Opioid-free anesthesia with ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block in the supine position for lower abdominal or pelvic surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

In the past, quadratus lumborum block (QLB) was mostly used for postoperative analgesia in patients, and few anesthesiologists applied it during surgery with opioid-free anesthesia (OFA). Consequently, it is still unclear whether QLB in the supine position can provide perfect analgesia and inhibit anesthetic stress during surgery under the OFA strategy. To observe the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block (US-QLB) in the supine position with OFA for lower abdominal and pelvic surgery. A total of 122 patients who underwent lower abdominal or pelvic surgery in People's Hospital of Wanning between March 2021 and July 2022 were selected and divided into a quadratus lumborum block group (Q) (n = 62) and control group (C) (n = 60) according to the random number table method. Both groups underwent general anesthesia combined with QLB in the supine position. After sedation, unilateral or bilateral QLB was performed via the ultrasound guided anterior approach based on images resembling a "human eye" and "baby in a cradle" under local anesthesia according to the needs of the operative field. In group Q, 20 ml of 0.50% lidocaine and 0.20% ropivacaine diluted in normal saline (NS) were injected into each side. In group C, 20 ml of NS was injected into each side. The values of BP, HR, SPO2, SE, RE, SPI, NRS, Steward score, dosage of propofol, dexmedetomidine, and rocuronium, the number of patients who needed remifentanil, propofol, or diltiazem, puncture point, block plane, duration of anesthesia, catheter extraction, and wakefulness during the operation were monitored. There were no significant differences in the general data, number of cases requiring additional remifentanil, propofol, or diltiazem treatment, as well as puncture point and puncture plane between the two groups (P > 0.05). HR, SBP, and DBP values were higher in group Q than in group C at T1; HR, SPI, and SE, while RE values were lower in group Q than in group C at T3, SE, and RE; the Steward score was higher in group Q than in group C at T4 and T5, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The extubation and awake times were lower in group Q than in group C, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The SE, RE, and SPI values were lower at T1, T2, T3, and T4 than at T0. The Steward scores at T4 and T5 were higher in group Q than in group C, and were lower than at T0, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the effectiveness of postoperative analgesia between the two groups at t1, t3 and t4 (P < 0.05). US-QLB in the supine position with OFA is effective in patients undergoing lower abdominal or pelvic surgery with stable intraoperative vital signs, complete recovery and better postoperative analgesia.

Comparison of intrathecal low-dose bupivacaine and morphine with intravenous patient control analgesia for postoperative analgesia for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Thoracoscopic surgical techniques continue to advance, yet the intensity of postoperative pain remains significant, impeding swift patient recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in postoperative pain and recuperation between patients receiving intrathecal morphine paired with low-dose bupivacaine and those administered general anesthesia exclusively. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial enrolled 100 patients, who were allocated into three groups: Group M (5 µg/kg morphine intrathecal injection), Group B (5 µg/kg morphine combined with bupivacaine 3 mg intrathecal injection) and Group C (intrathecal sham injection). The primary outcome was the assessment of pain relief using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Additionally, intraoperative remifentanil consumption was quantified at the end of the surgery, and postoperative opioid use was determined by the number of patient-controlled analgesia (PCIA) compressions at 48 h post-surgery. Both the efficacy of the treatments and any complications were meticulously recorded. RESULTS: Postoperative NRS scores for both rest and exercise at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h were significantly lower in groups M and B than in group C (P<0.05). The intraoperative remifentanil dosage was significantly greater in groups M and C than in group B (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between groups M and C (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in intraoperative propofol dosage across all three groups (P>0.05). Postoperative dosages of both sufentanil and Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were significantly less in groups M and B compared to group C (P<0.05). The time of first analgesic request was later in both groups M and B than in group C (P<0.05). Specific and total scores were elevated at 2 days postoperative when compared to scores at 1 day for all groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, at 1 day and 2 days postoperatively, both specific scores and total scores were higher in groups M and B compared to group C (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Intrathecal administration of morphine combined with bupivacaine has been shown to effectively ameliorate acute pain in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov: ChiCTR2200058544, registered 10/04/2022.

