Interscalene brachial plexus block is superior to subacromial bursa block after arthroscopic shoulder surgery

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is often associated with severe postoperative pain. The results concerning subacromial bursa blockade (SUB) as a method of pain relief have been contradictory. We hypothesized that a SUB and interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) would similarly reduce early postoperative pain and the need for oxycodone as compared to placebo (PLA). METHODS: Forty-five patients scheduled for arthroscopic shoulder surgery were enrolled in this randomised, prospective study. The ISB and SUB blockades were performed with 15 ml of ropivacaine (5 mg/ml). In the PLA group, 15 ml of 0.9% saline was injected into the subacromial bursa. All patients received general anaesthesia. RESULTS: The mean intravenously patient-controlled delivered oxycodone consumption during the first 6 h was significantly lower in the ISB group (6 mg) than in the SUB group (24.1 mg; P=0.001) or in the PLA group (27 mg; P<0.001). No significant differences were detected between the SUB and PLA groups (P=0.791). The postoperative pain scores during the first 4 h at rest and during the first 6 h on movement were significantly lower in the ISB group than in the SUB and PLA groups. CONCLUSION: After arthroscopic shoulder surgery SUB has a minor effect only on postoperative analgesia, whereas an ISB with low-dose ropivacaine effectively relieves early postoperative pain and reduces the need for opioids.     

Analgesia and discharge following preincisional ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block combined with general or spinal anaesthesia for inguinal herniorrhaphy

BACKGROUND: Preincisional ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block (IINB) reduces postoperative analgesics after inguinal herniorrhaphy. The effect of an IINB on postoperative pain and discharge profile was therefore studied in day-surgery patients undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy with general or spinal anaesthesia. METHODS: Seventy ASA I-II adult patients scheduled for inguinal herniorrhaphy received an IINB before the surgical incision with 15 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine. In a randomized fashion half of them received general anaesthesia with spontaneous breathing via a laryngeal mask (GA-group) and the other half received spinal anaesthesia with 5 mg of bupivacaine diluted with sterile water to 2.5-ml volume (SPIN-group). In the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU), pain was assessed on a scale from 0 to 10 (VAS) and ketorolac 30 mg i.v. (VAS < 5), or fentanyl 0.05 mg i.v. (VAS > or = 5) was administered as scheduled. In the day surgery unit and at home the analgesic was a tablet of ibuprofen 200 mg + codeine 30 mg (VAS > or = 3). RESULTS: Patients in the SPIN-group reported lower postoperative pain scores at 30, 60 min (P < 0.0001) and 120 min (P < 0.05) after surgery, and longer time to first analgesic use (P < 0.0001). Patients in the GA-group had a shorter time to discharge without voiding (P < 0.001) and with voiding (P < 0.05). After discharge, there were no significant differences between the groups regarding pain scores at rest and at walking, or the doses of analgesic. Adverse events were rare in both groups. CONCLUSION: Only a relatively short immediate analgesic benefit could be demonstrated by a combination of IINB with spinal anaesthesia compared with IINB combined with general anaesthesia. The use of general anaesthesia facilitated an earlier postoperative discharge than spinal anaesthesia.     

