Levobupivacaine–tramadol combination for caudal block in children: a randomized,double‐blinded,prospective study1

Background: The aim of this prospective study was to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy and duration of analgesia after caudal levobupivacaine 0.125% or caudal tramadol 1.5 mg·kg⁻¹ and mixture of both in children undergoing day‐case surgery. Methods: Sixty‐three American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I or II children between 1 and 7 years old scheduled for inguinal hernia repair under sevoflurane anesthesia were randomized to receive caudal levobupivacaine 0.125% (group L), caudal tramadol 1.5 mg·kg⁻¹ (group T) or mixture of both (group LT) (total volume of caudal solution was 1 ml·kg⁻¹). Duration of analgesia and requirement for additional analgesics were noted. Postoperative pain was evaluated using the Children’s and Infants’ Postoperative Pain Scale (CHIPPS) every 15 min for the first hour, and after 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h. Analgesia was supplemented whenever pain score was ≥4. Results: No patient experienced significant intraoperative hemodynamic response to surgical incision. Duration of analgesia was significantly longer in group LT than in group L and group T (545 ± 160 min vs 322 ± 183 min and 248 ± 188 min, respectively) (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences between the group L and group T for duration of analgesia (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences among the groups in the number of patients requiring analgesia after operation (P = 0.7). No signs of motor block were observed after the first postoperative hour in any of the patients. Conclusion: Addition of tramadol increased the duration of analgesia produced by caudal levobupivacaine in children.     

Levobupivacaine patient controlled analgesia: Epidural versus blind fascia iliaca compartment analgesia – A comparative study

This study was designed to compare the analgesic efficacy of levobupivacaine patient controlled analgesia epidural versus patient controlled analgesia with fascia lliaca compartment block. In patients undergoing fixation of fracture neck femur.MethodsSixty patients ASA II&III undergoing fixation of fracture neck femur were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 30).Group EEpidural group given levobupivacaine 0.25% 15 ml before induction of general anesthesia, followed by postoperative PCEA with levobupivacaine (0.125%).Group FFascia iliaca block group given levobupivacaine 0.25% 30 ml through the catheter before induction of general anesthesia, followed by postoperative patient controlled fascia illiaca analgesia with levobupivacaine (0.125%).Severity of postoperative pain at rest in 24 h using VAS, number of patients required additional analgesia (tramadol) in 24 h, doses of postoperative 24 h tramadol consumed, postoperative mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded.ResultsThe severity of postoperative pain was statistically significantly less in E group, number of patients required tramadol in 24 h were statistically significantly less in E group than F group, postoperative tramadol consumed was statistically significantly less in E group than F group.ConclusionPCEA with levobupivacaine (0.125%) was associated with satisfactory analgesia than patient controlled analgesia with fascia iliaca block in patients undergoing fixation of fracture neck femur.     

The effects of caudal or intravenous clonidine on postoperative analgesia produced by caudal levobupivacaine in children

Background: Clonidine is used increasingly in pediatric anesthesia practice to prolong the duration of action of caudal block with a local anesthetic agent. Which route of administration of clonidine is the most beneficial remains unknown. We compared the effects of caudal and intravenous clonidine on postoperative analgesia produced by caudal levobupivacaine. Methods: Sixty ASA I and II children, aged 2–8 undergoing inguinal hernia repair or orchidopexy surgery received standardized premedication with midazolam and general anesthesia. The children were randomized in a double‐blind fashion to three groups. Group L (n = 20) patients received 0.75 ml·kg^?1 of caudal 0.25% levobupivacaine and i.v. 5 ml saline, Group L‐Ccau (n = 20) patients received 0.75 ml·kg^?1 of caudal 0.25% levobupivacaine + 2 μg·kg^?1 clonidine and i.v. 5 ml saline, Group L‐Civ (n = 20) patients received 0.75 ml·kg^?1 of caudal 0.25% levobupivacaine and i.v. 2 μg·kg^?1 clonidine in 5 ml of saline. Mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation, and end‐tidal carbon dioxide values were recorded. Postoperative pain [Children and Infants Postoperative Pain Scale (CHIPPS) score], sedation (Ramsay Sedation Scale) and motor blockade (Modified Bromage Scale) were assessed at predetermined time points during the first 24 h after surgery. Results: Caudal clonidine significantly delayed the time to first rescue analgesic and fewer patients required rescue analgesia in the 24 h after surgery. No motor block was observed in any of the three groups on awakening or during the study period. In Group L‐Ccau, the CHIPPS score was lower than in Group L at all times through 240 min (P < 0.05), while the pain scores were lower in Group L‐Civ only at extubation and at 240 min (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Caudal clonidine prolongs the duration of analgesia produced by caudal levobupivacaine without causing significant side effects and this is because of a spinal mode of action.     

