Associations of Pain Numeric Rating Scale Scores Collected during Usual Care with Research Administered Patient Reported Pain Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to examine the extent to which numeric rating scale (NRS) scores collected during usual care are associated with more robust and validated measures of pain, disability, mental health, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). DESIGN: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: We included 186 patients with musculoskeletal pain who were prescribed long-term opioid therapy. SETTING: VA Portland Health Care System outpatient clinic. METHODS: All patients had been screened with the 0-10 NRS during routine outpatient visits. They also completed research visits that assessed pain, mental health and HRQOL every 6 months for 2 years. Accounting for nonindependence of repeated measures data, we examined associations of NRS data obtained from the medical record with scores on standardized measures of pain and its related outcomes. RESULTS: NRS scores obtained in clinical practice were moderately associated with pain intensity scores (B's = 0.53-0.59) and modestly associated with pain disability scores (B's = 0.33-0.36) obtained by researchers. Associations between pain NRS scores and validated measures of depression, anxiety, and health related HRQOL were low (B's = 0.09-0.26, with the preponderance of B's < .20). CONCLUSIONS: Standardized assessments of pain during usual care are moderately associated with research-administered measures of pain intensity and would be improved from the inclusion of more robust measures of pain-related function, mental health, and HRQOL.

Initial experience of complete laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy combined with transvesical laparoscopic excision of distal ureter in patients with upper urinary tract cancer.

BACKGROUND: Selecting the treatment procedure for cancer patients is a challenging task. We report our initial experience of complete laparoscopic radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for patients with upper urinary tract urothelial cancer (UTUC). METHODS: A total of four patients with UTUC underwent complete laparoscopic RNU combined with transvesical laparoscopic excision of the distal ureter using three 5-mm ports. Transvaginal specimen extraction was applied in female patients to reduce incisional pain and improve cosmesis. Peri-operative complications were evaluated using the Clavien-Dindo classification system. Postoperative pain was evaluated during hospitalization using a numeric pain rating scale (scales of 1 to 10). Patients who underwent retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery combined with open excision of the distal ureter during the same period were included as a control group (conventional RNU, consisting of laparoscopic nephrectomy combined with open bladder cuff excision) for pain scale evaluation. RESULTS: The novel surgery was successfully completed for all four patients (two males and two females). The mean pneumoperitoneum time for retroperitoneoscopic nephroureterectomy and specimen extraction was 174 min, while the mean pneumovesicum time for the ureteral orifice excision was 88 min. One male patient had bladder leakage at the suture site of the bladder wall, which lasted for 2 weeks. No patient experienced recurrent disease during the follow-up period (median, 10 months). Mild to moderate pain lasted for 5 or 6 days after RNU. A couple of days after surgery, the numeric pain rating scale of complete laparoscopic RNU and conventional RNU group reached its peak level at 3.0 ± 1.8 and 5.3 ± 2.8, respectively. There was no statistical difference in the degree of postoperative pain (P = 0.31). CONCLUSIONS: We described our initial experience and outcome of complete laparoscopic RNU for UTUC. Further experience and research are required to determine whether this advanced laparoscopic technique yields better outcomes and has true clinical value.

Comparison of Cyriax manipulation with traditional physical therapy for the management of cervical discogenic problems. A randomized control trial.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare the clinical outcome of Cyriax manipulation and traditional physical therapy for the treatment of cervical discogenic problems in terms of pain, range of motion and disability. METHODS: The randomised controlled trial was conducted at Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January to June, 2018, and comprised patients having prolapsed intervertebral disc with neck or arm pain who were then randomly allocated into control and experimental groups using the sealed envelope method. The control group received cervical isometrics 10 repetitions ×1 set, 4 days/week and targeted muscle strechings 10 repetition × 1 set/day for 4 days/week. The experimental group received 10 min pre-manipulative massage and Cyriax manipulation protocol. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 40 subjects, there were 20(50%) in each of the two groups. The experimental group showed significance difference in terms of numeric pain rating scale, range of motion and the neck disability index (p<0.05 each). CONCLUSIONS: Cyriax manipulation was found to be significantly better than the traditional treatment of physiotherapy for cervical discogenic pain.

