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Objective The objective of this study was to determine whether erector spinae plane block (ESPB) can provide an effective analgesia for managing pain after thoracic surgery and compare the efficacy of ESPB with that of other regional analgesic techniques. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Setting PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. Participants Patients undergoing thoracic surgeries. Intervention Erector spinae plane block with local anesthetics for postoperative analgesia. Measurement and Main Results Seventeen studies, including 1,092 patients, were included in the final analysis. Erector spinae plane block reduced 24-hour postoperative opioid consumption (mean difference [MD] –17.49, 95% CI –26.87 to –8.12), pain score at rest (MD –0.82, 95% CI –1.31 to –0.33), and pain score at movement (MD –0.77, 95% CI –1.20 to –0.3) compared to no block. Compared with other regional blocks, various results have been observed. Although statistical results showed that ESPB is inferior to thoracic paravertebral block and intercostal nerve block and superior to serratus anterior plan block in postoperative analgesia, clinical differences remain unclear. The incidence of hematoma was lower in the ESPB group than in the other groups (odds ratio 0.19, 95% CI 0.05-0.73). Conclusion Erector spinae plane block may provide effective analgesia after thoracic surgery. Compared with other techniques, it is a safer method, without clinically important differences, for postoperative pain control. Therefore, ESPB may be considered as a valuable option for postoperative pain management after thoracic surgery.

OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy of preoperative bilateral paravertebral block (PVB) with general anesthesia (GA) in contributing to early extubation and decreasing opioid consumption in cardiac surgery. DESIGN A propensity score-matched retrospective study. SETTING A single tertiary medical center between January 2018 and December 2020. PARTICIPANTS Adult patients undergoing isolated first-time aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting with full sternotomy. INTERVENTIONS A cohort of 44 patients who received PVB with GA (PVB group) was matched with 44 patients who underwent similar surgery with GA only (GA only group). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS The completion rate of extubation in the operating room was significantly greater in the PVB group (65.9%) than in the GA only group (43.2%; p = 0.032). The completion rate of extubation within eight hours after surgery also was significantly greater in the PVB group (86.4%) than in the GA only group (68.2%; p = 0.042). The median amount of intraoperative fentanyl administered was significantly less in the PVB group (4.8 µg/kg; interquartile range [IQR], 3.3-7.2) than in the GA only group (8.4 µg/kg; IQR, 5.4-12.7; p < 0.001). The median amount of postoperative fentanyl administered was significantly less in the PVB group (6.8 µg/kg; IQR, 3.9-10.6) than in the GA only group (8.1 µg/kg; IQR, 6.2-15.9; p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that preoperative bilateral PVB combined with GA contributed to early extubation in isolated first-time aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass grafting and in the reduction of intraoperative and postoperative fentanyl consumption.

Surgical resection is the treatment of choice both for early-stage lung cancer and pulmonary metastatic disease. For patients with lung tumors who are not eligible for surgery, the minimally invasive modality of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) may be curative and, thus, should be considered. However, opinions regarding the optimal anesthetic technique for pulmonary RFA differ. Here the authors report their experience with the use of ultrasound-guided paravertebral block in minimally-sedated patients undergoing pulmonary RFA. This retrospective study was conducted at a single institution. The 17 consecutive patients underwent 19 pulmonary RFA procedures for primary lung tumor or lung metastases. In all patients, RFA was performed according to the protocol of the hospital. Anesthesia in patients receiving RFA for lung tumors consisted of a thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB), performed between T4 and T8, with minimal sedation. This approach allowed intraoperative communication with the patient and apnea pauses as needed. There were no complications after TPVB, which was well-tolerated by all patients. Only two patients required an alfentanil bolus during RFA because of pleuritic pain. No patient required conversion from sedation to general anesthesia. There were no episodes of hemodynamic instability or desaturation (SaO2 ≤95%), and excessive sedation prevented patient collaboration in only one patient. In conclusion, ultrasound-guided single-injection TPVB is a safe and effective anesthetic technique for high-risk patients undergoing RFA for a primary lung tumor or lung metastases.

Background The optimal modality for postoperative analgesia after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UVATS) for the treatment of lung cancer has not yet been determined. Both ultrasound-guided paravertebral block (PVB) and retrolaminar block (RLB) have been reported to be successful in providing analgesia after UVATS. However, which block technique provides superior analgesia after UVATS is still unclear. This randomized study was designed to compare the postoperative analgesic effects and adverse events associated with ultrasound-guided PVB and RLB after UVATS. Methods Sixty patients with lung cancer were randomized to undergo ultrasound-guided PVB (group P) or ultrasound-guided RLB (group R). In group P, 30 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine was injected at the T3 and T5 levels via ultrasound-guided PVB (15 mL at each level on the operative side). In group R, 30 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine was injected at the T3 and T5 levels via ultrasound-guided RLB (15 mL at each level on the operative side). The primary outcome was the numerical rating scale (NRS) score within 48 h after surgery. The secondary outcomes were total postoperative sufentanil consumption, time to first analgesic request and adverse events. Results At 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h postoperatively, the NRS score at rest in group P was lower than that in group R (p p < 0.05). The total postoperative sufentanil consumption in group P was significantly lower than that in group R (p p p Conclusions In patients with lung cancer undergoing UVATS, ultrasound-guided PVB with 0.5% ropivacaine provides better analgesia and results in less nausea than ultrasound-guided RLB. Compared with ultrasound-guided RLB, ultrasound-guided PVB seems to be a better technique for analgesia in UVATS. Trial registration The name of this study is the Effect And Mechanism Of Ultrasound-guided Multimodal Regional Nerve Block On Acute And Chronic Pain After Thoracic Surgery. This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100044060). The date of registration was March 9, 2021.

Although thoracoscopy has characteristics such as a small surgical incision and low stress response, post-surgical pain after a thoracoscopic operation is no less than that after a thoracotomy. Moreover, poor post-surgical pain management is likely to cause an increased incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and chronic post-surgical pain. The serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) is a regional anesthesia method whereby local anesthetics (LAs) are injected into the serratus anterior space to block the lateral cutaneous branch of the intercostal nerve, long thoracic nerve, and dorsal thoracic nerve. The block range of the SAPB covers the incisions of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and the site of the chest tube, which are often located in the antero-lateral chest wall. Therefore, the SAPB can achieve effective analgesia in VATS. For example, 0.125% to 0.25% levobupivacaine (20-25 ml) is widely used for thoracic surgery, which can achieve effective analgesia and avoid adverse reactions. Moreover, it has advantages compared with thoracic segmental epidural block (TEA) and thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB), such as simple operation, increased safety, fewer complications, and hemodynamic stability. In addition, adequate analgesia is helpful for pulmonary function recovery and reduces the incidence of PPCs. This article introduces the anatomical mechanism of the SAPB, diverse operation approaches, how to choose drugs and adjuvants, and the resulting impacted area range. It summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the SAPB compared with other analgesic methods and posits that the SAPB is beneficial to the recovery of postoperative lung function, which provides more options for postoperative analgesia after VATS.

