Preoperative ketorolac administration has no preemptive analgesic effect for minor orthopaedic surgery

The utility of preoperative ketorolac administration to reduce the intensity and duration of postoperative pain was compared with placebo in a randomized double-blind design of 60 ASA 1–2 patients scheduled for minor orthopaedic surgery. No opioids nor local anaesthetic blocks were used during surgery. The patients received either 30 mg ketorolac IV before surgery followed by a placebo injection after surgery or the reverse. Postoperative pain intensity was assessed repeatedly for 6 h using a visual analogue scale. No differences in pain intensity were observed between the two groups except for the initial 15-min postoperative assesments in the ketorolac group. The time to first rescue morphine administration and the total morphine consumption during the 6-h observation period were similar. It is concluded that the preoperative administration of ketorolac did not provide a significant preemptive analgesic benefit with regard to postoperative pain relief and opioid dose-sparing effect.     

Arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia with brachial plexus block

Objective

Changes in respiratory parameters and pulmonary function tests were evaluated after shoulder arthroscopic surgery with brachial plexus block (BPB). The purpose of this study was to identify the mechanism of respiratory dysfunction after this type of surgery.

Methods

Patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair under general anesthesia (GA) with BPB were enrolled in the arthroscopy group (n?=?30) while those undergoing open reduction of a clavicle or humerus fracture under GA were enrolled in the control group (n?=?30). Forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume 1 s (FEV₁) were measured at the outpatient clinic stage (#1) before (#2) and 20 min after BPB (#3) and 1 h after extubation (#4). Respiratory variable measurements along with the cuff leak test were performed 5 min after surgical positioning (T1) and at the start of skin closure (T2). Respiratory discomfort was evaluated after extubation. The upper airway diameters and soft tissue depth of chest wall were also measured by ultrasonography at stages #3 and #4.

Results

Static compliance decreased significantly at T2 in the arthroscopy group (50?±?11 at T1 vs. 44?±?9 ml/cm H₂O at T2, p?=0.035) but not in the control group. The incidence of positive cuff leak tests at T2 was significantly higher in the arthroscopy group than in the control group (47% in the arthroscopy group vs. 17% in controls, p?=0.010). While FEV₁ and FVC remained stable at stages #1 and #2, FVC and FEV₁ decreased at stages #3 and #4 only in the arthroscopy group (FVC in arthroscopy group, #2: 3.26?±?0.77 l; #3: 2.55?±?0.63 l, p?=0.015 vs. #2; #4: 2.66?±?0.41 l, p?=0.040 vs. #2). The subglottic diameter decreased at #4 in the arthroscopy group, while no changes occurred in the control group (0.70?±?0.21 cm vs. 0.85?±?0.23 cm in the arthroscopy and control groups, respectively, p?=0.011). Depth of skin to pleura increased at both intercostal spaces 1–2 and 3–4 in the arthroscopy group. There were three cases of hypoxia (S_pO₂?<?95%) with room air in the arthroscopy group while none occurred in the controls.

Conclusion

Shoulder arthroscopic surgery under GA with BPB induced both restrictive and obstructive pathologies. It is important to maintain a high level of awareness for the potential negative respiratory effects of this surgery especially for subjects with pre-existing cardiopulmonary disease. The measurements in this study would be useful to monitor the risk of respiratory dysfunction in these patients.     

The analgesic effects of preemptive gabapentin in patients undergoing surgery for brachial plexus injury--a preliminary study