Effects of post-isometric relaxation, myofascial trigger point release and routine physical therapy in management of acute mechanical neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of post-isometric relaxation, myofascial trigger point release and routine physical therapy on pain, disability and cervical range of motion in patients with acute mechanical neck pain. METHODS: The randomised control trial was conducted at the District Headquarter Hospital in Nowshehra, Pakistan, from July to December 2017 and comprised subjects of either gender aged 16-49 years with acute neck pain. They were randomised into three groups; post-isometric relaxation group 1, myofascial trigger point release group 2 and routine physical therapy group 3. Neck disability index, numeric pain rating scale and cervical goniometry were documented before intervention, after the first session and after 6 sessions in two weeks. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 60 patients, there were 20(33.3%) in each of the three groups. Mean age in group 1 was 32.25±9.56 years, group 2 2.35±9.05 years and in group 3 it was 32.75±7.82 years. Scores for neck disability index and numeric pain rating scale as well as rotation to right and left showed significant difference among the groups post-treatment (p<0.05). Within group analysis showed significant improvements in all parameters post-treatment in all the groups (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Acute mechanical neck pain treated with post-isometric relaxation technique had more and faster effect in decreasing pain and disability and in improving mobility.

Effectiveness and safety comparison of three eye and orbital reconstruction techniques in facial plastic surgery.

PURPOSE: To compare the effectiveness and the safety of three eye reconstruction techniques with porous bioceramic implantation in facial surgery: the "four petals" eye evisceration (EE) technique, the "russian doll" EE technique and the enucleation with "on-the-table" evisceration technique. METHODS: Retrospective review of patients who underwent surgical orbit reconstruction with primary placement of a porous bioceramic orbital implant using three techniques at Quinze-Vingts National Center (Paris, France). We compared outcomes of three surgical orbit reconstruction techniques: the "four petal" EE technique, the "russian doll" EE technique and the enucleation with "on-the-table" evisceration technique. The primary endpoint was to determine the rate of implant exposure and the facial cosmetic result during the first year after surgery for each technique. The mean of the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS) after surgery at day 1 was also a primary endpoint. In addition, data such as analgesic intake and rate of revision surgery were compared for each technique. RESULTS: One hundred and ten patients were included: 70 patients in the "four petals" procedure group, 31 in the "on-the-table" procedure group and 9 in the "russian doll" procedure group. NRS pain at day 1 was statistically significantly lower in the "four petals" procedure group 0.9 [standard deviation (SD)] (1.8) and in the "russian doll" procedure group 1 (1.7) than in the "on-the-table" procedure group 2.5 (2.4) (P=0.001). Implant exposure was statistically significantly lower in the "four petals" procedure group (2.9%) and in the "on-the-table" procedure group (3.2%) when compared to the "russian doll" procedure group (22.2%) (P=0.03). Rate of revision surgery was lower in the "four petals" procedure group (11.5%) than in the "russian doll" procedure group (33.3%) and the "on-the-table" procedure group (22.6%). "russian doll" evisceration procedure group had the highest orbital lipofilling rate due to the highest rate of enophthalmos. Therefore, the cosmetic result was better in the "four petals" and the "on-the-table" procedure group. CONCLUSION: The "four petals" EE technique for surgical eye and orbital reconstruction seems to be a method that reduce implant extrusion, postoperative pain and improve facial esthetic result.

Effectiveness of the capsaicin 8% patch in the management of peripheral neuropathic pain in European clinical practice: the ASCEND study.

