Efficacy and safety of esketamine hydrochloride adjunct to sufentanil in non-surgical patients under mechanical ventilation in the ICU (SENSATION trial): protocol for a multicentre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Pain is common in patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU). Intravenous opioids are recommended as first-line therapy for pain management; however, opioids have adverse side effects. Based on low-quality evidence, low-dose ketamine is therefore recommended as an opioid adjunct to reduce opioid consumption. Esketamine is an alternative to ketamine with greater efficacy and fewer side effects. However, evidence on the use of esketamine in patients receiving mechanical ventilation is lacking. This study investigates the efficacy and safety of esketamine as an adjunct to sufentanil for analgesic therapy in non-surgical ICU patients under mechanical ventilation. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This ongoing multicentre, single-blind, randomised controlled trial is being conducted at six ICUs in China. 132 non-surgical patients under mechanical ventilation will be randomly assigned to the standard care and S-ketamine groups at a 1:1 ratio. Patients in the standard care group received a minimal dose of sufentanil as the sole analgesic agent. Patients in the S-ketamine group received a minimal dose of sufentanil in addition to an esketamine infusion at a fixed rate of 0.2 mg/kg/hour for analgesia. The primary outcome is mean hourly sufentanil consumption during the treatment period. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Chongqing University Cancer Hospital (CZLS2022067-A). Participants are required to provide informed consent. The results of this trial will be reported in peer-reviewed journals and presented at conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2200058933.

Effect of different concentrations of sufentanil combined with ropivacaine on epidural fever during labor: A single-center retrospective study.

Labor epidural analgesia (LEA) is associated with increased maternal body temperature; however, the responsible mechanism is unknown. Recent studies suggest that changes in EA affect the incidence of fever and that epidural sufentanil supplementation enhances analgesia and reduces the amount of local anesthetic. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of sufentanil combined with ropivacaine on intrapartum fever during delivery. We performed a retrospective study comparing maternal fever rates in patients receiving labor analgesia between December 2018 and January 2019. Each patient receiving different concentrations of sufentanil in their EA received either proposal H (0.08% ropivacaine + 0.4 µg/mL sufentanil) or proposal L (0.08% ropivacaine + 0.2 µg/mL sufentanil), with the same nulliparous status. The primary outcome of this study was the incidence of intrapartum maternal fever, which was defined as any temperature ≥ 38°C during labor using Fisher exact test. Secondary outcome measures included visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, birth events, and neonatal outcomes. We observed a perinatal fever incidence rate of 11.7% in the group receiving proposal L, while the incidence rate was 19.8% in the group receiving proposal H (P = .001). Five hours after administration, the average body temperature of the puerpera decreased significantly in the proposal L group compared with proposal H group. In addition, treatment with 0.2 µg/mL sufentanil provided satisfactory pain relief during labor, shortened the first stage of labor and total labor time, reduced oxytocin use, and had no significant adverse effects on neonatal outcomes. EA may increase the risk of intrapartum epidural-associated fever. Compared with the 0.4 µg/mL sufentanil group, the 0.2 µg/mL sufentanil group can provide better analgesia and improve maternal fever. These retrospective results highlighted the importance of prospective and mechanistic studies of maternal fever associated with intraspinal analgesia.

