Peri-articular infiltration analgesia for shoulder surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Effective analgesic alternatives to interscalene brachial plexus block are sought for shoulder surgery. Peri-articular infiltration analgesia is a novel, less invasive technique, but evidence surrounding its use is unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the utility of peri-articular infiltration analgesia in shoulder surgery. We searched literature for trials comparing peri-articular infiltration analgesia with control or with interscalene brachial plexus block. Control groups received no intervention, placebo or systemic opioids. The primary outcome was cumulative oral morphine equivalent consumption during the first 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included: rest pain scores up to 48 h; risk of side-effects; and durations of post-anaesthetic care unit and hospital stay. Data were pooled with random-effects modelling. Seven trials (383 patients) were included. Compared with control, peri-articular infiltration analgesia reduced 24-h oral morphine consumption by a mean difference (95%CI) of −38.0 mg (−65.5 to −10.5; p = 0.007). It also improved pain scores up to 6 h, 36 h and 48 h, with the greatest improvement observed at 0 h (−2.4 (−2.7 to −1.6); p < 0.001). Peri-articular infiltration analgesia decreased postoperative nausea and vomiting by an odds ratio (95%CI) of 0.3 (0.1–0.7; p = 0.006). In contrast, peri-articular infiltration analgesia was not different from interscalene brachial plexus block for analgesic consumption, pain scores or side-effects. This review provides moderate evidence supporting peri-articular infiltration for postoperative analgesia following shoulder surgery. The absence of difference between peri-articular infiltration analgesia and interscalene brachial plexus block for analgesic outcomes suggests that these interventions are comparable, but further trials are needed to support this conclusion and identify the optimal peri-articular infiltration technique.     

Analgesic benefits and clinical role of the posterior suprascapular nerve block in shoulder surgery: a systematic review,meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

The posterior suprascapular nerve block has been proposed as an analgesic alternative for shoulder surgery based on the publication of several comparisons with interscalene block that failed to detect differences in analgesic outcomes. However, quantification of the absolute treatment effect of suprascapular nerve block on its own, in comparison with no block (control), to corroborate the aforementioned conclusions has been lacking. This study examines the absolute analgesic efficacy of suprascapular nerve block compared with control for shoulder surgery. We systematically sought electronic databases for studies comparing suprascapular nerve block with control. The primary outcomes included postoperative 24-h cumulative oral morphine consumption and the difference in area under the curve for 24-h pooled pain scores. Secondary outcomes included the incidence of opioid-related side-effects (postoperative nausea and vomiting) and patient satisfaction. Data were pooled using random-effects modelling. Ten studies (700 patients) were analysed; all studies examined landmark-guided posterior suprascapular nerve block performed in the suprascapular fossa. Suprascapular nerve block was statistically but not clinically superior to control for postoperative 24-h cumulative oral morphine consumption, with a weighted mean difference (99%CI) of 11.41 mg (−21.28 to −1.54; p = 0.003). Suprascapular nerve block was also statistically but not clinically superior to control for area under the curve of pain scores, with a mean difference of 1.01 cm.h. Nonetheless, suprascapular nerve block reduced the odds of postoperative nausea and vomiting and improved patient satisfaction. This review suggests that the landmark-guided posterior suprascapular nerve block does not provide clinically important analgesic benefits for shoulder surgery. Investigation of other interscalene block alternatives is warranted.     