Single level paravertebral versus caudal block in paediatric inguinal surgery

Paravertebral block (PVB) has been used for postoperative analgesia in children since 1992. There are no prospective randomised studies comparing the use of PVB versus caudal block (CB) for outpatient inguinal hernia repair surgery. The hypothesis of this study is that a single level, single injection PVB can provide a longer duration of analgesia and less requirement for supplemental analgesia than single shot CB for children undergoing inguinal surgery. Seventy children, aged three to seven, American Society of Anesthesiologists score I to II, having unilateral inguinal surgery were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into two randomised groups. In group PVB, a single shot of 0.2 ml/kg levobupivacaine was administered via the lumbar paravertebral route and in group CB, patients were given 1 ml/kg levobupivacaine caudally. Sevoflurane concentration was evaluated after induction and recorded during incision, sac traction and closure. Face, legs, activity, cry and consolability (FLACC) scores, heart rate, blood pressure and SpO2 were evaluated postoperatively. Only four (11.4%) patients in the PVB group needed rescue analgesic drugs compared to 12 (34.3%) patients in the CB group (P = 0.044). Patients were given tramadol as rescue analgesia in the first four postoperative hours. No other supplemental analgesic drug was given apart from tramadol. FLACC scores were the same in the both groups. Parental satisfaction was significantly higher in the PVB group compared to the CB group (74.3 vs 40%, P = 0.01). This study has demonstrated that a single level single injection paravertebral block provides superior intraoperative and postoperative analgesia when compared to a caudal block for unilateral inguinal hernia repair.     

A comparison of three different concentrations of levobupivacaine for caudal block in children

We investigated three different concentrations of levobupivacaine (0.125%, 0.20%, and 0.25%; n = 20 in each group) for caudal blockade in a prospective, randomized, observer-blinded fashion in children (1-7 yr) undergoing subumbilical surgery. The duration of postoperative analgesia was assessed as the time to first administration of supplemental analgesia (based on a Childrens and Infants Postoperative Pain Scale score of >or=4), and the degree of immediate postoperative motor blockade was determined by use of a 3-point scale. A dose-response relationship was observed both with regard to median duration of postoperative analgesia (0.125%, 60 min; 0.20%, 118 min; 0.25%, 158 min) and the number of patients with evidence of early postoperative motor blockade (0.125%, 0; 0.20%, 4; 0.25%, 8). The 0.125% concentration was associated with significantly less early motor blockade (P = 0.003) but was found to result in a significantly shorter duration of postoperative analgesia (P < 0.05). Based on these results, the use of 0.20% levobupivacaine might represent the best clinical option if a plain levobupivacaine solution is to be used for caudal blockade in children. IMPLICATIONS: The use of 0.125% levobupivacaine for caudal blockade (1 mL/kg) in children (1-7 yr) was associated with less early postoperative motor blockade but a shorter duration of postoperative analgesia compared with 0.20% and 0.25% solutions.     