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.

Comparison between multimodal and intraoperative opioid free anesthesia for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a prospective, randomized study.

Anesthesia for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and perioperative management remains a challenge. Several clinical studies indicate that opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) may be beneficial, but there is no consensus on the most optimal anesthesia technique in clinical practice. The aim of our study was to assess the potential benefits and risks of intraoperative OFA compared to multimodal analgesia (MMA) with remifentanil infusion. In a prospective, randomized study, we analyzed 59 patients' data. Primary outcome measures were oxycodone consumption and reported pain scores (numerical rating scale, NRS) at 1, 6, 12, and 24th hours after surgery. Postoperative sedation on the Ramsay scale, nausea and vomiting on the PONV impact scale, desaturation episodes, pruritus, hemodynamic parameters, and hospital stay duration were also documented and compared. There were no significant differences in NRS scores or total 24-h oxycodone requirements. In the first postoperative hour, OFA group patients needed an average of 4.6 mg of oxycodone while the MMA group 7.72 mg (p = 0.008, p < 0.05 statistically significant). The PONV impact scale was significantly lower in the OFA group only in the first hour after the operation (p = 0.006). Patients in the OFA group required higher doses of ephedrine 23.67 versus 15.69 mg (p = 0.039) and more intravenous fluids 1160 versus 925.86 ml (p = 0.007). The mode of anesthesia did not affect the pain scores or the total dose of oxycodone in the first 24 postoperative hours. Only in the first postoperative hour were an opioid-sparing effect and reduction of PONV incidence seen in the OFA group when compared with remifentanil-based anesthesia. However, patients in the OFA group showed significantly greater hemodynamic lability necessitating higher vasopressor doses and more fluid volume.

Efficacy of Isoflurane-Remifentanil versus Propofol-Remifentanil on Controlled Hypotension and Surgeon Satisfaction in Rhinoplasty: A Single-Blind Clinical Trial Study.

Background: Rhinoplasty is a complex but popular surgery in Iran. The main complications of the surgery are post-operative bleeding and nasal septal hematoma due to poor intra-operative controlled hypertension. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of isoflurane-remifentanil (I-R) versus propofol-remifentanil (P-R) to induce controlled hypotension and to assess surgeon satisfaction with each of these combinations during rhinoplasty. Methods: In 2020-2021, a single-blind clinical study was conducted on 98 patients aged 18-50 years undergoing rhinoplasty at Mother and Child Hospital (Shiraz, Iran). Patients were randomly divided into P-R (n=48) and I-R (n=50) groups. Changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were assessed during surgery and in the recovery room. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the level of surgeon satisfaction. Data were analyzed using independent samples t test, Chi-square test, and repeated measures ANOVA with SPSS software. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Five minutes after anesthesia induction, the P-R combination had a greater effect on reducing SBP (P=0.010), DBP (P=0.007), MAP (P=0.003), and HR (P=0.026) than I-R. However, from the 40th minute to the end of surgery and after 30 minutes of recovery, the I-R combination had a slightly better effect on blood pressure reduction than P-R. There was no difference in surgeon satisfaction with either of the two drug combinations. Conclusion: Both P-R and I-R combinations are recommended to induce hypotension during rhinoplasty. However, I-R is more effective than P-R in inducing the desired controlled hypotension.

Impact of different doses of remifentanil on chronic postsurgical pain after video-assisted thoracic surgery: A propensity score analysis.

