Regional analgesia using ultrasound-guided intermediate cervical plexus block versus cervical erector spinae block for anterior cervical spine surgery: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Regional analgesia techniques are crucial for pain management after cervical spine surgeries. Anesthesiologists strive to select the most effective and least hazardous regional analgesia technique for the cervical region. Our hypothesis is that an intermediate cervical plexus (IC) block can provide adequate postoperative analgesia compared to a cervical erector spinae (ES) block in patients undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery. METHODS: In this double-blind prospective trial, 58 patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups prior to the administration of general anesthesia. Patients in the IC group (n = 29) underwent ultrasound-guided bilateral intermediate cervical plexus block with 15 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% administered to each side. The ES group (n = 29) underwent ultrasound-guided bilateral cervical erector spinae plane blocks with 15 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine administered to each side at the C6 level. The primary outcome was to record the time to the first call for rescue analgesia (nalbuphine), and the secondary outcomes were to measure the performance time, the onset of the sensory block, the intraoperative fentanyl consumption, postoperative pain intensity using VAS, the postoperative total nalbuphine consumption, and postoperative complications such as nausea, vomiting, hypotension, and bradycardia. RESULTS: The performance and onset of sensory block times were significantly shorter in the IC group compared to the ES group. The time to first call for nalbuphine was significantly shorter in the IC group (7.31 ± 1.34 h) compared to the ES group (11.10 ± 1.82 h). The mean postoperative VAS scores were comparable between the two groups at the measured time points, except at 8 h, where it was significantly higher in the IC group, and at 12 h, where it was significantly higher in the ES group. The total nalbuphine consumption was significantly higher in the IC group (33.1 ± 10.13 mg) compared to the ES group (22.76 ± 8.62 mg). CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing anterior cervical spine surgery, the intermediate cervical plexus block does not provide better postoperative regional analgesia compared to the cervical erector spinae block. Performance time and onset time were shorter in the IC group, whereas nalbuphine consumption was lower in the ES group. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov. (NCT05577559, and the date of registration: 13-10-2022).

Achieving the minimum pain experience by buccal nerve and superficial cervical plexus blocks in radiofrequency treatment.

BACKGROUND: Thermage is a monopolar radiofrequency (RF). It has become an indispensable part of facial and body youthful methods. Although the current device is constantly improving in epidermal cooling techniques and even automatically measures the local impedance value, applying surface anesthesia can take some of the pain away caused by thermage, and the patient's severe pain in the jaw and neck areas is still difficult to resolve. METHODS: The author describes how he uses the combination of the buccal nerve block (BNB) and the superficial cervical plexus block (SCPB) to improve the comfort of the patient's face and neck treatment of patients. It can improve the quality, elasticity, and texture of the skin. RESULTS: According to the author's knowledge of oral and maxillofacial surgery, the combination of BNB and SCPB is applied to the neck and facial analgesia. Combining the BNB and SCPB effectively provides facial and neck anesthesia. The BNB in this technique provides pain relief to the facial skin in the mandibular area and SCPB offers pain relief to the skin of the neck. RF facial rejuvenation treatment often involves the junction of the face and neck to improve the contour of the mandibular margin. Therefore, Whether the RF treatment is aimed at the face or neck, or the treatment is performed simultaneously, we advocate the block both of the buccal nerve and the superficial cervical plexus nerves to achieve perfect analgesia. Still, the dosage of anesthetic medication for the nerve block can be adjusted according to the treatment area. CONCLUSION: We applied these two nerve blocks and their combination to improve skin laxity with RF therapy for the first time.

Successful Ultrasound-Guided Superficial Cervical Plexus Block Treatment for Head and Neck Pain with an Unusually Delayed Onset Following Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt: A Case Report.

