The effect of body mass index on thoracic paravertebral block analgesia after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; a prospective interventional study.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) on intensity postoperative pain in patients who underwent thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) for postoperative analgesia after video-assissted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). METHODS: Patients aged 18-80 years, ASA I-III, and BMI 18-40 kg/m2 who underwent elective VATS were included in the study. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their BMI levels. TPVB was performed under ultrasound-guidance at the fifth thoracic vertebrae, and 30 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine was injected. The patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) was performed by using morphine and multimodal analgesia was performed. As a rescue analgesic agent, 0.5 mg/kg tramadol was given to patients intravenously when a score of visual analog scale (VAS) at rest was ≥ 4. The primary outcome was determined as VAS scores at rest and cough. Secondary outcomes were determined as postoperative morphine consumption, additional analgesic requirement, and side effects. RESULTS: The post-hoc test revealed that the VAS resting scores at the 4th hour (p: 0.007), 12th hour (p: 0.014), and 48th hour (p: 0.002) were statistically significantly lower in Group I compared to Group II. Additionally, VAS resting scores were also statistically significantly lower in Group I compared to Group III at all time points (p < 0.05). Similarly, the post-hoc test indicated that the VAS coughing scores at the 4th hour (p: 0.023), 12th hour (p: 0.011), and 48th hour (p: 0.019) were statistically significantly lower in Group I compared to Group II. Moreover, VAS coughing scores were statistically significantly lower in Group I compared to Group III at all time points (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences in terms of additional analgesic use between the groups (p: 0.001). Additionally, there was a statistically significant difference in terms of morphine consumption via PCA and morphine milligram equivalent consumption between the groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher postoperative VAS scores with TPVB applied in obese patients and the consequent increase in additional analgesics and complications require more specific postoperative management in this patient group.

Comparison of the effects of one-level and bi-level pre-incisional erector spinae plane block on postoperative acute pain in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery; a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial.

BACKGROUND: This prospective, randomized, double-blind trial aimed to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of One-Level pre-incisional erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and Bi-Level pre-incisional ESPB in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). METHODS: This pilot trial was conducted between April 2022 and February 2023 with sixty patients. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. In One-Level ESPB Group (n = 30) block was performed at the thoracal(T)5 level with the 30 ml 0.25% bupivacaine. In the Bi-Level ESPB Group (n = 30) block was performed at T4 and T6 levels by using 15 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine for each level. In the postoperative period, 50 mg dexketoprofen every 12 h and 1 g paracetamol every 8 h were given intravenously (IV). Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) prepared with morphine was applied to the patients. 0.5 mg/kg of tramadol was administered via IV for rescue analgesia. Visual analog scale (VAS) scores were recorded in the postoperative 1st, 2nd, 4th, 12th, 24th, and 48th -hours. The need for additional analgesics and side effects were recorded. In two groups, patients' demographics and postoperative hemodynamic data were recorded. RESULTS: VAS scores at resting were statistically significantly higher at the 1st (p: 0.002) and 4th -hour (p: 0.001) in the One-Level ESPB. When the groups were evaluated in terms of VAS coughing scores, the 4th -hour (p: 0.001) VAS coughing scores results were found to be statistically significantly higher in the One-Level ESPB group. In terms of VAS values evaluated during follow-up, the rates of VAS coughing score > 3 values were found to be statistically significantly lower in the Bi-Level ESPB group (p: 0.011). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of side effects, morphine consumption, and additional analgesic use (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Adequate analgesia was achieved in the early postoperative period in the group treated with Bi-Level ESPB with similar morphine consumption and side effects. This may be an advantage, especially in the early postoperative period when the pain is quite intense.