A remifentanil infusion dose of >0.2 µg/kg/min is associated with hyperalgesia, leading to acute postsurgical pain; however, its contribution to the development of chronic postsurgical pain after video-assisted thoracic surgery remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different remifentanil doses on chronic postsurgical pain after video-assisted thoracic surgery. This study included inpatients aged ≥ 55 years who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery under general anesthesia between April 2016 and December 2018. An inverse probability of treatment weighted using stabilized inverse propensity scores was adopted to minimize bias. After adjustments based on patient data, the outcomes of interest were compared with intraoperative covariates using a generalized estimating equation. The primary study outcome was chronic postsurgical pain 1 year after surgery, defined as a pain score ≥1 on a numerical rating scale. Of the 262 eligible patients, 258 with a mean age of 71.2 years were included in this analysis. Chronic postsurgical pain occurred in 23.6% of patients. The generalized estimating equation revealed that a remifentanil infusion dose >0.2 µg/kg/min was associated with chronic postsurgical pain at 1 year after surgery (odds ratio [OR] 1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-2.27), while remifentanil infusion doses >0.15 µg/kg/min (OR 1.12; 95% CI 0.79-1.59) and >0.175 µg/kg/min (OR 1.17; 95% CI 0.83-1.64) were not associated with our primary outcome. Remifentanil infusions >0.2 µg/kg/min were associated with chronic postsurgical pain 1 year after video-assisted thoracic surgery.

Efficacy of ultrasound-guided bilateral costal margin block in laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy: A double-blind randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided costal margin block (CMB) is a superficial and easily applicable technique. The current study aims to investigate its analgesic efficacy in patients undergoing laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy and describe its feasibility. METHODS: Forty-two patients undergoing laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy were enrolled in this prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Patients were randomized to receive standard general anesthesia with (block group, n = 21) or without (control group, n = 21) ultrasound-guided bilateral CMB. The primary outcome was 24-h intravenous morphine equivalents after surgery. Secondary outcomes included consumption of titrated morphine, 24-48 h morphine equivalents, consumption of intraoperative remifentanil, numerical pain rating scale scores, time to first opioid dose, patient satisfaction, adverse effects, and recovery events. RESULTS: The postoperative 24-h morphine equivalents in the block group were significantly reduced compared to the control group (14.4 ± 7.4 mg vs. 29.9 ± 9.8 mg, p < 0.001). Both the titrated morphine consumption in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and intraoperative remifentanil consumption were lower in the block group than in the control group. Patients in the block group had relatively lower average pain scores in PACU and reported more satisfaction with pain relief. Adverse effects and hospital length of stay after surgery were comparable between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: As a novel and easily-performed technique, ultrasound-guided bilateral CMB can reduce opioid consumption in patients undergoing laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy.

S-ketamine promotes postoperative recovery of gastrointestinal function and reduces postoperative pain in gynecological abdominal surgery patients: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This prospective randomized controlled study was designed to evaluate the effect of S-ketamine with sufentanil given intraoperatively and postoperatively on recovery of gastrointestinal (GI) function and postoperative pain in gynecological patients undergoing open abdomen surgery. METHODS: One hundred gynecological patients undergoing open abdomen surgery were randomized into an S-ketamine group (group S) or placebo group (0.9% saline; group C). Anesthesia was maintained with S-ketamine, sevoflurane, and remifentanil-propofol target-controlled infusion in group S and with sevoflurane and remifentanil-propofol target-controlled infusion in group C. All patients were connected to patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) pump at the end of the surgery with sufentanil, ketorolac tromethamine, and tropisetron in group C and additional S-ketamine in group S. The primary outcome was the time of first postoperative flatus, and the secondary outcome was postoperative pain score of patients. Postoperative sufentanil consumption within the first postoperative 24 h and adverse events such as nausea and vomiting were recorded. RESULTS: The time of first postoperative flatus in group S was significantly shorter (mean ± SD, 50.3 ± 13.5 h) than that in group C (mean ± SD, 56.5 ± 14.3 h, p = 0.042). The patient's visual analog scale (VAS) pain score 24 h after surgery at rest was significantly lower in group S than in group C (p = 0.032). There were no differences in sufentanil consumption within the first postoperative 24 h, postoperative complications related to PCIA between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: S-ketamine accelerated postoperative GI recovery and reduced 24 h postoperative pain in patients undergoing open gynecological surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2200055180. Registered on 02/01/2022. It is a secondary analysis of the same trial.