There are reports indicating that gabapentin may have place in the treatment of postoperative pain. No study has evaluated the effects of gabapentin on acute, postoperative pain in patients undergoing surgery for brachial plexus injuries. In this preliminary study, we evaluated gabapentin as preemptive analgesic for intraoperative period and during the acute postoperative period at rest and during movement. Twenty consecutive adult patients undergoing surgery for brachial plexus injury were enrolled for the study. Patients randomly received either oral gabapentin 800 mg or placebo capsules 2 hours before surgery. General anesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol, at bispectral index value between 40 and 60. Intraoperative fentanyl and propofol requirements were noted. Postoperatively, all patients were alert and pain was assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) for 24 hours, both during rest and movement. Whenever VAS score was more than 50 or on patients' demand, ketorolac 30 mg was given as rescue analgesic. The demographics, duration of surgery, and propofol consumption in both groups were comparable. Intraoperative and postoperative heart rate and mean blood pressure were also comparable. Significant difference was noted in intraoperative fentanyl consumption (P=0.03), total dose of rescue analgesic (P=0.004), and VAS score at rest and movement, between the 2 groups; less in gabapentin group as compared with placebo group (P=0.01 and 0.04, at rest and movement, respectively). A single oral dose of gabapentin 800 mg, as preemptive analgesic in patients undergoing surgery for brachial plexus injury is found to be an effective adjunct to intraoperative and postoperative pain. Pain is reduced not only at rest but also during movement.     

The preemptive analgesic effect of rofecoxib after ambulatory arthroscopic knee surgery.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide effective postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery. Some investigators have suggested that the preemptive administration of NSAIDs may reduce postoperative analgesic requirements and hypersensitivity. We evaluated the analgesic effect of administering rofecoxib either before or after surgical incision in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery under local anesthesia. Sixty patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy were randomized into three groups. All patients received intraarticular bupivacaine 0.25% pre- and postsurgery together with IV sedation using midazolam and propofol. The Preincisional group received a single 50 mg dose of rofecoxib 1 h before surgery, the Postincisional group received rofecoxib 50 mg after the completion of surgery, and the Placebo group received a placebo tablet before surgery. Pain scores, the time to first opioid use, and 24-h analgesic use were recorded. Analgesic duration, defined as the time from completion of surgery until first opioid use, was significantly longer in those patients receiving pre- (803 +/- 536 min) versus postincisional (461 +/- 344 min) rofecoxib or placebo (318 +/- 108 min). The 24 h acetaminophen/oxycodone use was less in the Preincisional group (1.5 +/- 0.6 pills) versus the Postincisional group (3.3 +/- 1.3 pills) or the Placebo group (5.5 +/- 1.6 pills). Pain scores with movement were lower in the Preincisional group at all postoperative time intervals. We conclude that rofecoxib provides effective postoperative analgesia for arthroscopic meniscectomy. Further, the administration of rofecoxib 50 mg before surgery provides a longer duration of postoperative analgesia, less 24 h opioid use, and lower incidental pain scores compared with administering the drug after the completion of surgery. IMPLICATIONS: The administration of rofecoxib 50 mg before arthroscopic knee surgery provides a longer duration of analgesia, less 24-h opioid use, and lower pain scores than administering the drug after the completion of surgery.     

星状神经节阻滞对甲状腺手术患者颈丛阻滞时心率变异性的影响

目的 探讨星状神经节阻滞(SGB)对甲状腺手术患者颈丛阻滞时心率变异性的影响.方法 择期行甲状腺腺瘤切除术的患者45例,ASA Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,年龄20～60岁,体重40～70 kg,性别不限,随机分为3组(n=15):对照组(C组)、左侧SCB组(LS组)及右侧SGB组(RS组).SGB成功后15 min行颈丛神经阻滞.于入室后(基础状态)、颈丛阻滞结束即刻、阻滞5min.10min、切皮及术毕时记录SBP、DBP、HR;心率变异性参数:总功率(TP)、低频功率(LF)、高频功率(HF)、低频与高频比值(IF/HF比值),并计算LF、HF的标准化值(LFnu、HFnu).结果 与基础值相比,术中C组LFnu和LF/HF比值升高,HR、HF及HFnu下降,RS组LF、HF及HFnu下降,HR升高,三组SBP和DBP均升高(P<0.05或0.01),LS组心率变异性参数差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).与C组相比,LS组HR、LFnu下降,HF和HFnu升高(P<0.05),RS组上述指标差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 甲状腺手术患者颈丛阻滞前行SGB可调节颈丛阻滞引起的交感神经兴奋性,维持交感/副交感神经张力平衡,且左侧SGB效果较好.     