Background and Objectives: Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement is the most common treatment for cerebrospinal fluid diversion. Head and neck pain occurring after a long period following VP shunt insertion is rarely reported. Here, we present a rare case of head and neck pain occurring 2 years after surgery due to irritation of the superficial cervical plexus by the VP shunt. Case Description: A 46-year-old female patient received VP shunt placement surgery. Two years after the surgery, she experienced a left temporal headache with neck pain on the left side, which extended to the left para-auricular and fascial region. Ultrasound (US) scanning revealed that the VP shunt passed within the superficial cervical fascia and through the left sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM). Additionally, friction of the branches of the superficial cervical plexus and of the greater auricular and lesser occipital nerves caused by the VP shunt was found underneath the lateral border of the SCM. Subsequently, the blocking and hydro-release of the left superficial cervical plexus were performed. After four series of treatments, the patient's head and neck pain vanished, and the frequency of the headaches was substantially reduced. The patient was regularly followed-up in the outpatient department of neurosurgery. Conclusions: Head and neck pain caused by the malpositioning of a VP shunt catheter with an unusually delayed onset is a rarely reported complication and could be easily neglected. Patients with head and neck pain following VP shunt insertion should be checked using US scanning to identify the potential origin of the pain and receive adequate treatments. Intraoperative US-guided tunnelling is suggested to avoid the malpositioning of the VP shunt catheter.

Single injection technique with ultrasound-guided superficial cervical fascia block combined with brachial plexus block in clavicular surgery: a prospective randomized comparative trial.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of a single injection technique with ultrasound-guided superficial cervical fascia block combined with brachial plexus block in clavicular surgery. METHODS: Forty patients, 25 males and 15 females, aged 18-85 years with ASA class I or II underwent unilateral clavicular fracture internal fixation. The patients were randomly divided into a superficial cervical plexus block group (group S, n = 20) and a superficial cervical fascia block group (group F, n = 20). First, the brachial plexus of the intermuscular sulcus of all patients was blocked with an ultrasound-guided injection of one injection with 15ml 0.33% ropivacaine 15ml in both groups. Second, the superficial cervical plexus was blocked by another injection of 5-8ml 0.33% ropivacaine in group S, and the superficial cervical fascia was blocked by an injection with 5-8ml 0.33% ropivacaine in Group F. We evaluated operation time, onset time of anaesthesia, effective time and the grades of nerve block effect in the two groups. Additionally, we evaluated the incidences of local anaesthetic poisoning, hoarseness, dyspnoea, and postoperative nausea and vomiting, and the number of patients requiring remedial analgesia within 24 h. Repeated measurements were analysed by repeated data analysis of variance, and count data were compared by the χ2 test. A P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The operation time and onset time in Group F were significantly shorter than those in group S (P < 0.05); the effect of intraoperative block was better than that in group S (P < 0.05), and the effective time was significantly longer in group F than in group S (P < 0.05). However, no severe case of dyspnoea, local anaesthetic poisoning or hoarseness after anaesthesia occurred in either of two groups. There was no significant difference in the rate of postoperative salvage analgesia or that of postoperative nausea and vomiting between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The application of the single injection technique with ultrasound-guided superficial cervical fascia block combined with brachial plexus block in clavicular surgery is beneficial because it shortens the operation time, has a faster onset, produces a more effective block and prolongs the longer analgesia time. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry- ChiCTR2200064642(13/10/2022).

General anesthesia versus combined interscalene nerve/superficial cervical plexus block in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair: A randomized prospective control trial.

BACKGROUND: In this study, interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) with superficial cervical plexus block added and general anesthesia (GA) application were evaluated in terms of intraoperative hemodynamics, operative time and postoperative analgesia need in patients who underwent rotator cuff tear repair. METHODS: 70 patients aged between 18 and 75 years were included in this prospective study. Arthroscopic rotator cuff tear repair surgery was performed in all patients. The patients were randomized into 2 groups, namely Group ISB who received a combination of superficial cervical plexus block added to the Interscalene Nerve Block, and Group GA, for those who received GA. Duration of operation, waiting times, intraoperative hemodynamic data, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS), analgesic requirement, as well as patient and surgeon satisfaction levels, were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: While VAS values at the post-anesthesia care unit were lower in ISB group at 2 and 24 hours (P < .05), there was no significant difference between VAS values measured at 6th and 12th hours (P ≥ .05). In the GA group, postoperative morphine and diclofenac consumption was higher, and rescue analgesia was needed earlier (P < .05). The hospital stay was shorter (P < .05), and surgeon and patient satisfaction were higher in the ISB group (P < .05). CONCLUSION SUBSECTIONS: In rotator cuff tear repair anesthesia, ISB with superficial cervical plexus block provides adequate intraoperative anesthesia, low postoperative VAS level, reduced and deferred consumption of opioids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, higher patient and surgeon satisfaction and early discharge.