Effect of surgical pleth index-guided remifentanil administration on perioperative outcomes in elderly patients: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: During general anesthesia, the surgical pleth index (SPI) monitors nociception. The evidence of SPI in the elderly remains scarce. We aimed to investigate whether there is a difference in perioperative outcomes following intraoperative opioid administration according to the surgical pleth index (SPI) value versus hemodynamic parameters (heart rate or blood pressure) in elderly patients. METHODS: Patients aged 65-90 years who underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery under sevoflurane/remifentanil anesthesia were randomized to receive remifentanil guided by SPI (SPI group) or conventional clinical judgment based on hemodynamic parameters (conventional group). The primary endpoint was intraoperative remifentanil consumption. Secondary endpoints were intraoperative hemodynamic instability, pain score, fentanyl consumption and delirium in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), and perioperative changes in interleukin-6 and natural killer (NK) cell activity. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients (38, SPI; 37, conventional) were included in the study. The SPI group consumed significantly more remifentanil intraoperatively than the conventional group (mean ± SD, 0.13 ± 0.05 vs. 0.06 ± 0.04 µg/kg/min, P < 0.001). Intraoperative hypertension and tachycardia were more common in the conventional group than in the SPI group. Pain score in the PACU (P = 0.013) and the incidence of delirium in the PACU were significantly lower in the SPI group than the conventional group (5.2% vs. 24.3%, P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in NK cell activity and interleukin-6 level. CONCLUSIONS: In the elderly patients, SPI-guided analgesia provided appropriate analgesia with sufficient intraoperative remifentanil consumption, lower incidence of hypertension/ tachycardia events, and a lower incidence of delirium in the PACU than the conventional analgesia. However, SPI-guided analgesia may not prevent perioperative immune system deterioration. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The randomized controlled trial was retrospectively registered in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (trial number: UMIN000048351; date of registration: 12/07/2022).

Effect of common OPRM1, COMT, SLC6A4, ABCB1, and CYP2B6 polymorphisms on perioperative analgesic and propofol demands on patients subjected to thyroidectomy surgery.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative anesthetic and/or analgesic demand present considerable variation, and part of that variation appears to be genetic in origin. Here we investigate the impact of common polymorphisms in OPRM1, COMT, SLC6A4, ABCB1, and CYP2B6 genes, on the intra-operative consumption of remifentanil and propofol, as well as the postoperative analgesic needs, in patients subjected to thyroidectomy surgery. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study with 90 patients scheduled to undergo elective thyroidectomy, under total intravenous anesthesia achieved by target control infusion (TCI) of propofol and remifentanil. Postoperative analgesics were administered by protocol and on-demand by the individual patient. Genotyping was established by PCR-RFLP methods. Genotyping data, intra-operative hemodynamics, and total consumption of remifentanil and propofol, as well as postoperative analgesic needs and pain perception, were recorded for each individual. RESULTS: Patients with the ABCB1 3435TT genotype appeared to experience significantly less pain within one hour post-operatively, compared to C carriers [mean VAS (SD) = 0.86 (1.22) vs. 2.42 (1.75); p = 0.017], a finding limited to those seeking rescue analgesic treatment. Intra-operatively, homozygotes patients for the minor allele of OPRM1 A118G and CYP2B6 G516T appeared to consume less remifentanil [mean (SD) = 9.12 (1.01) vs. 13.53 (5.15), for OPRM1 118GG and A carriers] and propofol [median (range) = 14.95 (11.53, 1359.5) vs. 121.4 (1.43, 2349.4), for CYP2B6 516TT and G carriers, respectively] but the difference was not statistically significant in our sample. CONCLUSIONS: The ABCB1 C3435T polymorphism appears to affect the postoperative perception of surgical pain among patients with low pain threshold. The small number of minor allele homozygotes for the OPRM1 A118G and CYP2B6 G516T polymorphisms precludes a definitive conclusion regarding the inclusion of the latter in a TCI-programming algorithm, based on the results of this study. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12616001598471.