BACKGROUND: In randomised studies, the capsaicin 8% patch has demonstrated effective pain relief in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain (PNP) arising from different aetiologies. METHODS: ASCEND was an open-label, non-interventional study of patients with non-diabetes-related PNP who received capsaicin 8% patch treatment, according to usual clinical practice, and were followed for ≤52 weeks. Co-primary endpoints were percentage change in the mean numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) 'average daily pain' score from baseline to the average of Weeks 2 and 8 following first treatment; and median time from first to second treatment. The primary analysis was intended to assess analgesic equivalence between post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) and other PNP aetiologies. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL, using EQ-5D), Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) and tolerability were also assessed. RESULTS: Following first application, patients experienced a 26.6% (95% CI: 23.6, 29.62; n = 412) reduction in mean NPRS score from baseline to Weeks 2 and 8. Equivalence was demonstrated between PHN and the neuropathic back pain, post-operative and post-traumatic neuropathic pain and 'other' PNP aetiology subgroups. The median time from first to second treatment was 191 days (95% CI: 147, 235; n = 181). Forty-four percent of all patients were responders (≥30% reduction in NPRS score from baseline to Weeks 2 and 8) following first treatment, and 86.9% (n = 159/183) remained so at Week 12. A sustained pain response was observed until Week 52, with a 37.0% (95% CI: 31.3, 42.7; n = 176) reduction in mean NPRS score from baseline. Patients with the shortest duration of pain (0-0.72 years) experienced the highest pain response from baseline to Weeks 2 and 8. Mean EQ-5D index score improved by 0.199 utils (responders: 0.292 utils) from baseline to Week 2 and was maintained until Week 52. Most patients reported improvements in PGIC at Week 2 and at all follow-up assessments regardless of number of treatments received. Adverse events were primarily mild or moderate reversible application site reactions. CONCLUSION: In European clinical practice, the capsaicin 8% patch provided effective and sustained pain relief, substantially improved HRQoL, improved overall health status and was generally well tolerated in a heterogeneous PNP population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01737294 Date of registration - October 22, 2012.

Clinical Outcomes of 1 kHz Subperception Spinal Cord Stimulation in Implanted Patients With Failed Paresthesia-Based Stimulation: Results of a Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Pain relief via spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has historically revolved around producing paresthesia to replace pain, with success measured by the extent of paresthesia-pain overlap. In a recent murine study, by Shechter et al., showed the superior efficacy of high frequency SCS (1 kHz and 10 kHz) at inhibiting the effects of mechanical hypersensitivity compared to sham or 50 Hz stimulation. In the same study, authors report there were no differences in efficacy between 1 kHz and 10 kHz delivered at subperception stimulation strength (80% of motor threshold). Therefore, we designed a randomized, 2 × 2 crossover study of low frequency supra-perception SCS vs. subperception SCS at 1 kHz frequency in order to test whether subperception stimulation at 1 kHz was sufficient to provide effective pain relief in human subjects. METHODS: Twenty-two subjects with SCS, and inadequate pain relief based on numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) scores (>5) were enrolled, and observed for total of seven weeks (three weeks of treatment, one week wash off, and another three weeks of treatment). Subjects were asked to rate their pain on NPRS as a primary efficacy variable, and complete the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Patient's Global Impression of Change (PGIC) as secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: Out of 22 subjects that completed the study, 21 subjects (95%) reported improvements in average, best, and worst pain NPRS scores. All NPRS scores were significantly lower with subperception stimulation compared to paresthesia-based stimulation (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, and p < 0.05, respectively). As with NPRS scores, the treatment effect of subperception stimulation was significantly greater than that of paresthesia based stimulation on ODI scores (p = 3.9737 × 10-5 ) and PGIC scores (p = 3.0396 × 10-5 ).