Intravenous patient-controlled analgesia with esketamine improves early depressive symptoms in patients with postherpetic neuralgia: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN) often exhibit depressive-like symptoms, significantly impacting their quality of life. Esketamine, known for its analgesic properties, has also been recognized for its rapid antidepressant effects. However, its efficacy in the treatment of PHN requires further exploration. This study aims to evaluate the impact of intravenous patient-controlled analgesia(PICA) with esketamine on depressive mood in PHN patients. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed PHN patients hospitalized and treated at the affiliated hospital of Southwest Medical University from June 2021 to March 2023. Patients were divided into the esketamine group (E group) and the sufentanil group (S group) based on their treatment regimens. Primary outcomes included pain numerical rating scale(NRS), depression patient health questionaire-9(PHQ-9), and anxiety generalized anxiety disorder-7(GAD-7) scores measured before treatment, and at 3 days, 7 days, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months post-treatment. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients were included in the analysis. Before treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in pain NRS, depression PHQ-9, and anxiety GAD-7 scores between the two groups (P > 0.05). Compared to before treatment, significant reductions in pain NRS scores were observed at all post-treatment time points in both groups (P < 0.05), with no differences between groups (P > 0.05). The E group exhibited significantly lower depression PHQ-9 scores than the S group at 3 days and 7 days post-treatment (P < 0.05), but no significant differences were observed at 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months (P > 0.05). Anxiety GAD-7 scores were significantly lower in the E group compared to the S group at 3 days, 7 days post-treatment (P < 0.05), with no statistical differences at 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months post-treatment (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both PICA with esketamine and sufentanil alleviated pain equally in PHN patients. However, PICA with esketamine specifically improved early symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Can Multimodal Analgesia Reduce Postoperative Opioid Consumption in Patients Undergoing Shoulder Arthroscopy? A Retrospective Study.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate whether multimodal analgesia can decrease postoperative opioid usage in patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with subacromial impingement syndrome who underwent acromioplasty at our institution between October 2022 and November 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into an observation group and a control group based on postoperative pain management methods. The control group received intravenous self-controlled electronic analgesia (sufentanil injection 1 µg/kg + butorphanol injection 4 mg + 0.9% NaCl injection to 100 mL), while the observation group received multimodal analgesia (ropivacaine subacromial pump 3 mL/h, combined with oral celecoxib and acetaminophen). Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores were recorded preoperatively and at various postoperative time points, and opioid usage, length of hospital stay, and analgesia-related complications within 1 week postoperatively were compared between groups. The 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores and the Constant-Murley score (CMS), were also assessed 1 day and 1 week after treatment. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-two patients were included in the study, 66 in the observation group and 66 in the control group. In the control group, there were 46 males and 20 females, with a mean age of 55.47 ± 11.42 years and in the observation group 44 males and 22 females, with a mean age of 56.13 ± 12.19 years The observation group consistently reported significantly lower pain intensity compared to the control group at 8 h (T1), 24 (T2), and 48 h (T3) after surgery (p < 0.05). Additionally, the observation group exhibited significantly lower opioid usage and complication rates compared to the control group (p < 0.05). SF-36 scores and CMS scores were significantly higher in the observation group 1 week after treatment compared to the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Following shoulder arthroscopy, multimodal analgesia effectively reduces opioid consumption, lowers complication rates, and provides effective short-term pain relief. This approach carries significant implications for improving patient outcomes.

Sublingual sufentanil tablet system (SSTS) versus a single shot peri-nervous injection of ropivacaine for the management of postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty: a single-center randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: For several years, ropivacaine has been the standard-of-care for establishing postoperative femoral nerve block in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) setting and is still widely in use but new approaches such as the patient-controlled administration of sublingual sufentanil tablets system (SSTS) seem to offer good clinical results. Our aim is to compare the SSTS to single shot peri-nervous injection of ropivacaine (single shot) after TKA in terms of effectiveness in pain management and of time to recovery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 165 patients undergoing TKA were enrolled. Eighty-four patients were randomly allocated in the SSTS group and 81 patients in the single shot group. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate performance of Timed Up and Go test. Secondary objectives were to measure the length of stay, NRS pain scale, the adherence to the prescribed plan, the joint mobility, the frequency of rescue analgesic use, side effects and patients' satisfaction. RESULTS: Of all patients of the single shot group, 64 were withdrawn from the study as they unable to achieve pain control; only one patient was withdrawn from the SSTS group. Times for the "Timed Up and Go" test on the 3rd postoperative day were 8.4 ± 1.6 and 11.8 ± 3.6 in the SSTS group (n = 83) and single shot group (n = 17), respectively (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: SSTS provides better pain management when compared to peri-nervous ropivacaine single shot injection after TKA.