Unwanted spontaneous responsiveness and burst suppression in patients undergoing entropy-guided total intravenous anesthesia with target-controlled infusion: An observational prospective trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To estimate the incidence of unwanted spontaneous responsiveness and burst suppression (BSupp) in patients undergoing state entropy (SE) and surgical pleth index (SPI)-guided total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with target-controlled infusion (TCI). DESIGN: Observational, prospective, single-center study. SETTINGS: Operating room. PATIENTS: 107 adult (<65 years) and elderly (≥65 years) women undergoing breast surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Propofol-remifentanil TIVA-TCI-guided by SE for depth of anesthesia monitoring (target value 40-60) and SPI for antinociception monitoring (target value 20-50) without neuromuscular blockade. MEASUREMENTS: Age; body mass index; American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification; concentration at the effect site of propofol (CeP) and remifentanil (CeR) at loss of responsiveness (LoR), median during anesthesia maintenance (MdM), and at return of responsiveness (RoR); propofol infusion duration; incidence of postoperative delirium (POD) with Confusing Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit. MAIN RESULTS: During SE-SPI-guided TIVA-TCI, 13.1% of patients showed unwanted spontaneous responsiveness, whereas 45.8% showed BSupp. Unwanted spontaneous responsiveness was observed mainly in adults (p < 0.05), and higher CeP RoR (p < 0.05) was registered. BSupp was observed mainly in patients showing a lower CeP MdM (p < 0.01) and CeP RoR (p < 0.05). Unwanted spontaneous responsiveness and BSupp were not associated with significant differences in CeRs. An age-related hysteresis effect was observed, resulting in higher CeP LoR than CeP RoR (p < 0.001). 12.2% of patients showed POD. Only preoperative serum albumin was associated with increased likelihood of POD (p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: The SE-SPI-guided TIVA-TCI did not prevent unwanted spontaneous responsiveness and BSupp. CeP RoR may be used as a proxy for anesthetic sensitivity.

Previous chemotherapy can cause PONV.

BACKGROUND: Although the treatment and mechanisms of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are similar, the interactions between these 2 morbidities require more research. OBJECTIVES: In our prospective observational study, we investigated whether previous chemotherapy has an effect on PONV in breast cancer surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred and forty-eight female patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II, aged 18-65 years and with a scheduled breast cancer surgery were recruited into the study. After they completed preoperative follow-up questionnaires, anesthesia was induced with propofol (2 mg/kg), remifentanil (1.0 µg/kg) and rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg), and maintained with sevoflurane (1.5-2.0%), 45% oxygen/air mixture and infusion of remifentanil (0.1-0.2 µg/kg/min). After extubation, the intensity of PONV was assessed during the first 2 h and at 2-24 h after surgery. The symptoms of PONV were classified as mild (mild nausea, vomiting once, and nausea caused by an external stimulant (eating, drinking or motion)), moderate (vomiting twice, mild nausea without an external stimulant, and antiemetic medication required once) and severe (vomiting more than twice, severe nausea, antiemetic medication required more than once) by a different researcher. Preoperative interview forms, perioperative anesthetic follow-up forms and postoperative assessment forms were recorded and evaluated by different members of this research group. RESULTS: Data of 143 patients were analyzed. In the group of patients who received chemotherapy, the prevalence of nausea and vomiting within the postoperative period of 2-24 h significantly increased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Previous chemotherapy may be a risk factor for the presence of PONV.

Intra-articular remifentanil on postoperative pain in knee arthroscopic surgery; a double blind randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the efficacy of intra-articular remifentanil in relieving postoperative pain after knee arthroscopy. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind randomized clinical trial study on 60 patients. Patients were divided into two equal groups. The control group received 25 ml of intra-articular normal saline, and the intervention group received 200 µg of remifentanil dissolved in 25 ml of saline. We evaluated at rest postoperative pain at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after the surgery using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Patients with VAS scores of 4 or more received meperidine (pethidine). The first time meperidine was requested and the total amount of meperidine consumed was recorded. RESULTS: Out of 60 patients, 49 were male (81.6%), and the mean age of participants was 32.71 (7.02) years. An hour after the surgery, the control group showed a mean VAS score of 8.66 (1.26), and decreased to 2.53 (1.67) at the end of 24 h. The intervention group started with a mean VAS score of 2.23 (1.81) and ended at 0.10 (0.305). All patients in the control group and 11 (36.7%) patients in the intervention group asked for analgesics during follow-up. The mean total meperidine dose in the control and intervention groups was 108.33 (23.97) mg and 13.33 (19.40) mg, respectively (P < 0.001; 95% confidence interval of the difference 83.72 to 106.27). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular remifentanil may decrease postoperative pain and analgesic requirements in patients undergoing knee arthroscopy.

