Comparison of single-injection ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block with transversus abdominis plane block in peritoneal dialysis catheter implantation: a randomized controlled trial

Background Previous study indicated that transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block could be the principal anesthetic technique for peritoneal dialysis catheter (PDC) implantations. However, a TAP block could not provide an optimal anesthetic effect on catheter exit site during PDC implantation. We hypothesized that single-injection ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block (US-TPVB) could be the principal anesthetic technique with better pain relief at catheter exit site during PDC implantation, compared to a TAP block. And anesthesia quality of a single-injection US-TPVB was compared with that of a TAP block and local anesthetic infiltration (LAI). Methods Patients undergoing PDC implantations were randomized into groups TPVB or TAP or LAI. In group TPVB, single-injection US-TPVB at T10-T11 level was performed with 20 ml of 0.25% ropivacaine. In group TAP, oblique subcostal TAP block was performed with 20 ml of 0.25% ropivacaine. In group LAI, 40 ml of 0.25% ropivacaine was used. Anesthesia quality was compared among the three groups, including general anesthesia conversion rate, cumulative rescuing sufentanil consumption, and satisfaction rate by nephrologists and patients. Results Eighty-eight eligible patients were enrolled. Visual analogue scale (VAS) at most time points (except for the catheter exit site) were lower in group TAP, compared with group TPVB. VAS at parietal peritoneum manipulation was 6 (5, 7), 3 (0, 6), and 7 (4.75, 9) in groups TPVB, TAP, and LAI, respectively (P P = 0.005). Lower general anesthesia conversion rate, less cumulative rescuing sufentanil consumption, and higher satisfaction rates by nephrologists and patients were recorded in group TAP, compared with groups TPVB and LAI. Conclusions Single-injection US-TPVB provided a better pain relief at catheter exit site. The quality and reliability of anesthesia after a single-injection US-TPVB was comparable to that of LAI, but not better than that of an oblique subcostal TAP block for PDC implantation. Trial registration TCTR20160911002. Registered on 8 September 2016.