Etoricoxib pre-medication for post-operative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background:  Etoricoxib alleviates and prevents acute pain. The hypothesis of our study was that the pre-operative use of etoricoxib would reduce the post-operative need for additional pain treatment.
Methods:  In this double-blind, randomized and active placebo-controlled study, 75 patients were pre-medicated 1.5 h before elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 120 mg of etoricoxib (E120 group), the same dose of etoricoxib combined with 1 g of paracetamol (E + P group) or placebo (Pla group). To alleviate post-operative pain, a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device was programmed to deliver 50 μg of fentanyl intravenously (lockout time, 5 min). The pain intensity and nausea were assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). The number of patients with post-operative nausea and vomiting was recorded. Blood loss was compared between the groups. Because the operations are almost blood-less, the operation time was also recorded to compare the possible effect on bleeding time.
Results:  Pre-medication with etoricoxib or etoricoxib plus paracetamol had a statistically significant fentanyl-sparing effect 2–20 h post-operatively compared with placebo ( P = 0.001). No significant differences were demonstrated in fentanyl-sparing effect between the E120 and E + P groups. No significant differences in pain intensity were found between the three study groups. No significant differences were observed between the groups with regard to nausea, blood loss, duration of anaesthesia or duration of surgery.
Conclusion:  Etoricoxib is suitable for pre-medication before laparoscopic cholecystectomy as it reduces the need for post-operative opioids. Opioid-related side-effects, however, were not reduced in the present study, despite the observed opioid-sparing effect of etoricoxib and combined etoricoxib and paracetamol.     

The effect of continuous intra-articular and intra-bursal infusion of lidocaine on postoperative pain following shoulder arthroscopic surgery

We evaluated the effects of continuous intra-articular and intra-bursal infusion of lidocaine on postoperative pain following shoulder arthroscopic surgery. Forty-one ASA I-II patients scheduled for shoulder arthroscopic surgery, were allocated into following four groups. The patients, after intra-articular arthroscopic surgery, either received intra-articular lidocaine (Group I, n = 10) or did not (Group III, n = 10). The patients after extra-articular arthroscopic surgery either received intra-bursal lidocaine (Group II, n = 11) or did not (Group IV, n = 10). Group I and Group II received 8 ml of 1% lidocaine intra-articularly and intra-bursally, respectively, at the end of surgery, followed by continuous infusion of 1% lidocaine at the rate of 2 ml.hr-1 for 24 hours. The intensities of postoperative pain were evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), 2, 5, 8, 12, 18 and 24 hours after surgery, and by the number of patients' request for supplemental analgesic for 24 hours. The VAS scores and the number of analgesic requests were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in Group I than Group III, and in Group II than Group IV throughout the postoperative observation period. No adverse effects were observed during this study. We conclude that continuous intra-articular and intra-bursal infusion of lidocaine provides effective postoperative pain relief for shoulder arthroscopic surgery.     

Comparison of etoricoxib vs. ketorolac in postoperative pain relief

Background: COX‐2 inhibitors have been claimed to have equal analgesic efficacy as non‐selective nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, but this has been disputed in animal experiments. Methods: One hundred thirty‐three women scheduled for ambulatory, laparoscopic gynaecological surgery were included in this randomised, double‐blind study. Group E received 120 mg etoricoxib orally as premedication. Group K received 30 mg ketorolac i.v. after induction of anaesthesia. General anaesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol and remifentanil. Fentanyl 0.5 μg/kg i.v. and local wound anaesthesia was administered at the end of surgery. Postoperatively, the patients received fentanyl 0.5 μg/kg i.v. if visual analogue scale (VAS) ≥30 mm. Before discharge, Group K received 30 mg ketorolac i.v. Twenty‐four hours postoperatively, Group E received 120 mg etoricoxib. Results: The first 4 h postoperatively, Group K required 83±65 μg and Group E required 123±91 μg fentanyl [mean (SD), P=0.004]. After 30 min VAS in Group K was 31.3±19.7 mm and 43.8±16.9 mm in Group E [mean (SD), P<0.001]. Discharge readiness was significantly shorter in Group K (222±40 min) compared with Group E (244±47 min) [mean (SD), P=0.004]. There were no differences in pain scores or rescue pain medication at 24 or 48 h postoperatively. Less nausea was observed in the 4–24‐h period in Group E. Conclusions: Thirty milligram ketorolac i.v. after induction of anaesthesia resulted in significantly less immediate pain and opioid consumption during the first 4 h postoperatively compared with 120 mg etoricoxib preoperatively.     