肩胛上神经阻滞与肌间沟神经阻滞用于肩关节镜手术的Meta分析

目的系统评价肩胛上神经阻滞(suprascapular nerve block, SNB)与肌间沟神经阻滞(interscalene nerve block, ISB)在肩关节镜手术中应用的安全性与有效性。方法检索PubMed、Embase、CENTRAL(2018年第3期)、中国知网、万方数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库(CBM),查找有关SNB与ISB应用于肩关节镜手术的随机对照试验,检索时限定义为建库至2018年4月。根据术后镇痛方法的不同将纳入分析的患者分为两组:SNB组和ISB组。采用RevMan 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果最终可纳入本系统评价的文献11篇,共978例患者。Meta分析结果显示,静止状态下ISB组PACU疼痛评分明显低于SNB组(SMD=0.89,95%CI 0.50～1.29,P0.01)。术后24 h静止状态下两组疼痛评分差异无统计学意义(SMD=-0.12,95%CI-0.25～0.01,P=0.07)。术后24 h活动状态下两组疼痛评分差异无统计学意义(SMD=-0.03,95%CI-0.56～0.50,P=0.92)。术后24 h内两组阿片类药物用量差异无统计学意义(SMD=0.06,95%CI-0.18～0.29,P=0.62)。SNB组PONV发生率明显低于ISB组(RR=0.56,95%CI 0.34～0.93,P=0.02)。SNB组Horner综合征发生率明显低于ISB组(RR=0.05,95%CI 0.01～0.23,P0.01)。SNB组声音嘶哑发生率明显低于ISB组(RR=0.39,95%CI 0.19～0.81,P=0.01)。SNB组呼吸困难发生率明显低于ISB组(RR=0.25,95%CI 0.11～0.57,P0.01)。结论与肌间沟神经阻滞比较,肩胛上神经阻滞能够为肩关节镜手术患者提供类似的术后镇痛效果且安全性更高,但在麻醉复苏期间镇痛效果欠佳。     

Continuous interscalene brachial plexus block for postoperative analgesia following shoulder surgery

BACKGROUND: Severe postoperative pain is a well-known problem following shoulder surgery. This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of continuous interscalene brachial plexus block, patient-controlled analgesia, and morphine (i.v. and i.m.) for postoperative analgesia in this setting. METHODS: Thirty patients, scheduled for acromioplasty during general anesthesia, were randomly allocated to one of three different postoperative pain management groups. Group MO received morphine (5 mg i.m. and 2 mg i.v.) when visual analogue pain score (VAS) > 3, group PL received a continuous interscalene brachial plexus block with bupivacaine (1.25 mg kg-1 + 0.25 mg kg-1 h-1) and group PCA received patient-controlled analgesia with morphine (bolus 1 mg). Postoperative pain relief was assessed (24 h) by VAS, circulatory and respiratory stress parameters (heart rate, systemic arterial pressure and respiratory rate) and stress metabolites (glucose, lactate, glycerol by abdominal subcutaneous microdialysis). RESULTS: Pain relief in the PL group was effective (VAS < 3) and significantly more potent than in groups MO and PCA, except at 16 and 20 h. Lactate was significantly increased in the PL group, glucose was significantly increased in all groups, while glycerol showed a variable pattern. There were no significant stress metabolite differences among groups. VAS showed no statistical correlation with microdialysate, respiratory or circulatory data. CONCLUSION: Successful continuous interscalene brachial plexus block provides very good pain relief following shoulder surgery and is superior to the other methods studied. However, we were unable to demonstrate a correlation between VAS pain scores and stress indicators in metabolic, circulatory and respiratory parameters.     

Intra-articular magnesium is effective for postoperative analgesia in arthroscopic knee surgery

Background. Several medications are commonly injected intra-articularlyfor postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery.Among the potentially efficient substances, magnesium couldbe of particular interest through its NMDA-receptor blockingproperties. Methods. A total of 60 patients undergoing arthroscopic kneesurgery were randomly and double-blindly assigned to two groupsto receive intra-articular injection of either 10 ml of magnesiumsulphate (MgSO₄) (50 mg ml^–1) (Group M) or 10 ml of normalsaline (Group C). Analgesic effect was evaluated by measuringpain intensity (visual analogue scale; VAS) 1, 2, 6, 8, 12,18 and 24 h after operation and the time delay between MgSO₄or saline administration and the first requirement of supplementaryanalgesic medication by the patient (diclofenac). Results. Intra-articular magnesium administration resulted ina significant reduction in pain scores in Group M compared withGroup C 1, 2, 6 and 8 h after the end of surgery [1.7 (0.59),2.2 (0.69), 2.8 (1.01) and 3.5 (1.10) in Group M; 8.0 (1.25),5.9 (1.12), 4.4 (0.67) and 4.5 (1.13) in Group C, respectively].A longer delay between intra-articular injection of the studymedication and first administration of diclofenac was observedin Group M [667 (198) min] as compared with Group C [49 (13)min]. Total diclofenac consumption was significantly lower inGroup M [37.5 (38.14) mg] than in Group C [117.5 (46.95) mg].No early side-effects were noted. Conclusion. Intra-articular magnesium is effective for postoperativeanalgesia in arthroscopic knee surgery.      