Evaluating the Efficacy of Pre-Emptive Peribulbar Blocks with Different Local Anesthetics or Paracetamol Using the Adequacy of Anesthesia Guidance for Vitreoretinal Surgeries: A Preliminary Report.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Precisely selected patients require vitreoretinal surgeries (VRS) performed under general anesthesia (GA) when intravenous rescue opioid analgesics (IROA) are administered intraoperatively, despite a risk of adverse events, to achieve hemodynamic stability and proper antinociception and avoid the possibility of intolerable postoperative pain perception (IPPP). Adequacy of anesthesia guidance (AoA) optimizes the titration of IROA. Preventive analgesia (PA) techniques and intravenous or preoperative peribulbar block (PBB) using different local anesthetics (LAs) are performed prior to GA to optimize IROA. The aim was to analyze the utility of PBBs compared with intravenous paracetamol added to AoA-guided GA on the incidence of IPPP and hemodynamic stability in patients undergoing VRS. METHODS: A total of 185 patients undergoing vitreoretinal surgery (VRS) were randomly assigned to one of several anesthesia protocols: general anesthesia (GA) with analgesia optimized through AoA-guided intraoperative remifentanil opioid analgesia (IROA) combined with a preemptive single dose of 1 g of paracetamol (P group), or PBB using one of the following options: 7 mL of an equal mixture of 2% lidocaine and 0.5% bupivacaine (BL group), 7 mL of 0.5% bupivacaine (BPV group), or 7 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine (RPV group). According to the PA used, the primary outcome measure was postoperative pain perception assessed using the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), whereas the secondary outcome measures were as follows: demand for IROA and values of hemodynamic parameters reflecting quality or analgesia and hemodynamic stability. RESULTS: A total of 175 patients were finally analyzed. No studied PA technique proved superior in terms of rate of incidence of IPPP, when IROA under AoA was administered (p = 0.22). PBB using ropivacaine resulted in an intraoperative reduction in the number of patients requiring IROA (p = 0.002; p < 0.05) with no influence on the dose of IROA (p = 0.97), compared to paracetamol, and little influence on hemodynamic stability of no clinical relevance in patients undergoing VRS under AoA-guided GA. CONCLUSIONS: PA using paracetamol or PBBs, regardless of LAs used, in patients undergoing VRS proved no advantage in terms of rate of incidence of IPPP and hemodynamic stability when AoA guidance for IROA administration during GA was utilized. Therefore, PA using them seems no longer justified due to the potential, although rare, side effects.

Intrarater and interrater reliability of select clinical tests in patients referred for diagnostic facet joint blocks in the cervical spine.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the intra- and interrater reliability of select standardized clinical tests used for the assessment of patients with axial neck pain referred for diagnostic facet joint blocks. DESIGN: Single-group, repeated-measures study. SETTING: Tertiary interventional pain management center. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients with persistent neck pain, referred to a tertiary interventional pain management center, were approached to participate. Fifty-six patients consented to participate in the study. INTERVENTIONS: Subjects underwent a standardized clinical testing protocol, performed by 2 physiotherapists, before receiving diagnostic facet joint blocks. Subjects were examined twice by 1 assessor for the determination of the intrarater reliability of the testing protocol, and again by a second assessor for determination of interrater reliability. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), kappa coefficients, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to determine the intra- and interrater reliability for cervical range of motion (ROM; 6 directions), extension-rotation (ER) test, manual spinal examination (MSE), and palpation for paraspinal tenderness (PST) from C2 through C7. RESULTS: For intrarater reliability, kappa coefficients ranged from .51 to .88 for the ER test, MSE, and PST, and ICCs ranged from .91 to .97 for ROM. For interrater reliability, kappa coefficients ranged from .74 to .96 for the ER test, MSE, and PST, and ICCs ranged from .90 to .95 for ROM. CONCLUSIONS: The standardized clinical tests exhibited moderate to substantial reliability in patients with axial neck pain referred for diagnostic facet joint blocks. The data justify the incorporation of these tests into a clinical prediction model to screen patients before referral for diagnostic facet blocks.