Patient-controlled ropivacaine analgesia after arthroscopic subacromial decompression

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of a subacromial patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine versus saline for postoperative pain control following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Type of Study: Double-blind prospective randomized study. Methods: A prospective, randomized double-blind study was performed on a consecutive group of 24 patients. All patients had arthroscopic subacromial decompression. Ropivacaine was chosen as the study drug due to the association of cardiac toxicity with the use of bupivacaine. The surgeon, anesthesiologist, and the operating room staff were blinded to the randomization. Immediately before surgery, the pharmacy staff randomized the type of drug infusion. Patients were asked to record their pain score using a visual analog scale (VAS) along with the amount of hydrocodone consumption for the first 2 days after surgery. Results: Nineteen patients completed the study. Ten patients received a subacromial infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine at 5 mL per hour with a bolus dose of 2 mL at a 15-minute lockout period via a microjet PCA pump (group I). Nine patients received saline in the same experimental conditions (group II). The use of a PCA ropivacaine infusion (group I) resulted in a significant reduction of postoperative pain by 34% as measured by VAS scale (P < .05), but no changes in the amount of hydrocodone consumption. Conclusions: The use of subacromial 0.2% ropivacaine PCA infusion provided effective postoperative pain control. Level of Evidence: Level I.     

Tramadol or fentanyl analgesia for ambulatory knee arthroscopy

In a double-blind, randomized, controlled study, 61 patients who received a standardized anaesthetic for day case arthroscopic knee surgery were studied. Group T (n = 31) received tramadol 1.5 mg kg-1, and group F (n = 30) received fentanyl 1.5 micrograms kg-1 at the induction of anaesthesia. All patients also received 20 mL of intra-articular bupivacaine 0.5% at the end of surgery. Assessments were made of pain at rest and on movement, analgesic requirements and side-effects at hourly intervals up to 6 h and by means of a postal questionnaire at 24 h and 48 h post-operatively. Group F had higher pain scores than group T at 4 h only [VAS 3.3 (1.6-5.5) vs. 2.4 (1-4), P = 0.039, respectively; median (interquartile range)]. There were no other significant differences between the groups in terms of pain scores, supplemental analgesic requirements or incidence of side-effects. We conclude that tramadol offers little benefit clinically compared with fentanyl when used at induction of anaesthesia for day case arthroscopic knee surgery. Further studies are indicated in patients with more severe pain to determine the role of tramadol in post-operative analgesia.     

Patient-controlled regional analgesia (PCRA) with ropivacaine after arthroscopic subacromial decompression

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate postoperative analgesia and safety of wound instillation of ropivacaine either by a single dose or a patient-controlled regional anaesthesia (PCRA) technique. METHODS: In 40 patients undergoing arthroscopic subacromial decompression the surgeon placed a catheter into the subacromial space at the end of the operation. In Phase I (10 patients), ropivacaine 250 mg was injected twice within 1 h. In Phase II, 30 patients were randomised into three groups: group prilocaine-ropivacaine (PR) = 20 ml of 1% prilocaine-epinephrine injected preoperatively into the subacromial bursa + 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine infused in the catheter postoperatively; group saline-ropivacaine (SR) = saline-epinephrine (20 ml) preoperatively + 0.5% ropivacaine as in group PR; group saline-saline (SS) = saline-epinephrine (20 ml) preoperatively + saline postoperatively. The PCRA pump was filled with local anaesthetic or saline to allow boluses of 10-ml each, maximum one bolus/h, via the catheter. Pain relief, side-effects and venous plasma concentration of ropivacaine were evaluated during a 24-h-test period. RESULTS: The free plasma concentration of ropivacaine was 0.12 + 0.041 mg l-1 in Phase I. No adverse effects were seen. In Phase II pain at rest and on movement was lower in group PR than in group SS during the first 30 min postoperatively (P < 0.05). Group PR had the lowest morphine consumption (P < 0.05). Five to seven boluses were administered via the PCRA-pump, and 20 min after administration of the study solution, pain was lower in groups PR and SR compared with group SS (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative intrabursal prilocaine with epinephrine + postoperative subacromial administration of ropivacaine by PCRA-technique provided the most effective analgesia with no major side-effects. The free plasma concentrations of ropivacaine were far below toxic concentrations.     