Dexametasona perineural em bloqueio de plexo braquial interescalênico com levobupivacaína guiado por ultrassonografia para artroscopia de ombro em regime ambulatorial: ensaio clínico controlado e randomizado

Background and objectivesIn shoulder arthroscopy, on an outpatient basis, the patient needs a good control of the postoperative pain that can be achieved through regional blocks. Perineural dexamethasone may prolong the effect of these blocks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of perineural dexamethasone on the prolongation of the sensory block in the postoperative period for arthroscopic shoulder surgery in outpatient setting.MethodsAfter approval by the Research Ethics Committee and informed consent, patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia and ultrasound‐guided interscalene brachial plexus block were randomized into Group D – blockade performed with 30 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine with vasoconstrictor and 6 mg (1.5 mL) of dexamethasone and Group C – 30 mL of 0.5% levobupivacaine with vasoconstrictor and 1.5 mL of 0.9% saline. The duration of the sensory block was evaluated in 4 postoperative moments (0, 4, 12 and 24 hours) as well as the need for rescue analgesia, nausea and vomiting incidence, and Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS).ResultsSeventy‐four patients were recruited and 71 completed the study (Group C, n = 37; Group D, n = 34). Our findings showed a prolongation of the mean time of the sensitive blockade in Group D (1440 ± 0 min vs. 1267 ± 164 min, p < 0.001). It was observed that Group C had a higher mean pain score according to VAS (2.08 ± 1.72 vs. 0.02 ± 0.17, p < 0.001) and a greater number of patients (68.4% vs. 0%, p < 0.001) required rescue analgesia in the first 24 hours. The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was not statistically significant.ConclusionPerineural dexamethasone significantly prolonged the sensory blockade promoted by levobupivacaine in interscalene brachial plexus block, reduced pain intensity and rescue analgesia needs in the postoperative period.     

Analgesic effectiveness of caudal levobupivacaine and ketamine

Background: Ketamine is used increasingly in paediatric anaesthetic practiceto prolong the action of a caudal block. This study was designedto determine if adding S(+)-ketamine 0.5 mg kg^–1 allowsa lower concentration of levobupivacaine to be used for caudalanaesthesia without loss of clinical effectiveness. Methods: One hundred and sixty-four children (ASA I or II) aged 3 months–6yr were randomly allocated to receive 1 ml kg^–1 of levobupivacaine0.15% with 0.5 mg kg^–1 S(+)-ketamine (Group 1), levobupivacaine0.175% with 0.5 mg kg^–1 S(+)-ketamine (Group 2), or levobupivacaine0.2% (Group 3) by the caudal route. Pain, motor block, sedation,and requirement for postoperative analgesia were assessed upto 6 h after operation. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in effectivenessat first surgical incision. Significantly lower analgesic requirementswere reported in Group 2 compared with Group 3 at wakeup, 180and 360 min after operation. Time to first rescue analgesiawas longer in Group 2 compared with Group 1 or 3. Kaplan–Meiersurvival analysis of analgesia free time demonstrated a significantadvantage of Group 2 over Groups 1 and 3 (log rank P=0.05).The incidence of postoperative motor block was not significantlydifferent between the groups. No excess sedation or dysphoricreactions were observed in the ketamine groups. Conclusions: The addition of 0.5 mg kg^–1 S(+)-ketamine to levobupivacaine0.175% for caudal analgesia for lower abdominal and urologicalsurgery is significantly more effective in providing postoperativeanalgesia than levobupivacaine 0.15% with 0.5 mg kg^–1S(+)-ketamine or levobupivacaine 0.2%.     

The efficacy and safety of three concentrations of levobupivacaine administered as a continuous epidural infusion in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of three concentrations of levobupivacaine infused epidurally as analgesia for patients undergoing orthopedic procedures. Patients undergoing elective hip or knee joint replacement were enrolled in the study (n = 105). Sensory blockade was established preoperatively with 10-15 mL of 0.75% levobupivacaine. Patients were then randomized to receive 0.0625%, 0.125%, or 0.25% levobupivacaine as a continuous epidural infusion at 6 mL/h for 24 h. IV morphine patient-controlled analgesia was given as rescue analgesia, and time to first request for analgesia and total dose of morphine consumed were recorded. Sensory blockade, motor blockade, visual analog scale pain score, and cardiovascular variables were also recorded at regular intervals postoperatively. Ninety-one patients were included in the primary intent-to-treat analysis. Total normalized dose of morphine, number of patient-controlled analgesia requests, and overall postoperative visual analog scale pain scores were significantly lower for the 0.25% group compared with the other two groups, and the time to first request for rescue analgesia was longer. There was no significant difference between the 0.125% and 0.25% groups in terms of maximum motor blockade achieved and time to minimal motor blockade. Safety data were equivalent among the three groups. We conclude that levobupivacaine as a continuous epidural infusion provided adequate postoperative analgesia and that the 0.25% concentration provided significantly longer analgesia than 0.125% or 0.0625% levobupivacaine without any significant increase in detectable motor blockade relative to the 0.125% group. IMPLICATIONS: Postoperative epidural infusion of levobupivacaine can provide safe and effective analgesia for patients having hip or knee joint replacement. Of the three concentrations we infused at a constant rate, 0.25% provided significantly better pain relief.     