Intravenous diclofenac and orphenadrine for the treatment of postoperative pain after remifentanil-based anesthesia : A double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative intravenous diclofenac reduces patient opioid demand and is commonly used in surgical units. Orphenadrine is mainly used in combination with diclofenac for musculoskeletal injuries and postoperative pain control. The objective of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of diclofenac-orphenadrine, diclofenac alone and saline. METHODS: We performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-center clinical study investigating the opioid-sparing effect of a combination of diclofenac and orphenadrine versus diclofenac alone versus isotonic saline solution. Initially 72 patients were included and received total intravenous anesthesia during cruciate ligament surgery. All patients were postoperatively treated with a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device containing hydromorphone. Pharmacological safety was assessed by laboratory parameters, vital signs, and delirium detection scores. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups in cumulative dose of PCA analgesics required after 24 h postsurgery, with 5.90 mg (SD ± 2.90 mg) in the placebo group, 5.73 mg (SD ± 4.75 mg) in the diclofenac group, and 4.13 mg (SD ± 2.57 mg) in the diclofenac-orphenadrine group. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the groups in cumulative dose of PCA analgesics required 2 h postsurgery (n = 65). Mean dose of hydromorphone required after 2 h was 1.54 mg (SD ± 0.57 mg) in the placebo group, 1.56 mg (SD ± 1.19 mg) in the diclofenac-only group, and 1.37 mg (SD ± 0.78 mg) in the diclofenac-orphenadrine group. However, when comparing the diclofenac-orphenadrine group and the diclofenac group combined to placebo there was a significant reduction in PCA usage in the first 24 h postsurgery. In total, there were 25 adverse events reported, none of which were rated as severe. CONCLUSION: Orphenadrine-diclofenac failed to significantly reduce postoperative opioid requirements. However, in an exploratory post hoc analysis the diclofenac-orphenadrine and the diclofenac group combined versus placebo showed a tendency to reduce opioid demand in postoperative pain control. Further research is required to determine the value of orphenadrine as an adjuvant in a multimodal approach for postoperative pain management.

Abdominal Wall Block Decreases Intraoperative Opioid Con-Sumption by Surgical Pleth Index-Guided Remifentanil Administration in Single-Port Laparoscopic Herniorrhaphy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abdominal wall blocks (AWBs) can reduce pain during surgery and lessen opioid demand. Since it is difficult to know the exact level of intraoperative pain, it is not known how much the opioid dose should be reduced. In this study, using the surgical pleth index (SPI), which indicates pain index from sympathetic fibers, the amount of remifentanil consumption was investigated. We conducted single-port laparoscopic hernia repair in 64 patients, as follows: the regional block group (R group) was treated with AWB, while the control group (C group) was only subjected to general anesthesia. In both groups, the remifentanil concentration was adjusted to maintain the SPI score between 30 and 40 during surgery. The primary parameter was the amount of remifentanil. A total of 52 patients completed the study (24 in the R group, 28 in the C group). The remifentanil dose during surgery was decreased in the R group (29 ± 21 vs. 56 ± 36 ng/kg/min; p = 0.002). Visual analogue scale score and additional administrated analgesics were also low in the R group. As such, AWB can reduce the remifentanil dose while maintaining the same pain level.