罗哌卡因复合不同剂量地塞米松行肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞在患儿上肢手术后的镇痛效果

目的 观察罗哌卡因复合不同剂量地塞米松行肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞(ISBPB)对患儿上肢骨折手术后镇痛效果的影响。方法 选择上肢骨折手术患儿73例,男46例,女27例,年龄3～7岁,ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级。随机分为三组：单纯罗哌卡因组(R组,n=24)、罗哌卡因复合地塞米松0.1 mg/kg组(D1组,n=24)和罗哌卡因复合地塞米松0.2 mg/kg组(D2组,n=25),三组药液容量均为0.3 ml/kg。患儿在麻醉后行超声引导下ISBPB,均保留自主呼吸。记录痛觉阻滞时间、运动阻滞时间、阻滞后24 h内镇痛药物(布洛芬混悬液、氢吗啡酮)的使用情况。记录膈神经阻滞、Horner综合征、声带麻痹、阻滞侧感觉异常等术后并发症的发生情况。结果 D2组痛觉阻滞时间明显长于R组(P<0.05)。R组和D1组痛觉阻滞时间差异无统计学意义。三组运动阻滞时间差异无统计学意义。D1组和D2组阻滞后24 h内布洛芬混悬液使用次数、氢吗啡酮使用率明显低于R组(P<0.01),D1组和D2组差异无统计学意义。三组膈神经阻滞率差异无统计学意义。三组术后未出现其余并发症。结论 与单纯罗哌卡因比较,0.25%罗哌...     

Preemptive analgesic effects of ketorolac in ankle fracture surgery

BACKGROUND: Preemptive analgesia has been difficult to show in human experiments. If ketorolac has preemptive effects, then there may be an advantage to administering it at the beginning of surgery despite the potential for increased blood loss. METHODS: The authors performed a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of 48 patients scheduled for ankle fracture surgery in a county trauma hospital. Anesthesia management was standardized and included adequate opioid analgesia (5 microg/kg fentanyl and 0.1 mg/kg morphine). Intravenous 30 mg ketorolac was administered to 23 patients before tourniquet inflation and to 25 patients after tourniquet inflation. Visual analog scale pain scores, morphine patient-controlled analgesia consumption, nausea-vomiting, and postoperative bleeding were measured. RESULTS: The 23 patients given ketorolac before tourniquet inflation had no increase in pain postoperatively compared with their preoperative baseline (P = 0.280). The 25 patients who received ketorolac minutes later after tourniquet inflation had significant increases in their postoperative pain compared with their preoperative baseline (P = 0.00116). This effect was short-lived, and by 6 h the pain score in this group was not significantly more than it was preoperatively. Intergroup comparison showed a lower visual analog scale score at 2 (P = 0.0203) and 4 h (P = 0.00549) in the preemptive group and lower nausea scores at hour 6 (P = 0.00704). There was no difference in patient-controlled analgesia consumption between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous 30 mg ketorolac appears to have preemptive analgesic effects in patients undergoing ankle fracture repair. Ketorolac administered before tourniquet inflation prevents postoperative pain being perceived as more intense than preoperative pain.     

Bilateral vocal cord palsy during carotid endarterectomy under cervical plexus block

We describe a case of vocal cord palsy leading to respiratory obstruction during carotid endarterectomy under cervical plexus block in a patient who had preexisting contralateral vocal cord paralysis subsequent to a previous thyroidectomy. The patient required immediate tracheal intubation and subsequent tracheostomy to maintain the airway postoperatively. Care must be given to avoid contralateral vocal cord paralysis in the presence of a preexisting vocal cord palsy.     