BACKGROUND Inguinal hernia is a frequently encountered surgical problem. General anaesthesia carries the risk of possible airway complications. Regional blocks improve acute post-operative pain, decrease post-operative visual analogue scale (VAS) score and patient can mobilise early. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block vs. paravertebral (PVB) block for post-operative analgeia in inguinal hernia surgeries. METHODS We conducted a research on 64 patients of age > 18 years with American society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA I – III) to undergo unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy. Patients were randomized into two groups. Group T received TAP block in which 20 ml of 0.25 % bupivacaine was injected and Group P underwent PVB in which 5 ml of bupivacaine (0.25 %) at each segment from T10-L1 was injected slowly (total dose of 20 ml). Post-operative VAS score, time for first rescue analgesia, total diclofenac requirement, total anti-emetic requirement and complications if any was noted. RESULTS The demographic data of both the groups were comparable. Also, pre and postoperative heart rate, blood pressure, IV fluids, ephedrine use, operative time and complications were statistically insignificant. As compared to group T, group P had lower VAS score from 2nd – 12th hour which was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Although more time is required to perform paravertebral block but the time for request of first rescue analgesia was quite prolonged in paravertebral block. Time of ambulation in group P was significantly lower than group T. CONCLUSIONS PVB requires more time to perform due to multiple site of injection, the comparison of both techniques in the present study revealed that PVB showed relatively higher efficacy in the management of post-operative pain, early ambulation and had significant reduction in dose requirement of additional analgesia (diclofenac) and antiemetics (ondansetron) over tap block. KEYWORDS Paravertebral Block, Transversus Abdominis Block, Inguinal Hernia

Purpose of Review This review focuses on describing the procedural and anesthetic management of patients undergoing nonintubated video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery. Recent Findings Most thoracic surgery is performed under general endotracheal anesthesia with either a double lumen endotracheal tube or a bronchial blocker. In an attempt to lessen the incidence and severity of postoperative complications, the nonintubated video-assisted thoracoscopic technique was developed, where the surgical procedure is performed under regional anesthesia with sedation. Currently, this technique is recommended for the elderly and in patients with severe cardiopulmonary disease who are at increased risk of complications after general anesthesia. It is the role of the anesthesia team to assist in the decisions whether the patient is a candidate and which block should be performed and to carefully monitor these patients in the operating room. Summary Nonintubated video-assisted thoracic surgery is an emerging technique with the goal of reducing postoperative complications. The anesthetic technique is highly variable and ranges from general anesthesia with a laryngeal mask airway with a truncal block to thoracic epidural anesthesia with minimal to no block. It is important to have excellent communication with the surgical team and the patient to ensure a safe, successful procedure.

BACKGROUND Intraoperative low-dose ketamine infusion has been reported to be an effective adjuvant to opioids for postoperative pain control without major side effects, but it has not been tested in video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of low-dose intraoperative intravenous ketamine infusion on 24-hour morphine requirement and acute postoperative pain following VATS for lung resection. METHODS This study was a single center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Thirty-two patients undergoing elective VATS for lung resection in a university hospital were included. Patients were randomly allocated (1:1 ratio) to receive either intraoperative low-dose ketamine (0.2 mg/kg/h) or normal saline infusion starting from intubation to the beginning of chest closure. All patients received multilevel thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) and morphine was administered postoperatively via the patient-controlled analgesia pump using the same protocol. Time to first analgesia, postoperative cumulative morphine doses at 10, 30 minutes, and the consecutive 1, 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours were recorded. Pain intensity during rest and deep breathing were also assessed by numeric rating scale (NRS) score at 1- and 24-hour postoperatively. RESULTS There was no significant difference in median (P25, P75) cumulative 24-hour morphine requirement between the ketamine and the control groups [15 (5.5, 29.5) vs. 22.5 (15.3, 40.8) mg, P=0.090]. Patients in ketamine group had significantly longer median pain free time than the control group (27 vs. 2 minutes, P=0.006). No difference in overall NRS score at rest or during deep breathing at 1- and 24-hour postoperatively was demonstrated (P=0.861). CONCLUSIONS Intraoperative low dose ketamine infusion in addition to TPVB does not reduce postoperative morphine consumption or pain intensity but may prolong pain free time in patients undergoing VATS for lung resection.

Objective Regional anesthesia techniques are gaining traction in cardiac surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of erector spinae plane block catheters (ESPBC), serratus anterior plane block catheters (SAPBC), and paravertebral single-shot block (PVB) versus no block after robotic minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB). Design This was a retrospective observational study of routinely recorded data. Setting The study was performed at a single healthcare system. Participants All patients underwent robotic MIDCAB. Intervention Data were analyzed from 346 patients during a 53-month period. The clinical data warehouse was queried for all robotic MIDCAB surgeries. Variables abstracted included type of nerve block, age, sex, use of adjuncts, Society of Thoracic Surgeons predicted short length of stay (PSLOS), total opioid consumption during the 72 hours after surgery, and postoperative hospital length of stay (LOS). The primary outcome was total oral morphine milligram equivalents (MME) consumed during the first 72 hours after surgery. The secondary outcome was hospital LOS. Measurements and Main Results In a model adjusting for PSLOS, the authors did not observe an association between ESPBC and the reduction of total administered oral MME within 72 hours after surgery. There was no significant difference in MME when comparing patients who received PVB to patients with ESPBC. Older age and female sex were associated with significantly lower MME. Patients who received ESPBC had a significantly shorter hospital LOS than patients with SAPBC. Conclusions These findings suggested that postoperative pain after MIDCAB surgery might not be completely covered by ESPBC. Prospective studies are needed to further elucidate the value of this technique for robotic MIDCAB.

Ultrasound has now become an eye of anaesthesiologist and has encouraged for its pervasive use. Its considerable use in the perioperative period for various invasive purposes has added an extra caution to prevent unforeseen complications over blind blocks. The ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block provides excellent perioperative analgesia following thoracic surgery. It can be given as a single shot or a continuous infusion technique placing a catheter. Here the local anesthetic agent is deposited in the paravertebral space from where the spinal nerve emerges which are devoid of coverings and are sensitive to local anesthetics. Even a single-shot block provides analgesia of 4-6 dermatomal levels. The use of local anesthetics using ultrasound not only adds safety measures to minimize procedural complications but also reduces the perioperative requirement of opioids. It also helps in the reduction of postoperative pulmonary complications and early extubation following thoracic surgery. We report a case series where single-shot ultrasound-guided unilateral paravertebral blocks were used as an analgesic technique for the repair of tracheoesophageal fistula in neonates. After delivering anesthesia and confirming the correct placement of the endotracheal tube the neonate was kept on the left lateral position to undergo right thoracotomy and repair of fistula. Scanning at T4 level with a linear probe was done to identify the transverse process, pleura, costotransverse ligament, intercostal muscle, and the paravertebral space where the local anesthetic agent was deposited under aseptic precautions. Tenting of pleura was the endpoint for the completion of the block. The extensive use of various regional anesthetic technique has significantly improved the postoperative outcome of the patients along with adequate perioperative pain management.

Xiao-Long Liang, Ran An, Qi Chen, Hong-Liang Liu Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400030, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Hong-Liang LiuChongqing University Cancer Hospital, School of Medicine, Chongqing University, No. 181, Hanyu Road, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 400030, People’s Republic of ChinaTel +86 13883686721Email liuhl75@163.comBackground: To date, there is no definitive evidence for the analgesic effects and side effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) versus thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) after thoracoscopic surgery. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis of published randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to analyze the analgesic effects of TEA versus TPVB after thoracoscopic surgery.Methods: We systematically searched RCTs published by October 26, 2020, in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library and conducted a meta-analysis to analyze the analgesic effects of TEA versus TPVB after thoracoscopic surgery. The primary measure was postoperative pain score, and the secondary measures were postoperative 24-hour usage of opioids, hypotension, postoperative nausea, and vomiting.Results: A total of 458 patients from five RCTs were included in this study. After thoracoscopic surgery, the numerical rating scale (NRS) score for resting pain was higher in the TPVB group than in the TEA group at 1– 2 hours and 4– 6 hours after surgery (MD = 0.44, 95% CI = 0.24 to 0.64, P < 0.0001, I2 = 0%; MD = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.23 to 0.70, P < 0.0001, I2 = 0%). The postoperative 24-hour usage of morphine was higher in the TPVB group than in the TEA group (SMD = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.03 to 1.31; P = 0.04; I2 = 84%). The incidence of hypotension was significantly lower in the TPVB group than in the TEA group (OR = 4.52; 95% CI = 2.03 to 10.10; P = 0.0002; I2 = 0%). No significant between-group difference was observed in postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).Conclusion: Compared with TPVB, TEA provides statistically significant but clinically unimportant short-term benefits following thoracoscopic surgery.Keywords: thoracic paravertebral block, thoracic epidural anesthesia, thoracoscopic surgery, meta-analysis

Background: Whether continuous thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) and continuous paravertebral block (PVB) have similar analgesic effects in patients undergoing video- assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy was compared in this study. Methods: In all, 86 patients undergoing VATS lobectomy were enrolled in the prospective, randomized clinical trial. Group E received TEA. Group P received PVB. The primary endpoint was postoperative 24-hour visual rating scale (VAS) on coughing. Side effects and postoperative complications were also analyzed. Results: Pain scores at rest or on coughing at 24 and 48 h postoperatively were significantly lower in group E than in group P (P 0.05). The length of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stays were not significantly different. Conclusions: Though TEA has more adverse events than PVB, it may be superior to PVB in patients undergoing VATS lobectomy.

