Ultrasound-guided anterior quadratus lumborum block for postoperative pain after percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB), which is reported to provide analgesia to the abdominal region, is a newly defined fascial plane block method. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasound guided anterior QLB on the postoperative pain scores after percutaneous nephrolithotomy. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, controlled single-blind study, 60 patients with elective percutaneous nephrolithotomy operations were randomized into 2 groups. In Group B (n = 30): anterior QLB+ intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine and in Group C (n = 30): intravenous PCA morphine. Outcome measures were included for visual analog scale (VAS) scores and morphine consumption for 24 hours postoperatively. Adverse effects, additional analgesic requirement, and intraoperative opioid requirement were recorded. RESULTS: The mean values of the quantity of morphine used at the 6th, 12th, and 24th hours were found to be statistically significantly lower in Group B (p < 0.05). The VAS scores were found to be statistically significantly lower in Group B (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the rate of adverse effects, additional analgesic requirement, and intraoperative opioid requirement between the groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study results suggest that anterior QLB is an effective treatment option for postoperative analgesia of percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

The Effects Of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy On Pain, Disability And Life Quality Of Chronic Low Back Pain Patients.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain is the most common form of pain related to the musculoskeletal system disorders. ESWT has been suggested as a new treatment modality in CLBP and its effectiveness has been investigated in a small number of studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) on pain, functional status, and quality of life compared to placebo in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients. METHODS/DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. SETTING: The study occurred at the University Of Health Sciences, Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Bursa, Turkey). PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 45 patients with CLBP. INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomized into 2 groups. Group 1 (n = 25) received ESWT and Group 2 (n = 20) received placebo ESWT. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The patients were assessed by using Numerical Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Short-form 36 (SF-36). The data were obtained before treatment (W0), at sixth (W6) and twelfth week (W12). RESULTS: In Group 1, statistically significant improvement was found in all parameters of rest and movement NRS, ODI, HADS and SF-36 except for emotional role at both W6 and W12 compared to W0(P < .05). Comparison of the difference scores of the two groups showed significantly superior improvement in Group 1 for all parameters at both W6 and W12 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study have shown that ESWT had a statistically significant superiority over placebo for improvement in the parameters of pain, disability, depression, anxiety, and quality of life in the patients with CLBP.

The effects of inpatient versus outpatient spa therapy on pain, anxiety, and quality of life in elderly patients with generalized osteoarthritis: a pilot study.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of inpatient vs outpatient spa therapy on pain, quality of life, and anxiety in elderly patients with generalized osteoarthritis. A total of 150 patients were randomized into three groups. Group I was given medical treatment, group II was treated as outpatients, and group III was treated as inpatient spa therapy. Assessments were made using the Pain (VAS), EQ-5D-3L Scale, and State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) at the beginning of treatment (W0), at the end of treatment (W2), and at the fourth week after treatment (W6). The comparison of outpatient spa group and etodolac treatment group showed that outpatient spa group was superior to etodolac treatment group in all evaluated parameters at W2 vs W0 and W6 vs W0. The comparison of inpatient spa group and etodolac treatment group showed that inpatient spa group was superior to etodolac treatment group in all evaluated parameters at W2 vs W0 and W6 vs W0. The comparison of inpatient spa group and outpatient spa group showed that inpatient spa group was superior to outpatient spa group in all evaluated parameters except STAI-TXII at W2 vs W0 and in all evaluated parameters W6 vs W0. Spa therapy, either as an outpatient or inpatient basis, may have a positive effect on pain, anxiety, and quality of life in geriatric patients with generalized osteoarthritis. The inpatient spa therapy may be more beneficial than outpatient spa therapy. When the side effects of drug treatments are emphasized, spa therapy may be considered as an interesting option for elderly with osteoarthritis.

Efficacy of peloid therapy in patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis: a randomized, controlled, single blind study.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of peloid on pain, functionality, daily life activities, and quality of life of lateral epicondylitis (LE) patients. In this randomized, controlled, single-blind study, 75 patients who were diagnosed with chronic LE were enrolled to the study. Patients were randomized into two groups using the random number table. The patients in the first group (group 1) (n = 33), were given lateral epicondylitis band (LEB) (during the day for 6 weeks) + peloid therapy (five consecutive days a week for 2 weeks), and the second group (group 2) (n = 32), received LEB treatment alone. The patients were assessed by using Patient Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). The data were obtained before treatment (W0), immediately after treatment (W2), and 1 month after treatment (W6). In analysis of the collected data, the Wilcoxon signed rank test for intra-group comparisons and Mann-Whitney U test for comparisons between groups were used. Both in groups 1 and 2, there was a statistically significant improvement in all the evaluation parameters at W2 and W6 when compared to W0 (p < 0.05). In comparison of difference scores between groups, although there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups at W2 when compared to W0 (p > 0.05), a statistically significant difference was found in favor of group 1 for all the evaluation parameters at W6 (p < 0.05). Our results have shown that peloid treatment could be effective in providing improvement in pain relief, function, daily life activities, and quality of life in LE patients.

Comparison of photobiomodulation therapy and suprascapular nerve-pulsed radiofrequency in chronic shoulder pain: a randomized controlled, single-blind, clinical trial.