The analgesic efficacy of bilateral combined superficial and deep cervical plexus block administered before thyroid surgery under general anesthesia

In this study we evaluated the analgesic efficacy of combined deep and superficial cervical plexus block in patients undergoing thyroidectomy under general anesthesia. For this purpose, 39 patients undergoing elective thyroid surgery were randomized to receive a bilateral combined deep and superficial cervical block (14 mL per side) with saline (Group 1; n = 13), ropivacaine 0.5% (Group 2; n = 13), or ropivacaine 0.5% plus clonidine 7.5 microg/mL (Group 3; n = 13). Deep cervical plexus block was performed with a single injection (8 mL) at the C3 level. Superficial cervical plexus block consisted of a subcutaneous injection (6 mL) behind the lateral border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. During surgery, the number of additional alfentanil boluses was significantly reduced in Groups 2 and 3 compared with Group 1 (1.3 +/- 1.0 and 1.1 +/- 1.0 vs 2.6 +/- 1.0; P < 0.05). After surgery, the opioid and non-opioid analgesic requirements were also significantly reduced in Groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.05) during the first 24 h. Except for one patient in Group 3, who experienced transient anesthesia of the brachial plexus, no side effect was noted in any group. We conclude that combined deep and superficial cervical plexus block is an effective technique to alleviate pain during and immediately after thyroidectomy. IMPLICATIONS: Combined deep and superficial cervical plexus block is an effective technique to reduce opioid requirements during and after thyroid surgery.     

The preemptive analgesic effect of intraarticular bupivacaine and morphine after ambulatory arthroscopic knee surgery

Intraarticular (IA) morphine provides effective postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic knee surgery. Some investigators have suggested that the preemptive administration of opioids may reduce postoperative analgesic requirements and hypersensitivity. We evaluated the analgesic effect of administering IA morphine either before or after surgical incision in patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery under local anesthesia. Forty patients undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy were randomized into two groups. All patients received IA bupivacaine 0.25% before and after surgery together with IV sedation using midazolam and propofol. The Preemptive IA Morphine group received a single 3-mg dose of morphine with their preoperative bupivacaine. The Post-IA Morphine group received 3 mg of morphine at the completion of surgery with the postoperative bupivacaine. After surgery, pain scores, the time to first opioid use, and 24-h analgesic use were recorded. Analgesic duration, defined as the time from completion of surgery until first opioid use, was significantly longer in those patients receiving preoperative (953 +/- 209 min) versus postoperative (556 +/- 121 min) IA morphine. The 24-h acetaminophen and oxycodone use was less in the Preemptive group (2.2 +/- 1.2 pills) versus the Postoperative group (3.0 +/- 1.2 pills). We conclude that IA morphine provides a longer duration of postoperative analgesia with less 24-h opioid use when administered before surgery. Implications: The administration of intraarticular morphine 3 mg before arthroscopic knee surgery provides a longer duration of analgesia with less 24-h opioid use compared with the administration of the drug at the completion of surgery.     

全麻和颈丛阻滞行颈动脉内膜剥脱术的对比研究

目的比较全麻和颈丛阻滞行颈动脉内膜剥脱术(CEA)围术期血液动力学变化和并发症情况.方法64例颈动脉内膜剥脱术分别在全麻和颈丛阻滞下完成,每组32例.记录并计算两组围术期血液动力学参数的波动性,分流管使用率、心脑并发症,询问患者的满意程度和选择倾向.结果CEA全麻围术期的血液动力学波动性明显大于颈丛阻滞(P＜0.01),高血压和低血压的发生率也高于颈丛阻滞(P＜0.05);全麻分流管的使用率高于颈丛阻滞(P＜0.05),围术期心肌缺血的发生率也高于颈丛阻滞(P＜0.05),两组神经系统并发症无显著差异.患者对两种麻醉方法的满意程度无显著差异,倾向于选择已使用过的麻醉方法.结论全身麻醉和颈丛阻滞都可安全用于颈动脉内膜剥脱术,颈丛阻滞有利于维护围术期血液动力学的稳定,减少分流管的使用和心血管并发症.     

