). Pain scores were better at 30 minutes and 6 hours. Conclusion: EOI block provides effective postoperative analgesia in upper abdominal surgeries as it prolongs the duration of PCA activation with a better patient satisfaction score.

Background The transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) is frequently used for postoperative analgesia in abdominal surgery. However, it remains insufficient for analgesia during upper abdominal surgeries. Therefore, we compared the efficacy of the subcostal transversus abdominis plane block (STAPB) or rectus sheath block (RSB), in addition to the posterior transversus abdominis plane block (PTAPB), for postoperative analgesia in major gynecologic cancer surgeries. Methods This prospective randomized study included 50 patients aged > 18 years (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status II or III), who underwent gynecologic cancer surgery through a midline incision. All patients underwent PTAPB, STAPB, or RSB according to the randomization. The following parameters were recorded and compared: demographic data; intraoperative hemodynamic parameters; numeric rating scale (NRS) pain levels at the 1st, 6th, 12th, and 24th postoperative hours; opioid consumption; number of requests and boluses; adverse effects; surgical complications within 24 h. Results Forty-seven patients were included in this study. In the STAPB group, postoperative 1, 12 and 24 h NRS values were lower; opioid consumption, opioid demand, and bolus numbers were lower during the postoperative 24 h as compared to RSB (P < 0.05). The intraoperative opioid and hemodynamic values were similar in both groups. Conclusions STAPB in addition to PTAPB provides more effective analgesia than RSB for postoperative pain management in open gynecologic cancer surgeries.

Despite significant advancements in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), managing postoperative pain remains a substantial clinical challenge. With advances in surgical techniques and pharmacology, TKA perioperative analgesic strategies continue to evolve, necessitating ongoing reassessment of current data. Multimodal analgesia has become the standard for perioperative pain management in TKA; however, variations in its specific components and applications across studies create challenges in selecting the optimal analgesic approach. Evaluating these pain management strategies is essential for understanding their benefits, limitations, and appropriate use, allowing the development of individualized perioperative analgesic plans. This review aims to summarize current research on perioperative pain control in TKA and assess the effectiveness of different analgesic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Esophagectomy is a key component of esophageal cancer treatment, with minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) increasingly replacing open esophagectomy (OE). Effective postoperative pain management can be achieved through various analgesic modalities. This study compares the efficacy of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) with non-TEA methods in managing postoperative pain following MIE. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on 110 patients who underwent MIE between 2018 and 2023. 1. TEA vs. 2. intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) alone vs. 3. transversus abdominis plane (TAP) catheter with PCA vs. 4. single-shot TAP block with paravertebral catheter (PVB) in combination with PCA were compared. The primary outcome was postoperative pain within the first 72 h, assessed using the numeric rating scale. Secondary outcomes included postoperative surgical complications (Clavien–Dindo classification (CDC)), patient satisfaction, and duration of induction and emergence, among others. Results: The incidence of an NRS > 3 during movement was 47.1%, 51%, 60.1%, and 48.3% for TEA, PCA alone, TAP + PCA, and PVB + PCA, respectively. For pain at rest, the rates were 8.3%, 4.3%, 11.2%, and 5%, respectively. High surgical complication rates were observed across all groups (CDC IIIa-V 31.6% overall), with patient satisfaction similarly high, regardless of the analgesic modality used (85% satisfied or very satisfied). No differences in the other secondary outcomes were observed. Conclusions: PVB combined with PCA offered analgesic efficacy and patient satisfaction comparable to TEA in managing postoperative pain following MIE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is defined as a method of analgesia in which the patient self-administers securely based on their need and desire. • The more often patients use the PCA method, the more experienced they become, the less anxiety they have, and the more efficiently they use the method. • Patients perceive PCA as effective and easy to use, and patients with more experience with the method used it more correctly. Vaso-occlusive crisis causing severe pain can be seen in patients with sickle cell anemia and potent opioids should be used in this process. Although sickle cell disease (SCD) patients use patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), we encountered no study evaluating this method from the participants' perspective. This descriptive study aimed to evaluate the use and effectiveness of PCA administered using the Mersin Algology Protocol (MAP) during painful episodes of SCD based on participants reports. After obtaining approval from the local ethics committee, 109 SCD participants using PCA as per the MAP between 2018 and 2020 were recruited for the study. The participants answered a 28-item questionnaire regarding their annual number of pain crises, sites of pain, knowledge about PCA, the number of times they used PCA, and the positive and negative aspects of the PCA method. The mean age of the participants was 28.80 ± 11.5 years. Ninety-nine (90.8%) of the participants considered PCA superior to other pain management methods they had used previously. The 53 participants (48.6%) who waited for their pain to worsen before administering the demand dose expressed fear of taking high doses of medication. As the number of times a participant used PCA increased, NRS scores for pain at the time of demand dosing decreased from 7-10 to 4-6 (p =.013). Eighty-five (78%) of the participants reported having no