The pre-emptive analgesic effect of intra-articular bupivacaine in arthroscopic knee surgery

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine whether intra-articular injection of bupivacaine prior to surgery provided better pain control after arthroscopic meniscectomy as compared with post-operative administration of bupivacaine. METHODS: Forty patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I or II undergoing arthroscopic meniscectomy were assigned in a randomized, double-blinded manner into two groups: Group I received 20 ml of 2.5 mg/ml bupivacaine without epinephrine 30 min before skin incision and 20 ml of saline immediately after skin closure. Group II received identical injections in reverse order. All patients received total intravenous anesthesia. Post-operative pain scores were evaluated at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h at rest and movement of the knee, using a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS). The time to first analgesic use and 24-h analgesic consumption were recorded. RESULTS: Pain scores were lower in Group I compared with Group II at 1, 2, 4 and 6 h at rest and on movement (P < 0.05). The time to first analgesic use was longer in Group I, but there was no statistically significant difference in 24-h analgesic consumption. CONCLUSION: Intra-articular bupivacaine administered before surgery provided a statistically significant reduction in post-operative pain scores compared with post-operative bupivacaine administration.     

The effect of psychological status on pain and surgical outcome in patients requiring arthroscopic subacromial decompression

Background

We prospectively investigated the association between pre-operative psychological status and early post-operative shoulder pain and function in patients requiring arthroscopic subacromial decompression for impingement syndrome.

Methods

A consecutive series of patients in 2009/10 completed questionnaires 2?weeks pre-operatively and three and 6?weeks post-operatively that assessed psychological state, shoulder function and pain. The hospital anxiety and depression scale, the oxford shoulder score and a pain visual analogue scale assessed psychological status, shoulder function and shoulder pain, respectively.

Results

Thirty-one patients participated (21 women; 10 men; mean age 54.6?years; age range 21–89?years). Pre-operative anxiety was significantly associated with pre-operative shoulder pain (P?<?0.05). Pre-operative psychological status did not correlate with post-operative shoulder pain or function. Greater pre-operative anxiety and depression were significantly associated with post-operative psychological distress (P?<?0.05). Overall shoulder pain, function and psychological state improved significantly during the study (P?<?0.05) regardless of pre-operative psychological status.

Conclusion

Despite pre-operative associations between anxiety and shoulder pain, there were no associations between pre-operative psychological status and post-operative outcomes. There may be no justification for assessing psychological state in cases of ‘uncomplicated’ impingement syndromes requiring arthroscopic subacromial decompression. Abnormal pre-operative psychological status is not a justifiable reason for delaying or denying this effective operation.     

Comparison between intra-articular bupivacaine with epinephrine and epinephrine alone on short-term and long-term pain after knee arthroscopic surgery under general anesthesia in day-surgery patients