The efficacy and safety of opioid-free anesthesia combined with ultrasound-guided intermediate cervical plexus block vs. opioid-based anesthesia in thyroid surgery-a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: In the context of the current comfort medicine and enhanced recovery after surgery, there is a demand for a new anesthesia method to reduce adverse reactions and accelerate recovery after surgery. This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the efficacy and safety between opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) combined with ultrasound-guided intermediate cervical plexus block (ICPB) and opioid-based anesthesia in patients after thyroid surgery. METHODS: In this study, 75 patients scheduled for thyroid surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into two groups. The primary outcome included the incidence of nausea within 24 h after surgery. The main secondary outcomes included the incidence of vomiting and the visual analog score (VAS) scores within 24 h after surgery as well as the quality of recovery 40 questionnaires (QoR-40) scores 24 h after surgery. RESULTS: In the OFA group, the incidence of postoperative nausea was 6.1%, compared to 39.4% in the control group (p = 0.001). No patient presented with postoperative vomiting in the OFA group, while 15.2% of patients suffered from postoperative vomiting in the control group (p = 0.063). The VAS scores of patients in the postanesthetic care unit (PACU) and 2 h, 4 h, and 6 h after surgery were lower in the OFA group, and the difference is statistically significant. Besides, the VAS scores of patients at rest (p = 1.000) and during swallowing (p = 1.000) 24 h after surgery were comparable. CONCLUSION: Compared with opioid-based anesthesia, the OFA combined with the ultrasound-guided ICPB can better improve patients' postoperative recovery, reduce nausea, and decrease pain scores. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Regisrty, ChiCTR2200056344, https://www.chictr.org.cn.

Ultrasound-Guided Maxillary Nerve Block and Superficial Cervical Plexus Block During Surgery for Maxillary Malignancy: A Case Report.

We report a case of ultrasound-guided craniocervical nerve blocks performed with ropivacaine for perioperative local/regional anesthesia in a patient who underwent right partial maxillary resection and neck dissection under general anesthesia. The patient was an 85-year-old woman with multiple medical comorbidities in whom analgesia using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids was expected to increase the risk of postoperative complications. Bilateral ultrasound-guided maxillary (V2) nerve blocks and a right superficial cervical plexus block were performed, which provided adequate perioperative anesthesia and avoided postoperative complications. The use of ultrasound-guided craniocervical nerve blocks with ropivacaine can be an effective approach for providing prolonged perioperative local anesthesia and analgesia, minimizing the need for other potentially problematic analgesics.

