Addition of 100 mg of Tramadol to 40 mL of 0.5% Ropivacaine for Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block Improves Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Shoulder Surgeries as Compared to Ropivacaine Alone-A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background and objectives: Brachial plexus block is commonly used in shoulder surgery, as it provides satisfactory surgical conditions and adequate postoperative pain control. However, there are contradictory reports regarding the addition of tramadol to the injected regional anesthetic solution. We performed a prospective randomized study to evaluate the effectiveness of tramadol as an adjuvant to ropivacaine during interscalene brachial plexus block and assess its impact on the opioid consumption and the early postoperative pain in patients that underwent shoulder surgery. Materials and Methods: Eighty patients scheduled for elective shoulder surgery and anesthesia via interscalene brachial plexus block were randomly divided into two groups. In group A (n = 40), a solution of 40 mL of ropivacaine 0.5% and 2 mL (100 mg) of tramadol was administered during the brachial plexus block, while in group B (n = 40), a solution of 40 mL of ropivacaine 0.5% and 2 mL NaCl 0.9% (placebo) was administered. The effectiveness and duration of sensory and motor blocks were recorded in both groups. The sensory block was assessed recording the loss of sensation to pin prick test over the skin distribution of the axillary, radial, and musculocutaneous nerves. The motor block was assessed using the modified 3-point Bromage score (0-2 points). Cumulative morphine consumption and pain, using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), were evaluated in both groups at 2, 4, 8, and 24 h after surgery. Results: Sensory block onset was achieved earlier in group A than in group B (5.21 ± 3.15 minutes (min) vs. 7.1 ± 4.51 min, p = 0.029). The motor block onset was similar between the two groups (13.08 ± 6.23 min vs. 13.28 ± 6.59 min; p = 0.932). The duration of the sensory block was longer in group A as compared to group B (13 ± 2.3 h vs. 12 ± 2.8 h; p = 0.013). The duration of the motor block did not present any difference between the groups (10 ± 2.2 h vs. 10 ± 2.8 h; p = 0.308). Differences in morphine administration were not significant at 2, 4, and 8 h, however, morphine consumption was found to be decreased in group A 24 h postoperatively A (p = 0.04). The values of VAS were similar at 2, 4, and 8 h, however, they were lower in group A at 24 h (p < 0.013). Conclusions: Combined regional administration of tramadol and ropivacaine during interscalene brachial plexus block improves the time of onset and the duration of the sensory block, while it is associated with reduced morphine consumption during the first 24 h after shoulder surgery.

Local infiltration analgesia combined with a standardized multimodal approach including an adductor canal block in total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with moderate to severe postoperative pain. This study evaluates the technique of local infiltration analgesia (LIA), by comparing it to saline injections in addition to a standardized multimodal regimen including an adductor canal block. METHODS: Between September 2015 and March 2016, forty patients aged 18 years and older, ASA I-III, undergoing primary unilateral cemented TKA under spinal anesthesia were randomized to receive either LIA (LIA group) or normal saline (sham LIA group). Morphine consumption during the first 24 postoperative hours, time to first IV morphine dose request, pain intensity at rest and passive knee flexion, complication rates, patient satisfaction and duration of hospitalization were documented (Clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT03206554). RESULTS: Compared with the sham LIA group, the LIA group showed statistically significant lower morphine consumption at all times (6, 12, 18, 24 h-P value: 0.035, 0.008, 0.015 and 0.003, respectively). Time to first IV morphine dose request did not differ significantly between groups (P = 0.902). The intergroup difference in NRS pain scores was statistically significant, with the LIA group showing lower resting and dynamic pain scores in all instances and additionally higher patient satisfaction. The groups did not differ in terms of complication rates and duration of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Performing LIA in addition to a standardized multimodal analgesia regimen results in superior pain control, demonstrated as reduced opioid needs and lower resting and dynamic pain intensity scores on the first postoperative day after TKA. Further studies are needed to establish an LIA protocol that could maximize postoperative pain control.