Randomized, double-blind, phase III, controlled trial comparing levobupivacaine 0.25%, ropivacaine 0.25% and bupivacaine 0.25% by the caudal route in children

Background. The rationale for replacing racemic bupivacainewith the s-enantiomers levobupivacaine and ropivacaine is toprovide a wider margin of safety with the same analgesic efficacyand less postoperative motor block. In a randomized, double-blind,phase III, controlled trial we compared the caudal administrationof levobupivacaine 0.25% and ropivacaine 0.25% with bupivacaine0.25% in children. Methods. Ninety-nine ASA I–II children less than 10 yrold scheduled for elective sub-umbilical surgery were randomizedto receive caudal block with bupivacaine 0.25%, ropivacaine0.25% or levobupivacaine 0.25%. The primary outcome of the studywas the clinical efficacy of the caudal block during the operation.Secondary outcome measures were analgesic onset time, pain reliefafter the operation and residual motor blockade. Results. The proportion of children with effective analgesiaduring the operation was similar among groups. There were nosignificant differences in the analgesic onset time of the caudalblock. Bupivacaine produced a significant incidence of residualmotor block compared with levobupivacaine or ropivacaine atwake-up (P<0.01). There were no significant differences inthe number of patients receiving rescue analgesia after surgery.However, analgesic block lasted significantly longer in patientsreceiving bupivacaine (P=0.03). Conclusion. During sub-umbilical surgery, caudal levobupivacaine,ropivacaine and bupivacaine provided comparable analgesic efficacy.Bupivacaine produced a higher incidence of residual motor blockadeand a longer analgesic block than ropivacaine and levobupivacaine.      

A prospective study comparing the analgesic efficacy of levobupivacaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine in pediatric patients undergoing caudal blockade

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to compare postoperative analgesic efficacy, analgesic duration and motor blockade of levobupivacaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine administered caudally in equal concentrations to children undergoing elective minor surgery. METHODS: In the study, 182 children, aged 1-7 years, undergoing either inguinal hernia repair or orchidopexy, were randomly allocated to one of the three groups. They received via a caudal extradural either 1 ml x kg(-1) levobupivacaine 0.2% (Group L) or 1 ml x kg(-1) ropivacaine 0.2% (Group R) or 1 ml x kg(-1) bupivacaine 0.2% (Group B). RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was noted in age, weight, duration of the operation or level of the caudal block between the groups. The onset of analgesia was significantly later after levobupivacaine. Postoperative pain scoring evaluated with Children's and Infant's Postoperative Pain Scale observational scale showed no statistical difference between groups. Median postoperative analgesia was 5.75 h (SEMed: +/- 0.65) in Group L, 5.7 h (SEMed: +/- 0.8) in Group R and 5.35 h (SEMed: +/- 1.3) in Group B the difference being statistically nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of motor block was significantly less after ropivacaine and levobupivacaine during the first 2 h postoperatively.     

Retrolaminar block: analgesic efficacy and safety evaluation

Purpose

Retrolaminar block (RLB) is a thoracic truncal block that can produce analgesia for the thoracic and abdominal wall. However, the characteristics of RLB are not well known. The aim of this study was to determine analgesic efficacy by measuring postoperative consume of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), additional nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) rescue, and opioid rescue. Our secondary analysis included assessment of the chronological change in arterial levobupivacaine concentrations after the block.