Analgesic efficacy of local infiltration analgesia vs. femoral nerve block after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Many published reports consider blockade of the femoral nerve distribution the best available analgesic treatment after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. However, some argue that an alternative approach of infiltrating local anaesthetic into the surgical site has similar efficacy. The objectives of this meta‐analysis were to compare the analgesic and functional outcomes of both treatments following anterior ligament reconstruction. The primary outcomes were pain scores at rest (analogue scale, 0–10) in the early (0–2 postoperative hours), intermediate (3–12 hours) and late postoperative periods (13–24 hours). Secondary outcomes included range of motion, quadriceps muscle strength and complication rates (neurological problems, cardiovascular events, falls and knee infections). Eleven trials, including 628 patients, were identified. Pain scores in the early, intermediate and late postoperative periods were significantly lower in patients who received a femoral nerve block, with mean differences (95%CI) of 1.6 (0.2–2.9), p = 0.02; 1.2 (0.4–1.5), p = 0.002; and 0.7 (0.1–1.4), p = 0.03 respectively. The quality of evidence for our primary outcomes was moderate to high. Regarding functional outcomes, only one trial reported a similar range of motion between groups at 48 postoperative hours. No trial sought to record complications. In conclusion, femoral nerve block provides superior postoperative analgesia after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction to local infiltration analgesia. The impact of improved analgesia on function remains unclear due to the lack of reporting of functional outcomes in the existing literature.     

Efficacy of erector spinae plane block for analgesia in breast surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The erector spinae plane block is a new regional anaesthesia technique that provides truncal anaesthesia for breast surgery. This systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to determine if the erector spinae plane block is effective at reducing pain scores and opioid consumption after breast surgery. This study also evaluated the outcomes of erector spinae plane blocks compared with other regional blocks. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched. We included randomised controlled trials reporting the use of the erector spinae plane block in adult breast surgery. Risk of bias was assessed with the revised Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework was used to assess trial quality. Thirteen randomised controlled trials (861 patients; 418 erector spinae plane block, 215 no blocks, 228 other blocks) were included. Erector spinae plane block reduced postoperative pain compared with no block: at 0-2 hours (mean difference (95% CI) −1.63 (−2.97 to −0.29), 6 studies, 329 patients, high-quality evidence, I² = 98%, p = 0.02); at 6 hours (mean difference (95% CI) −0.90 (−1.49 to −0.30), 5 studies, 250 patients, high-quality evidence, I² = 91%, p = 0.003); at 12 hours (mean difference (95% CI) −0.46 (−0.67 to −0.25), 5 studies, 250 patients, high-quality evidence, I² = 58%, p < 0.0001); and at 24 hours (mean difference (95% CI) −0.50 (−0.70 to −0.30), 6 studies, 329 patients, high-quality evidence, I² = 76%, p < 0.00001). Compared with no block, erector spinae plane block also showed significantly lower postoperative oral morphine equivalent requirements (mean difference (95% CI) −21.55mg (−32.57 to −10.52), 7 studies, 429 patients, high-quality evidence, I² = 99%, p = 0.0001). Separate analysis of studies comparing erector spinae plane block with pectoralis nerve block and paravertebral block showed that its analgesic efficacy was inferior to pectoralis nerve block and similar to paravertebral block. The incidence of pneumothorax was 2.6% in the paravertebral block group; there were no reports of complications of the other blocks. This review has shown that the erector spinae plane block is more effective at reducing postoperative opioid consumption and pain scores up to 24 hours compared with general anaesthesia alone. However, it was inferior to the pectoralis nerve block and its efficacy was similar to paravertebral block. Further evidence, preferably from properly blinded trials, is required to confirm these findings.     

Effect of intra-articular injection of midazolam and/or bupivacaine on postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery

BackgroundA variety of analgesic techniques have been used to manage postoperative pain after arthroscopic knee surgery. We investigated the hypothesis that intra-articular midazolam would result in lower pain score and reduced analgesic requirements.MethodsOne-hundred patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy were allocated randomly to receive intra-articular 20 mL of isotonic saline containing 50 μg/kg midazolam (midazolam group (group M),the bupivacaine group (group B) received 0.25% (20 mL) bupivacaine, and the midazolam with bupivacaine group (group MB) received bupivacaine 0.25% and 50 μg/kg of midazolam in 20 mL. The postoperative analgesia was assessed using visual analog score at rest and during movement at 1/2 h, 1 h, 2 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h.ResultsPatients in group MB showed significantly lower visual analog scores, both at rest and during movement, long time to first postoperative analgesic request, as well as reduced total analgesic consumption than the other two groups.ConclusionIntraarticular administration of midazolam in combination with bupivacaine improves the quality of postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic meniscectomy.     