problems related to the device or drug while using PCA. We found that PCA was used more correctly by participants with more experience using the device. Participants who delay demand dosing do so because of anxiety about developing dependence and to avoid high doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The routine perioperative use of opioids has recently been questioned due to opioid-related side effects, which can be potentially harmful in geriatric patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of opioid-free anesthesia in geriatric patients undergoing hip surgery. Patients and Methods: A total of 121 patients, aged 60 years or older, undergoing elective hip surgery were randomized to receive either opioid-free anesthesia with dexmedetomidine and esketamine (OFA group) or balanced anesthesia with opioids (CON group). All patients received a preoperative fascia iliaca block and postoperative patient-controlled analgesia using tramadol. The primary outcome was the incidence of a composite of anesthetic-related complications (nausea and vomiting, hypoxemia, ileus, urinary retention and delirium) within 48 hours postoperatively. The hemodynamics, postoperative pain and quality of life were also assessed. Results: The incidence of composite adverse events was significantly reduced in the OFA group compared with the CON group (35.0% vs 62.3%, estimated difference: 27.3%, 95% confidence interval: 10.2%– 44.4%, P = 0.003). Notably, patients in the OFA group experienced less postoperative nausea and vomiting (P = 0.040), and hypoxemia (P = 0.025) compared with those in the CON group. However, the incidences of postoperative ileus, urinary retention and delirium were comparable between the two groups. Also, patients in the OFA group had less pain in motion at 24 h postoperatively, as well as less risks of intraoperative hypotension and bradycardia (P < 0.05). No significant differences in the postoperative quality of life were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: Opioid-free anesthesia with dexmedetomidine and esketamine reduced postoperative anesthetic-related complications and provided improved hemodynamic stability in geriatric patients undergoing hip surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effects of combining esketamine with sufentanil for postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) in patients undergoing elective impacted tooth surgery or open reduction and internal fixation. Methods: In this single-center, prospective, double-blinded, randomized, parallel-controlled trial, 91 patients were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group (group ES, n = 46) received a combination of sufentanil 1.5 µg/kg and esketamine 1.0 mg/kg, while the control group (group S, n = 45) received sufentanil 2 µg/kg alone for PCIA after surgery. Primary outcome was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for patients at rest and during mouth opening at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-surgery. Secondary outcomes included the Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) scores, the Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) scores, patient satisfaction with analgesia, and the occurrence of adverse events within 48 h post-surgery. The frequency of PCIA button presses and the number of patients requiring rescue analgesia were also recorded. Results: The resting VAS scores and the mouth-opening VAS scores at 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h post-surgery were significantly lower in Group ES than in Group S (P < 0.05). Additionally, the RSS scores were significantly higher at 6 h (P = 0.032) and 12 h (P = 0.021) post-surgery in Group ES. The frequency of PCIA postoperative use within 48 h post-surgery decreased (P = 0.021) in Group ES, while satisfaction with analgesia and QoR-15 scores increased (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). The incidences of postoperative dizziness and nausea/vomiting reduced (P = 0.045 and P = 0.036, respectively) in Group ES, but one adverse event of nightmare was observed. There was no significant difference in rescue analgesia between the two groups. Conclusion: The use of esketamine combined with sufentanil in patients undergoing third molar surgery and maxillofacial trauma can alleviate short-term postoperative pain, and improve the quality of postoperative recovery. Esketamine is worth promoting in the clinical application of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Trial registration: The study was retrospectively registered in chictr.org.cn with the identifier: ChiCTR2400086662 on 08/07/2024. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The suprascapular nerve is situated between the prevertebral fascia and the superficial layer of deep cervical fascia and on the surface of the middle and posterior scalene muscles before it reaches the suprascapular notch. Consequently, we hypothesized that injecting local anesthetics (LAs) there would introduce a new block approach for blocking the suprascapular nerve, ie, extra-prevertebral fascial block. We assessed the postoperative analgesic effect, as well as the incidence of diaphragmatic paralysis 30 minutes after the block. Methods: 30 patients undergoing elective shoulder arthroscopic rotator cuff repair surgery were recruited in this study. Before the induction of general anesthesia, 15 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine was administered to perform an extra-prevertebral fascia suprascapular nerve block (10 mL) and an infraclavicular brachial plexus block (5 mL, primarily targeting the axillary nerve). All patients received intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) after surgery. The postoperative pain was scored with Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), along with the opioid consumption in the first 24 h after surgery. The incidence of hemi-diaphragmatic paralysis (HDP) was measured 30 minutes after the block. Results: All patients received the successful block. The resting NRS pain scores at 1h, 6h, 12h, and 24h postoperatively were 0 [0, 2], 0 [0, 2], 1 [0, 2], and 2 [1, 3], respectively. The oral morphine equivalent (OME) consumption at 24 hours after surgery was 18 [12,30] mg. No patients experienced HDP (complete or partial) 30 minutes after