Methods

This prospective, randomized, double-blinded study included 30 patients scheduled for modified radical mastectomy under general anesthesia. The patients were randomized to receive either a landmark-guided RLB or paravertebral block (PVB) catheter placement on T4. Continuous infusion with 4 ml/h of 0.25 % levobupivacaine was started for 72 h, after initial injection of 20 ml 0.375 % levobupivacaine before surgery. Postoperative pain was compared using the amount of block PCA (3 ml 0.25 % levobupivacaine with 30-min lockout), NSAID, and opioid rescue. Arterial blood was sampled for 120 min after the initial injection.

Results

The frequency of postoperative block PCA use was significantly high after RLB in 24 h [p = 0.01; 6 (3–12) vs. 2.5 (0.3–3) times, respectively]. There was no PCA use after 24 h in either group. There was no postoperative opioid rescue use throughout the study. After RLB and PVB, there was no significant difference in T _max (p = 0.14; 15 ± 8 vs. 15 ± 8 min, respectively) and C _max (p = 0.2; 0.9 ± 0.2 vs. 0.9 ± 0.3 µg/ml, respectively), and all the concentrations were below the threshold of local anesthetic systemic toxicity.

Conclusion

Continuous RLB was not inferior to PVB except for the first 24 h, and was satisfactory after mastectomy. RLB showed safe, low peak arterial levobupivacaine concentrations.

     

Levobupivacaine versus racemic bupivacaine for thoracic and upper lumbar epidural anesthesia-analgesia in children

OBJECTIVES: We compared levobupivacaine to bupivacaine for epidural analgesia for thoracic or upper abdominal surgery in children. Our working hypothesis was that at equivalent doses levobupivacaine and bupivacaine behave in the same way. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ASA 1-4 patients between the ages of 5 and 16 years were randomized to a levobupivacaine or a bupivacaine group. After general anesthesia was induced, we inserted a thoracic or upper lumbar epidural catheter and administered a dose of 0.25% bupivacaine or levobupivacaine (1 mgxkg(-1)) while maintaining general anesthesia. Analgesia was provided with an epidural infusion of 0.125% bupivacaine or levobupivacaine with fentanyl. Fentanyl was used as a perioperative rescue analgesic and metamizole magnesium as a postoperative rescue analgesic. The epidural infusion was reduced by 25% each day beginning on the second day. We analyzed hemodynamic and respiratory variables, rescue analgesia, time until extubation and discharge from the recovery unit, complications associated with the technique, adverse effects, and degree of comfort achieved. RESULTS: We studied 64 patients; 33 received levobupivacaine and 31 bupivacaine. Mean (SD) duration of recovery unit stay was significantly longer in the bupivacaine group (4.2 [0.99] days) than in the levobupivacaine group (35 [0.6] days; P<.05). Significantly more patients needed perioperative rescue analgesia in the levobupivacaine group (n=6 [18.18%]) than in the bupivacaine group (n=3 [9.67%]; P<.01). After 48 hours, the need for postoperative rescue analgesia was significantly lower with levobupivacaine (P<.01). Motor block was significantly greater with bupivacaine (P<05). Adverse effects and complications included 2 cases of persistent bradycardia and 1 case of dural puncture with no subsequent clinical manifestations. CONCLUSIONS: This experience with epidural anesthesia for thoracic and upper abdominal surgery showed levobupivacaine and racemic bupivacaine to have similar profiles. Levobupivacaine, which is less toxic, could be used to replace bupivacaine in children.     

