Dexamethasone Plus Bupivacaine Versus Bupivacaine in Bilateral Transincisional Paravertebral Block in Lumbar Spine Surgeries: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies examined the analgesic effects of dexamethasone in lumbar paravertebral block, specifically the transincisional approach. This study aimed to compare dexamethasone with bupivacaine versus bupivacaine alone for bilateral transincisional paravertebral block (TiPVB) for postoperative analgesia in lumbar spine surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients who were aged 20 to 60 years and had American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS) I or II of either sex were randomly allocated into 2 equal groups. Both groups received combined general anesthesia and bilateral lumbar TiPVB. However, in group 1 (dexamethasone group) (n=25), patients received 14 mL of bupivacaine 0.20% plus 1 mL containing 4 mg of dexamethasone on each side, while, in group 2 (control group) (n=25), patients received 14 mL of bupivacaine 0.20% plus 1 mL of saline on each side. Time to first analgesic need was the primary outcome, while total opioid consumption during the first 24 hours after surgery, the Visual Analog Scale for pain perception (0-10), and the incidence of side effects were secondary outcomes. RESULTS: The mean time to the first analgesic requirement was significantly prolonged among patients in the dexamethasone group than the control group (mean±SD: 18.4±0.8 vs. 8.7±1.2 h, respectively) ( P <0.001). Patients in the dexamethasone group had lower total opiates consumption than the control) P <0.001). Although nonsignificant, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was more frequent among the control group ( P =0.145). DISCUSSION: Adding dexamethasone to bupivacaine in TiPVB resulted in a prolonged analgesia-free period and lower opioid consumption in lumbar spine surgeries with comparable incidence of adverse events.

Ultrasound-guided trans-incisional quadratus lumborum block versus ultrasound-guided caudal analgesia in pediatric open renal surgery: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The caudal route is a common approach for postoperative analgesia; however, it is associated with limited duration of action. The quadratus lumborum block (QLB) may produce prolonged postoperative analgesia. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of the ultrasound-guided caudal block with that of the ultrasound-guided transincisional QLB (TiQLB) in pediatric patients undergoing open renal surgery. METHODS: Forty patients of both sexes, aged 2-11 years, were randomly assigned to receive either caudal analgesia with 1.25 ml/kg of bupivacaine 0.2% (Caudal group; n = 20) or a QLB with 0.5 ml/kg of bupivacaine 0.2% (TiQLB group; n = 20) in addition to standard general anesthesia. Time to first analgesia was the primary outcome. Total analgesic consumption in the first 24 h postoperatively, pain scores, and the incidence of side effects were the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: The mean time to first analgesic requirement was significantly longer in the TiQLB group than in the Caudal group (18.8 ± 5.1 vs. 6.7 ± 0.7 h, P < 0.001). Total ketorolac consumption and pain scores were significantly lower in the TiQLB group (P < 0.001). A few cases of mild postoperative nausea and vomiting were noted among patients in both groups; however, the difference was not statistically significant. No incidence of pruritus, shivering, or respiratory depression was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Analgesia after the ultrasound-guided TiQLB with bupivacaine was superior to that after the ultrasound-guided caudal block, with similar side effects.

Effect of magnesium sulfate on oxygenation and lung mechanics in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery: a prospective double-blind randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory mechanics are often significantly altered in morbidly obese patients and magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is a promising agent for managing several respiratory disorders. This study aimed to examine the effects of MgSO4 infusions on arterial oxygenation and lung mechanics in patients with morbid obesity undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery. METHODS: Forty patients with morbid obesity aged 21-60 years scheduled for laparoscopic bariatric surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to either the control (normal saline infusion) or MgSO4 group (30 mg/kg lean body weight [LBW] of 10% MgSO4 in 100 ml normal saline intravenously over 30 min as a loading dose, followed by 10 mg/kg LBW/h for 90 min). The primary outcome was intraoperative arterial oxygenation (ΔPaO2/FiO2). Secondary outcomes included intraoperative static and dynamic compliance, dead space, and hemodynamic parameters. RESULTS: At 90 min intraoperatively, the Δ PaO2/FiO2 ratio and the Δ dynamic lung compliance were statistically significantly higher in the MgSO4 group (mean ± SE: 16.1 ± 1.0, 95% CI [14.1, 18.1] and 8.4 ± 0.5 ml/cmH2O, 95% CI [7.4, 9.4]), respectively), and the Δ dead space (%) was statistically significantly lower in the MgSO4 group (mean ± SE: -8.0 ± 0.3%, 95% CI [-8.6, -7.4]) (P < 0.001). No significant differences in static compliance were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Although MgSO4 significantly preserved arterial oxygenation and maintained dynamic lung compliance and dead space in patients with morbid obesity, the clinical relevance is minimal. This study failed to adequately reflect the clinical importance of these results.

Dexmedetomidine Added to Bupivacaine versus Bupivacaine in Transincisional Ultrasound-Guided Quadratus Lumborum Block in Open Renal Surgeries: A Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: General anesthesia (GA) is the preferred anesthetic modality for open renal surgeries to ensure a patent airway while the patient is in the lateral decubitus position. However, these surgeries are usually accompanied by severe postoperative pain with increased requirements for multimodal pain management strategies. Regional blocks provide better postoperative pain control with less systemic opioid consumption. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe the ultrasound (US)-guided transincisional quadratus lumborum block (TiQLB) as a new approach, and to compare the addition of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine versus bupivacaine alone for TiQLB in combination with GA regarding postoperative analgesia and adverse effects in open renal surgery. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. SETTING: Ain Shams University Hospitals. METHODS: Eighty patients who were scheduled for an elective open renal surgery, aged 20 to 65 years, of either gender, and American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I to II were enrolled in the study. They were randomly allocated into 2 equal groups: group dexmedetomidine-bupivacaine (DB) (n = 40) in which patients received combined GA plus TiQLB with 30 mL bupivacaine 0.25% plus 1 mu g/kg dexmedetomidine, and group bupivacaine (B) (n = 40) in which patients received combined GA plus TiQLB with 30 mL bupivacaine 0.25% only. The primary outcome was the total morphine consumption among both groups, whereas the secondary outcomes were the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and the time to first analgesic requirement during the first 24 hours. Postoperative side effects, such as sedation, nausea, vomiting, shivering, pruritus, bradycardia, hypotension, and respiratory depression, were also recorded. RESULTS: Patients in the DB group experienced lower total morphine consumption and lower VAS scores when compared with patients in the B group (P < 0.001). Time to first analgesic requirement was prolonged in patients in the DB group (18.6 ± 2.4 hours) in comparison to patients in the B group (7.3 ± 1.1 hours). Ten minutes after the block there was a significant reduction in mean blood pressure and heart rate in the DB group than in the B group. Regarding postoperative adverse effects, sedation scores were higher in the DB group than in the B group, postoperative nausea, vomiting, and shivering were significantly higher in the B group than in the DB group. Bradycardia was significantly more frequent among the DB group. Although nonsignificant, pruritus was more frequent in the B group than in the DB group. No cases of respiratory depression were reported in both groups. LIMITATIONS: The used technique US-guided TiQLB could be performed in open renal surgeries only. CONCLUSIONS: The new approach US-guided TiQLB was effective and easy to be performed. Adding dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in TiQLB was associated with potent and prolonged postoperative analgesia with fewer postoperative adverse effects. KEY WORDS: Quadratus lumborum block, dexmedetomidine, open renal surgery, postoperative pain, bupivacaine.