The influence of COMT and ABCB1 gene polymorphisms on sufentanil analgesic effect for postoperative pain in children with fracture.

The aim of this observational study was to investigate the effects of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and ATP-binding cassette transporter B1 (ABCB1) gene polymorphisms on the postoperative analgesic effect of sufentanil in Chinese Han pediatric patients with fractures. A total of 185 pediatric patients who underwent fracture surgery were included. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to detect the polymorphisms of COMT and ABCB1 genes. Sufentanil was used for postoperative analgesia. The pain level of the patients was evaluated using the face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability scale before surgery, during awakening, at 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery. The postoperative Ramsay sedation score, sufentanil consumption, and incidence of adverse reactions were also recorded. Pediatric patients with different genotypes of ABCB1 and COMT showed no statistically significant differences in general data such as age, gender, weight, height, surgical duration, and American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (P > .05). There were no statistically significant differences in sedation scores after surgery between different genotypes of ABCB1 and COMT (P > .05). Among patients with CC genotype in ABCB1, the pain scores and total consumption of sufentanil at awakening, 2 and 6 hours after surgery were higher compared to TT and CT genotypes (P < .05), while there were no statistically significant differences between TT and CT genotypes (P > .05). Among patients with AA genotype in COMT, the pain scores and total consumption of sufentanil at awakening, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery were higher compared to AG and GG genotypes (P < .05), while there were no statistically significant differences between AG and GG genotypes (P > .05). There were no statistically significant differences in adverse reactions between different genotypes of ABCB1 and COMT (P > .05). The polymorphisms of COMT gene rs4680 and ABCB1 gene rs1045642 are associated with the analgesic effect and consumption of sufentanil in pediatric patients after fracture surgery.

Efficacy and safety of nalbuphine for epidural labor analgesia at high altitude: An observational study.

Xining is located at the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with an average altitude of >7000 feet (>2000 m). Nalbuphine is a kappa-opioid receptor agonist that can provide analgesia with fewer side effects than other opioid analgesics. This study aimed to evaluate pain control, side effects, and neonatal outcomes from combining nalbuphine with sufentanil and ropivacaine in 600 women during epidural anesthesia while giving birth at a high altitude in Xining, China. A total of 600 parturients receiving epidural labor analgesia were randomly divided into 2 groups, each group 300 parturients. The nalbuphine group received nalbuphine, sufentanil, and ropivacain, the control group only received sufentanil and ropivacain. The analgesic effect was evaluated through the Visual Analogue Scale scores. Neonatal outcomes were mainly evaluated through the Apgar Scores. Compared to the control group, the nalbuphine group showed lower Visual Analogue Scale scores at all time points after analgesia (P < .05). In comparison with the control group, parturients in the nalbuphine group showed lower incidence rates of fever at delivery, 24-hour postpartum bleeding, and pruritus (P < .05). However, between the 2 groups, there were no statistically significant differences in the remaining maternal and infant outcomes and neonatal outcomes (P > .05). Moreover, no adverse effects on neonatal outcomes were observed. The findings from this study support findings from previous studies that nalbuphine provided safe epidural analgesia without significant side effects for the mother and infant, and showed both safety and efficacy when used during labor at high altitude.

Randomized clinical trial of continuous transversus thoracis muscle plane block for patients undergoing open heart valve replacement surgery.

The optimal analgesia regimen after open cardiac surgery is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of continuous transversus thoracis muscle plane (TTMP) blocks initiated before surgery on open cardiac surgery outcomes. A group of 110 patients were randomly allocated to either receive bilateral continuous TTMP blocks (TTP group) or no nerve block (SAL group). The primary endpoint was post-operative pain at 4, 8, 16, 24, 48 and 72 h after extubation at rest and exercise. The secondary outcome measures included analgesia requirements (sufentanil and flurbiprofen axetil administration), time to extubation, incidence of reintubation, length of stay in the ICU, incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), time until return of bowel function, time to mobilization, urinary catheter removal and length of hospital stay. The length of stay in the ICU and length of hospital stay were significantly longer in the SAL group than in the TTP group. NRS scores at rest and exercise were significantly lower in the TTP group than in the SAL group at all time points. The TTP group required significantly less intraoperative and post-operative sufentanil and post-operative dynastat consumption than the SAL group. Time to extubation, time to first flatus, time until mobilization and time until urinary catheter removal were significantly earlier in the TTP group than in the SAL group. The incidence of PONV was significantly lower in the TTP group. Bilateral continuous TTMP blocks provide effective analgesia and accelerate recovery in patients undergoing open heart valve replacement surgery.

