The Shining Star of the Last Decade in Regional Anesthesia Part-II: Interfascial Plane Blocks for Cardiac, Abdominal, and Spine Surgery.

The sine qua non of enhanced recovery after surgery protocols designed to improve the perioperative experiences and outcomes of patients is to determine the most appropriate analgesia management. Although many regional techniques have been tried over the years in this purpose, interfacial plane blocks have become more popular with the introduction of ultrasound technology into daily practice and they have great potential to support effective postoperative pain management in many surgeries. The current article focuses on the benefits, techniques, indications, and complications of interfascial plane blocks applied in cardiac, abdominal, and spine surgeries.

Efficacy of transversalis fascia plane block as a novel indication for varicocelectomy surgery: prospective randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Varicocele occurs as a result of dilatation of the pampiniform plexus in the spermatic veins. In this study, our primary aim was to evaluate the effect of Transversalis Fascia Plane Block (TFPB) on pain scores in the postoperative period in patients undergoing varicocelectomy surgery, and our secondary aim was to evaluate the effect of TFPB on analgesic consumption. METHODS: The study was initiated following local ethics committee approval, and sixty ASA I-II patients > 18y scheduled to undergo varicocelectomy and who consented to participation were enrolled. Before the procedure, the patients were randomly assigned two groups: Transversalis Fascia Plan block group (Group TFPB) or surgical incision site infiltration group (Group I).All surgeries were carried out under general anesthesia, and microsurgery using the subinguinal approach. After surgical suturing, TFPB and local infiltration blocks were applied prior to termination of anesthesia.For each block, 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine was utilized. Patients' demographic information, passive and active VAS ratings after surgery, usage of non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and rescue analgesia, and the requirement for rescue analgesia, were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were included in the study. In terms of demographic data, there was no difference between the groups. At all hours, there was a statistically significant decrease in favor of Group TFPB in terms of active and passive VAS scores (p < 0.001), non steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic use (p < 0.05), and tramadol requirement (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that TFPB can provide a more effective analgesia when compared to surgical site infiltration.

The Shining Star of the Last Decade in Regional Anesthesia Part-I: Interfascial Plane Blocks for Breast, Thoracic, and Orthopedic Surgery.

Regional anesthesia has benefits beyond just treating acute postoperative pain. Interfascial plane blocks, which have been very popular with ultrasound in recent years, function primarily by administering a high volume of a local anesthetic to the fascial plane. Contrary to traditional peripheral nerve blocks, the targeted nerve or structure in interfacial plane blocks is not fully defined, and the indications have not been fully revealed yet. Anatomical, cadaveric, and radiological studies show how effective the interfascial plane blocks play a role. This review focuses on the benefits, techniques, indications, and complications of interfascial plane blocks in the context of breast, thoracic, and orthopedic surgery.

Does intravenous lidocaine added to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce pain during colposcopy? A prospective randomized double-blind study.

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, lidocaine infusion for pain management during long operations is becoming more widespread in anesthesiology practice. However, only a limited number of studies have reported the intravenous use of lidocaine for short-term interventions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of intravenous lidocaine use in pain management during colposcopic cervical biopsy and endocervical curettage (ECC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years with abnormal cytological findings or who were determined to be human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive were included in this randomized double-blind study. The lidocaine group (Group L, n = 30) was intravenously administered 50 mg dexketoprofen + 1.5 mg/kg lidocaine in 10 mL saline for 3 min 30 min before the procedure. The control group (Group C, n = 30) was intravenously administered 50 mg dexketoprofen in 10 mL saline for 3 min, 30 min before the procedure. During the procedure, pain scores were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). In addition, patients, operator satisfaction and duration of procedure were assessed. RESULTS: There were no differences in the demographic data of the groups. Pain scores during biopsy and ECC were significantly lower in Group L than in Group C (p < 0.001). The duration of the procedure was significantly shorter in Group L than in Group C (5.00 ± 0.78 vs 6.12 ± 1.16, respectively; p < 0.001). Patient and operator satisfaction were significantly higher in Group L than in Group C (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous lidocaine administration can be used as an alternative approach to reduce pain and increase operator and patient satisfaction during colposcopy-directed biopsy and ECC procedures in office settings.

Postoperative analgesic effectiveness of ultrasound-guided transmuscular quadratus lumborum block in congenital hip dislocation surgery : A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Congenital hip dysplasia (CHD) defines a spectrum of pathologies in which the acetabulum and proximal femur of babies and children abnormally develop. Open surgery in congenital hip dysplasia leads to severe postoperative pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block (QLB) in pediatric patients undergoing surgery for congenital hip dysplasia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Following ethical board approval, 40 children aged between 1-5 years undergoing surgery for congenital hip dysplasia were randomized into two groups. Patients (n = 20) received ultrasound guided quadratus lumborum block (group QLB) using 0.5 mL/kg body weight 0.25% bupivacaine preoperatively. The same standard postoperative analgesia protocol was used in both groups. Pain scores, parental satisfaction, requirement for ibuprofen and opioids were recorded. Pain was measured using the face, legs, activity, crying, consolability (FLACC) scale. RESULTS: The FLACC scores were lower at 30min and 1h, 2h, 4h, 6h, 12h and 24h in the QLB group when compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The requirement for rescue opioid analgesia was statistically significantly higher in the control group when compared to the QLB group (15/20 vs. 3/20, p < 0.001). Rate of ibuprofen usage in the ward was higher in the control group when compared to the QLB group (14/20 vs. 4/20, p = 0.004). Parental satisfaction was higher in the QLB group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block reduces pain scores and analgesic requirements following congenital hip dysplasia surgery.