The effect of serratus plane block performed under direct vision on postoperative pain in breast surgery

Study ObjectivesTo determine the effectiveness of serratus plane block performed under direct vision on postoperative pain after mastectomy.DesignWe performed a retrospective study of elective breast surgery patients undergoing mastectomy over 6 months. We collected data on the outcomes for the pain score and use of analgesia in recovery, the use of analgesia and antiemetics overnight, and the pain score and mobilization status of the patient 1 day after the operation.SettingBreast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and mastectomy is commonly performed as part of the management. A mastectomy can cause significant acute pain which progresses to chronic pain in 25% to 60% of women. Recent studies have suggested that a serratus plane block is a viable alternative to regional anesthetic techniques without the side effect profile and that injection of local anesthetic into serratus anterior provided predictable and effective anesthesia to the chest wall. Serratus blocks target the thoracic nerves more selectively than pectoral blocks, and local blocks can reduce the use of opiates postoperatively thereby lessening opiate-related side effects.PatientsOur sample included 16 patients who had received a serratus block and 11 patients who only had wound infiltration with levobupivacaine with adrenaline and clonidine.InterventionSerratus plane block was conducted by injecting 50% of the totally available levobupivacaine 0.375% with adrenaline and clonidine deep to serratus anterior under direct observation.Main ResultsNo patients receiving a serratus block suffered severe pain in recovery or day 1 postoperatively. Patients receiving wound infiltration alone had 2 patients suffering severe pain in recovery and 3 patients suffering severe pain day 1 postoperatively.ConclusionSerratus block provides effective regional anesthesia, suitable for mastectomies, and currently appears to be superior to wound infiltration alone. However, further data will need to be collected to support this finding.     

Remifentanil or propofol for sedation during carotid endarterectomy under cervical plexus block

Background. During carotid endarterectomy under regional anaesthesia,patients often require medication to control haemodynamic instabilityand to provide sedation and analgesia. Propofol and remifentanilare used for this purpose. However, the benefits, side-effects,and optimal dose of these drugs in such patients are unclear. Methods. Sixty patients were included in a prospective, randomized,single blinded study. All patients received a deep cervicalplexus block with 30 ml ropivacaine 0.75% and were randomizedto receive either remifentanil 3 µg kg^–1 h^–1or propofol 1 mg kg^–1 h^–1. The infusions were startedafter performing the regional block and were stopped at theend of surgery. Arterial pressure, ECG, ventilatory rate, andPa_CO2 were measured continuously and recorded at predeterminedtimes. Twenty-four hours after surgery, patient comfort, andsatisfaction were also evaluated. Results. In three patients, the infusion of remifentanil hadto be stopped because of severe respiratory depression or bradycardia.No significant differences were found between the two groupsin haemodynamic variables or sedative effects, but there wasa significantly greater decrease in ventilatory frequency andincrease in Pa_CO2 in the remifentanil group. The patient’ssubjective impressions and pain control were excellent in bothgroups. Conclusion. As a result of the higher incidence of adverse respiratoryeffects with remifentanil and similar sedative effects, propofolis preferable for sedation during cervical plexus block in elderlypatients with comorbid disease at the dosage used. Br J Anaesth 2002; 89: 637–40     

Novel analgesic adjuncts for brachial plexus block: a systematic review

This article reviews current evidence for the efficacy of adding novel analgesic adjuncts to brachial plexus block, the goal of which is to prolong analgesic effect without the disadvantage of systemic side effects or prolonged motor block. It may also allow for a reduction in the total dose of local anesthetic used. Novel adjuncts studied to date include opioids, clonidine, neostigmine, and tramadol. Twenty-four studies were reviewed and assessed by using specific inclusion criteria, and only those studies satisfying these criteria were included in the final assessment. Satisfactory studies were then assessed for inclusion of a systemic control group to determine peripheral effect, as opposed to possible systemic effect, of an adjunct administered peripherally. Evidence regarding the analgesic benefit of opioid adjuncts remains equivocal and more evidence is required before their routine use can be recommended. Clonidine appears to have significant analgesic benefit and to cause minimal adverse effects when used in doses up to 150 microg. Data regarding other drugs, such as tramadol and neostigmine, are not sufficient to allow for any recommendations, and further studies are required.