BACKGROUND: : Postarthroscopy analgesia has been provided with intra-articular bupivacaine, but reported results are conflicting regarding efficacy and the duration of analgesia. The immediate and long-term effects of intra-articular bupivacaine with epinephrine after arthroscopic knee surgery were therefore studied in a day surgery setting. METHODS: : 120 ASA I-II patients scheduled for arthroscopic knee surgery were given general anesthesia with spontaneous breathing via a laryngeal mask. In a randomized and blinded fashion half of them received, at the end of surgery, intra-articularly 20 mL 0.5% bupivacaine with epinephrine (B + E-group) and the other half 20 mL saline with epinephrine (S + E-group). All patients received ketoprofen 100 mg i.v. during surgery and another 100 mg 2-3 h postoperatively. The patients were observed for about 4.5 h in the day surgery unit before discharge. RESULTS: : The results showed that in comparison with the S + E-group, significantly fewer patients in the B + E-group needed analgesics (P < 0.0001) and the amount required was also significantly less postoperatively, before discharge (about 4.5 h postoperatively) (P < 0.0001). The latency to the need for the first postoperative analgesic was shorter in the S + E-group patients (P < 0.0001). At home, during seven days after discharge, the need for analgesic (oral ketoprofen 100 mg) was greater in the B + E-group (P < 0.05), especially only during the second postoperative day, but the visual analoque pain scale (VAPS) scores were low with no differences between the groups. No complication occurred. CONCLUSION: : It is concluded that a good postoperative pain control of intra-articular bupivacaine with epinephrine was found only in the immediate postoperative period (i.e. before discharge) in a day-surgery arthroscopic knee surgery patients.     

Analgesie durch intraartikuläres Morphin nach Kniegelenksarthroskopien? Eine doppelblinde,randomisierte Studie mit patientenkontrollierter Analgesie*

Previous studies investigating the peripheral action of locally instilled morphine after arthroscopic knee surgery found evidence for an analgesic effect. Follow-up studies have lead to conflicting results.We used patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to test the analgesic potency of intraarticular morphine. Methods. Patients undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery under general anaesthesia received, after written informed consent and in double-blind and randomised manner, 1?mg morphine diluted in 10?ml saline either intraarticularly or intravenously at the end of the surgical procedure. A control injection of 10?ml saline was given at the other site. The pain intensity on a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the cumulative morphine consumption were recorded at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 24?h after the end of general anaesthesia. Statistics: Wilcoxon rank sum test with P<0.05. Results. A total of 59?patients were included in the study; 29 received morphine intraarticularly (verum group), 30 intravenously (control group). There was no difference in gender, age, duration of arthroscopy or anaesthesia. There were more than 60% diagnostic arthroscopies in both groups; other types of surgery were comparable, with the exception of cruciate band repair procedures only in the control group. We found no difference in morphine consumption or pain intensity between the two groups throughout the study period. Median overall consumption of morphine after 24?h was 14?mg in the verum group and 15?mg in the control group, with wide interindividual variation. Pain intensities were remarkably low. The peak pain intensity of both groups was found at 1?h postoperatively, with median 16/100 on the VAS in both groups. Blinding was robust. Conclusion. We found no reduction in postoperative morphine supplementation after 1?mg morphine intraarticularly compared to 1?mg intravenously given at the end of knee arthroscopies. There were also no differences in pain intensities on a VAS. We conclude that titration of postoperative pain with a morphine-filled PCA pump was unable to show a difference in analgesic potency between intraarticular and intravenous morphine.     

Combined pre-incisional oral dextromethorphan and epidural lidocaine for postoperative pain reduction and morphine sparing: a randomised double-blind study on day-surgery patients

The reduction in acute pain perception following dextromethorphan has previously been investigated in patients undergoing general anaesthesia. This random and double-blind study examined the effects of pre-incisional oral dextromethorphan on postoperative pain and intravenous patient-controlled morphine demand in 60 day-surgery patients undergoing lower body surgery under lidocaine (1.6%-16 ml) epidural anaesthesia after receiving placebo, 60 or 90 mg dextromethorphan, 90 min pre-operatively. Postoperative pain was scored on a visual analogue scale from 1 to 10. In-hospital observation continued for 6 h and for 3 days at home; diclofenac was available throughout. Dextromethorphan-treated patients reported significantly (p < 0.05) less pain and sedation, and felt better. Patients who received dextromethorphan 90 mg had significantly (p < 0.05) lower heart and respiratory rates than those who received 60 mg. Medicated patients required half the morphine and diclofenac of placebo patients: 38% of patients who received 90 mg and 21% who received dextromethorphan 60 mg used no morphine or diclofenac whatsoever, a previously unreported finding.     