Patient-Reported Outcomes at Return to Sport After Lateral Ankle Sprain Injuries: A Report From the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network.

CONTEXT: Limited evidence exists regarding the assessment of single-item patient-reported outcomes when patients are medically cleared to return to sport after a lateral ankle sprain (LAS) injury. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate self-reports of improvement in health status, pain, function, and disability at return to sport after an LAS. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: Sixty-nine athletic training facilities across 24 states. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 637 patients (males = 53.2%) who were diagnosed with an LAS, restricted from sport after injury, and subsequently medically cleared to return to sport within 60 days were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Descriptive statistics were used to summarize scores for health status (Global Rating of Change), pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), function (Global Rating of Function), and disability (Global Rating of Disability). Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare score differences between sexes. A Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed to provide a visual depiction of sex differences in the time to return to sport. RESULTS: Most patients sustained an LAS injury while participating in basketball, football, or soccer and were cleared to return to sport 8 days after injury. More than two-thirds of patients reported a meaningful improvement in health status between the time of injury and return to sport. However, many noted deficits related to pain (65.1%), function (86.2%), or disability (35.8%) at return to sport. No differences were seen between males and females for pain (P = .90), function (P = .68), change in health status (P = .45), or disability (P = .21) at return to sport, although males returned to sport slightly sooner than females (P = .025). CONCLUSIONS: Despite self-perceived improvements in health status since the time of injury, patients typically returned to sport with deficits in pain, function, and disability after an LAS. Patients may be returning to unrestricted sport participation before they feel their bodies have fully recovered from the injury.

Fixed dose combination of low dose pregabalin and duloxetine, or pregabalin monotherapy for neuropathic pain: A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study.

Background: Treatment of neuropathic pain is challenging. Pregabalin and duloxetine are used as first-line therapy. Various international guidelines recommend a combination of first-line agents for the management of neuropathic pain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of low-dose pregabalin and duloxetine compared to pregabalin monotherapy at week 7 in patients with moderate to severe neuropathic pain. Methods: This was a phase 3, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy parallel-group non-inferiority study conducted at 17 sites across India. Three hundred and twenty-eight adult patients with moderate to severe neuropathic pain were randomized in a ratio of 1:1 to receive a FDC of pregabalin and duloxetine or pregabalin monotherapy for 7 weeks followed by a one-week follow-up. The pregabalin-duloxetine combination was initiated at 50 plus 20 mg per day and gradually titrated to a maximum of 75mg plus 30mg twice daily. Pregabalin was initiated at 75mg/day and gradually titrated to a maximum of 150mg twice daily. The main efficacy outcome was a mean change in pain intensity at the end of 7 weeks. Results: Two hundred and ninety-eight patients completed the study, 148 in the pregabalin-duloxetine group and 150 in the pregabalin group. The mean change in daily pain at 7 weeks was as follows: -4.49 with FDC and -4.66 with pregabalin (p<0.0001). The non-inferiority of a low-dose FDC compared to pregabalin monotherapy was demonstrated at the end of the study. The incidence of dizziness and somnolence was comparable between both treatments. A higher frequency of peripheral oedema was observed with pregabalin monotherapy than in the FDC group (p>0.05). Conclusions: A FDC of low doses of pregabalin and duloxetine and high dose of pregabalin monotherapy achieved similar analgesia with dizziness, and somnolence as the most frequent adverse event. Trial registration: CTRI/2020/09/027555.

A single session of education for a patient with negative beliefs about low back pain: A case report of 16-month follow-up.