Effect of Dexmedetomidine Compared to Remifentanil During Bariatric Surgery on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: a Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) occurs frequently after bariatric surgery and is a major cause of adverse outcomes. This retrospective study investigated whether opioid-restricted total intravenous anesthesia using dexmedetomidine as a substitute for remifentanil can reduce PONV in bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The electronic medical records of adult patients who underwent laparoscopic bariatric surgery between January and December 2019 were reviewed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the agents used for anesthesia: Group D, propofol and dexmedetomidine; Group R, propofol and remifentanil. RESULTS: A total of 134 patients were included in the analyses. The frequency of postoperative nausea was significantly lower in Group D than that in Group R until 2 h after discharge from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) (P = 0.005 in the PACU, P = 0.010 at 2 h after PACU discharge) but failed to significantly reduce the overall high incidence rates of 60.5% and 65.5%, respectively (P = 0.592). Postoperative pain score was significantly lower in Group D until 6 h after PACU discharge. The rates of rescue antiemetic and analgesic agent administration in the PACU were significantly lower in Group D than those in Group R. CONCLUSION: Opioid-restricted total intravenous anesthesia using dexmedetomidine reduces postoperative nausea, pain score, antiemetic, and analgesic requirements in the immediate postoperative period after bariatric surgery.

Effect of Preventive Analgesia with Nalbuphine and Dexmedetomidine in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

Background: The study was to assess the efficacy and safety of nalbuphine combined with dexmedetomidine for preventive analgesia in endoscopic sinus surgery. Methods: 110 patients with deviation of the nasal septum were randomized into the nalbuphine group (group N), dexmedetomidine combined with nalbuphine group (group DN), and saline group (group C). Fifteen minutes before the induction of anesthesia, patients in group N were injected nalbuphine 0.2 mg/kg intravenously; patients in group DN received intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine 0.5 µg/kg and injection of nalbuphine 0.2 mg/kg; patients in group C received 0.9% saline. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), numerical rating scale (NRS) scores, quality of recovery-40 (QoR-40) scores, the need for remedial analgesia, the consumption of remifentanil and propofol, and the incidence of adverse reactions were recorded. Results: MAP, HR, and NRS scores of the DN group were significantly lower and the QoR-40 scores were higher than those of groups N and C (P < 0.001). The need for remedial analgesia, the consumption of remifentanil and propofol, and the incidence of nausea in the DN group were the lowest among the three groups (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Preventive analgesia with nalbuphine and dexmedetomidine in endoscopic sinus surgery can not only maintain hemodynamic stability but also reduce intraoperative anesthetic dosage, postoperative pain, and improve the quality of postoperative recovery without affecting the revival and extubation time.

Effects of lidocaine administration via the perforated outer cuff of a dual-cuff endotracheal tube and remifentanil administration on recovery from general anaesthesia for female patients undergoing thyroidectomy: a single centre, double-blind, randomised study.

BACKGROUND: Cough caused by endotracheal tube (ETT) placement is ubiquitous and correlates with adverse outcomes. Remifentanil administration via target-controlled infusion (TCI) is one of the cough prevention measures used during recovery. In a pilot study, lidocaine administered via the perforated outer cuff of a dual-cuff endotracheal tube was also found to prevent cough due to ETT placement. We therefore compared these two cough prevention approaches during recovery after thyroidectomy in a single-centre, double-blind, randomised study conducted in China during the period from 09/10/2020 to 30/04/2021. METHODS: Ninety-eight female patients aged 18-65 years with American Society of Anaesthesiologists Physical Status scores of I and II were scheduled to undergo thyroidectomy. The ETT contained an internal cuff covered by a perforated outer cuff to allow for lidocaine delivery. Patients were randomised to receive either 4 ml of saline solution (Group R, n = 49) or 4 ml of 2% lidocaine in the outer cuff (Group L, n = 49) at the beginning of skin suturing. Remifentanil (2 ng/ml) was maintained in Group R until extubation, while remifentanil was maintained in Group L until the end of skin suturing. The primary outcome was cough during patient transfer, at 1 min before extubation, and at extubation. The secondary outcomes were haemodynamics and other recovery parameters. RESULTS: Primary outcomes were compared between remifentanil vs. lidocaine application, namely, the incidence of cough during patient transfer (0% in Group R vs. 0% in Group L), at 1 min before extubation (22.45% in Group R vs. 4.08% in Group L; P = 0.015), and at extubation (61.22% in Group R vs. 20.41% in Group L; P < 0.001). Compared with remifentanil, lidocaine more effectively decreased heart rate elevation and hypoxemia at 5 min after extubation, the spontaneous respiration recovery time, the extubation time, the duration of post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale scores in the agitated range and Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool scores. CONCLUSION: Lidocaine administered via the perforated outer cuff of the ETT significantly improved recovery from general anaesthesia compared to remifentanil in female patients after thyroidectomy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (No. ChiCTR2000038653), registered on 27/09/2020.