Background We observed the feasibility and effectiveness of multi-injection thoracic paravertebral block (TPB) via the intrathoracic approach under thoracoscopic direct vision for analgesia after thoracoscopic-laparoscopic esophagectomy (TLE). Methods Sixty patients undergoing TLE were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group. All patients underwent TPB via the intrathoracic approach at the three levels of T2, 5, and 8 with a scalp needle before closing the chest. The patients in the observation group received 10 ml 0.375% ropivacaine at each level, and the patients in the control group received 10 ml of 0.9% saline at each level. A patient-controlled intravenous analgesic (PCIA) pump with sufentanil was attached to all patients after surgery. The sufentanil consumption, number of PCIA presses and use of rescue analgesia in the first 24 h after surgery were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores (rest and coughing) were recorded at 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h after surgery. The duration of postoperative hospital stay, active cough rate, first ambulation, and the incidence of adverse reactions after surgery was recorded. Results The sufentanil consumption in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (34.7 ± 1.9 µg vs. 52.1 ± 2.1 µg; P P Conclusions Multi-injection TPB via the intrathoracic approach under thoracoscopic direct vision is easy to perform and can effectively alleviate postoperative pain after TLE with fewer adverse reactions and contributing to improved postoperative recovery.

Introduction: Fast tracking plays a crucial role in reducing perioperative morbidity and financial burden by facilitating early extubation and discharge from hospital. Paravertebral block (PVB) is becoming more popular in paediatric surgeries as an alternative to epidural and caudal analgesia. There is scarcity of data regarding the efficacy and safety of PVB in paediatric cardiac surgery. Methods: We performed a review of records of paediatric cardiac patients who underwent cardiac surgery under general anaesthesia with single shot PVB and compared the analgesia and postoperative outcomes with matched historical controls who underwent cardiac surgery with same anaesthesia protocol without PVB. Results: The data from 200 children were analysed. 100 children who received paravertebral block were compared with a matched historical controls. The median time to extubation was shorter in the PVB group (0 hr, IQR 0-3 hrs) compared to the control group (16 hrs, IQR 4-20 hrs) (P value 0.017*). Intraoperative and postoperative fentanyl requirement was much lower in the PVB group (3.49 (0.91)) compared to the control group (9.86 (1.37)) P value

Perioperative pain control is of increasing importance as awareness regarding the risks of under-controlled pain and opioid abuse rise. Enhanced recovery protocols and multimodal analgesia, including regional blocks, are useful tools for the plastic surgeon. The thoracic paravertebral block, pectoralis nerve I and pectoralis nerve II blocks, and proximal intercostal blocks are 3 described methods that provide regional anesthesia for breast surgery. The widespread use of these methods may be limited by the requirements for ultrasound equipment and anesthesiologists skilled in regional blocks. This article describes a novel technique of the intercostal field block under direct visualization that is safe and efficient.

Off-pump coronary artery bypass has emerged as a popular method of coronary revascularization to mitigate the harmful effects of cardiopulmonary bypass. It requires surgical and anaesthetic expertise for good results. Newer minimally invasive approaches to off pump coronary bypass provide attractive alternatives to conventional off pump surgery, especially in achieving better cosmetic results and early extubation. They require good perioperative pain management, with epidural and paravertebral block being good choices. Emergency conversion of off-pump bypass to on-pump bypass is associated with poor outcomes, so preventive measures to avoid it should be employed. Keywords: Off-pump coronary artery bypass, Anaesthetic implications.

Background Persistent or recurring radicular pain after lumbar surgery is a clinical condition of failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) that seriously affects the life quality of patients. Conventional medication and physiotherapy do not fully relieve this pain. A simpler, safer, and less invasive option is lumbar selective nerve root block or paravertebral block. Here, we share our experience regarding lumbar paravertebral block for a patient with FBSS, which successfully alleviated radicular pain after lumbar surgery. Case presentation An 80-year-old man with left lower limb radicular pain diagnosed as L4-5, L5-S1 intervertebral disc protrusion, spinal canal stenosis, and degenerative scoliosis underwent lumbar surgery. Four months after surgery, he experienced left lower limb radicular pain. After designing the puncture route based on X-ray film, we performed a combined ultrasound-guided L4 and L5 paravertebral block. With his improved pain control, his functional status and ability to perform daily activities also markedly improved. Conclusion Real-time ultrasound-guided lumbar paravertebral block performed with a pre-designed route on X-ray film can provide a simple and safe way to relieve radicular pain in FBSS.

Background Paravertebral block can be performed with the aid of surgical landmarks, ultrasound, or a thoracoscope. This study was designed to compare ultrasound-guided paravertebral block with the thoracoscopic technique. Methods This prospective randomized comparative study included 40 adults scheduled for elective thoracic surgery. Study participants were randomized to an ultrasound group or a thoracoscope group. A catheter for paravertebral block was inserted prior to thoracotomy with real-time ultrasound visualization in the ultrasound group, and under thoracoscopic guidance in the thoracoscope group. Total analgesic consumption, visual analogue pain score, technical difficulties, and complications were compared between the 2 groups. Results Total analgesic consumption in the first 24 hours was less in the ultrasound group than in the thoracoscope group (rescue intravenous fentanyl 121.25 ± 64.01 µg in the ultrasound group vs. 178.75 ± 91.36 µg in the thoracoscope group; p = 0.027). Total paravertebral bupivacaine consumption was 376.00 ± 33.779 mg in the ultrasound group and 471.50 ± 64.341 mg in the thoracoscope group ( p Conclusion Ultrasound-guided paravertebral catheter insertion is more effective, technically easier, and safer than the thoracoscope-assisted technique.

Background: Increasing number of patients are being operated because of breast cancer. Seroma is the most common problem that occurs after surgery that increases morbidity. For postoperative pain management, Thoracic Paravertebral Block (TPVB) has long been considered the gold standard technique. With performing TPVB, sympathetic nerves are also blocked. Objective: With this study, we aimed to search the effect of TPVB on seroma reduction in patients who undergo mastectomy and axillary node dissection surgery. Methods: Forty ASA I–II female patients aged 18–65, who were scheduled to go under elective unilateral mastectomy and axillary lymph node resection were included to the study. Patients were randomized into two groups as TPVB and Control group. Ultrasound guided TPVB with 20 mL 0.25% bupivacaine was performed at T1 level preoperatively to the TPVB group patients. All patients were provided with i.v. patient-controlled analgesia device. Seroma formation amounts, morphine consumptions and Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores for pain were recorded 24th hour postoperatively. Results and conclusions: Mean seroma formation at postoperative 24th hour was 112.5 ± 53.3 mL in the control group and 74.5 ± 47.4 mL in the TPVB group (p = 0.022). NRS scores were similar between two groups (p = 0.367) at postoperative 24th hour but mean morphine consumption at postoperative 24th hour was 5.6 ± 4 mg in the TPBV group, and 16.6 ± 6.9 mg in the control group (p

Background or objectives Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women. Chronic pain following mastectomy remains a significant problem. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors associated with postoperative chronic pain. Methods Medical records were analyzed retrospectively for 147 consecutive patients with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy between July 2016 and February 2018 with one-year follow-up. All patients received a paravertebral block pre-operatively and then general anesthesia for the surgery. Results The median postoperative pain score was 1.3 on the verbal analgesic score. The average total dose of opioids administered postoperatively was 10.4 mg, expressed in morphine milligram equivalents. The incidence of chronic pain after mastectomy was 16.7% at 6 months and 13.3% at 1 year. The satisfaction rate for anesthesia and surgery was 95.7%. Conclusions The data suggested that preoperative paravertebral nerve blocks, appropriate adjuvants, and a balanced general anesthetic may contribute to better postoperative pain control and decreased the incidence of chronic pain. A history of preoperative use of opioids and/or a history of alcohol consumption were both associated with significant increased levels of postoperative pain, and this subgroup warrants attention to diminish the risk of developing chronic pain.