Effect of preincisional ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block on postoperative analgesic requirement in day-surgery patients undergoing herniorrhaphy under spinal anaesthesia

BACKGROUND: By choosing spinal anaesthesia instead of general anaesthesia, and by infiltrating the wound area with local anaesthetic the need for postoperative analgesics may be reduced. An ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block (IINB) in inguinal herniorrhaphy was, therefore, studied in a day surgery setting in combination with a spinal block. METHODS: One hundred ASA I-II adult patients scheduled for inguinal herniorrhaphy were given spinal anaesthesia with hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine. In a randomized and blinded fashion half of them received an IINB 5 min before the surgical incision with 10 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine (B-IINB) and the other half with saline (S-IINB). All patients received ketoprofen 100 mg i.v. during surgery and another 100 mg 2-3 h postoperatively. The patients were observed for about 6 h in the day surgery unit before discharge. RESULTS: The results showed that in comparison with the S-IINB group, significantly fewer patients in the B-IINB group needed analgesics (P<0.01) and the amount required was also significantly less postoperatively, before discharge (about 6 h postoperatively) (P<0.05). The latency to the need for the first postoperative analgesic was shorter in the S-IINB patients (P<0.01). At home the VAS scores and the need for analgesics (oral ketoprofen 100 mg) were low with no differences between the groups. No complications occurred. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that no long-term analgesia could be demonstrated by a preincisional IINB performed during spinal anaesthesia in day-surgery inguinal herniorrhaphy patients. Thus, reduced analgesic requirement was seen only for about 6 h postoperatively.     

Portal track infiltration versus Interscalene brachial plexus block for Pain control following shoulder arthroscopy

Arthroscopic shoulder surgery is often associated with severe postoperative pain that can be difficult to manage without large-dose opioids 1, 2.Local anaesthetics can also be injected into joint spaces to provide analgesia during and after arthroscopic surgery [3].The goal of the present study was to assess the efficacy of the portal track infiltration versus interscalene block on adequacy of pain control, and possible side effects.MethodsSixty patients of ASA I or II patients, presenting for arthroscopic subacromial decompression, were included in this comparative randomized study.Group I received preincisional 30 ml of bupivacaine 0.5% using spinal needle 22G at the site of insertion of the trocars, 10 ml at each trocars site. Group II received interscalene block using the same equal amount of 30 ml bupivacaine 0.5% at the start of the procedure before general anaesthesia using electric nerve stimulator. Visual analogue scale (VAS), time to first need of analgesia in each group, total amount of analgesia and the occurrence of side effects necessitating overnight hospital stay were recorded.ResultsThere was significant reduction of heart rate and mean blood pressure in group II compared to group I from 15 min onwards.VAS readings were insignificant between the two groups in the first 9 h postoperatively.As regards the timing of first requirement of analgesics and total amount of analgesia required in the first 24 h, and the complications necessitating overnight stay, the readings were insignificant in both groups.ConclusionThis denotes that pre-emptive analgesia offered using portal track infiltration not only gives equipotent analgesia to that of the interscalene, but lacks significant risks and can be easily to give by the surgeon.     

The effectiveness of an anesthetic continuous-infusion device on postoperative pain control