Dextrose administration may reduce the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a double blind randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is the most common and undesirable of the complications associated with anesthesia, leading to discomfort in patients and extended hospital stays. The present study evaluates and compares the effects of preoperative/intraoperative dextrose infusion on PONV in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). METHODS: This prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled study included 93 ASA I-II LC patients who were divided into three groups. Group P received a 10 mL/kg/h rate 5% Dextrose infusion, applied preoperatively for 30 minutes, followed by the same infusion rate of Ringer's lactate until the end of surgery. Group I received a 10 mL/kg/h rate of Ringer's lactate preoperatively for 30 minutes and the same infusion rate of 5% Dextrose during the operation. The control group (Group C) received a Ringer's lactate solution infusion in the pre- and intraoperative periods at a rate of 10 mL/kg/h. The demographic data, PONV, hemodynamic variables, pain scores, blood glucose (BG) values, and antiemetic and analgesic requirements of the participants were recorded. RESULTS: Preoperative BG values were similar in all groups, whereas intraoperative and postoperative BG levels were higher in Group P and Group I, respectively (P=0.020, P=0.010) than in Group C. The incidence of PONV was decreased in groups P and I (38.7% and 25.8%, respectively) compared to Group C (P=0.015). The antiemetic postoperative drug usage for 6 hours was significantly lower in Group P (P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative dextrose infusion may be suggested for PONV prophylaxis as a safe and effective method following LC.

[Effects of intraarticular tramadol, magnesium and ketamine on postoperative pain in arthroscopic meniscectomy]. / Efeitos de tramadol, magnésio e cetamina por via intra­articular sobre a dor pós­operatória em meniscectomia artroscópica.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative pain control is important in terms of early recovery and rehabilitation in arthroscopic meniscectomy. For this purpose, we aimed to compare the effects of intraarticular tramadol, magnesium, and ketamine with combinations of pericapsular bupivacaine on postoperative pain and recovery in arthroscopic meniscectomy. METHODS: Ninety patients who underwent arthroscopic meniscectomy were enrolled in the study. Group T was given tramadol, Group K was given ketamine, and Group M was given magnesium reconstituted intraarticularly, and all groups received periarticular bupivacaine. Comparisons were made in terms of the patients' postoperative Visual Analogue Scale scores with and without movement, need for additional analgesics, first analgesic time, mobilization times, adverse effects, and satisfaction with the analgesics. RESULTS: The Visual Analogue Scale scores were lowest in Group T at 0 minutes, and were higher in the 15th and 30th minutes and 1st, 2nd, and 6th hours. Visual Analogue Scale values with movement were found to be high in Group M at 0 and 15 minutes, but they were found to be higher in group T in the 30th minute, 1st, 2nd and 6th hour. The groups were similar in terms of postoperative additional analgesic use, number of analgesic use, and satisfaction with analgesics; however, the first analgesic time was earlier in Group M, and the first mobilization time was earlier in Group K. CONCLUSION: Intraarticular ketamine enables early mobilization and less need for additional analgesics, it also provides a better analgesic effect in comparison with intraarticular tramadol and magnesium.

Single dose of preoperative analgesia with gabapentin (600 mg) is safe and effective in monitored anesthesia care for nasal surgery.

This study was aimed to compare the intraoperative sedative and perioperative analgesic drug requirements and the incidences of postoperative side effects on the patients who received preoperative gabapentin or placebo. Sixty patients undergoing nasal septal or nasal sinus surgery were included. The patients received either 600 mg gabapentin (Group G) or placebo (Group P) orally, 1 h before surgery. The scores for sedation and pain were recorded at 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min, intraoperatively and at 30 min, 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 16, 20, 24 h, postoperatively. Sedation was achieved with an IV bolus of propofol and continuous infusion of remifentanil. There were significant differences between gabapentin and placebo groups with regard to total consumptions of remifentanil (171.42 + or - 68 vs. 219.17 + or - 95 microg, respectively; P = 0.033) and propofol (59.45 + or - 36.08 vs. 104.14 + or - 54.98 mg, respectively; P = 0.001). Group G patients had significantly lower intraoperative VAS scores at all time points (P < 0.05). The anxiety score of Group G was better at all times (P < 0.05). All postoperative pain scores were lower in the Group G (P < 0.05). Time to first request for analgesic was 12.7 + or - 2.3 h in Group G, and 7.8 2.1 h in Group P (P < 0.0001). Total consumption of lornoxicam was lower in Group G (P < 0.004). We concluded that monitored anesthesia care combined with preoperative analgesia with a low dose of (600 mg) oral gabapentin is an efficient option with tolerable side effects for patients undergoing ear, nose and throat ambulatory surgery.