The effectiveness of education in patients with low back pain (LBP) remains controversial and inconclusive. This case report describes the long-term effects of a single educational session on the rehabilitation of a patient with chronic LBP (CLBP). A 57-year-old woman presented with the main complaint of LBP and inability to prostrate for several years. The intervention consisted of a single session of patient-specific education that targeted negative cognitive beliefs. This education included instructions about the obtained findings, spinal anatomy, patient reassurance, the relationship between imaging findings and patient symptoms, proposed treatment, and a home exercise program. The patient was able to independently complete the prostration task immediately after the session without pain. This improvement was maintained for at least 16 months, as demonstrated by the Numeric Pain Rate Scale, Patient-Specific Functional Scale, Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire, and the Keele STarT Back Screening Tool. In conclusion, a single session of patient-specific education was effective, both immediately and over the long term, in addressing pain and function in patients with CLBP.

A randomized controlled clinical trial comparing different numbers of acupuncture sessions for migraine.

BACKGROUND: Acupuncture has shown benefit in preventing migraine attacks, but there has been no clear recommendation about the number of treatment sessions that should be provided. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine whether 5 sessions of acupuncture treatment is non-inferior to 10 sessions for migraine. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, open-label, randomized, controlled clinical trial across five hospitals in Thailand. Migraine patients were randomly assigned into two groups: treatment with 5 sessions of acupuncture (group A) or 10 sessions of acupuncture (group B). Acupuncture was performed twice a week. We measured the number of migraine days, average pain severity according to a 0-10 numeric pain rating scale (NPRS) and quality of life using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire, comparing 4 weeks after treatment versus baseline. RESULTS: Of 156 patients, 83 and 73 patients were assigned to groups A and B, respectively. Comparing 4 weeks after treatment with baseline, the mean reduction in the number of headache days in groups A and B was 6.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.8 to 7.9) days and 6.4 (95% CI 4.5 to 8.4) days, respectively (p = 0.97). The mean difference between the reduction in headache days of the two groups was -0.1 (95% CI -2.5 to 2.4) days, which included the pre-specified non-inferiority limit of -1. The mean reduction of NPRS scores in groups A and B was 4.5 (95% CI 3.8 to 5.1) and 3.8 (95% CI 3.1 to 4.5), respectively (p = 0.17). Both groups showed an improvement in quality of life. CONCLUSION: Both 5 and 10 sessions of acupuncture were associated with apparent benefits in terms of preventing migraine attacks, reducing the severity of the headache and improving quality of life, based on comparisons between baseline and follow-up in both study groups. Although we were unable to demonstrate non-inferiority of 5 sessions versus 10 sessions of acupuncture, the effects in the two groups were not significantly different and the temporal effects appeared to last for at least 1 month. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: TCTR20170612002 (Thai Clinical Trials Registry).

Comparison of the Efficacy of Continuous Femoral Nerve Block With Epidural Analgesia for Postoperative Pain Relief After Unilateral Total Knee Replacement.

Introduction With recent developments in postoperative pain management after total knee replacement (TKR), the continuous femoral nerve block is becoming a common practice. The purpose of this study was to compare a femoral nerve block with time-tested epidural analgesia in a tertiary care setup in a developing country. Methodology A randomized control trial took place at Shifa International Hospital (SIH), Islamabad, Pakistan. Sixty patients, aged 40 to 90 years old, 12 males and 48 females, who were undergoing unilateral TKR for osteoarthritis in American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classes I and II, weighing between 50 and 99 kg, and fully able to understand and respond to the numeric rating scale (NRS) were included in the study. While patients belonging to ASA physical status class ≥3, with chronic opiate therapy, having allergies to local anesthetics or equipment material, or with neuromuscular disease, were excluded from the study. Ethical approval was obtained, and patients were divided into two groups, with group A given epidural and group B given a femoral nerve block for pain management postop. Data were collected. The pain was recorded using the NRS at six, 12, and 24 hours postop. Results The results for six hours and 12 hours were found to be significant. Patients in group A had a lower NRS rating postop as compared to group B and required a lesser amount of additional boluses for pain management.  Conclusion The femoral nerve block is inferior to epidural analgesia for pain management after unilateral TKR in the first 24 hours, with a greater need for extra boluses to relieve pain.