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of an anesthetic continuous-infusion device on postoperative pain after outpatient shoulder surgery. Type of Study: Double-blinded randomized trial. Methods: A prospective, double-blinded, randomized study of 50 consecutive patients undergoing outpatient arthroscopic shoulder surgery was performed. Patients were assigned by computer-generated randomized permuted block of four to 2 groups (25 each) receiving either a saline or 0.5% bupivacaine solution via an infusion pump after surgery. All patients gave informed consent and were randomized immediately before surgery. The surgical team, patient, clinic staff, and data collector were blinded to the randomization. Procedures performed included arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, SLAP lesion repairs, subacromial decompressions, and capsular reefings. The infusion pump that was tested was used continuously for 48 hours and administered 2 mL each hour. For subacromial and rotator cuff surgery, the catheter was placed in the subacromial space. For glenohumeral surgery, the catheter was placed in the glenohumeral joint. Routine pain-control efforts were continued. Interviews were conducted at 1, 2, and 8 hours after surgery, followed by daily telephone interviews for 1 week. Visual analog scale (VAS), categorical pain scale (Likert) data, and oral medication use data were recorded. Results: Complete data sets were collected from 25 bupivacaine and 24 saline patients because 1 pump malfunctioned and was removed early. The average age of the bupivacaine group patients was 47.4 ± 16.3 years (range, 16 to 84); patients in the saline group had an average age of 46.0 ± 15.5 years (range, 19 to 73). There were 17 men and 8 women in the bupivacaine group and 16 men and 8 women in the saline group. The Likert and VAS mean values showed lower pain scores for the patients using the pump containing bupivacaine than for the saline group at all recorded times (P < .05) throughout the 7 days of data collection. The interval of greatest pain was on day 2. Postoperative oral medication use was always greater for the saline group than for those receiving bupivacaine. Conclusions: Postoperative pain control after arthroscopic shoulder surgery is essential so that these procedures can be successfully carried out in an outpatient setting. The first 2 postoperative days is the period of greatest pain. Continuous postoperative bupivacaine infusion is effective during this critical period, and the effect lingers even after the infusion is discontinued. The administration of bupivacaine via a continuous-infusion anesthetic pump statistically reduced postoperative pain after outpatient arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, SLAP lesion repairs, subacromial decompressions, and capsular reefings.     

Comparison of analgesic methods by using ropivacaine after arthroscopic shoulder surgery

Background

There is no clinical study which has evaluated real effectiveness of ropivacaine when it is used in a subacromial pump in addition to its bolus injection in a mixture of agents. The aim of the study is to evaluate pain relieving effect of ropivacaine infusion by a pain pump after arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Method

Thirty-six patients were randomly divided into three groups. Arthroscopic subacromial surgery was performed under general anesthesia. A subacromial catheter was placed in groups 1 and 2 patients. At the end of the operation, 15 ml of 0.5 % ropivacaine, 15 mg of ketolorac, and 4 mg morphine sulfate mixture was applied to all patients into the subacromial space. In addition to that, group 1 patients were applied with 0.5 % ropivacaine running through a pain pump at 4 cm³/h. Group 2 patients only received 100 cm³ saline (placebo) through the same pain pump, which was also running at 4 cm³/h. No additional intervention except subacromial mixture application was performed in group 3. Pain levels were evaluated by using the visual analogue scale.

Results

Twelve male and 19 female patients were included in this study. During the first postoperative hour, there was no difference between the groups in terms of pain scores. During the ongoing 24-h period, group 2 patients suffered less pain and had less analgesic need compared with the other two groups (p?<?0.05). However, in the same day, there was no significant difference in pain scores and analgesic consumption between groups 1 and 3 (p?>?0.05).

Conclusion

In terms of pain relief, the mixture of morphine, ropivacaine, and ketolorac was found to be as effective as the 24-h pump infusion of ropivacaine following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. It was observed that placebo-given patients suffered less pain because saline increased the long-term effect of ropivacaine. So if an appropriate analgesic agent is applied to the subacromial space, there is no need for a pump infusion postoperatively.     