右美托咪定用于膝关节镜术后多模式镇痛的临床观察

目的 观察右美托咪定（dexmedetomidine,Dex）用于膝关节镜术后多模式镇痛的效果.方法 90例美国麻醉医师协会（ASA）分级Ⅰ～Ⅱ级需行关节镜诊治术患者,按随机数字表法分为3组（每组30例）：A组患者关节腔内注入含1μg/kgDex的0.25％罗哌卡因混合溶液20 ml,静脉给予生理盐水20 ml;B组患者关节腔内注入0.25％罗哌卡因20 ml,静脉给予含1 μg/kg Dex的溶液20 ml;C组关节腔内注入0.25％罗哌卡因20 ml,静脉给予生理盐水20 ml.比较3组患者术后1、2、4、8、12、20、24 h的视觉模拟评分（visual analogue scale,VAS）、Ramsay镇静评分、镇痛持续时间、术后24 h芬太尼用量及副作用发生率.结果 患者术后A组,B组1、2、4、8h的VAS静息及运动状态评分明显低于C组（P＜0.05）;但术后12h后,3组患者VAS评分差异无统计学意义;B组1、2h的Ramsay评分明显高于A组、C组（P＜0.05）,A组2、4h的Ramsay评分高于C组分（P＜0.05）,但术后8h以后,A组、B组、C组3组患者Ramsay评分差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）,镇痛持续时间A组（650±127） min较B组（452±86） min、C组（390±74）m in明显延长,B组较C组延长（P＜0.05）;术后24 h芬太尼用量A组（22±6）μg较B组（92±10） μg、C组（146±21） μg明显减少,B组较C组减少（P＜0.05）;3组心动过缓发生率B组显著高于A组、C组（P＜0.05）.结论 在膝关节镜术后多模式镇痛方案中,关节腔内注射Dex与罗哌卡因混合液可显著减轻关节镜术后疼痛,减少术后阿片类药物的使用,并延长镇痛持续时间.     

超声引导下神经阻滞在肩关节镜手术中的应用进展

肩关节镜手术常伴有严重的术后肿胀疼痛.超声引导下神经阻滞技术能够提供安全有效的镇痛,同时可以辅助术中控制性降压,并且在促进患者早期功能锻炼、实现加速康复外科(ERAS)方面具有重大意义,目前在肩关节镜手术中表现出极大的优势及应用前景.近年来,不同入路的阻滞方法相继报道,为临床应用提供了更多的选择.全文主要描述了肩关节的...     

Lidocaine versus ropivacaine for continuous interscalene brachial plexus block after open shoulder surgery

BACKGROUND: This study compared the postoperative infusion of 1% lidocaine and 0.2% ropivacaine for continuous interscalene analgesia in patients undergoing open shoulder surgery. METHODS: Forty patients undergoing open shoulder surgery received an interscalene brachial plexus block with 30 ml of either 1.5% lidocaine (n = 20) or 0.5% ropivacaine (n = 20), followed by a continuous patient-controlled interscalene analgesia with 1% lidocaine or 0.2% ropivacaine, respectively. A blinded observer recorded the quality of analgesia and recovery of motor function during the first 24 h of infusion. RESULTS: Onset of the block occurred after 7.5 (5-40) min with lidocaine and 30 (10-60) min with ropivacaine (P = 0.0005). Postoperative pain intensity was higher with lidocaine than ropivacaine for the first 8 h of infusion. The ratio between boluses given and demanded from the pump was 0.5 (0.13-0.7) with lidocaine and 0.7 (0.4-1.0) with ropivacaine (P = 0.005). Rescue IV tramadol was required during the first 24 h of infusion by 16 patients of the lidocaine group (84%) and eight patients of the ropivacaine group (46%) (P = 0.05). At the 16 h and 24 h observation times a larger proportion of patients receiving ropivacaine had complete regression of motor block (70% and 95%) than patients receiving lidocaine (50% and 55%) (P = 0.05 and P = 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although 1% lidocaine can be effectively used for postoperative patient-controlled interscalene analgesia, 0.2% ropivacaine provides better pain relief and motor function.