Could C3, 4, and 5 Nerve Root Block be a Better Alternative to Interscalene Block Plus Intermediate Cervical Plexus Block for Patients Undergoing Surgery for Midshaft and Medial Clavicle Fractures? A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Variable innervation of the clavicle is a major challenge in surgery of clavicle fractures with patients under regional anesthesia. An interscalene block (ISB) combined with an intermediate cervical plexus block (ICPB) provides analgesia in clavicle fracture surgery, but this combination does not completely block sensation in the midshaft or medial clavicle. Cervical nerve root block is an alternative to deep cervical plexus block and has recently been used as an analgesic method in the neck and shoulder. Whether it should be used as an alternative for midshaft and medial clavicle fractures is unknown. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: In this randomized controlled trial, we compared a C3, 4, and 5 nerve root block to ISB combined with ICPB in surgery of midshaft and medial clavicle fractures in terms of the (1) proportion of patients achieving a sensory block that is sufficient for surgery, (2) onset time and duration of the block, and (3) effectiveness of postoperative analgesia, as measured by pain scores and consumption of analgesics. METHODS: Between November 2021 and December 2021, we treated 154 patients for clavicle fractures. A total of 122 were potentially eligible, 91 of whom agreed to participate in this study. Twenty-nine patients were excluded because the patients chose general anesthesia or declined to undergo surgery. Ultimately, 62 patients were randomly allocated into the C3, 4, and 5 group or ISB + ICPB group, with 31 patients in each group; there were no dropouts. All patients were analyzed in the group they were randomized to under intention-to-treat principles. The assessor and patients were blinded to randomization throughout the trial. The two groups did not differ in any important ways, including age, gender, BMI, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and type of clavicle fracture. The two groups received either an ultrasound-guided C3, 4, and 5 nerve root block with 2, 3, and 5 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine or ultrasound-guided ISB with ICPB with 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients in each group with a successful nerveba block who did not receive general anesthesia; this was defined as nerve block success. Secondary outcomes included the onset time and duration of the sensory block, defined as the onset to the moment when the patients felt pain and sought rescue analgesia; pain assessment in terms of the numeric rating scale (NRS) score (range 0 to 10) for pain after nerve block before and during surgery; and the median amount of sufentanil consumed intraoperatively and postoperatively in the recovery room. The dosing of sufentanil was determined by the assessor when the NRS score was 1 to 3 points. If the NRS score was more than 3 points, general anesthesia was administered as a rescue method. Complications after the two inventions such as toxic reaction, dyspnea, hoarseness, pneumothorax, and Horner syndrome were also recorded in this study. RESULTS: A higher proportion of patients in the C3, 4, and 5 group had a successful nerve block than in the ISB + ICPB group (97% [30 of 31] versus 68% [21 of 31], risk ratio 6 [95% CI 1.5 to 37]; p < 0.01). The median onset time was 2.5 minutes (range 2.0 to 3.0 minutes) in the C3, 4, and 5 group and 12 minutes (range 9 to 16 minutes) in the ISB + ICPB group (difference of medians 10 minutes; p < 0.001). The sensory block duration was 10 ± 2 hours in the C3, 4, and 5 group and 8 ± 2 hours in the ISB + ICPB group (mean difference 2 hours [95% CI 1 to 3 hours]; p < 0.001). The median sufentanil consumption was lower in the C3, 4, 5 group than in the ISB + ICPB (median 5 µg [range 0.0 to 5.0 µg] versus median 0 µg [range 0.0 to 0.0 µg]; difference of medians 5.0 µg; p < 0.001). There were no differences between the two groups regarding NRS scores after nerve blocks and NRS score for incision and periosteum separation, with the minimum clinically important difference set at a 2-point difference (of 10). There were no severe complications in this study. CONCLUSION: Based on our analysis of the data, a C3, 4, and 5 nerve root block was better than ISB combined with ICPB for surgery to treat medial shaft and medial clavicle fractures. When choosing the anesthesia method, however, the patient's basic physiologic condition and possible complications should be considered. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, therapeutic study.

Ultrasound-guided superficial cervical plexus block combined with clavipectoral fascial plane block or interscalene brachial plexus block in clavicle surgery: a single-centre, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

The sensory innervation of the clavicle is complex, and the best regional block technology for clavicular surgery has yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to compare the application of ultrasound-guided superficial cervical plexus block combined with clavipectoral fascial plane block verses interscalene brachial plexus block in clavicular surgery. Fifty patients undergoing internal fixation surgery for elective clavicle fractures were randomly divided into two groups (n = 25 for each group): group I and group II. Superficial cervical plexus block combined with clavipectoral fascial plane block was used in group I, and superficial cervical plexus block combined with interscalene brachial plexus block was used in group II. The primary outcome measure was the duration of analgesia. The duration of analgesia in group I was significantly longer than that in group II (P < 0.05). The modified Bromage scale function score in group II was lower than that in group I (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the skin acupuncture pain score 30 min after block and visual analog scale (VAS) scores at 6 and 12 h after surgery. However, the 24 h VAS score in group I was lower than that in group II (P < 0.05). The incidence of diaphragmatic paralysis was significantly increased in group II (P < 0.01). Ultrasound-guided superficial cervical plexus block combined with clavipectoral fascial plane block can be used for clavicular surgery. It has a long postoperative analgesia time, can retain the motor function of the involved upper limb and does not cause hemidiaphragmatic paresis.Clinical trial number and registry URL: Clinical Trials.gov; Trial registration number: ChiCTR2000039383; Date of registration: 25 October 2020.