Caudal anesthesia for minor pediatric surgery: a prospective randomized comparison of ropivacaine 0.2% vs levobupivacaine 0.2%

BACKGROUND: Previous published data comparing ropivacaine 0.2% with levobupivacaine 0.25% have suggested that ropivacaine might be associated with less early postoperative motor blockade compared with levobupivacaine. The aim of the present study was to further investigate this issue comparing equal concentrations (0.2%) of ropivacaine and levobupivacaine in children undergoing minor subumbilical surgery. METHODS: Following induction of a standardized anesthetic, patients (1-7 years) were randomized in a double-blind manner to receive a caudal block with either ropivacaine 0.2% (group R, n=30) or levobupivacaine 0.2% (group L, n=30), total volume 1 ml.kg-1. Motor blockade (modified Bromage scale; primary end-point) and analgesia [Children and Infants Postoperative Pain Scale (CHIPPS) score] were assessed at predetermined time points during the first 24-postoperative hours. RESULTS: Motor blockade was only registered during the first postoperative hour with no significant differences between the groups (group R n=5, group L n=8). Postoperative CHIPPS scores were almost identical in both groups with only seven and six patients requiring supplemental analgesia (CHIPPS score>or=4) in the R and L groups, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A 0.2% concentrations of ropivacaine or levobupivacaine are clinically very similar with regard to postoperative analgesia and unwanted postoperative motor blockade in children undergoing minor subumbilical surgery.     

Addition of midazolam to continuous postoperative epidural bupivacaine infusion reduces requirement for rescue analgesia in children undergoing upper abdominal and flank surgery

Study ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of adding midazolam to continuous epidural infusion of bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in children.DesignProspective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study.SettingTertiary-care center.Patients44 ASA physical status I and II children in age groups of two to 10 years, undergoing elective upper abdominal and flank surgery.InterventionsAt the end of surgery, patients were randomly allocated to receive epidural infusion of 0.125% bupivacaine alone (Group B) or with 20 μg/kg/hr midazolam (Group BM) for 12 hours at the rate of 0.2 mL/kg/hr.MeasurementsPain, motor block, and sedation were assessed at predetermined times over 24 hours. Intravenous fentanyl was used as rescue analgesic for the first 12 hours, and tramadol for next 12 hours. Patients were followed at one week, one month, and one year for any neurological deficits.Main ResultsThe number of patients requiring rescue analgesia during infusion was significantly lower in Group BM (7 vs. 17 in Group B; P < 0.001). Time to first rescue analgesia was significantly prolonged in Group BM compared with Group B (P < 0.001). Frequency of fentanyl (P < 0.001) and tramadol (P = 0.001) administration as rescue analgesia was significantly less in Group BM. Significantly lower median pain scores were obtained in Group BM than Group B at all time intervals (P < 0.05). Greater sedation scores were noted in Group BM at all time intervals postoperatively except at 4 hours (P < 0.05). No motor block was observed in any child during the study. No neurological deficit was reported in any child in the one year of follow-up.ConclusionAddition of 20 μg/kg/hr of midazolam to postoperative continuous epidural infusion of 0.125% bupivacaine reduces the requirement for rescue analgesia in children following upper abdominal and flank surgery.     

Unilateral groin surgery in children: will the addition of an ultrasound‐guided ilioinguinal nerve block enhance the duration of analgesia of a single‐shot caudal block?