the block. Conclusion: Compared with the posterior approach, this novel technique is efficient and has a higher success rate of blockade. It eliminates the need for patients to change positions, thereby improving comfort. Additionally, when combined with the infraclavicular brachial plexus block, it can effectively block the suprascapular nerve, providing satisfactory postoperative analgesia without the HDP at 30min after blockade compared to the anterior approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Socioeconomic and demographic factors contribute to disparity in prostate cancer (PCa) outcomes. We examined the impact of Area of Deprivation Index (ADI) and race on PCa incidence and lethality in a North American cohort. Methods Our cohort included men who received at least 1 prostate-Specifig Antigen (pSA) test within our Health System (1995-2022). An ADI score was assigned to each patient based on their residential census block, ranked as a percentile of deprivation relative to the national level. Individuals were further categorized into quartiles, where the fourth one (ADI 75-100) represented those living in the most deprived areas. We investigated PCa incidence and lethality, using cumulative incidence estimates and competing-risk regression. An ADI × Race interaction term examined whether the relationship between ADI and outcomes varied based on race. Results We included 134 366 patients, 25% of whom were non-Hispanic Black (NHB). Median (IQR) follow-up was 8.8 (5-17) years. At multivariate analysis, individuals from the third quartile (ADI 50-74, 95% CI = 0.83 to 0.95) and the fourth quartile (ADI ≥75, 95% CI = 0.75 to 0.86) showed significant reduced hazard ratios for PCa incidence, when compared with the first quartile (ADI <25, all P  < .001). In contrast to the overall cohort, PCa incidence increased with ADI in NHB men, who were persistently at higher hazard for both PCa incidence and lethality than non-Hispanic White (NHW), across all ADI strata (all P  < .001). Conclusions Living in more deprived areas was associated with lower PCa incidence and higher lethal disease rate. Conversely, PCa incidence increased with ADI for NHB, who consistently showed worse outcomes than NHW individuals, regardless of ADI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Periarticular local infiltration analgesia (LIA) has become a widely used method for postoperative pain management after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). However, the efficacy of using magnesium sulphate or sodium bicarbonate in LIA cocktails during UKA is not yet clear. The present study aimed to evaluate whether the modified LIA has advantages in pain control and joint function recovery after UKA surgery. Methods: Sixty-one patients who underwent UKA were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive periarticular infiltration of a modified cocktail (comprising ropivacaine, epinephrine, dexamethasone, magnesium sulphate, and sodium bicarbonate) or a conventional cocktail (comprising ropivacaine, epinephrine, dexamethasone, ketorolac, and morphine). The outcomes included the consumption of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) medication used for postoperative analgesia, pain score, early joint functional recovery, discharge time, and complication rates. Results: In the first 12 h after surgery, the conventional cocktail was not superior to the modified cocktail in terms of visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. However, beginning on the second postoperative day, the analgesic effect was significantly prolonged in the modified group, leading to lower VAS scores and better knee functional recovery. Additionally, patients in the modified group required less pain medication via PCIA, both within the first 24 h and cumulatively up to 48 h after surgery. Both groups had similar rates of complications. Conclusions: The present modification of a conventional cocktail significantly prolonged the analgesic effect and reduced pain medication consumption after UKA surgery, which was associated with better functional recovery in the early postoperative days. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2200060500. 21 March 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Open liver surgery remains a primary surgical approach for complex liver resections and liver transplantation. However, the postoperative pain management is still a major challenge. Ultrasound-guided external oblique intercostal (EOI) plane block is a novel approach of regional anaesthesia and has a great potential to relieve postoperative pain after upper abdominal surgeries. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided EOI plane block in managing postoperative pain after open liver surgery. Methods: Seventy-four participants scheduled for open liver surgery will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group, receiving an ultrasound-guided EOI plane block with a single dose of 30 ml 0.375% ropivacaine, or the control group, which will not receive this block. All participants will be provided with opioid-based patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) postoperatively. The primary outcome is resting pain score at 3 h postoperatively, assessed using numerical rating scale. Secondary outcomes include pain score at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively, perioperative opioid consumption, remedial analgesics within 72 h postoperatively, PCIA usage within postoperative 72 h, postoperative recovery, length of hospital stay, postoperative side effects, block-related complications, and ropivacaine plasma concentration of participants receiving the block. Discussion: This study is a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided EOI plane block for postoperative analgesia after open liver surgery. As regional anaesthesia plays an important role in the multimodal pain management, EOI plane block may prove to be an effective regional technique for enhancing postoperative pain relief and contributing to enhanced recovery after open liver surgery. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200065745. Registered on November 14, 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postoperative pain management has consistently been a critical topic in the medical field, with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) being one of the most commonly utilized methods for postoperative analgesia. Currently, opioids remain the primary choice for PCIA in clinical practice. However, in recent years, an increasing number of studies have explored analgesic strategies aimed at reducing or eliminating the use of opioids in PCIA to mitigate the associated side effects and dependence. This article systematically reviews the progress of research on opioid-free analgesic strategies in PCIA through a comprehensive analysis of relevant literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Italian Society of Anesthesia, Analgesia, Resuscitation and Intensive Care (SIAARTI) has developed a good clinical practice to address the challenges of treating critically ill patients in resource-limited austere environments, exacerbated by recent pandemics, natural disasters, and conflicts. The methodological approach was based on a literature review and a modified Delphi method, which involved blind voting and consensus evaluation using a Likert scale. This process was conducted over two rounds of online voting. The document covers six critical topics: the overall impact of austere conditions on critical care, airway management, analgesia, bleeding control, vascular access, and medical devices and equipment. In these settings, it is vital to apply basic care techniques flexibly, focusing on immediate bleeding control, airway management, and hypothermia treatment to reduce mortality. For airway management, rapid sequence intubation with ketamine for sedation and muscle relaxation is suggested. Effective pain management involves a multimodal approach, including patient-controlled analgesia by quickly acting safe drugs, with an emphasis on ethical palliative care when other options are unavailable. Regarding hemorrhage, military-derived protocols like Tactical Combat Casualty Care significantly reduced mortality and influenced the development of civilian bleeding control devices. Establishing venous access is crucial, with intraosseous access as a swift option and central venous access for complex cases, ensuring aseptic conditions. Lastly, selecting medical equipment that matches the specific logistical and medical needs is essential, maintaining monitoring standards and considering advanced diagnostic tools like point-of-care ultrasounds. Finally, effective communication tools for coordination and telemedicine are also vital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare and evaluate the obstetrical differences between three techniques, including the programmed intermittent epidural bolus (PIEB), the patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA), and the continuous epidural analgesia (CEA). Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study that investigates the obstetrical outcomes of 2240 patients who received EA during labor in a tertiary maternal unit over the course of 9 years (2011–2018). The only inclusion criterion was the use of epidural analgesia during childbirth and the only exclusion criteria were multiplets' gestation. Multivariate logistic regression, Kruskal–Wallis test, and the log-rank test were utilized to compare the differences between the three EA techniques in terms of cesarean section rate, the incidence of perineal tears, the use of Oxytocin, the duration of labor, and the incidence of paresthesia. Results: Out of the 2240 included deliveries; 1084 utilized PIEB, 1086 PCEA, and 70 CEA techniques. The incidence of Cesarean section was the highest in the CEA group (45.7%) compared to PIEB (24.8%) and PCEA (24.4%) P < 0.001. A significantly shorter duration of labor (vaginal delivery) was observed in the PCEA group (n: 821, 336.7 min) compared to the PIEB group (n: 814, 368.8 min) P < 0.001. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of perineal tears, the need of uterotonics, and the incidence of paresthesia. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the PIEB and PCEA techniques are superior to the CEA technique when it comes to analgesia during childbirth. In this study, the PCEA technique seems to be the best-suited technique for childbirth, since it had a significantly shorter duration of labor than the PIEB technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the current practices surrounding Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) in Canada. Methods: An online survey was sent to Canadian Association for Interventional Radiology (CAIR) members. It included questions on symptoms prompting UFE, patient awareness, investigation, UFE settings, the number of UFE procedures, and post-UFE care. The findings were discussed at CAIR's 2023 annual meeting by an expert panel. Results: Out of 792 surveys sent, 87 were filled (11%). Menorrhagia is the most common indication for UFE (87%). Women's awareness of UFE as a treatment option for fibroids is viewed as poor or average by 94% of our survey respondents. Most respondents see patients in clinics (92%) before the procedure and evaluate fibroids with MRI pre-UFE (76%). There is variability in care post-UFE, with 33% of procedures being performed as day surgery while 67% lead to overnight stay. For pain management, intravenous analgesia (including patient-controlled analgesia) is used in 76% (63/83) of cases while 19% (16/83) of respondents mentioned using epidural analgesia. Finally, there is an even split between embolic agent used; non-spherical polyvinyl alcohol (50%) and spherical particles (50%). Conclusion: Respondents believe patients in Canada still have limited awareness of UFE. Interventional radiologists are increasingly involved in the entire patient care trajectory, overseeing pre-and post-procedure care and hospitalizing patients. For pain management after UFE, it is observed that while epidural analgesia has been demonstrated more effective than alternatives, it is not widely used as the primary method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Upper abdominal surgeries are associated with severe postoperative pain. External oblique intercostal (EOI) block blocks both anterior and lateral cutaneous branches of intercostal nerves. We compared the postoperative analgesic efficacy of unilateral EOI block with conventional unilateral subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block. Methods: Fifty American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I/II patients scheduled for upper abdominal surgery via subcostal incision were randomly assigned to receive either EOI block (Group E) or subcostal TAP block (Group T) with 25 mL of 0.2% ropivacaine. Postoperatively, these patients received intravenous (IV) fentanyl through a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump with settings of demand-only mode. The primary outcome was the time to activation of PCA postoperatively. Secondary outcomes were 24-hour opioid consumption, pain scores (at 30 minutes and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours), patient satisfaction scores (48 hours), and block-related complications. Unpaired t -test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for analysis. A P value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Patients in Group E had an increased mean time of activation of PCA [610.28 [standard deviation (SD): 118.95)] minutes vs 409.68 (SD: 101.36) minutes] (P = 0.001). The 24-hour postoperative mean fentanyl consumption was 102.40 (SD: 25.70) μg in Group E versus 123.20 (SD: 34.38) μg in Group T (P = 0.019). Patients in Group E had better satisfaction scores (P < 0.001). Pain scores were better at 30 minutes and 6 hours. Conclusion: EOI block provides effective postoperative analgesia in upper abdominal surgeries as it prolongs the duration of PCA activation with a better patient satisfaction score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This prospective cohort study focused on the predictive value of frailty or pre-frailty assessed by Edmonton Frailty Scale (EFS) for postoperative delirium in spinal surgery patients. Methods: The primary outcome measurement was postoperative delirium (POD) evaluated by Confusion Assessment Method at day 1, day 2, and day 3 after the surgery. Secondary outcomes included severity and duration of POD, severe postoperative pain measured by Faces Pain Scale-Revised. Patients scheduled for elective spinal surgery were enrolled and assessed for frailty by EFS before surgery. Demographic data, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative information were collected. Results: 231 out of 325 patients were enrolled and analyzed in this study at last. The cohort with 36.8% being frail and 28.5% being vulnerable. Postoperative delirium was detected in 41 in 231 patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that vulnerable to frailty (OR = 4.681, 95% CI: 1.199 to 18.271, P = 0.026), after adjusted duration of surgery more than 3 h, using flumazenil at the end of surgery, using butorphanol only in postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia, moderate-to-severe pain at day 1 and 2, is a strong predictor of postoperative delirium. Frailty was associated with longer duration (frailty vs. fit, P = 0.364) and stronger severity of postoperative delirium in the first two days (P < 0.001). High EFS score was independent risk factor of severe postoperative pain (Frailty vs. Fit: OR = 5.007, 95% CI: 1.903 to 13.174, P = 0.001; Vulnerable vs. Fit: OR = 2.525, 95% CI: 1.008 to 6.329, P = 0.048). In stratified tests, Sufentanil regimen in intravenous PCA significantly increase the proportion of POD in vulnerable group (P = 0.030), instead of frailty group (P = 0.872) or fit group (P = 0.928). Conclusions: Frailty can increase the risk, severity, duration of delirium and severe postoperative pain in the first 3 days after surgery of patients. Trial registration: The protocol of this study has been approved by the Ethic Committee of Shanghai Changzheng Hospital (Approval file number: 2022SL044) and informed consent was obtained from all the patients. The trial was retrospectively registered at chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2300073306) on 6th July 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the risk factors of early withdrawal of pump in patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) after surgery and to construct a nomogram prediction model. Methods: A total of 2517 surgical patients who received PCA between July 2019 and May 2021 were enrolled, and then randomized the eligible patients into training group (n=1773) and validation group (n=744) with a ratio of 7:3. The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) method was used to screen the characteristic variables in the training set, and multifactorial logistic model was used to select independent risk factors that were associated with outcomes. Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) was used to evaluate the model fit, and the nomogram of PCA early withdrawal was further constructed. In the training and validation sets, Receiver Operation Characteristic curve (ROC curve), calibration curve and Brier score were used to evaluate the prediction efficiency of the nomogram. Results: Nine independent risk factors and one related factor related to early pump withdrawal were used to construct a nomogram for predicting early withdrawal of pump after PCA. The area under the curve (AUC) of the training set was 0.880 (95% CI: 85.87% -90.16%), and the AUC of the validation set was 0.888 (95% CI: 85.55% -92%). The calibration curves of the training set and the validation set were tested by Hosmer-Lemeshow good of fit test. The P values were 0.004 and 0.228, and the Brier scores were 0.018 and 0.016, respectively. Conclusion: The nomogram we established has an ideal discrimination and calibration, which can provide a certain reference value for predicting the high-risk population of early withdrawal of pump in PCA after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the effects of ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block (U-SGB) combined with ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block (U-SAPB) on postoperative acute pain and sleep duration in patients undergoing radical mastectomy. Methods: 120 female patients who underwent radical mastectomy were randomly divided into the control group, the U-SAPB group and the combined group (U-SGB combined with U-SAPB), with 40 cases in each group. Patients of the control group received only general anesthesia, patients of the U-SAPB group received U-SAPB, and patients of the combined group received U-SGB and