Effectiveness of paracervical block in endometrial sampling procedures for pain control: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate the effect of paracervical block (PCB) on endometrial sampling procedures, to assess the effect on pain of waiting between PCB and intervention, and to compare the effectiveness of PCB with oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) for decreasing the pain levels associated with endometrial biopsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 123 participants were divided into four groups as Group 1: Waiting 1 minute after PCB, Group 2: Waiting 3 minute after PCB, Group 3: Control group, and Group 4: Waiting 60 minute after taking oral NSAIDs. The success of analgesic measures used for endometrial biopsy during and 30 minutes after the procedure was compared with the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) system. RESULTS: The Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) 0 score was 2.60 (± 2.42) in Group 1; 1.60 (± 1.73) in Group 2; 5.30 (± 2.10) in Groups 3; 5.63 (± 1.99) in Groups 4. NPRS 30 score was 0.80 (± 0.88) in Group 1; 0.43 (± 0.81) in Group 2; 1.90 (± 1.32) in Groups 3; 2.70 (± 1.41) in Groups 4. The pain was significantly less in the paracervical block groups compared to control and oral NSAIDs groups. However, there was no significant difference in NPRS 0 (p = 0.196) and NPRS 30 (p = 0.191) scores between Group 1 and Group 2. There was no significant difference in NPRS 0 and NPRS 30 scores between control group and oral NSAID group. CONCLUSIONS: Paracervical block (PCB) is an effective method and superior to oral NSAIDs. Waiting 1 minute or 3 minutes after PCB were equally effective.

Using a Virtual Reality and Communication Intervention to Reduce Pain and Anxiety in Patients Undergoing Lipoma Excision With Local Anesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

In this randomized controlled trial, we assessed the effects of using a virtual reality (VR) and communication intervention on pain and anxiety in patients undergoing lipoma excision under local anesthesia. We conducted the study at a large hospital in Turkey between March 15 and September 15, 2019, with 100 participants. We used a pretest and posttest design to collect data with a personal information form, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The intervention group participants watched a video using a VR headset during the procedure and communicated with an investigator; the control group participants only received routine surgical treatment. The intervention had a significant effect on pain during the procedure (P < .001) and a moderate effect on anxiety 60 minutes after the procedure (P = .01). Use of VR and active communication may help reduce pain and anxiety for patients undergoing procedures performed with local anesthesia.

Preemptive low-dose intravenous ketamine in the management of acute and chronic postoperative pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized control study.

Preemptive analgesia with intravenous ketamine has been utilized as a part of multi-modal analgesia for acute postoperative pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy with mixed outcomes. We tested the effectiveness of low-dose ketamine for acute and chronic postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a randomized controlled experiment. The study involved 50 individuals who had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia. All the patients were separated into two equal groups. The ketamine and control groups were given 0.5 mg/kg ketamine and 2 mL of normal saline, respectively, at 15 minutes before incision. Patients in the ketamine group had a significantly lower numeric pain rating scale score at 0 minutes than those in the control group. The numeric pain rating scale score of the ketamine group was considerably greater than the control group after a half-hour interval. At other time periods, there was no significant difference in numeric pain rating scale scores between the two groups. The ketamine group had a greater duration of analgesia and sedation score than the control group. The cumulative tramadol demand at 24 hours and the incidence of chronic pain did not differ significantly across the groups. Substantial analgesic effect of intravenous ketamine lasted only up to 30 min postoperatively. There was no discernible effect in terms of chronic pain prevention.

Percutaneous screw fixation and cementoplasty of metastatic sternal fracture: Descriptions of 2 cases.