Background: Inguinal hernia repair, hydrocelectomy, and orchidopexy are commonly performed surgical procedures in children. Postoperative pain control is usually provided with a single‐shot caudal block. Blockade of the ilioinguinal nerve may lead to additional analgesia. The aim of this double‐blind, randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the efficacy of an adjuvant blockade of the ilioinguinal nerve using ultrasound (US) guidance at the end of the procedure with local anesthetic vs normal saline and to explore the potential for prolongation of analgesia with decreased need for postoperative pain medication. Methods: Fifty children ages 1–6 years scheduled for unilateral inguinal hernia repair, hydrocelectomy, orchidopexy, or orchiectomy were prospectively randomized into one of two groups: Group S that received an US‐guided ilioinguinal nerve block with 0.1 ml·kg^?1 of preservative‐free normal saline and Group B that received an US‐guided nerve block with 0.1 ml·kg^?1 of 0.25% bupivacaine with 1 : 200 000 epinephrine at the conclusion of the surgery. After induction of anesthesia but prior to surgical incision, all patients received caudal anesthesia with 0.7 ml·kg^?1 of 0.125% bupivacaine with 1 : 200 000 epinephrine. Patients were observed by a blinded observer for (i) pain scores using the Children and Infants Postoperative Pain Scale, (ii) need for rescue medication in the PACU, (iii) need for oral pain medications given by the parents at home. Results: Forty‐eight patients, consisting of 46 males and two females, with a mean age of 3.98 (sd ± 1.88) were enrolled in the study. Two patients were excluded from the study because of study protocol violation and/or alteration in surgical procedure. The average pain scores reported for the entire duration spent in the recovery room for the caudal and caudal/ilioinguinal block groups were 1.92 (sd ± 1.59) and 1.18 (sd ± 1.31), respectively. The average pain score difference was 0.72 (sd ± 0.58) and was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In addition, when examined by procedure type, it was found that the difference in the average pain scores between the caudal and caudal/ilioinguinal block groups was statistically significant for the inguinal hernia repair patients (P < 0.05) but not for the other groin surgery patients (P = 0.13). For all groin surgery patients, six of the 23 patients in the caudal group and eight of the 25 patients in the caudal/ilioinguinal block group required pain rescue medications throughout their entire hospital stay or at home (P = 0.76). Overall, the caudal group received an average of 0.54 (sd ± 1.14) pain rescue medication doses, while the caudal/ilioinguinal block group received an average of 0.77 (sd ± 1.70) pain rescue medication doses; this was, however, not statistically significant (P = 0.58). Conclusions: The addition of an US‐guided ilioinguinal nerve block to a single‐shot caudal block decreases the severity of pain experienced by pediatric groin surgery patients. The decrease in pain scores were particularly pronounced in inguinal hernia repair patients.     

Ultrasound-guided retrolaminar block versus ilioinguinal nerve block for postoperative analgesia in children undergoing inguinal herniotomy: A randomized controlled trial

Study objectiveUltrasound-guided retrolaminar block (RLB) is a new, safe and technically easy nerve block. To our knowledge, no studies have evaluated its analgesic efficacy in pediatric patients. This study aimed to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of RLB and ilioinguinal nerve block (INB) in pediatric patients undergoing unilateral inguinal herniotomy.DesignSuperiority, prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled study.SettingOperating rooms and wards of Mansoura University Children's Hospital, Egypt.PatientsSixty-five patients aged 2 to 6 years undergoing unilateral inguinal herniotomy were enrolled.InterventionsIn the ultrasound-guided RLB group (n = 30), we injected 0.5 mL/kg bupivacaine 0.25% into the retrolaminar space between the lamina of T12 and the paraspinal muscles and in ultrasound-guided INB group (n = 30), 0.5 mL/kg bupivacaine 0.25% was injected for INB.MeasurementsThe primary outcome measure was the number of patients requiring ibuprofen as rescue analgesia and the secondary outcome measures were intraoperative hemodynamic changes and the postoperative FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) score.Main resultsThe number of patients who needed rescue analgesia in the first postoperative 24 h was significantly lower (P = 0.023) in the RLB group [5 (16%)] than the INB group [13 (43%)]. The mean (SD) arterial blood pressure and heart rate were significantly higher (P < 0.001) during sac traction in the INB group [74.07 (2.99), 97.33 (6.98)] than the RLB group [67.73 (3.55), 90.79 (5.13)]. The postoperative FLACC scores at 4, 6, 12, and 24 h were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the RLB group than in the INB group.ConclusionRetrolaminar block is superior to ilioinguinal nerve block in providing postoperative analgesia in pediatric patients undergoing unilateral inguinal herniotomy.     

Comparative study between Levobupivacaine and Bupivacaine for hernia surgery in the elderly

Background

The inguinal hernia is one of the most common diseases in the elderly. Treatment of this type of pathology is exclusively surgical and relies almost always on the use of local anesthesia. While in the past hernia surgery was carried out mainly by general anesthesia, in recent years there has been growing emphasis on the role of local anesthesia.