Background and objectivesThoracic paravertebral blockade is often used as an anesthetic and/or analgesic technique for breast surgery. With ultrasound guidance, the rate of complications is speculated to be lower than when using landmark-based techniques. This investigation aimed to quantify the incidence of pleural puncture and pneumothorax following non-continuous ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral blockade for breast surgery.MethodsPatients who received thoracic paravertebral blockade for breast surgery were identified by retrospective query of our institution’s electronic database over a 5-year period. Data collected included patient demographics, level of block, type and volume of local anesthetic, occurrence of pleural puncture, occurrence of pneumothorax, evidence of local anesthetic toxicity, and patient vital signs. The incidence of block complications, including pleural puncture, pneumothorax, and local anesthetic toxicity, were ascertained.Results529 patients underwent 2163 thoracic paravertebral injections. Zero pleural punctures were identified during block performance; however, two patients were found to have a pneumothorax on postoperative chest X-ray (3.6 per 1000 surgeries, 95% CI 0.5 to 13.6; 0.9 per 1000 levels blocked, 95% CI 0.1 to 3.3). There were no cases of local anesthetic systemic toxicity or associated lipid emulsion therapy administration.ConclusionsPneumothorax following non-continuous ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block using a parasagittal approach is an uncommon occurrence, with a similar rate to pneumothorax following breast surgery alone.

Thoracic surgery is considered one of the most painful surgical procedures performed. Pain is mediated via several mechanisms and is affected by the surgical approach as well as patient factors. Pain after thoracic surgery can be debilitating and lead to poor outcomes, such as respiratory complications, longer hospital stays, poor quality of life, and chronic post-thoracotomy pain syndrome. A multimodal approach to postoperative pain that combines systemic and regional anesthesia has been shown to be the most effective in optimizing analgesia in these patients.

Eun Kyung Choi, Ji-il Kim, Sang-Jin Park Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of KoreaCorrespondence: Sang-Jin ParkDepartment of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Hyeonchung-ro, Nam-gu, Daegu, Republic of KoreaTel +82-53-620-3366Fax +82-53-626-5275Email apsj0718@naver.comPurpose: Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) is an established means for providing postoperative analgesia in thoracic surgery. However, there are conflicting results regarding the efficacy of post-thoracotomy pain management of ultrasound-guided TPVB when compared with that using traditional landmark approach. We therefore conducted a comparative study to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of TPVB when pressure measurement during needle advancement is combined with an ultrasound-guided approach.Patients and Methods: The patients scheduled for lobectomy through thoracotomy were randomly allocated to receive either the ultrasound-guided approach only group (U group) or the ultrasound-guided approach combined with pressure measurement group (UP group) (n = 36 per group). Before thoracic muscle closure, 0.375% ropivacaine (20 mL) was administered as a bolus, followed by a continuous infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine (0.1 mL/kg/hr) in both groups. Postoperative pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score while resting and coughing. Local anesthetics and pethidine usage and sensory block area were also evaluated.Results: The UP group showed significantly lower VAS scores, local anesthetics and pethidine usage, and a wider sensory block area than the U group.Conclusion: A combined technique with ultrasound guidance and pressure measurement provided a superior analgesic effect over that of an ultrasound-guided approach alone for the management of post-thoracotomy pain.Keywords: postoperative analgesia, pressure measurement, thoracic surgery, ultrasound-guided, visual analogue scale

BACKGROUND: Paravertebral block (PVB) conducted by epidural catheter is a prevalent pain management for patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of paravertebral block with a modified PVB (MPVB) catheter under surgeon’s direct vision after video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. METHODS: Three hundred fifty-six patients undergoing VATS lobectomy were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups consecutively according to the catheter applied in PVB procedure (PVB group and MPVB group). In the MPVB group, a modified catheter with a flexible forepart and more apertures distributing along the forepart than the conventional epidural catheter was introduced. An infusion pump containing of 150 mL mixture was connected to the catheter to provide sustained regional analgesia. Intramuscular dezocine 10 mg was administered as a rescue medication when necessary. Postoperative pain management effect was assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and on coughing. Spirometry values and blood gas analysis were monitored and recorded for the first 3 postoperative days (PODs). Analgesia-related adverse events, characteristics of PVB procedure and postoperative major complication were also compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 172 patients who received PVB with conventional epidural catheter in the PVB group, and 184 patients were performed PVB with modified paravertebral catheter in the MPVB group. Significantly lower pain score at rest was found in MPVB group at 24 h postoperatively (P=0.006). The pain score on coughing in MPVB group was significantly lower than that in PVB group at 12 and 24 h postoperatively (P=0.037 and P

Purpose Thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB), in conjunction with intravenous sedation, is reported to provide surgical anesthesia for primary breast cancer surgery (PBCS). Although ultrasound-guided (USG) TPVB has been described, there are no reports of USG multilevel TPVB for surgical anesthesia during PBCS. The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine the feasibility of performing USG multilevel TPVB, at the T1-T6 vertebral levels (6m-TPVB), and to evaluate its efficacy in providing surgical anesthesia for PBCS. Patients and methods Twenty-five female patients undergoing PBCS received an USG 6m-TPVB for surgical anesthesia. Four milliliters of ropivacaine 0.5% (with epinephrine 1:200,000) was injected at each vertebral level. Dexmedetomidine infusion (0.1-0.5 µg.kg-1.h-1) was used for conscious sedation. Success of the block, for surgical anesthesia, was defined as being able to complete the PBCS without having to resort to rescue analgesia or convert to GA. Results The USG 6m-TPVB was successfully performed on all 25 patients but it was effective as the sole anesthetic in only 20% (5/25) of patients. The remaining 80% (20/25) reported pain during separation of the breast from the pectoralis major muscle and its fascia. Surgery was successfully completed using small doses of intravenous ketamine (mean total dose, 38.0±20.5 mg) as supplementary analgesia. Conclusion USG 6m-TPVB is technically feasible but does not consistently provide complete surgical anesthesia for PBCS that involves surgical dissection on the pectoralis major muscle and its fascia. Our data suggest that the pectoral nerves, which are not affected by a 6m-TPVB, are involved with afferent nociception.

Hip pain in adults is a common complaint. Secondary processes can often mask underlying conditions, prolonging the course to diagnosis and definitive treatment. In this case, a 74-year-old man presented to an outpatient clinic after 6 weeks of right hip pain that began upon initiation of a rehabilitation program following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Various imaging and treatment modalities (including radiography, osteopathic manipulative treatment, injection of the greater trochanteric bursa, L2-3 paravertebral block, magnetic resonance imaging, and intra-articular hip injection with 1% lidocaine) ultimately led to the definitive diagnosis of a labral tear. This case report highlights how a comprehensive osteopathic approach was used to evaluate and treat a patient with persistent unilateral hip pain because of an acetabular labral tear, associated psoas syndrome, and trochanteric bursitis, all within 2 months and with a positive clinical outcome.