Sevoflurane versus propofol anesthesia in patients undergoing lumbar spondylodesis: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Spondylodesis is a procedure aiming at providing stability in one or more spinal segments. The aim of our study was to compare sevoflurane and propofol as induction and maintenance agents, focusing on hemodynamic stability, recovery characteristics, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and pain intensity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy patients, with a physical status according to American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I-II, 50-72 y old, undergoing selective lumbar spondylodesis were enrolled. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between groups in overall mean hemodynamic parameters. No differences in fluid administration and vasoactive substances used were noted. Postoperatively, there was a significant difference in overall mean visual analog score at rest and at cough, with the sevoflurane group showing lower values. No differences in the incidence of nausea, vomiting, shivering, postoperative sedation scores, and orientation to place were revealed. Orientation to time exhibited a statistically significant difference at the time just after transfer to the post-anesthesia care unit, where more patients of the sevoflurane group seemed to be well oriented. CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane and propofol anesthesia for lumbar spondylodesis surgery provide safe and comparable results.

The impact of fascia iliaca compartment block on chronic postsurgical pain in patients undergoing hip fracture repair.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), i.e. pain persisting >3 months, may appear after any type of surgery. There is a paucity of literature addressing CPSP development after hip fracture repair and the impact of any analgesic intervention on the development of CPSP in patients after hip fracture surgery. This study is the first aiming to examine the impact of ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block (USG FICB) on the development of CPSP after hip fracture repair. DESIGN: Prospective randomized study. SETTING: Operating room. PATIENTS: 182 patients scheduled for hip fracture surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to receive a USG FICB (FICB group) or a sham saline injection (sham FICB group), twenty minutes before positioning for spinal anesthesia. MEASUREMENTS: The hip - related characteristic pain intensity (CPI) at 3- months post-surgery was the primary outcome measure. Presence and severity of hip-related pain at 3- and 6-months post-surgery, numeric rating pain scale (NRS) scores at 6, 24, 36, 48 postoperative hours, total 24-hour tramadol PCA administration and timing of the first tramadol dose, were documented as well. MAIN RESULTS: FICB group presented with lower CPI scores 3- months postoperatively (p < 0.01), as well as lower percentage of patients with high-grade CPSP, 3 and 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.001). FICB group also showed significantly lower NRS scores in all instances, lower total 24 - hour tramadol consumption and higher mean time to first tramadol dose (p < 0.05). The overall sample of 182 patients reported a considerably high incidence of hip -related CPSP (60% at 3 months, 45% at 6 months). CONCLUSIONS: USG FICB in the perioperative setting may reduce the incidence, intensity and severity of CPSP at 3 and 6 months after hip fracture surgery, providing safe and effective postoperative analgesia.

Preoperative fascia iliaca compartment block for positioning patients with hip fractures for central nervous blockade: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Appropriate pain management may positively affect outcome following hip fractures. Positioning patients for spinal anesthesia (SA) can be extremely painful. Peripheral nerve blockades are gaining popularity in this setting. This prospective, randomized study compares the efficacy of fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) to intravenous (IV) fentanyl for positioning hip fracture patients for SA. METHODS: Forty-one patients scheduled for hip fracture surgery were randomized to receive a bolus dose of IV fentanyl (IVFE) 1.5 µg/kg (IVFE group) or an FICB using 40 mL ropivacaine 0.5% (FICB group) 5 or 20 minutes before positioning for SA, respectively. Numeric rating pain scale scores before and following the analgesic intervention, time needed and quality of patient position for SA performance, postoperative analgesia in terms of time to first IV morphine dose demand and morphine consumption during the first 24 hours, and patient satisfaction were documented. RESULTS: Compared with the IVFE group, the FICB group showed significantly lower numeric rating pain scale scores in all instances following the analgesic intervention (P < 0.001), shorter spinal performance time (P = 0.001), and better quality of position (P = 0.001). Postoperative morphine consumption was lower (P = 0.026), the time to first dose demand was longer (P = 0.001), and patient satisfaction rates were higher (P < 0.001) in the FICB group. CONCLUSIONS: Performing an FICB before positioning for SA provides superior pain management compared with IVFE administration, facilitates spinal performance, and yields satisfactory postoperative analgesia and wide patient acceptance, hence improving overall quality and efficiency of care.