U-SAPB. All patients were given patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after surgery. The visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain intensity, the duration of nocturnal sleep, the time of first pressing the analgesic pump and the number of effective presses were compared among the three groups at different time points after surgery. Results: Compared with the control group, the VAS scores of the combined group were significantly lower at all time points after surgery (P<0.05), the time of first pressing the analgesic pump was significantly delayed, the number of effective presses of the analgesic pump was reduced, and the duration of nocturnal sleep was longer within 3 days after surgery (P<0.05); compared with the U-SAPB group, the VAS scores of the combined group were better at 8 h and later after surgery, and the time of first pressing the analgesic pump was later (P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared with simple general anesthesia and serratus anterior plane block, ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion block combined with serratus anterior plane block can effectively alleviate postoperative acute pain in breast cancer patients, prolong the duration of early nocturnal sleep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study is to examine the analgesic efficacy of varying doses of hydromorphone hydrochloride in conjunction with absorbable gelatin sponge for postoperative pain management in elderly individuals undergoing lumbar fusion surgery. Additionally, the study aims to assess the sustained release analgesic properties of this combination and to determine the optimal dosage of hydromorphone hydrochloride for effective pain relief. Methods: A total of 113 elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years old) meeting the criteria for 1-2-level posterior lumbar fusion surgery at Ganzhou City People's Hospital between July 2022 and August 2023 were randomly assigned to four groups: group A (0.2 mg hydromorphone hydrochloride 1 ml), group B (0.3 mg hydromorphone hydrochloride 1.5 ml), group C (0.4 mg hydromorphone hydrochloride 2 ml), and group D (0.9% normal saline 2 ml) for standard anesthesia induction and maintenance. Prior to suturing the incision, gelfoam was utilized to administer epidural analgesia to each group. Following the surgical procedure, an intravenous analgesia pump was utilized for pain management. The baseline infusion rate was set at 0.5 ml/h. Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) was administered at a dose of 2 ml, with a lockout interval of 20 min, allowing the patient to self-administer as needed. Pain relief was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) prior to surgery, as well as at 1 day and 3 days post-operation. The frequency of PCA requests within the initial 48-h postoperative period, the remedial analgesia with dezocine, postoperative adverse reactions, and duration of hospitalization were documented for analysis. Results: The VAS scores of groups B and C were found to be significantly lower than those of group D 1 day after the operation. Additionally, VAS scores at 3 days post-operation, remedial rate of dezocine and PCA follow-up times at 48 h in groups A, B, and C were significantly lower compared to group D (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between group B and group C in VAS scores at 1 day and 3 days post-operation, as well as PCA follow-up times at 48 h post-operation (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the VAS scores of groups B and C were lower than those of group A at 1 day and 3 days post-operation (P < 0.05). The PCA frequency of group C was also lower than that of group A at 48 h post-operation (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of hydromorphone hydrochloride and absorbable gelatin sponge epidural analgesia has been shown to enhance postoperative pain management. A dosage of 0.4 mg of hydromorphone hydrochloride may be considered an appropriate analgesic dose, as it can provide effective pain relief without eliciting adverse reactions. Trial Registration: ChiCTR.org.cn(ChiCTR2200064863). Registered on October 20, 2022. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether continuous wound infiltration (CWI) can replace intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) and to investigate effective pain control strategies after a single-port access (SPA) laparoscopy for adnexal disease. Methods: A total of 470 patients (the CWI group [n = 109], the IV PCA group [n = 198], and the combined group [n = 163]) who underwent an SPA adnexal laparoscopy and who received CWI or IV PCA for postoperative pain management were retrospectively reviewed. The numeric rating scale (NRS) pain score at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h (h) after surgery and the total amount of fentanyl administered via IV PCA were collected. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and the total amount of rescue antiemetic drugs administered were also evaluated. Results: The mean NRS pain scores at 6 h (combined vs. PCA vs. CWI, 3.08 vs. 3.44 vs. 3.96, p < 0.001), 12 h (2.10 vs. 2.65 vs. 2.82, p < 0.001), and 24 h (1.71 vs. 2.01 vs. 2.12, p < 0.001) after surgery were significantly lower in the combined group. CWI showed a similar pain-reduction effect after surgery compared to IV PCA, except for the acute phase (within 6 h after surgery). The incidence of PONV during the entire hospitalization period was significantly lower in the CWI group compared to the groups using IV PCA (p < 0.05). The combined group had a significantly lower incidence of PONV and use of rescue antiemetics than the IV PCA group (p < 0.05). The combined group required significantly less total PCA fentanyl compared to the IV PCA group (combined vs. PCA, 622.1 μg vs. 703.1 μg, p < 0.001). Conclusions: CWI is an effective alternative to IV PCA and has fewer side effects. Combined use of CWI and IV PCA may be an ideal pain management strategy, offering a strong pain-reduction effect and only moderate side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objectives: Radical cystectomy (RC) is usually performed under general anesthesia, with the management of postoperative pain being a big challenge. Various approaches have been