Background. Regional analgesia for tubeless, uniport, thoracoscopic wedge resection of benign peripheral nodules is generally performed by intercostal nerve block (INB). We examined the effectiveness of thoracic paravertebral block (PVB), in comparison to the traditional intercostal blocks, for the procedure. Methods. Between July 2016 and December 2016, 20 consecutive patients with solitary benign peripheral lung nodules underwent tubeless uniport thoracoscopic wedge resection using thoracic PVB (PVB group). The clinical outcomes were compared with those of 20 other consecutive patients who underwent the same procedure under the conventional INB, between January 2016 and July 2016 (INB group). In both groups, the procedures were performed without endotracheal intubation, urinary catheterization, or chest tube drainage. Results. The clinical data of patients in both groups were comparable in terms of demographic and baseline characteristics, operative and anesthetic characteristics, puncture-related complications, and postoperative anesthetic adverse events. No puncture-related complications occurred during the perioperative period in either group. The threshold values for mechanical pain at postoperative hours 4 and 8 were significantly higher in the PVB group than in the INB group. Furthermore, the incidence of nausea or vomiting in the PVB group was significantly less than that in the INB group. None of the patients required reintervention or readmission to our hospital. Conclusions. Tubeless uniportal thoracoscopic wedge resection for solitary benign peripheral lung nodules using thoracic PVB for regional analgesia is a feasible and safe procedure. Moreover, we found that thoracic PVB is less painful than INB.

Rib fractures are a frequent occurrence in trauma victims. Patients with a “flail chest” pattern of injury, defined as two fractures per rib in three (or more) consecutive ribs, often struggle with hypoxemic respiratory failure related to inefficient ventilatory mechanics, inability to expectorate, underlying pulmonary contusion and subsequent pneumonia. The operative indications for rib fracture repair have not been established and are considered to be an issue of debate. Over the last ten years, surgical stabilization of rib fractures has emerged as a promising therapy for patients with severe chest wall injuries. When surgical treatment is performed for patients with rib fracture, general anesthesia is the gold standard but, considered the patients clinical condition, we decided to perform the surgery with regional anesthesia and awake patients to avoid risk of ventilator-induced lung injury. Epidural anesthesia, thoracic paravertebral block and erector spinae plane block for analgesia in patients with rib fractures have been reported. In our report, we discussed the use of ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block with administration of local anesthetic posteriorly to superior costo-transverse ligament and erector spinae plane block to perform surgical stabilization of rib fractures.

INTRODUCTION Radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG) placement in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) carries risks related to periprocedural sedation and analgesia. To minimize these risks, we used a paravertebral block (PVB) technique for RIG placement. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed patients with ALS undergoing RIG placement under PVB between 2013 and 2017. RESULTS Ninety-nine patients with ALS underwent RIG placement under PVB. Median (range) age was 66 (28 to 86) years, ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised score was 27 (6 to 45), and forced vital capacity was 47% (8%-79%) at time of RIG placement. Eighty-five (85.9%) patients underwent RIG placement as outpatients, with a mean postanesthesia care unit stay of 2.3 hours. The readmission rate was 4% at both 1 and 30 days postprocedure. DISCUSSION PVB for RIG placement has a low rate of adverse events and provides effective periprocedural analgesia in patients with ALS, the majority of whom can be treated as outpatients.

The study was to determine the analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided intercostal nerve block (ICNB) and single-injection erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in comparison with multiple-injection paravertebral block (PVB) after thoracoscopic surgery.Randomized, controlled, double- blinded study.Operating room, postoperative recovery room and ward.Seventy-five patients, aged 18-75 years, ASA I-II and scheduled for elective thoracoscopic partial pulmonary resection surgery were enrolled in the study. Seventy-two patients were left for final analysis.Patients were randomly assigned into the three groups (PVB group, ICNB group or ESPB group). After anesthesia induction, a single anesthesiologist performed PVB at T5-T7 levels or ICNB at T4-T9 levels or ESPB at T5 level under ultrasound guidance using 20 ml of 0.375% ropivacaine. Patients were connected to the patient-controlled morphine analgesia device after surgery.Cumulative morphine consumption at 24 h postoperatively as primary outcome was compared. Visual analog scale pain scores at rest and while coughing at 0, 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 h postoperatively, cumulative morphine consumption at other observed time and rescue analgesia requirement were also recorded.There was a significant difference in median [interquartile range, IQR] morphine consumption at 24 h postoperatively among the three groups (PVB, 10.5 [9-15] mg; ICNB, 18 [13.5-22.1] mg; ESPB, 22 [15-25.1] mg; p = 0.000). This difference was statistically significant for PVB group vs ESPB group (median difference, -7.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], -12 to -4.5; p = 0.000) and PVB group vs ICNB group (median difference, -6; 95% CI, -9 to -3; p = 0.001), but not for ICNB vs ESPB (median difference, -3; 95% CI, -6 to 1.5; p = 0.192). PVB group had significantly lower VAS scores at rest and while coughing than ESPB group at 0, 2, 4, 8 h postoperatively and than ICNB group at 8 h postoperatively. There was no significant difference in the VAS scores between ICNB group and ESPB group at all time. Median VAS scores at rest and while coughing at all time were low (4) in all groups. More rescue analgesia was needed in ESPB group during 48 postoperative hours (PVB vs ICNB vs ESPB; 13% vs 29% vs 46%; p 0.05).Ultrasound-guided multiple-injection PVB provided superior analgesia to ICNB and single-injection ESPB, while ICNB and single-injection ESPB were equally effective in reducing pain after thoracoscopic surgery.

Background The deep serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) is a promising novel regional anaesthesia technique for blockade of the anterolateral chest wall. Evidence for the efficacy of SAPB versus other analgesic techniques in thoracic surgery remains inadequate. Aims This study compared ultrasound-guided continuous SAPB with a surgically placed continuous thoracic paravertebral block (SPVB) technique in patients undergoing videoscopic-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Methods In a single-centre, double-blinded, randomized, non-inferiority study, we allocated 40 patients undergoing VATS to either SAPB or SPVB, with both groups receiving otherwise standardized treatment, including multimodal analgesia. The primary outcome was 48-hr opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes included numerical rating scale (NRS) for postoperative pain, patient-reported worst pain score (WPS) as well as functional measures (including mobilization distance and cough strength). Results A 48-hr opioid consumption for the SAPB group was non-inferior compared with SPVB. SAPB was associated with improved NRS pain scores at rest, with cough and with movement at 24 hr postoperatively (p = .007, p = .001 and p = .012, respectively). SAPB was also associated with a lower WPS (p = .008). Day 1 walking distance was improved in the SAPB group (p = .012), whereas the difference in cough strength did not reach statistical significance (p = .071). There was no difference in haemodynamics, opioid side effects, length of hospital stay or patient satisfaction between the two groups. Conclusions The SAPB, as part of a multimodal analgesia regimen, is non-inferior in terms of 48-hr opioid consumption compared to SPVB and is associated with improved functional measures in thoracic surgical patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03768193. Significance The SAPB interfascial plane block is an efficacious alternative method of opioid-sparing analgesia in high-risk thoracic surgical patients as part of an enhanced recovery programme.