Comparison of the analgesic effect of dezocine and esketamine in combination with sufentanil respectively after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Sufentanil in combination with dezocine or esketamine is often used for postoperative analgesia. However, there is a lack of clinical evidence of efficacy. This study compares the analgesic effects of esketamine and dezocine combined with sufentanil for relieving pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC). METHODS: A total of 58 patients were randomly assigned to the esketamine group (ES group) and dezocine group (DE group). In the ES group, 1.5 mg/kg esketamine was used. In the DE group, 0.3 mg/kg dezocine was used. Primary outcome measures were Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score at 4 h, 8 h, 24 h and 48 h after surgery. The second outcome measures were Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in the serum 10 minutes before anesthesia induction, and at 24 h and 48 h after surgery. RESULTS: The VAS scores at 4 h, 8 h, 24 h and 48 h after the surgery in the ES group vs DE group were 2.70 vs 3.50(P=0.013),2.35 vs 3.15(P=0.004),1.69 vs 2.58(P=0.002), and 1.50 vs 2.26(P=0.002), respectively. The serum IL-6 concentrations 10 minutes before anesthesia induction, and at 24 h and 48 h after surgery in the ES group and DE group were 34.39 and 34.12(P=0.901),112.33 and 129.60(P=0.014), and 89.69 and 108.46(P<0.001), respectively. The CRP levels in serum 10 minutes before anesthesia induction, and at 24 h and 48 h after the surgery in the ES group and DE group were 5.99 and 5.86(P=0.639), 28.80 and 35.37(P<0.001), and 23.17 and 30.11(P<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: For postoperative pain after LC, 1.5mg/kg esketamine provided better analgesia and reduced inflammation levels than 0.3mg/kg dezocine. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered in the China Clinical Research Information Center in 31/05/2023 : https://www.chictr.org.cn/bin/home (Registration number: ChiCTR2300072011).

Effect of intranasal sufentanil on acute post-traumatic pain in the emergency department: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intranasal sufentanil is a potent opioid which can be used in patients with traumatic injuries presenting to the ED. Although previous studies have demonstrated the superiority of intranasal sufentanil over intravenous morphine in terms of pain relief, its clinical superiority in patients with traumatic injuries receiving adequate multimodal analgesia with acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is uncertain. We compared pain relief offered by intranasal sufentanil with that offered by oral and intravenous opioids in patients with acute traumatic injuries also receiving a specified regimen of non-opioid treatment. METHODS: In this single-centre, open-label, parallel-group, randomised controlled superiority trial conducted between January 2020 and February 2022, trauma patients presenting to the ED with a pain score of ≥7 on a visual analogue scale (VAS) were randomised to receive either intranasal sufentanil or other oral/intravenous opioids alongside oral/intravenous acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The primary outcome was reduction in VAS score 15-20 min after randomisation. RESULTS: An intention-to-treat analysis included 170 out of 205 patients screened for inclusion. The intranasal sufentanil group (83 patients) showed a significantly greater reduction in pain when compared with the oral/intravenous opioid group (87 patients) 15-20 min after randomisation (reduction in VAS score 3.0 (IQR 1.7-5.0) vs 1.5 (IQR 0.9-3.0); p<0.001). Similarly, a greater reduction in pain was observed in the intranasal sufentanil group 60 min after randomisation (5.0 (IQR 3.0-7.0) vs 3.0 (IQR 2.0-5.3); p<0.001). However, side effects were more frequent in the intervention group (71.1% vs 23%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intranasal sufentanil was associated with more effective pain relief than oral/intravenous opioids in patients with traumatic injuries treated with coanalgesia. Intranasal sufentanil could be considered for the management of pain in patients with traumatic injuries associated with severe pain. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04137198.