超声引导下微创治疗急性肩峰三角肌下滑囊炎的病例对照研究

目的 :评价超声引导下微创治疗急性肩峰三角肌下滑囊炎的疗效。方法 :对2012年6月至2014年3月肩痛患者进行肌骨超声检查,诊断为急性肩峰三角肌下滑囊炎120例,分为治疗组和对照组。治疗组60例,男28例,女32例,平均年龄(56.31±8.23)岁,病程(8.08±1.32)d,采用肌骨超声引导下注射治疗;对照组57例,男24例,女33例,平均年龄(57.39±9.25)岁,病程(7.74±1.29)d,采用病变部位痛点封闭治疗。对患者治疗前后肩关节疼痛、夜间静息痛及功能、二次注射率和综合疗效进行观察评估。结果:两组治疗后肩关节疼痛、夜间静息痛及功能均较治疗前改善,治疗1 d、1周后两组VAS评分对比,治疗组优于对照组;治疗1 d后夜间静息痛治疗组优于对照组;治疗1 d、1周及1个月后两组功能评分比较,治疗组高于对照组。二次注射人数治疗组13例,低于对照组45例。两组综合疗效评定,治疗组痊愈37例,优于对照组21例。结论:超声引导下微创治疗急性肩峰三角肌下滑囊炎较传统封闭疗法起效更快,疗程更短,短期疗效及综合疗效优于传统封闭疗法。     

Effect of mandibular nerve block on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing oropharyngeal carcinoma surgery under general anaesthesia

BACKGROUND: Postoperative analgesia after oropharyngeal carcinoma surgery remains poorly studied. This study investigates the effects of mandibular nerve block (MNB) with ropivacaine 10 mg ml(-1) in conjunction with general anaesthesia (GA) on postoperative analgesia after partial glossectomy or transmandibular lateral pharyngectomy. METHODS: In a randomized double-blind study, 42 patients (21 in each group) received an MNB by the lateral extra-oral approach (MNB group) or a deep s.c. injection of normal saline (control group). Both groups received a standardized general anaesthetic. Postoperative analgesia included fixed dose of i.v. acetaminophen and morphine via a patient-controlled analgesia device. Consumption of morphine and supplemental analgesics and pain scores at rest were measured. RESULTS: The mean cumulative morphine consumption was reduced by 56 and 45% at 12 and 24 h after operation in the MNB group. The administration of analgesic rescue medications was delayed in the MNB group. The visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores were comparable in the two groups during the first 24 h. Adequate analgesia (mean VAS < or = 3) was observed throughout the study period in the MNB group, but only from 4 h after operation onwards in the control group. The number of patients who experienced severe pain (VAS > 7) during the first postoperative day was lower in the MNB group than in the control group (3 vs 10. respectively, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, MNB performed before GA for oropharyngeal carcinoma surgery improved postoperative analgesia, resulting in reduced morphine consumption at 24 h and severe pain in fewer patients.     

The Effect of Pre-emptive Dexketoprofen Administration on Postoperative Pain Management in Patients with Ultrasound Guided Interscalene Block in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

Abstract

Background: Postoperative pain is an important problem for patients undergoing shoulder surgery. Our study investigated analgesic efficacy, duration of analgesia, postoperative analgesic use and patient satisfaction with the use of preemptive intravenous dexketoprofen for interscalene block in addition to general anesthesia in arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Methods: 60 patients, scheduled for arthroscopic shoulder surgery were randomized (30 patients each) into either: - control group (Group1) or dexketoprofen group (Group 2). Patients were followed for 48?hours to compare both groups for; post-operative pain scores, effectiveness of postoperative analgesia, duration of analgesia, and analgesia consumption. Duration of postoperative sensory block of the shoulder joint was defined as time to onset of pain at the incision site. Duration of postoperative motor block of the shoulder joint was defined as time to onset of first shoulder movement. Results: While no significant difference was determined for motor block time, sensory block time was significantly longer in the dexketoprofen group (p?<?0.05).VAS scores were significantly lower at all times in the dexketoprofen group (p?<?0.05).Total PCA fentanyl consumption was 274.16?±?314.89 (μg) in the dexketoprofen group, and 490.00?±?408.98 (μg) in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (p?<?0.05). No significant difference was observed between the groups’ demographic and hemodynamic data. Conclusion: Pre-emptive IV dexketoprofen may be a good option for arthroscopic shoulder surgery and provides effective analgesia.