Comparison of Core Body Temperatures in Patients Administered Remimazolam or Propofol during Robotic-Assisted and Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy.

Background and Objectives: Different types of anesthetics affect thermoregulatory mechanisms, such as the redistribution of body temperature, loss of skin heat, or inhibition of thermoregulatory vasoconstriction. Therefore, we compared remimazolam with propofol in terms of core body temperature in patients undergoing robotic-assisted and laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Materials and methods: Ninety patients were randomly assigned to either the propofol−remifentanil (PR) group or the remimazolam−remifentanil (RR) group. The PR group (n = 45) received effect-site concentrations of 6.0 µg/mL of propofol and 4 ng/mL of remifentanil, followed by 0.9 mg/kg of 1% rocuronium and maintenance with effect-site concentrations of 2−4 µg/mL of propofol and 3 ng/mL of remifentanil. The RR group (n = 45) received remimazolam 6 mg/kg/h by continuous intravenous infusion and the effect-site concentration of 4 ng/mL of remifentanil, followed by 0.9 mg/kg of 1% rocuronium, remimazolam 1−3 mg/kg/h, and remifentanil 3 ng/mL. The primary outcome was core body temperature, and secondary outcomes included vasoconstriction threshold (°C) and time to onset of vasoconstriction (min). Results: The core body temperature in the RR group was significantly higher at 60, 80, 100, 120, 140, 160, and 180 min after induction than in the PR group (p < 0.01). The vasoconstriction threshold was significantly higher in the RR group (35.2 ± 0.4) than in the PR group (34.8 ± 0.3) (p < 0.01). The time to onset of vasoconstriction was significantly less in the RR group (150.5 ± 10.2) than in the PR group (158.5 ± 8.4) (p < 0.01). However, the incidence of intraoperative hypothermia was not significant between two groups. Conclusions: Remimazolam appears to reduce vasoconstriction threshold less than and had a faster onset of vasoconstriction, resulting in superior thermoregulatory control.

Comparison of dexmedetomidine and remifentanil infusion in geriatric patients undergoing outpatient cataract surgery: a prospective, randomized, and blinded study.

Dexmedetomidine is an α2 agonist and remifentanil is a short-acting µ opioid agonist. We aimed to compare the dexmedetomidine and remifentanil infusions used for conscious sedation in geriatric patients undergoing outpatient cataract surgery in terms of sedation quality, side effects, and surgeon satisfaction. Eighty patients were allocated into two groups as per the administration of dexmedetomidine (dexmedetomidine group) and remifentanil (remifentanil group) infusion in this randomized, prospective, double-blinded study. In dexmedetomidine group (n = 40), after a loading of 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine in 10 minutes, 0.4 µg/kg/h infusion was administered. In the remifentanil group (n = 40), remifentanil at a dose of 0.05 µg/kg was administered for 10 minutes, and then 0.05 µg/kg/min infusion was continued. Observer Assessment Warning/Sedation Scale values evaluating sedation quality were lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the remifentanil group, although it was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Bispectral Index values evaluating sedation quality were lower in the dexmedetomidine group according to the remifentanil group (P < 0.05). The dexmedetomidine group had lower Verbal Rating Scale and Visual Analogue Scale scores evaluating pain intensity compared with the remifentanil group (P < 0.05). The nausea Visual Analogue Scale values evaluating the severity of postoperative nausea in the dexmedetomidine group were lower than those in the remifentanil group (P < 0.05). The surgeon satisfaction was found to be greater in the dexmedetomidine group compared with the remifentanil group (P = 0.015). In geriatric patients, the targeted sedation and analgesia levels were achieved more easily with dexmedetomidine infusion, without hemodynamic and respiratory side effects, compared to remifentanil infusion.