The impact of sufentanil versus remifentanil on surgical site wound healing in caesarean section primiparas undergoing epidural anaesthesia: A systematic meta-analysis.

Caesarean section (C-section) is a prevalent obstetric surgical procedure, with the choice of analgesic agents playing a pivotal role in postoperative recovery. This systematic meta-analysis aimed to compare the effects of sufentanil (ST) and remifentanil (RT) on postoperative wound healing in caesarean section primiparas undergoing epidural anaesthesia. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, adhering to PRISMA guidelines, yielding eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for inclusion. The primary outcome was wound healing assessment using the REEDA (redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, approximation) scale on the third, fifth and tenth postoperative days. The meta-analysis encompassed 691 primiparas. A significant difference in wound healing was observed between ST and RT on the third (I2 = 99%; Random: SMD: 6.75, 95% CIs: 3.11-10.39, p < 0.01) and fifth days (I2 = 99%; Random: SMD: 3.63, 95% CIs: 1.56-5.70, p < 0.01) postcaesarean section. However, no significant difference was noted on the tenth day (I2 = 5%; Random: SMD: 0.00, 95% CIs: -0.45-0.45, p = 0.35). Sufentanil and remifentanil exhibit differential effects on early postoperative wound healing in caesarean section primiparas undergoing epidural anaesthesia. While both opioids are effective analgesics, sufentanil demonstrates a more pronounced impact on wound healing during the immediate postoperative days. Clinicians should consider these findings when selecting an opioid for pain management in this patient population.

Opioid-free anaesthesia reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting after thoracoscopic lung resection: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative opioid use has a positive relationship with postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), and opioid-free anaesthesia (OFA) might reduce PONV. We investigated whether OFA compared with opioid-based anaesthesia would reduce PONV during the first 2 postoperative days among patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung resection. METHODS: In this randomised controlled trial, 120 adult patients were randomly assigned (1:1, stratified by sex) to receive either OFA with esketamine, dexmedetomidine, and sevoflurane, or opioid-based anaesthesia with sufentanil and sevoflurane. A surgical pleth index (SPI) of 20-50 was applied for intraoperative analgesia provision. All subjects received PONV prophylaxis (dexamethasone and ondansetron) and multimodal analgesia (flurbiprofen axetil, ropivacaine wound infiltration, and patient-controlled sufentanil). The primary outcome was the occurrence of PONV during the first 48 h after surgery. RESULTS: The median age was 53 yr and 66.7% were female. Compared with opioid-based anaesthesia, OFA significantly reduced the incidence of PONV (15% vs 31.7%; odds ratio [OR]=0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.16-0.91; number needed to treat, 6; P=0.031). Secondary and safety outcomes were comparable between groups, except that OFA led to a lower rate of vomiting (OR=0.23, 95% CI, 0.08-0.77) and a longer length of PACU stay (median difference=15.5 min, 95% CI, 10-20 min). The effects of OFA on PONV did not differ in the prespecified subgroups of sex, smoking status, and PONV risk scores. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of PONV prophylaxis and multimodal analgesia, SPI-guided opioid-free anaesthesia halved the incidence of PONV after thoracoscopic lung resection, although it was associated with a longer stay in the PACU. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2200059710).