Secondary lesions and hemopathy localized in sternal bone may be responsible for persistent pain and resistant to classical analgesics. Surgical treatment is not applicable in these cases. We report on 2 cases of sternal osteosynthesis by internal cemented screw fixation, under fluoroscopy and CT scan control, without complication and with clear, immediate reduction of pain. Cementoplasty alone does not appear to be the most appropriate approach for treating lytic sternal lesions which are subject to traction and distraction forces, and resistant to analgesics. Discussion of these 2 cases demonstrate that internal cemented screw fixation allows for rapid management of pain in lytic lesions of the sternum in cancer-related context and should be more widespread in the medical community.

Objective postoperative pain assessment using incentive spirometry values: a prospective observational study.

Aim: Determine if incentive spirometry (IS) values correlate with postoperative pain control. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting & participants: A total of 100 patients undergoing major abdominal procedures at the University of North Carolina Medical Center. Interventions: Patients studied as a single cohort. All patients received thoracic epidural analgesia preoperatively. Outcome: Preoperative and daily postoperative numeric pain scores, subjective pain description and IS values were collected for all patients. Results: There was a strong correlation with IS values relative to baseline for both the numeric pain scores (p < 0.0001), postoperative day (p < 0.0001) and the subjective pain score (p < 0.0007). Conclusion: IS values are an objective surrogate data point for pain control after surgery, particularly when followed over time and compared with a preoperative baseline value.

Clinical efficacy of ultrasound guided bilateral erector spinae block for single-level lumbar fusion surgery: a prospective, randomized, case-control study.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Postoperative experience plays a vital role in patient recovery and does not depend on the type and quality of the surgical procedure alone. Non-opioid therapies have become part of the multimodal analgesic regimen for better pain control and reduced opioid-related side effects. Most recently evolved among these are the regional anesthetic techniques, such as the thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block and the erector spinae (ESP) block. PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of ultrasound-guided (US) ESP block for postoperative analgesia after a single level lumbar spine fusion surgery compared with conventional (opioid-based) multimodal postoperative analgesia. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, controlled, and double-blinded clinical trial. PATIENT SAMPLE: A 100 consecutive patients requiring single-level lumbar spinal fusion procedure were randomized into two groups- block (multimodal analgesia with US-ESP) and control (only multimodal analgesia) groups. OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic and surgical data, intra-operative blood loss, duration of surgery, total opioid consumption (TOC) and amount of muscle relaxants used were assessed. Postoperatively, the Numeric pain Rating Scale(NRS), Modified Observer's assessment of Alertness and/or Sedation Scale (MOASS) and Patient satisfaction scores were recorded every 2 hours for the first 6 hours followed by every 6 hours for 24 hours. Continuous variables were analyzed using Student's t-test, and categorical variables were analyzed using either the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. p-value < .05 was considered statistically significant. METHODS: Patients in both groups underwent the identical protocol for pre-emptive analgesia and induction of anesthesia. Patients in the block group received the US-ESP block after induction and positioning, followed by the multimodal analgesia, while the control group received only the multimodal analgesia. RESULTS: Both groups had identical demographic backgrounds and surgical profile. TOC for 24 hours following induction was significantly lower in the block group than the control group (105.0 ± 15.15 vs 158.00 ± 23.38mcg; p < .001). The total muscle relaxant consumption during surgery was also significantly less in the block group than the control group (51.90 ± 3.17 vs 57.70 ± 5.90; p < .001). The intra-operative blood loss was significantly less (p < .001) in the block group (303.00 ± 86.55 ml) than the control group (437.00 ± 116.85 ml). Compared to the block group, the control group's pain score (NRS) was significantly higher in the first 48 hours following surgery. The MOASS score was significantly lower in the control group (4.46 ± 0.50 vs 3.82 ± 0.82; p < .001) in the immediate postoperative period. The satisfaction score was significantly higher in the block group than the control group (9.52 ± 0.65 vs 8.22 ± 0.79; p < .001). CONCLUSION: The employed US-ESP block for single-level lumbar fusion surgery is an effective component of multimodal analgesia for reducing blood loss, total opioid consumption, and related side effects with a significant reduction of postoperative pain and higher patient satisfaction.