tried, including epidural analgesia, or regional nerve blocks in addition to the intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA). We compared the efficacy and safety of bilateral single-injection erector spinae plane block (ESPB) with IV-PCA administered morphine to manage postoperative pain following RC. Methodology: This prospective randomized controlled clinical study was performed on 60 participants ranging in age from 21 to 65 years, both sexes, BMI 20-40 kg/m², ASA physical status II-III, planned for elective RC. Participants were randomized into two equal groups. Group ESPB received ultrasound-guided single shot ESPB at T10 with 20 mL bupivacaine 0.25% bilaterally; IV morphine 3 mg bolus was used as rescue analgesia when the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain score was ≥ 4. Group C (control group) received IV-PCA by morphine 3 mg IV when NRS pain score was ≥ 4 and repeated 1/2 mg if still pain score was recorded ≥ 4 for 15 min. Pain was measured on NRS at 2, 4, 8, and 12 h as well as the postoperative heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). Complications were noted, Results: Time to first analgesic request was substantially prolonged in Group ESPB compared to Group C (P < 0.001). Total postoperative consumption of morphine in 1st 48 h and postoperative nausea and vomiting were substantially reduced in Group ESPB compared to Group C (P < 0.05). NRS pain scores, postoperative HR and MAP measurements were substantially reduced at 2, 4, 8, and 12 h in Group ESPB than Group C (P < 0.05). Bradycardia and hypotension varied insignificantly different between both groups. Respiratory depression and urinary retention did not occur in any patient in both groups. Conclusions: Compared with IV-PCA administered morphine, bilateral single-injection ESPB was associated with better hemodynamics and analgesic properties, as observed by lower pain scores, less postoperative opioid consumption, and longer time to first analgesic request with good safety profile after radical cystectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of diverse postoperative analgesic techniques in laparoscopic colorectal surgery and ascertain whether systemic administration of nalbuphine is a suitable alternative for this type of procedure. Sixty-nine patients suffering from colorectal cancer and undergoing laparoscopic surgery were randomly divided into three groups (n = 23, per group). Group R received patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) with ropivacaine. Group M received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) with morphine. Group N received PCIA with nalbuphine. Pain at rest (PAR), movement-evoked pain (MEP), stress hormone and any complications during the 72 hours after surgery were recorded. Additionally, chronic post-surgical pain (CPSP) at 3 months and 6 months were also recorded. There was no significant difference in PAR among the 3 groups. However, patients in Group N had a higher intensity of MEP compared to those in Group R after surgery (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in CPSP at 6 months among the 3 groups (p > 0.05), but the incidence of CPSP at 3 months was higher in Group N (p = 0.01, as compared to Group R). The occurrences of pruritus and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were observed to be considerably greater in Group M as compared to the other two groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, PCEA is more effective than PCIA with nalbuphine in reducing postoperative MEP and CPSP at 3 months after laparoscopic colorectal surgery. However, there was no significant difference between PCEA and PCIA with nalbuphine in reducing CPSP at 6 months. Although morphine and nalbuphine have the similar analgesic effects, morphine is associated with more side effects. Therefore, PCIA with nalbuphine might be a good option for patients who are not suitable for PCEA or have a high risk for PONV or pruritus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: This study aimed to compare the effects of three local anaesthetic (LA) agents, namely bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, and ropivacaine, on the cardiac conduction system as assessed by corrected QT (QTc) and P wave dispersion (PWD) intervals in lower limb orthopaedic surgeries and to find the most suitable LA agent that can be used for a long duration. Methods: The study included 75 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II of either gender in the age group of 18–65 years undergoing elective lower limb orthopaedic surgeries under epidural anaesthesia. These were allocated to groups B (bupivacaine), L (levobupivacaine), and R (ropivacaine). We observed blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, PWD, and QTc intervals from baseline value through Holter monitoring, pain assessment by visual analogue scale, and demand and total volume of LA consumed by patient-controlled analgesia devices. The repeated measures of ANOVA were carried out to find the effect of time and time-to-group interaction among the groups across the periods. Results: On intergroup comparison of QTc and PWD, no significant difference among groups was observed, but on intragroup analysis, a statistically significant increase in QTc and PWD from baseline was observed for each of groups B, L, and R at all time intervals. However, the mean increase in QTc and PWD recorded for Group B was higher than in groups L and R. Conclusions: Bupivacaine has the maximal tendency to prolong QTc and PWD. All three agents showed comparable haemodynamic effects and time to onset of sensory and motor blockade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) and epidural morphine (EM) for post-cesarean section analgesia in real-world experience from China. Methods: Parturients receiving one dose of EM (1–2 mg), PCEA, or both EM and PCEA from Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively recruited. Logistic models were used to identify risk factors. Results: Of 1079 parturients enrolled, 919 (85.2%) parturients received only EM, 105 (9.7%) parturients received PCEA, and 55 (5.1%) parturients received both EM and PCEA. Significantly more parturients from EM group requested supplementary analgesia than those from PCEA and PCEA + EM group (583, 63.4% vs 52, 49.5% vs 