Effect of magnesium sulfate perioperative infusion on postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort in male patients undergoing laparoscopic radical resection of gastrointestinal cancer: a prospective, randomized and controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic radical resection of gastrointestinal cancer is associated with a high incidence of postoperative catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD). Studies on the benefits of magnesium sulfate intravenous infusion during the perioperative period post-laparoscopic surgery are yet lacking. METHODS: A total of 88 gastrointestinal cancer male patients scheduled for laparoscopic radical resection were randomly divided into two groups: normal saline (control) and magnesium. In the magnesium group, a 40 mg/kg loading dose of intravenous magnesium sulfate was administered for 10 min just after the induction of anesthesia, followed by continuous intravenous infusion of 15 mg/kg/h magnesium sulfate until the end of the surgery; the control group was administered the same dose of normal saline. Subsequently, 2 µg/kg sufentanil was continuously infused intravenously by a postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) device. The primary outcome was the incidence of CRBD at 0 h after the surgery. The secondary outcomes included incidence of CRBD at 1, 2, and 6 h postsurgery, the severity of CRBD at 0, 1, 2, and 6 h postsurgery. Remifentanil requirement during surgery, sufentanil requirement within 24 h postsurgery, the postoperative numerical rating scale (NRS) score at 48 h after the surgery, magnesium-related side effects and rescue medication (morphine) requirement were also assessed. RESULTS: The incidence of CRBD at 0, 1, 2, and 6 h postoperatively was lower in the magnesium group than the control group (0 h: P = 0.01; 1 h: P = 0.003; 2 h: P = 0.001; 6 h: P = 0.006). The incidence of moderate to severe CRBD was higher in the control group at postoperative 0 and 1 h (0 h: P = 0.002; 1 h: P = 0.028), remifentanil requirement during surgery were significantly lower in the magnesium group than the control group. Sufentanil requirements during the 24 h postoperative period were significantly lower in the magnesium group than the control group. The NRS score was reduced in the magnesium group compared to the control group in the early postoperative period. Magnesium-related side effects and rescue medication (morphine) did not differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous magnesium sulfate administration reduces the incidence and severity of CRBD and remifentanil requirement in male patients undergoing radical resection of gastrointestinal cancer. Also, no significant side effects were observed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chictr.org.cn ChiCTR2100053073. The study was registered on 10/11/2021.

Application of Butorphanol versus Sufentanil in Multimode Analgesia via Patient Controlled Intravenous Analgesia After Hepatobiliary Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: We investigate the efficacy and safety of butorphanol in multimodal analgesia combined with dexmedetomidine and ketorolac via patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) after hepatobiliary surgery, as compared with sufentanil. Patients and Methods: Postoperative follow-up data of hepatobiliary surgery patients in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from March 2018 to June 2021 were collected retrospectively and divided into butorphanol group (group B) or sufentanil group (group S) according to the postoperative intravenous controlled analgesia scheme. The baseline characteristics and surgical information of the two groups were matched through propensity score matching (PSM). Results: A total of 3437 patients were screened, and PSM yielded 1816 patients after matching, including 908 in the butorphanol group and 908 in the sufentanil group. Compared with group S, the incidence of moderate-to-severe pain on the first postoperative day and the second postoperative day was lower in group B during rest (3.2% vs 10.9%, P<0.001; 1.2% vs 4.6%, P<0.001), and during movement (7.0% vs 18.9%, P<0.001; 2.6% vs 8.7%, P<0.001). Patients receiving butorphanol had a lower morphine consumption (50mg vs 120mg, P<0.001). The bolus attempts of an analgesic pump in group B were significantly lower than in group S (1 vs 2, P<0.001). Postoperative hospital length of stay was shortened in group B (11d vs 12d, P=0.017). The occurrence of postoperative vomiting was lower in group B (1.4% vs 3.0%, P=0.025) than in group S. However, more patients in group B experienced dizziness (0.9% vs 0.1%, P=0.019). Conclusion: Compared with sufentanil, the application of butorphanol in multimodal analgesia combined with dexmedetomidine and ketorolac via PCIA ameliorated postoperative pain after hepatobiliary surgery, with reduced opioid consumption and shorter postoperative hospital length of stay.