We reviewed the efficacy of intraoperative intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia for pain control in patients undergoing descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repairs.During 2013 and 2017, 241 patients underwent descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Of those, 38 patients were treated with intraoperative cryoanalgesia to the intercostal nerves at the level of 4th to 10th under electromyography guidance and were compared with patients who did not receive cryoanalgesia. Both groups received multilevel paravertebral block and local infiltration with liposomal bupivacaine. Numerical pain scale scores and amount of opioid usage in morphine milligram equivalences on the first to fourth and eighth postoperative days were collected. We excluded patients from the study who were extubated after the third postoperative day or who were reintubated.One hundred twenty-six patients met the inclusion criteria: 28 in the cryoanalgesia group and 98 in the control group. Preoperative patient demographics were similar in both groups, except for more frequent chronic dissection in patients with cryoanalgesia (93% vs 65%, P = .004). Postoperative major complications, length of stay, and discharge to home were not significantly different in either group. However, median ventilation hours were significantly shorter in the cryoanalgesia group (5 vs 12 hours, P.001). Opioid use was significantly less in the cryoanalgesia group after postoperative day 4. Indexed morphine milligram equivalences, adjusted with body surface area, and numerical pain scale scores were significantly lower in the cryoanalgesia group throughout the postoperative course.Intercostal nerve cryoanalgesia under electromyography guidance provided improved pain control and reduced narcotic use after descending and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repairs compared with those who only received paravertebral block.

Introduction: Postoperative pain in thoracic surgery in adults is usually severe, and to control it there are many analgesic methods that include paravertebral blockade (PVB). Until now, there is no clarity on which is the most effective technique to perform this blockade. Objective: To describe the different PVB techniques and its analgesic effect in thoracic surgery. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed. We included studies that analyzed patients in open chest surgery and used PVB as analgesic technique. The Cochrane and Grading of Recommendation Assessment, Development and Evaluation strategies were used to analyze biases and evidence. The results are presented graphically by means of a visual analog scale (VAS) pain and opioid consumption equivalent to morphine for each technique found. We summarize the results with a qualitative approach without meta-analysis. Results: A total of 38 articles were analyzed (2188 patients). 13 using PVB guided by surface anatomy (SA-PVB), 7 Ultrasound-guided PVB (US-PVB), 1 neurostimulation guided PVB (NE-PVB) and the remaining using PVB performed under direct visualization by the surgeon (S-PVB). A VAS of less than 3 was found in studies with SA-PVB and US-PVB, and greater than 5 in studies with S-PVB; however, opioid consumption in the postoperative period was similar between the techniques described. Conclusion: PVB can be performed through 4 techniques. Techniques of US-PVB or SA-PVB have shown better consistency to manage postoperative acute pain in thoracic surgery.

Objective The aim: to compare the efficacy of pectoral nerve block type II and thoracic paravertebral block for analgesia during and after breast cancer surgery. Patients and methods Materials and methods: Sixty adult women were undergoing unilateral radical mastectomy or quadrantectomy with axillary dissection. Patients were randomized to receive either pectoral nerve block with ropivacaine 0.375% 30 ml or thoracic paravertebral block with ropivacaine 0.5% 20 ml. Evaluated variables included pain intensity at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours, intraoperative fentanyl, 24-hour postoperative opioid (promedol) and nonopioid (ketoprofen) consumption, the time to first rescue analgesia. Results Results: There were no statistically significant differences between pectoral block and paravertebral block groups in intraoperative fentanyl consumption 2,2 (1,81-2,81) vs 1,9 (1,63-2,25) mcg/kg/hour (Р>0,05) and in the pain intensity during the first 24 hours after operation. The mean postoperative 24-hour promedol and ketoprofen consumption was 4,0 (±8,14) mgvs 5,0 (±8,85) mg (Р>0,05) and 66,7 (±66,09) mgvs 95,8 (±90,78) mg (Р>0,05) in the pectoral and paravertebral block groups respectively. Time to the first analgesia request was longer in pectoral block group - 540 (455,0-600,0) min vs 515 (265,0-650,0) min (Р>0,05). There were no complications after pectoral blocks and 2 complications after paravertebral blocks. Conclusion Conclusions: in breast cancer surgery pectoral nerve blocktype II can provide postoperative analgesia comparable to thoracic paravertebral block with lower complications rate.

Introduction Patients after major gynecologic surgeries experience moderate to severe pain, which needs pharmacological intervention. Different regional blocks are now a days introducing as components of multimodal analgesia for pain management. Even though transversus abdominis plane block and paravertebral block were described for postoperative analgesia in abdominal surgeries, data comparing these blocks for gynecologic surgery is limited. Objectives The aim of this single blind randomized controlled trail was to compare thoracic paravertebral block and transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative analgesia in patients underwent gynecologic surgery under general anesthesia. Methodology Thirty four patients with American society of anesthesiologists physical status I and II, age between 18 and 65 years underwent gynecologic surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated in thoracic paravertebral group or transversus abdominis plane block group. Patients' pain intensity with numerical rating score, time to first analgesic time and total rescue analgesic/tramadol consumption were documented by data collectors who were unaware of the block done for the patents during the first 24 ours postoperatively. Results Time to first analgesic request was lower in thoracic paravertebral group than transversus abdominis plane group but not statistically significant (p = 0.057). Median numerical rating scale score was significantly lower in thoracic paravertebral group than transversus abdominis plane group at post anesthesia care unit admission (p = 0.016). Time taken to perform the block was significantly higher in thoracic paravertebral group than transversus abdominis plane group (p Conclusion Both thoracic paravertebral block and transversus abdominis plane block were effective for postoperative analgesia in women underwent gynecologic surgery under general anesthesia. Although thoracic paravertebral block appeared to be as effective as transversus abdominis plane block, it took longer time to perform the block.

Ozpolat, Berkant/0000-0002-6203-7306 WOS: 000497398000001 PubMed: 31742471 Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of epidural block (EDB) and paravertebral block (PVB) for minimally invasive pectus repair with the conventional method in terms of pain control during and after pectus operations, patient comfort, and length of stay in hospital. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was made of patients who underwent minimally invasive pectus repair. The patients were allocated into three groups as follows: PVB group (Pre-emptive ultrasound-guided bilateral thoracic single injection PVB, n=15); EDB group (Pre-emptive landmark-guided single injection thoracic EDB, n=8); and Control group (Neither PVB nor EPB, n=9). The intraoperative analgesic requirement was recorded, and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain evaluation and the Postoperative Patient Satisfaction Scale were applied to all patients. Results: The intraoperative analgesic requirement, VAS scores, postoperative satisfaction level, and time to first requirement for postoperative analgesia were different between the control and PVB groups (P

Objectives: Due to the complex breast innervation, postoperative analgesia after breast surgery is a challenge for the anesthesiologists. The erector spinae plane block (ESP) is a newly defined promising technique for this purpose. Since the description by Forero, ultrasound-guided erector spinae block (ESP) has performed for several surgeries for postoperative analgesia. Many regional methods pectoral nerve block (PECs), serratus plane block (SPB), were described in the literature for maintaining postoperative analgesia. Among all these regional anesthesia techniques, paravertebral block (PVB) is the most studied and found to be a valid regional technique for this purpose. Due to its anatomic proximity to the pleura and central neuraxial system, it’s also one of the most challenging techniques. Materials and Methods: Patients aged between 37 and 47 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II and scheduled for elective unilateral modified radical mastectomy (MRM) surgery without axillary lymph node dissection were enrolled to this case series. In this report, we describe a novel combination of ESP and simplified PVB block and its successful application in 8 cases of oncologic breast surgery. In our clinic, ESP block is performed for all oncological breast cases. Eight cases of MRM without axillary dissection were randomly selected by the same anesthesiologist (AS). 15 mL 0.25% bupivacaine was administered between the erector spinae muscles and the transverse process at the level of the 4th thoracal vertebra with the caudo-cranial approach. Additionally, the needle tip was directed to T4 superior costotransverse ligament, and the ligament was perforated at the top point where it attaches to the T4 transverse process. Results: The ESP block is used for a local anesthetic depot, as a safe and straightforward technique and costotransverse ligament puncture facilitates diffusion and ensures local anesthetic passage to the paravertebral area for thoracic postsurgical analgesia. Using lower doses, comparing this combination with all studies with ESP, it appears that there are a better Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) scores in the first postoperative hours. NPRS scores at the 12th and 24th hours appear to be similar to those performed in ESP without costotransverse ligament puncture. Conclusion: We submit the first description of a novel combination of ESP block and simplified paravertebral block (PVB) and its successful application in 8 cases of oncologic breast surgery.