Use of Bilateral Superficial Cervical Plexus Block for Excision of Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in an ASA III Patient.

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Ultrasound-Guided Clavipectoral Fascial Plane Block With Intermediate Cervical Plexus Block for Midshaft Clavicular Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Regional anesthesia such as interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) with intermediate cervical plexus block (ICPB) is generally a preferred choice for clavicular surgery. However, various studies have shown that these blocks, especially ISBPB, could cause phrenic nerve paralysis and decrease diaphragmatic motion. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of clavipectoral fascial plane block (CPB), an alternative technique to ISBPB, with ICPB, in reducing hemidiaphragmatic paralysis during midshaft clavicular surgery. METHODS: Forty patients scheduled for right midshaft clavicular surgery were randomized (1:1) into an ultrasound-guided ISBPB with ICPB (BC) group or ultrasound-guided CPB with ICPB (CC) group. Five milliliter of 0.375% ropivacaine was used for ICPB, another 20 mL for ISBPB or CPB, and no administration of additional sedative or general anesthetic was planned. Primary outcome was measured by the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis using M-mode ultrasonography, while secondary outcomes were measured by bedside pulmonary function test, the success rate of block, the time required for the block procedure and onset of block, and motor block score in right upper extremity. RESULTS: In comparison with BC group, the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis postblock was decreased in CC group (50% vs 0%; P < .001), and measurement of bedside pulmonary function was significantly improved. There was a 100% success rate for anesthetic block in both BC and CC groups, and CC group showed lower motor block score in upper extremity and less block procedure time than BC group (7.1 ± 1.2 vs 3.2 ± 0.6 minutes; P < .001). Moreover, no significant differences were found between time of onset of block and other anesthetic complications in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided CPB with ICPB could significantly reduce hemidiaphragmatic paralysis and provide an adequate surgical anesthesia with fewer complications such as motor block in upper extremity during right midshaft clavicular surgery.

Anesthetic Management of a Patient Undergoing Cochlear Implantation With Superficial Cervical Plexus Block and Sedation: A Case Report.

Avoidance of general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation has been shown to reduce respiratory complications in patients with severe lung disease. We describe the case of a 75-year-old patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who underwent cochlear implantation managed with nerve block and sedation. A superficial cervical plexus block (SCPB) was performed with 1% mepivacaine before surgery. A small amount of intravenous analgesic and sedative was administered. The patient experienced only slight pain during surgery. A SCPB had a good analgesic effect on the posterior auricle. Cochlear implantation in patients with COPD can be performed using a SCPB and sedation.

Aphonia Following Bilateral Cervical Plexus Blocks for an Awake Hemithyroidectomy: A Case Report.

A 35-year-old female patient was scheduled for a left hemithyroidectomy. We performed bilateral cervical plexus blocks with ultrasound guidance for an awake thyroidectomy. Soon after the blocks, she developed a weak voice, which gradually progressed to complete aphonia. Due to her apprehension, general anesthesia was administered. After an uneventful surgery, the patient spontaneously regained her normal voice in the postoperative period. The case report describes a previously unreported complication of aphonia presumably due to bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve blocks, which might have occurred from the infiltrated local anesthetic extravasating to the deeper planes through the cervical fascia.

Ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical plexus block enhances the quality of recovery of uremia patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism following parathyroidectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Parathyroidectomy has been proposed as a method for reducing parathyroid hormone levels. We evaluated the effects of ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical plexus block (BSCPB) on the quality of recovery of uremia patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) following parathyroidectomy. METHODS: Eighty-two uremia patients who underwent parathyroidectomy and exhibited SHPT were randomly allocated to the BSCPB group or the control group (CON group). The patients received ultrasound-guided BSCPB with 7.5 ml of ropivacaine 0.5% on each side (BSCPB group) or equal amount of 0.9% normal saline (CON group). The primary outcome of the Quality of Recovery-40(QoR-40) score was recorded on the day before surgery and postoperative day 1(POD1). Secondary outcomes including total consumption of remifentanil, time to first required rescue analgesia, number of patients requiring rescue analgesia, and total consumption of tramadol during the first 24 h after surgery were recorded. The occurrence of postoperative nausea or vomiting (PONV) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were assessed and recorded. RESULTS: The scores on the pain and emotional state dimensions of the QoR-40 and the total QoR-40 score were higher in the BSCPB group than in the CON group on POD1 (P = 0.000). Compared with the CON group, the total consumption of remifentanil was significantly decreased in the BSCPB group (P = 0.000). The BSCPB group exhibited longer time to first required rescue analgesia (P = 0.018), fewer patients requiring rescue analgesia (P = 0.000), and lower postoperative total consumption of tramadol during the first 24 h after surgery (P = 0.000) than the CON group. The incidence of PONV was significantly lower in the BSCPB group than in the CON group (P = 0.013). The VAS scores in the BSCPB group were lower than those in the CON group at all time-points after surgery (P = 0.000). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided BSCPB with ropivacaine 0.5% can enhance the quality of recovery, postoperative analgesia, and reduce the incidence of PONV in uremia patients with SHPT following parathyroidectomy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1900027185 . (Prospective registered). Initial registration date was 04/11/2019.

Efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Intermediate Cervical Plexus Block by Anterior Route for Perioperative Analgesia in Robotic Thyroidectomy by Retroauricular Approach: A Case Series.

Retroauricular or facelift approach for robotic thyroidectomy involves a long incision with extensive subcutaneous dissection causing severe pain and discomfort. Multimodal analgesic regimen with inclusion of intermediate cervical plexus block by anterior route provided excellent perioperative analgesia without affecting recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring in 10 cases. All the patients were monitored with bispectral index (maintained 40-60) and extubated on table. Median numeric pain rating scale score in 24 hours postoperatively was 3. None of the cases had any significant complications on follow-up.

Influence of Anatomic Conditions on Efficacy and Safety of Combined Intermediate Cervical Plexus Block and Perivascular Infiltration of Internal Carotid Artery in Carotid Endarterectomy: A Prospective Observational Trial.

Ultrasound-guided intermediate cervical plexus blockade with perivascular infiltration of the carotid artery bifurcation perivacular block (PVB) is a reliable technique for regional anesthesia in carotid endarterectomy (CEA). We investigated the effect of the carotid bifurcation level (CBL) on PVB efficacy and safety in patients undergoing CEA. This prospective observational cohort study included 447 consecutive CEA patients who received PVB over a 6-y period. Vascular and neurologic puncture-related complications were recorded. The CBL was localized at the low level (C4 and C5 vertebra, low-level [LL] group) in 381 (85.2%) patients and at the high level (C2 and C3 vertebra, high-level [HL] group) in 66 (14.8%) patients. Local anesthetic supplementation by surgeons was necessary in 64 (14.3%) patients in the LL group and 38 (59.4%) patients in the HL group (p < 0.001) and was associated with a higher rate of central neurologic complications in the HL group (p = 0.031). Therefore, the efficacy of the PVB may be influenced by the CBL.