Methods

The aim of our study was to compare intra-and postoperative analgesia obtained by the use of levobupivacaine compared with that of bupivacaine. Bupivacaine is one of the main local anesthetics used in the intervention of inguinal hernioplasty. Levobupivacaine is an enantiomer of racemic bupivacaine with less cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity. The study was conducted from April 2010 to May 2012. We collected data of forty male patients, aged between 73 and 85 years, who underwent inguinal hernioplasty with local anesthesia for the first time.

Results

Minimal pain is the same in both groups. Mild pain was more frequent in the group who used bupivacaine, moderate pain was slightly more frequent in the group who used levobupivacaine, and the same for intense pain. It is therefore evident how Bupivacaine is slightly less preferred after four and twenty four hours, while the two drugs seem to have the same effect at a distance of twelve and forty-eight hours. Bupivacaine shows a significantly higher number of complications, as already demonstrated by previous studies. The request for an analgesic was slightly higher in patients receiving levobupivacaine.

Conclusions

After considering all these elements, we can conclude that the clinical efficacy of levobupivacaine and racemic bupivacaine are essentially similar, when used under local intervention of inguinal hernioplasty.

     

Evaluation of genitofemoral nerve block, in addition to ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block, during inguinal hernia repair in children

Background. Ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric (IG-IH) nerve blockhas been widely used in children undergoing inguinal herniarepair. This technique may provide insufficient analgesia forintraoperative management as the inguinal region may receivesensory innervation from genitofemoral nerve. We proposed thataddition of a genitofemoral nerve block might improve the qualityof analgesia. Methods. Ninety-eight children undergoing inguinal hernia repairwere assigned randomly to receive either IG-IH nerve block (GroupI) or IG-IH and genitofemoral nerve blocks (Group II). Systolicarterial pressure (SAP) and heart rate (HR) were recorded beforesurgery (control), after skin incision, at sac traction andat the end of surgery. Postoperative analgesic requirementsand incidence of complications were recorded until discharge. Results. At sac traction, SAP and HR were significantly higherin Group I (P<0.05), and the incidence of episodes of increasedHR was also significantly higher in Group II (29 vs 12%, respectively,P<0.05). There were no significant differences in SAP andHR at other time points, postoperative analgesic requirementsor incidence of complications between the groups. Conclusions. The benefit of the additional genitofemoral nerveblock to IG-IH nerve block was limited only to the time of sactraction without any postoperative effect. This suggests thereis little clinical benefit in the addition of a genitofemoralnerve block.     

Levobupivacaine for epidural anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia in hip surgery

Background and objectives

The aim of this randomized, single blind phase IIIb study was to evaluate the efficacy of 0.5% levobupivacaine versus 0.5% bupivacaine and 0.75% ropivacaine administered as epidural anesthesia and 0.125% levobupivacaine versus 0.125% bupivacaine and 0.2% ropivacaine for postoperative analgesia. The study was designed to test the equivalence of the overall profile of levobupivacaine against bupivacaine and ropivacaine. In addition, parameters of clinical safety were assessed.

Methods

A total of 88 patients undergoing hip surgery at 12 German academic hospitals were randomly assigned to 3 different treatment groups. Criteria for drug evaluation were the required epidural volume and time until onset and offset of sensory and motor block, the quality of postoperative analgesia using a pain visual analogue scale and verbal rating scale, as well as the need for rescue medication based on statistical non-inferiority testing.

Results

With respect to onset and offset of sensory and motor blockade, 0.5% levobupivacaine, 0.5% bupivacaine and 0.75% ropivacaine showed clinically significant equivalent profiles for all primary study endpoints. However, the levobupivacaine group showed a higher demand for intraoperative anesthesia. Postoperative analgesia request and pain scales did not differ significantly between groups, but comparatively lower total drug volumes were required in the bupivacaine group. No relevant differences between the trial groups concerning safety parameters were observed.

Conclusions

The efficacy of epidural levobupivacaine for hip surgery and postoperative analgesia is equivalent and shows a comparable clinical profile to bupivacaine and 50–60% higher concentrated ropivacaine. The results of this equivalence study confirm suggestions derived from previous comparative studies.