Background: First described paravertebral block (PVB) to provide abdominal analgesia in 1905. This technique has been modified for rib fracturing, flail chest, hepatic-biliary operations, open cholecystectomy, inguinal hernia repair, breast tumors operations and thoracotomies. PVB was shown to be as successful as thoracic epidural analgesia with less minimal complications in recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Objective: To evaluate the effect of paravertebral block and Thoracotomy to the other technique in issues analgesia, complications. Conclusion: Paravertebral block is a very useful regional anaesthetic technique for surgeries, Paravertebral block was shown to be as successful as thoracic epidural analgesia with less minimal complications.

Key Points Question Is the use of intercostal nerve block (ICNB) analgesia safe and beneficial for adults undergoing thoracic surgery? Findings In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 66 studies including 5184 adult patients undergoing thoracic surgery, the use of ICNB was associated with a clinically and statistically relevant analgesic benefit during the first 24 hours after thoracic surgery, with outcomes that were superior to systemic analgesia and noninferior to other techniques. Although ICNB was associated with a reduction in postoperative opioid consumption, the extent of this reduction was inferior to that of thoracic epidural and paravertebral block analgesia. Meaning This study found that ICNB was safe and beneficial for adults undergoing thoracic surgery, providing a reduction in pain during the first 24 hours after thoracic surgery; ICNB may be most beneficial for cases in which thoracic epidural or paravertebral block analgesia are not indicated., Importance The use of intercostal nerve block (ICNB) analgesia with local anesthesia is common in thoracic surgery. However, the benefits and safety of ICNB among adult patients undergoing surgery is unknown. Objective To evaluate the analgesic benefits and safety of ICNB among adults undergoing thoracic surgery. Data Sources A systematic search was performed in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library databases using terms for ICNB and thoracic surgery (including thoracic surgery, thoracoscopy, thoracotomy, nerve block, intercostal nerves). The search and results were not limited by date, with the last search conducted on July 24, 2020. Study Selection Selected studies were experimental or observational and included adult patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery in which ICNB was administered with local anesthesia via single injection, continuous infusion, or a combination of both techniques in at least 1 group of patients. For comparison with ICNB, studies that examined systemic analgesia and different forms of regional analgesia (such as thoracic epidural analgesia [TEA], paravertebral block [PVB], and other techniques) were included. These criteria were applied independently by 2 authors, and discrepancies were resolved by consensus. A total of 694 records were selected for screening. Data Extraction and Synthesis This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) reporting guideline. Data including patient characteristics, type of surgery, intervention analgesia, comparison analgesia, and primary and secondary outcomes were extracted independently by 3 authors. Synthesis was performed using a fixed-effects model. Main Outcomes and Measures The coprimary outcomes were postoperative pain intensity (measured as the worst static or dynamic pain using a validated 10-point scale, with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating severe pain) and opioid consumption (measured in morphine milligram equivalents [MMEs]) at prespecified intervals (0-6 hours, 7-24 hours, 25-48 hours, 49-72 hours, and >72 hours). Clinically relevant analgesia was defined as a 1-point or greater difference in pain intensity score at any interval. Secondary outcomes included 30-day postoperative complications and pulmonary function. Results Of 694 records screened, 608 were excluded based on prespecified exclusion criteria. The remaining 86 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility, and 20 of those articles were excluded. All of the 66 remaining studies (5184 patients; mean [SD] age, 53.9 [10.2] years; approximately 59% men and 41% women) were included in the qualitative analysis, and 59 studies (3325 patients) that provided data for at least 1 outcome were included in the quantitative meta-analysis. Experimental studies had a high risk of bias in multiple domains, including allocation concealment, blinding of participants and personnel, and blinding of outcome assessors. Marked differences (eg, crossover studies, timing of the intervention [intraoperative vs postoperative], blinding, and type of control group) were observed in the design and implementation of studies. The use of ICNB vs systemic analgesia was associated with lower static pain (0-6 hours after surgery: mean score difference, −1.40 points [95% CI, −1.46 to −1.33 points]; 7-24 hours after surgery: mean score difference, −1.27 points [95% CI, −1.40 to −1.13 points]) and lower dynamic pain (0-6 hours after surgery: mean score difference, −1.66 points [95% CI, −1.90 to −1.41 points]; 7-24 hours after surgery: mean score difference, −1.43 points [95% CI, −1.70 to −1.17 points]). Intercostal nerve block analgesia was noninferior to TEA (mean score difference in worst dynamic panic at 7-24 hours after surgery: 0.79 points; 95% CI, 0.28-1.29 points) and marginally inferior to PVB (mean score difference in worst dynamic pain at 7-24 hours after surgery: 1.29 points; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.41 points). The largest opioid-sparing effect of ICNB vs systemic analgesia occurred at 48 hours after surgery (mean difference, −10.97 MMEs; 95% CI, −12.92 to −9.02 MMEs). The use of ICNB was associated with higher MME values compared with TEA (eg, 48 hours after surgery: mean difference, 48.31 MMEs; 95% CI, 36.11-60.52 MMEs) and PVB (eg, 48 hours after surgery: mean difference, 3.87 MMEs; 95% CI, 2.59-5.15 MMEs). Conclusions and Relevance In this study, single-injection ICNB was associated with a reduction in pain during the first 24 hours after thoracic surgery and was clinically noninferior to TEA or PVB. Intercostal nerve block analgesia had opioid-sparing effects; however, TEA and PVB were associated with larger decreases in postoperative MMEs, suggesting that ICNB may be most beneficial for cases in which TEA and PVB are not indicated., This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses the benefits and safety associated with intercostal nerve block analgesia compared with systemic analgesia and other local analgesia techniques among adults undergoing thoracic surgery.

Background The effectiveness of paravertebral block in preventing chronic pain after breast surgery remains controversial. The primary hypothesis of this study was that paravertebral block reduces the incidence of chronic pain 3 months after breast cancer surgery. Methods In this prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study, 380 women undergoing partial or complete mastectomy with or without lymph node dissection were randomized to receive preoperative paravertebral block with either 0.35 ml/kg 0.75% ropivacaine (paravertebral group) or saline (control group). Systemic multimodal analgesia was administered in both groups. The primary endpoint was the incidence of chronic pain with a visual analogue scale (VAS) score greater than or equal to 3 out of 10, 3 months after surgery. The secondary outcomes were acute pain, analgesic consumption, nausea and vomiting, chronic pain at 6 and 12 months, neuropathic pain, pain interference, anxiety, and depression. Results Overall, 178 patients received ropivacaine, and 174 received saline. At 3 months, chronic pain was reported in 93 of 178 (52.2%) and 83 of 174 (47.7%) patients in the paravertebral and control groups, respectively (odds ratio, 1.20 [95% CI, 0.79 to 1.82], P = 0.394). At 6 and 12 months, chronic pain occurred in 104 of 178 (58.4%) versus 79 of 174 (45.4%) and 105 of 178 (59.0%) versus 93 of 174 (53.4%) patients in the paravertebral and control groups, respectively. Greater acute postoperative pain was observed in the control group 0 to 2 h (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve at rest, 4.3 ± 2.8 vs. 2.9 ± 2.8 VAS score units × hours, P < 0.001) and when maximal in this interval (3.8 ± 2.1 vs. 2.5 ± 2.5, P < 0.001) but not during any other interval. Postoperative morphine use was 73% less in the paravertebral group (odds ratio, 0.272 [95% CI, 0.171 to 0.429]; P < 0.001). Conclusions Paravertebral block did not reduce the incidence of chronic pain after breast surgery. Paravertebral block did result in less immediate postoperative pain, but there were no other significant differences in postoperative outcomes. Editor’s Perspective What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Tells Us That Is New

Thoracic paravertebral block is frequently used in the breast surgeries. Procedure-related complications lead to the development of safer approaches to make patient pain free with fewer side effects. One such approach is the “mid-point transverse process to pleura” (MTP) block. Here, we present our experience with two patients scheduled for modified radical mastectomy where ultrasound-guided MTP block was performed for analgesia.