Rescue analgesia with serratus anterior plane block improved pain relief after thoracic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is frequently associated with substantial postoperative pain, which may lead to hypopnea. Rescue analgesia using opioids has adverse effects. We aimed to evaluate the effects of rescue analgesia with serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) on moderate-to-severe pain and oxygenation in patients undergoing VATS. METHODS: Eighty patients undergoing VATS and reporting a numeric rating scale (NRS, ranging from 0-10) score of cough pain ≥4 on the first postoperative day were randomized to receive either sufentanil or SAPB for rescue analgesia. The primary outcome was the degree of relief in cough pain 30 min after rescue analgesia. Arterial oxygen pressure (PaO2), opioid consumption after rescue analgesia and the incidence of chronic pain were also assessed. RESULTS: The NRS scores were significantly reduced after rescue analgesia in both groups (Ppaired <0.001). Notably, the degree of relief in cough pain was significantly higher in the SAPB group than that in the sufentanil group (medians [interquartiles]: -3 [-4, -2] vs. -2 [-3, -1], P<0.001). Moreover, patients receiving SAPB exhibited significantly higher PaO2 than those before receiving rescue analgesia (Ppaired=0.007). However, there were no significant differences in the PaO2 before and after receiving rescue analgesia in the sufentanil group. No significant differences in opioid consumption or the incidence of chronic pain were observed between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Rescue analgesia with SAPB on the first postoperative day had a greater effect on pain relief and oxygenation after VATS. However, its long-term effect on chronic pain requires further research.

The Median Effective Volume of 0.375% Ropivacaine for Ultrasound-guided Anterior Suprascapular Nerve Block in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery.

BACKGROUND: The suprascapular nerve (SSN) is an important nerve that contributes to shoulder joint sensation and movement. The anterior suprascapular nerve block (aSSNB) has the potential for noninferior analgesic effect compared with the interscalene block while preserving respiratory function. This study investigated the median effective volume (MEV) of 0.375% ropivacaine in aSSNB for analgesic effect among patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. OBJECTIVES: Our primary objective was the MEV. The secondary objectives included the 24 hour sufentanil consumption, 24 hour patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) presses, and incidences of diaphragm impairment. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective registered (ChiCTR2300070129), single-armed, volume-finding study. SETTING: This study was conducted in a tertiary, single center. METHODS: There were 23 patients who completed the study. Using an up-and-down process, patients enrolled in the study received different volumes of 0.375% ropivacaine for an aSSNB adjusted based on the success or failure of the previous patient in the study's block by increasing or decreasing the volume by 3 mL. The first patient received 15 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine. The nerve blocks were evaluated by the sensory score of the C5 and C6 dermatomes. RESULTS: MEV50 (50% of the patients) was 6 mL (95% CI, 5.78 - 6.78 mL), and MEV95 (95% of the patients) was 13.88 mL (95% CI, 13.37 - 14.87 mL). There was no significant difference in the PCA presses, 24 hour sufentanil consumption, and incidences of diaphragm impairments between successful and unsuccessful blocks. LIMITATIONS: Our study focused on the analgesic effect rather than hemi-diaphragmatic paralysis with 0.375% ropivacaine for an aSSNB. The study also did not test varying ropivacaine concentrations while keeping the volume constant. Further investigation with varying concentrations and a larger sample size is indicated to address the optimal volume and concentration to balance analgesia and diaphragm function. CONCLUSIONS: To produce effective analgesic effect, the MEV50 is 6 mL, and the MEV95 is 13.88 mL in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery who receive an aSSNB using 0.375% ropivacaine for analgesia.

Effects of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant to ropivacaine or ropivacaine alone on duration of postoperative analgesia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Ropivacaine is a long-acting local anesthetic that is used to treat postoperative pain. Adjuvant use of dexmedetomidine in regional anesthesia may prolong the duration of analgesia. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the duration and effect of ropivacaine alone vs. ropivacaine in combination with dexmedetomidine for postoperative analgesia. METHODS: The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ropivacaine alone or ropivacaine in combination with dexmedetomidine for regional anesthesia. The primary outcome was duration of analgesia, defined as the time from onset of the block to the time of the first analgesic request or initial pain report. Secondary outcomes were duration of sensory block, duration of motor block, consumption of sufentanil for analgesia, length of hospital stay, and incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. RESULTS: Eighteen studies with 1148 patients were included. Overall quality of the RCTs, as assessed by the Jadad scale, was high. The meta-analysis demonstrated that ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine significantly prolonged the duration of postoperative analgesia from local anesthetics compared to ropivacaine alone (WMD: 4.14h; 95%CI: 3.29~5.0h; P<0.00001; I2 = 99%). There was evidence of high heterogeneity between studies. The duration of sensory and motor block was significantly increased, and consumption of sufentanil for analgesia and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting were significantly reduced in patients who received ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine compared to ropivacaine alone. There was no significant difference in length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to ropivacaine alone, ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine significantly prolonged the duration of postoperative analgesia and sensory and motor block, and reduced consumption of sufentanil for analgesia and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, across an array of surgeries.