Shoulder pain can be difficult to treat due to its complex anatomic structure, and different treatment methods can be used. We aimed to examine the efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and suprascapular nerve (SSN)-pulsed radiofrequency (RF) therapy. In this prospective, randomized, controlled, single-blind study, 59 patients with chronic shoulder pain due to impingement syndrome received PBMT (group H) or SSN-pulsed RF therapy (group P) in addition to exercise therapy for 14 sessions over 2 weeks. Records were taken using visual analog scale (VAS), Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) scoring systems for pretreatment (PRT), posttreatment (PST), and PST follow-up at months 1, 3, and 6. There was no statistically significant difference in initial VAS score, SPADI, and NHP values between group H and group P (p > 0.05). Compared to the values of PRT, PST, and PST at months 1, 3, and 6, VAS, SPADI, and NHP values were statistically significantly lower in both groups (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference at all measurement times in VAS, SPADI, and NHP between the two groups. We established that PBMT and SSN-pulsed RF therapy are effective methods, in addition to exercise therapy, in patients with chronic shoulder pain. PBMT seems to be advantageous compared to SSN-pulsed RF therapy, as it is a noninvasive method.

The efficacy of serratus anterior plane block in analgesia for thoracotomy: a retrospective study.

PURPOSE: A multimodal analgesic approach is necessary for post-thoracotomy pain, which can be severe. Intravenous access, central and peripheral nerve blocks are frequently used. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) in the management of post-thoracotomy pain. METHODS: A total of 40 patients who underwent thoracotomy between January 2014 and January 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: Group M (intravenous patient-controlled analgesia morphine; n = 20) and Group S (intravenous patient-controlled analgesia morphine + SAPB; n = 20). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used for pain evaluation at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 12th and 24th postoperative hours and morphine consumption was evaluated at the 6th, 12th and 24th postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes were additional analgesic requirement, side effects, the Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) scores, block onset time and block level. RESULTS: The VAS scores and the amount of morphine consumed at the 6th, 12th and 24th hours were found to be significantly lower in Group S than in Group M (P < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was found in the rate of side effects, including nausea, vomiting, pruritus, respiratory depression, bradycardia and hypotension, and RSS outcomes between the groups. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that SAPB is an effective adjuvant treatment option for thoracotomy analgesia.

The efficacy of interlaminar epidural steroid administration in multilevel intervertebral disc disease with chronic low back pain: a randomized, blinded, prospective study.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Epidural steroid injection is commonly used in patients with chronic low back pain. Applying a mixture of a local anesthetic (LA) and steroid using the interlaminar (IL), transforaminal, and caudal techniques is a preferred approach. PURPOSE: The present study aims to investigate the efficacy of interlaminar epidural steroid administration in patients with multilevel lumbar disc pathology (LDP) and to assess the possible correlation of the procedure's success with age and body mass index (BMI). STUDY DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial was performed. PATIENT SAMPLE: We administered interlaminar epidural steroid to a total of 98 patients with multilevel LDP. OUTCOME MEASURES: The visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scoring were performed on the study population at pretreatment (PRT), posttreatment, and 1, 3, 6, and 12 PRT months. A possible correlation of BMI and age with the procedure success was evaluated. METHODS: The LA group (Group L, n=50) received 10 mL 0.25% bupivacaine, whereas the steroid+LA group (Group S, n=48) received 10 mL 0.25% bupivacaine+40 mg methylprednisolone at L4-L5 intervertebral space in prone position under the guidance of C-arm fluoroscopy. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in the PRT VAS and ODI scores between the groups (p<.05), whereas the VAS and ODI scores at 1, 3, 6, and 12 posttreatment months were higher in Group L, compared with Group S (p<.05). Age and BMI were not found to be related with the success of the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Our study results showed that the VAS and ODI scores were lower in patients with multilevel LDP receiving steroid, following the administration of IL epidural injection. However, further studies are required to establish a robust conclusion on the dispersion of IL epidural injections in the epidural area and the dose of steroid.

Serratus Anterior Plane (SAP) Block Used for Thoracotomy Analgesia: A Case Report.

Thoracotomy is a surgical technique used to reach the thoracic cavity. Management of pain due to thoracotomy is important in order to protect the operative respiratory reserves and decrease complications. For thoracotomy pain, blocks (such as thoracic epidural, paravertebral, etc.) and pleural catheterization and intravenous drugs (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs], and opioids, etc., can be used. We performed a serratus anterior plane (SAP) block followed by catheterization for thoracotomy pain. We used 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine for analgesia in a patient who underwent wedge resection for a lung malignancy. We provided analgesia for a period of close to seven hours for the patient, whose postoperative VAS (visual analog scale) scores were recorded. We believe that an SAP block is effective and efficient for the management of pain after thoracotomy.

The effectiveness of balneotherapy in chronic neck pain.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of balneotherapy (BT), which is applied in addition to physical therapy (PT), in the treatment of chronic neck pain. Sixty patients with chronic neck pain were divided into study (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. All of the patients in both groups were treated with a 15-session standard PT program consisting of hot pack, ultrasound, and transcutaneous electrical stimulation. Patients in the study group were also treated with a 15-session BT program lasting 20 min/day in addition to the standard PT program. Visual analogue scale (VAS), modified neck disability index (mNDI), and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) scores of all patients were evaluated at three different times as pretreatment, posttreatment, and posttreatment third week. There was no statistically significant difference between the clinical and demographic characteristics of the patients in different groups before treatment. Intragroup analysis revealed significant improvement in all parameters for both of the groups at all time intervals. Intergroup analysis uncovered the superiority of the study group. According to the results of this study, BT in combination with PT is superior to PT alone in reducing pain and disability and improving quality of life in patients with chronic neck pain.