Background and Aims Since scapula innervation are very complex, the surgery for scapular fractures usually is done under general anesthesia.1 The aim was to perform successful regional anesthesia management with mild sedation for awake scapular fracture surgery with selective target block combinations. Methods A 77-year-old female patient with a right scapula fracture was scheduled for an open reduction and internal fixation by posterior approach at the beach-chair position. With informed consent, we performed the upper trunk block, a selective supraclavicular, and T3 thoracic paravertebral block. Upper trunk block2 at the point where it bifurcates into the suprascapular nerve/posterior and anterior division was performed with the in-plane technique and 17 mL of Ropivacaine 0.5% in a semi-sitting position in the supraclavicular fossa. (figure 1A). In this case, the supraclavicular nerve, divided into two branches, was blocked separately by 3 mL Ropivacaine 0.5%. (figure 1B) The thoracic paravertebral block at T3 with a total of 20 mL Ropivacaine 0.5% was performed at the sitting position by in the oblique sagittal in-plain technique from lateral to medial. Results The patient was completely awake (Richmond agitation scale 0) during the surgery and no pain in the postoperative care unit. (NRS 0/10). The acetaminophen 1 g orally just once given after almost 5 hours of surgery and she was discharged home 24 hours after the surgery. Conclusions The selective target block combinations might be considered for all structures with complex innervation, such as scapula.

Background and Aims Main issues in postoperative pain management for patients with single kidney include drug dose adjustment and further damage avoidance. Originally described for thoracic analgesia1, the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) can provide abdominal somatic and visceral analgesia2,3 and circumvent limitations in these patients. We describe the successful use of a continuous ESPB to provide effective perioperative analgesia for renal fossa surgery. Methods A 79-year-old woman, ASA III, who underwent right nephrectomy due to renal cell carcinoma 4 years before, presented to the operating room for an open resection of renal-bed carcinoma recurrence (subhepatic and abdominal wall). Following general anaesthesia induction, an ultrasound-guided ipsilateral ESPB at T9 level (with 20 ml ropivacaine 0,5%) was performed and a catheter was inserted under ultrasound vision. During surgery IV dexamethasone 4 mg, fentanyl 0,05 mg, paracetamol 1g and tramadol 50 mg were administered. For postoperative pain management we elected IV paracetamol and a ropivacaine 0,2% ESPB patient-controlled-analgesia device. Results Patient underwent surgery uneventfully (mean arterial pressure 68–75 mmHg and heart rate 55–68/min). She was comfortable after the procedure and safely discharged from anesthesia care. The catheter was used for 2 days and pain was described as ‘none’ (at rest) or ‘mild’ (at movement) during vigilance. No rescue opioid was administered. Patient was satisfied with the approach and no postoperative complications were observed. Conclusions The ESPB appears to be a useful alternative to epidural, paravertebral block or IV strategies for pain management in moderately aggressive retroperitoneal surgeries, with optimal safety profile and extent of sensitive coverage.

Background. Breast cancer surgery is associated with severe postoperative pain and increased frequency of postope­rative nausea and vomiting (PONV). It slows down patients’ mobilization in the postoperative period. Regional anesthesia provides better analgesia and can be part of enhanced recovery after surgery. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of the pectoral nerve block type II, paravertebral block, and systemic analgesia concerning the opioids consumption, PONV, time to first food intake, and mobilization of patients in the perioperative period of breast cancer surgery. Materials and methods. Ninety-one adult women after unilateral radical mastectomy or quadrantectomy with axillary dissection were enrolled and randomized into three groups depending on the type of anesthesia. The control group included only patients with general ane­sthesia (GA), pectoral block group — GA plus pectoral nerve block type II with ropivacaine 0.375% 30 ml, and paravertebral block (PVB) group — GA plus thoracic paravertebral block with ropivacaine 0.5% 20 ml. The evaluated variables included ­opioids consumption during and after surgery, the occurrence of PONV, the time to the first feeding, and first mobilization in the postoperative period. Results. The dose of fentanyl during the operation was 2.6 (2.07‑3.62) μg/kg/h in the control group, 2.3 (1.86‑2.94) μg/kg/h in the PB group, 1.9 (1.62‑2.24) μg/kg/h in the PVB group (p = 0.003). Nine patients (31 %) in the control group, 8 patients (27 %) in the PVB group, and 6 patients (19 %) in the PB group required analgesia with promedol 2% after surgery (p = 0.542). The time to getting out of bed in the control, PB and PVB groups was 360 (150–360) min, 170 (120–240) min, and 162.5 (120–240) min, respectively (p = 0.003), and the time to the first meal was 360 (240–360) min, 165 (120–240) min, and 180 (120–220) min, respectively (p, Актуальність. Хірургічні втручання з приводу онкологічних захворювань молочної залози супроводжуються вираженим болем, підвищеною частотою післяопераційної нудоти і блювання (ПОНБ), що сповільнює активізацію в післяопераційному періоді. Регіонарні методи анестезії забезпечують краще знеболювання і можуть бути компонентом концепції швидкого відновлення після цих операцій. Мета дослідження: порівняти вплив пекторальної, паравертебральної блокади та системної аналгезії на потребу в наркотичних анальгетиках, виникнення ПОНБ, початок прийому їжі та активізацію пацієнтів в постопераційному періоді хірургічних втручань з приводу новоутворень молочної залози. Матеріали та методи. У дослідження ввійшла 91 жінка після унілатеральної мастектомії або квадрантектомії з аксилярною лімфодисекцією. Пацієнти були рандомізовані в три групи залежно від виду анестезії: виключно загальна анестезія (ЗА) (група контролю), ЗА та пекторальна блокада розчином ропівакаїну 0,375% 30 мл (група ПБ), ЗА та грудна паравертебральна блокада розчином ропівакаїну 0,5% (група ПВБ). Оцінювали потребу в наркотичних анальгетиках під час і після операції, виникнення ПОНБ, час до першого прийому їжі та активізації пацієнтів у післяопераційному періоді. Результати. Доза фентанілу під час операції становила в групі контролю 2,6 (2,07–3,62) мкг/кг/год, у групі ПБ — 2,3 (1,86–2,94) мкг/кг/год, у групі ПВБ — 1,9 (1,62–2,24) мкг/кг/год (р = 0,003). Кількість пацієнтів, які потребували знеболювання промедолом 2% після операції, у групі контролю становила 9 (31 %), у групі ПВБ — 8 (27 %) та в групі ПБ — 6 (19 %) (р = 0,542). Час до першого вставання з ліжка був 360 (150–360) хв, 170 (120–240) хв та 162,5 (120–240) хв (р = 0,003), а час до першого прийому їжі — 360 (240–360) хв, 165 (120–240) хв та 180 (120–220) хв (р

Off-pump coronary artery bypass has emerged as a popular method of coronary revascularization to mitigate the harmful effects of cardiopulmonary bypass. It requires surgical and anesthetic expertise for good results. Newer minimally invasive approaches to off pump coronary bypass provide attractive alternatives to conventional off pump surgery, especially in achieving better cosmetic results and early extubation. They require good perioperative pain management, with epidural and paravertebral block being good choices. Emergency conversion of off-pump bypass to on-pump bypass is associated with poor outcomes, so preventive measures to avoid it should be employed.

Regional anesthesia can be a choice of technique in mastectomy surgery. The paravertebral block provides a safer setting by maintaining stable hemodynamic compared to thoracic epidural block and less of opioid needed in the postoperative period. We report our observations to ten patients who underwent a modified radical mastectomy. We either manage the case by thoracic paravertebral block or thoracic epidural anesthesia, both by combination to laryngeal mask airway.