A Novel Multimodal Treatment Method and Pilot Feasibility Study for Vaginismus: Initial Experience With the Combination of Sacral Erector Spinae Plane Block and Progressive Dilatation.

Background Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, commonly referred to as vaginismus, is a relatively common condition in women of childbearing age and has physical and psychological aspects. Various cognitive and behavioral therapies, dilatators, botulinum injections, and so on have been tried in the treatment. We hypothesize that the combination of sacral erector spinae plane (ESP) block and progressive dilatation treatment increases treatment quality. Methods We performed the sacral ESP block and progressive dilatation, which we added to multimodal treatment for resistant vaginismus cases. After the procedure, all patients were followed up during one menstrual cycle. They were recommended to have sexual intercourse on the day of the procedure. Results In 15 of our treatment-resistant cases, when we added the sacral ESP block, successful penetration after the first block was 73%. Pregnancy occurred in eight patients after the initial one-month follow-up. Four of the 15 patients needed a second block. Conclusions The sacral ESP block added to the multimodal treatment protocol significantly improves treatment quality.

Analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) is widely used for the treatment of urinary tract calculi; however, the vast majority of the patients does not tolerate the procedure without analgesia and sedation. Pain control in ESWL has been crucial for process success and patient comfort. Systemic drugs, such as non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, alfa-2 agonist and various local and regional anesthesia methods (transversus abdominis plane block, paravertebral block, infiltration) have been applied to control ESWL pain. Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is performed as one of the regional anesthetic techniques for abdominal surgery. This block provides anesthesia and analgesia on the anterior and lateral wall of the abdomen. In this report, we presented the analgesic efficacy of QLB in 15 patients, which included nine renal and six ureter stones for ESWL. The mean of the VAS scores ranged from 0.20±0.41 to 2.73±1.22, and mean fentanyl consumption was 15.00±15.08 mcg during the procedure. No opioid-related side effects were observed in any of the patients. Full fragmentation was obtained in nine of the 15 patients, and partial fragmentation was obtained in five patients.

Ultrasound-guided bilateral superficial cervical block and preemptive single-dose oral tizanidine for post-thyroidectomy pain: a randomized-controlled double-blind study.

PURPOSES: The postoperative analgesic effect of tizanidine has not yet been evaluated sufficiently. The role of bilateral superficial cervical plexus block (BSCPB) for postoperative analgesia after thyroidectomy remains questionable. We aimed to evaluate the analgesic effect of combined use of BSCPB and a single-dose oral tizanidine in patients undergoing elective thyroid surgery. METHODS: Sixty patients undergoing thyroidectomy were randomized into 3 groups. The control group (Group C, n = 20) received BSCPB with 0.9% saline plus oral placebo. The superficial cervical group (Group SC, n = 20) received BSCPB with 0.25% bupivacaine plus oral placebo. The superficial cervical and tizanidine group (Group SC + T, n = 20) received BSCPB with 0.25% bupivacaine plus tizanidine 6 mg capsule. Surgical site pain scores, opioid consumption, rescue analgesia, posterior neck pain, headache, and opioid-related side effects were assessed for the first 24 h. RESULTS: Compared with Group C, rest and swallowing pain scores in Group SC and Group SC + T were statistically lower at all postoperative time points (p < 0.05). Fentanyl consumption was lower in Group SC and Group SC + T than in Group C at time periods 0-4 and 4-8 h (p < 0.05). Fentanyl consumption was lower in Group SC + T than in Group SC at 0-4 h (p = 0.006). Total fentanyl consumption was higher in Group C than in the other groups (p < 0.001). Postoperative cervical pain and occipital headache were significantly lower in Group SC + T than in the other groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided BSCPB with or without preemptive oral tizanidine was effective at reducing postoperative pain and opioid consumption in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy. Addition of preemptive oral tizanidine to BSCPB reduced the early postoperative opioid consumption, posterior neck pain, and occipital headache. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY: The study was registered with a clinical trials registry (ClinicalTrials.gov. identifier NCT02725359).

What happened? An inexplicable case: Accidental subdural block.

Epidural block is an appropriate anesthesia method for outpatient operation. This technique is generally safe and efficient. We present the case of a 20-year-old female patient with accidental subdural block after a single dose of epidural block for pilonidal sinus surgery. Sudden apnea, unconsciousness, and bilateral mydriasis occurred within a few minutes after injection. Within 80 minutes after injection, the patient regained full consciousness and spontaneous respiration, with motor block in lower extremities and sensory block until the T4 level. Motor block continued until 165 minutes after injection, whereas sensory block ended 225 minutes later.