25, 45.5%, P = 0.001) with more times of supplementary analgesia (1, IQR: 0–2 vs 0, IQR: 0–1 vs 0, IQR: 0–1 times, P < 0.001) and larger amounts of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (50, IQR: 0–100 mg vs 0, IQR: 0–50 mg vs 0, IQR: 0–50 mg, P < 0.001). In multivariable Logistic regression for the supplementary analgesia risk, the application of PCEA (OR: 0.557, 95%CI 0.396–0.783, P = 0.001) and the use of NSAIDs intraoperatively (OR: 2.996, 95%CI 1.811–4.957, P < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors. A total of 1040 (96.4%) patients received prophylactic antiemetic therapy during surgery. Only 13 (1.2%) and 7 (0.6%) patients in our cohort requested antiemetic and antipruritic drugs, respectively. Conclusion: The use of PCEA was an independent protective factor for supplementary analgesia during the post-cesarean section. Prophylactic antiemetic therapy may reduce the side effects of post-cesarean analgesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) is frequently used for postoperative analgesia in abdominal surgery. However, it remains insufficient for analgesia during upper abdominal surgeries. Therefore, we compared the efficacy of the subcostal transversus abdominis plane block (STAPB) or rectus sheath block (RSB), in addition to the posterior transversus abdominis plane block (PTAPB), for postoperative analgesia in major gynecologic cancer surgeries. Methods: This prospective randomized study included 50 patients aged > 18 years (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status II or III), who underwent gynecologic cancer surgery through a midline incision. All patients underwent PTAPB, STAPB, or RSB according to the randomization. The following parameters were recorded and compared: demographic data; intraoperative hemodynamic parameters; numeric rating scale (NRS) pain levels at the 1st, 6th, 12th, and 24th postoperative hours; opioid consumption; number of requests and boluses; adverse effects; surgical complications within 24 h. Results: Forty-seven patients were included in this study. In the STAPB group, postoperative 1, 12 and 24 h NRS values were lower; opioid consumption, opioid demand, and bolus numbers were lower during the postoperative 24 h as compared to RSB (P < 0.05). The intraoperative opioid and hemodynamic values were similar in both groups. Conclusions: STAPB in addition to PTAPB provides more effective analgesia than RSB for postoperative pain management in open gynecologic cancer surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to compare the pain reduction effectiveness of thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block with erector spinae plane (ESP) block for open lumbar fusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2021 to October 2022, 100 patients participated in a randomized prospective intervention study at Hanoi Medical University Hospital. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups: the control group (group C, n = 33), the TLIP group (group T, n = 34), and the ESP group (group E, n = 33). The pain status of the patients in three groups was assessed using the intraoperative mean Analgesia Nociception Index (ANIm), postoperative the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at rest and on movement at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 hour safter surgery. The intraoperative fentanyl and morphine consumption at 12 and 24 hour postoperatively were recorded. RESULTS: the ANIm of group C was the lowest at most of the time points studied during surgery (p

Abstract Objectives This study aims to identify the risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) in elderly patients undergoing major abdominal surgery and to investigate the relationship between patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and PPCs. Design A retrospective study. Method Clinical data and demographic information of elderly patients (aged ≥ 60 years) who underwent upper abdominal surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from 2017 to 2019 were retrospectively collected. Patients with PPCs were identified using the Melbourne Group Scale Version 2 scoring system. A directed acyclic graph was used to identify the potential confounders, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors for PPCs. Propensity score matching was utilized to compare PPC rates between patients with and without PCA, as well as between intravenous PCA (PCIA) and epidural PCA (PCEA) groups. Results A total of 1,467 patients were included, with a PPC rate of 8.7%. Multivariable analysis revealed that PCA was an independent protective factor for PPCs in elderly patients undergoing major abdominal surgery (odds ratio = 0.208, 95% confidence interval = 0.121 to 0.358; P

Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is valuable for delivering opioids in a flexible and timely manner. Although it is designed to offer personalized analgesia driven by the patients themselves, users often report insufficient pain relief, which can be addressed by optimizing its settings and multimodal analgesia. We adopted a systematic approach to modify PCA protocols by utilizing a serial audit process based on institutional PCA data. This review retrospectively examined the process, encompassing data from 13,230 patients who had used PCA devices. The two modifications to the fentanyl-based PCA protocols resulted in three distinct phases. In the first phase, high opioid consumption and unintended PCA withdrawal were the common issues. These were addressed in the second phase by omitting the routine use of basal infusion. However, this led to increased delivery-to-demand ratios, mitigated in the third phase by increasing the bolus dose from 15 μg to 20 μg. These serial protocol changes have produced varied outcomes across different surgical departments, underscoring the need for careful and gradual adjustments and thorough impact assessments. Drawing insights from this audit process, we incorporated findings from the literature on PCA settings and multimodal analgesic approaches. This review underscores the significance of iterative feedback and refinement of analgesic protocols to achieve optimal postoperative pain management. Additionally, it discusses critical considerations regarding the postoperative audit processes.