Bilateral cervical plexus block for anterior cervical spine surgery: study protocol for a randomised placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: There has been increasing focus to improve the quality of recovery following anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS). Postoperative pain and nausea are the most common reasons for prolonged hospital stay and readmission after ACSS. Superficial cervical plexus block (SCPB) provides site-specific analgesia with minimal side effects, thereby improving the quality of recovery. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect bilateral cervical plexus block has on postoperative recovery in patients undergoing ACSS. METHODS: The study is a pragmatic, multi-centre, blinded, parallel-group, randomised placebo-controlled trial. 136 eligible patients (68 in each group) undergoing ACSS will be included. Patients randomised to the intervention group will have a SCPB administered under ultrasound guidance with a local anaesthetic solution (0.2% ropivacaine, 15mL); patients randomised to the placebo group will be injected in an identical manner with a saline solution. The primary outcome is the 40-item quality of recovery questionnaire score at 24 h after surgery. In addition, comparisons between groups will be made for a 24-h opioid usage and length of hospital stay. Neck pain intensity will be quantified using the numeric rating scale at 1, 3, 6 and at 24 h postoperatively. Incidence of nausea, vomiting, dysphagia or hoarseness in the first 24 h after surgery will also be measured. DISCUSSION: By conducting a blinded placebo trial, we aim to control for the bias inherently associated with a tangible medical intervention and show the true treatment effect of SCPB in ACSS. A statistically significant result will indicate an overall improved quality of recovery for patients; alternatively, if no benefit is shown, this trial will provide evidence that this intervention is unnecessary. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ACTRN12619000028101. Prospectively registered on 11 January 2019 with Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry.

Comparison of the Analgesic Effects of Intravenous Infusion of Dexmedetomidine Versus Bilateral Superficial Cervical Plexus Block After Thyroidectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is widely used in clinical practice because of its safety and effectiveness. Superficial cervical plexus block (SCPB) can reduce pain in thyroid surgery. The objective of this study was to investigated whether intravenous DEX has an equivalent analgesic effect and patients' satisfaction to SCPB for thyroid surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety patients who had been scheduled for thyroidectomy under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group D: DEX was administered intravenously at an initial dose of 1 µg/kg over 10 minutes; then induction and endotracheal intubation performed, and then a continuous intravenous infusion of DEX was administered at a rate of 0.4 µg/kg/h until 30 minutes before the end of surgery. Group B: ultrasound-guided bilateral SCPB was performed, with 10 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine injected on each side. Group C: intravenous saline was administered at the same rate and dose as in group D. Patients' perioperative status, visual analog scale scores, complications and patients' satisfaction were recorded. RESULTS: The pain at rest at 1 hour after extubation and the movement-evoked pain within 24 hours after extubation were significantly lower in groups D and B than in group C. Patients' satisfaction was significantly higher in groups D and B than in group C. There was no difference in pain at rest, movement-evoked pain and patients' satisfaction between group D and B. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative intravenous infusion of DEX can effectively reduce wound pain after thyroidectomy, and the analgesic effect is equivalent to that of bilateral SCPB.

Superficial cervical plexus block alone or combined with interscalene brachial plexus block in surgery for clavicle fractures: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The regional anesthesia technique which is suitable for fracture clavicle is a matter of debate. This study aimed to compare the use of superficial cervical plexus alone or in combination with interscalene block in patients undergoing internal fixation of fractured clavicle. METHODS: Seventy patients undergoing internal fixation of fractured clavicle were enrolled in this clinical trial and randomly distributed into two groups; superficial cervical plexus block (CPB) group and combined superficial cervical plexus block and interscalene block (ISB) group. The regional anesthesia techniques were performed before induction of general anesthesia. The intraoperative fentanyl and isoflurane consumption, the postoperative morphine consumption, the postoperative pain score, the duration of postoperative analgesia, the incidence of perioperative complications, and the patient's satisfaction were recorded. RESULTS: In comparison to the use of combined CPB and ISB, the use of CPB alone did not significantly change the postoperative morphine consumption (8.4±3.3 mg versus 7.3±3.2 mg [P=0.2]), the time to the first request of postoperative analgesia (396.7 193.4 min versus 407.7±150.0 min [P=0.8]), or the postoperative pain score (P˃0.05). Also, it did not change the intraoperative fentanyl consumption (P=0.3), the intraoperative isoflurane consumption (P=0.7), the incidence of perioperative complication, or the degree of patient's satisfaction (P˃0.05). It significantly decreased the incidence of phrenic nerve palsy (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing internal fixation of clavicular fracture, the perioperative analgesic effect of SCP alone is equally effective to its use in combination with ISB.