Effect of oxycodone combined with ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral nerve block on postoperative analgesia in patients with lung cancer undergoing thoracoscopic surgery: protocol for a randomised controlled study.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative pain is a main component influencing the recovery of patients with lung cancer. The combination of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) and paravertebral nerve block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer can achieve a satisfactory analgesic effect and promote early rehabilitation of patients. The objective is to investigate the optimal dose of oxycodone for PCIA combined with paravertebral nerve block, to achieve effective multimodal analgesia management in patients undergoing thoracoscopic lung cancer lobectomy. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This prospective, double-blind, single-centre, parallel-group, superiority study from 7 April 2023 to 31 December 2024 will include 160 participants scheduled for thoracoscopic lobectomy for lung cancer. Participants will be randomly assigned to four groups in a 1:1:1:1 ratio: OCA group (oxycodone: 0.5 mg/kg), OCB group (oxycodone: 1.0 mg/kg), OCC group (oxycodone: 1.5 mg/kg) and one sufentanil group (sufentanil: 2 µg/kg). Flurbiprofen 50 mg and ondansetron 16 mg are added to each group. All the drugs are diluted with 0.9% saline in a 100 mL volume, with a background infusion rate of 2 mL/hour, a bolus dose of 0.5 mL and a lockout interval of 15 min. The primary outcome is pain scores at rest and dynamic at 24 hours after surgery using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Dynamic NRS scores are defined as NRS when coughing. NRS scores will be assessed at 2, 4, 12, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. The secondary outcomes include the following variables: (1) NRS score at rest and dynamic at 2, 4, 12 and 48 hours postoperatively; (2) total dose of sufentanil or oxycodone consumption in PCIA; (3) the times of patient-controlled analgesia; (4) Ramsay Sedation Score (RSS) at 2, 4, 12, 24 and 48 hours after the surgery; (5) extubation time; (6) serum C-reactive protein and interleukin six levels; (7) incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting; (8) incidence of itching; (9) incidence of respiratory depression and (10) gastrointestinal recovery (exhaust time). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University's Ethics Committee granted consent for this study (approval number: YXLL-KY-2022(116)). To enable widespread use of the data gathered, we plan to publish the trial's findings in an appropriate scientific journal after it is complete. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05742256.

Effect of OPRM1/COMT gene polymorphisms on sufentanil labor analgesia: a cohort study based on propensity score matching.

Background: This study investigated the use of COMT G1947A and OPRM1 A118G polymorphisms as predictive markers for sufentanil epidural analgesia. Methods: The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and sufentanil consumption of 136 pairs of parturients using sufentanil with lidocaine and ropivacaine for epidural analgesia were used for analysis. Results: OPRM1 AG/GG had lower VAS score difference between fifth and 0 min (1.55 vs 1.87; p = 0.012) and higher consumption (19.65 µg vs 17.11 µg; p = 0.049) than AA carriers. COMT GA/AA had higher VAS score difference than GG carriers (1.86 vs 1.55; p = 0.021). Conclusion: Sufentanil may provide better epidural labor analgesia in OPRM1 AA and COMT GA/AA carriers compared with OPRM1 AG/GG and COMT GG carriers. Clinical Trial Registration: ChiCTR1900026897 (Chinese Clinical Trial Center Registry).