Single and Repeated Intrapleural Ropivacaine Administration: A Plasma Concentration and Pharmacodynamics Study.

BACKGROUND: Intrapleural analgesia has been increasingly recommended for postoperative analgesia after thoracic surgery. However, the analgesic effect provided by a single intrapleural administration is time limited. This study reports the efficacy and safety of repeated intrapleural 0.75% ropivacaine administration after thoracoscopic surgery. METHODS: Twenty patients were randomly divided into two groups: a single administration group receiving a single intrapleural injection of 0.75% ropivacaine 15 mL (single administration group, SA group), and a repeated administration group with an intrapleural injection of 0.75% ropivacaine 15 mL every 4h for 4 doses (repeated administration group, RA group). The primary outcomes of this study were the peak plasma concentration of ropivacaine and 24h morphine consumption. The secondary outcomes were pain score, patient satisfaction, extubation time, hospital length of stay, and adverse reactions. RESULTS: In SA group, the highest plasma concentration after intrapleural administration of 0.75% ropivacaine 15 mL was 1345±364 µg/L. The highest plasma concentration in RA group after the fourth administration was 1864±492 µg/L. The 24h morphine consumption in RA group was significantly less than that in SA group (9.0±5.66 vs 15.9±3.48 mg, P=0.004). The NRS scores at rest and while coughing of patients in RA group were significantly lower than those in SA group at 5, 9, 13, 17 and 24h after operation. The patients in RA group had higher satisfaction than those in SA group. There was no significant difference in postoperative adverse events, drainage tube placement days and hospital length of stay between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Repeated intrapleural administration with 0.75% ropivacaine, 15 mL every 4h for 4 doses after video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomies, can provide a more durable and more effective analgesic effect than single intrapleural administration. Repeated intrapleural administration of ropivacaine is an effective postoperative method of analgesia resulting in higher patient satisfaction. Moreover, it was also able to keep the plasma concentration of ropivacaine within a possible safe range. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR-IOR-17010560.

Optimal dose of ropivacaine for relieving cough-pain after video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy by single intrapleural injection: A randomized, double-blind, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Pain due to coughing after thoracoscopic surgery remains a clinical problem, and its relief by intrapleural analgesia has not been extensively studied. This study attempts to determine the suitable volume of 0.75% ropivacaine needed for intrapleural analgesia after thoracoscopic surgery. METHODS: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was performed. Forty-five patients were randomly divided into three groups: R20, R15, and R10 (n = 15); 20 ml, 15 ml, or 10 ml of 0.75% ropivacaine was injected into the pleural cavity of each patient in the 3 groups, respectively, when the pain score from postoperative coughing was ≥4. The primary outcome was pain score upon coughing (C-NRS), and the secondary outcomes were pain score at rest (R-NRS), morphine consumption, time of onset, and duration of intrapleural analgesia. RESULTS: All patients in the R20 and R15 groups reported effective pain relief after intrapleural injection when postoperative coughing occurred. However, only 7 patients in the R10 group reported effective relief of pain. Compared with the patients in the R10 group, patients in the R20 and R15 groups had lower C-NRS scores, less morphine consumption at 8 h and 24 h, a shorter time to pain relief, and a longer duration of analgesia. There was no significant difference of R-NRS among the three groups. CONCLUSION: Intrapleural analgesia with 0.75% ropivacaine at a volume of 15 ml or 20 ml effectively relieved pain due to coughing after thoracoscopic surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1800017515.

Small dose of naloxone as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in intrapleural infiltration after thoracotomy surgery: a prospective, controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Severe pain always develops after thoracotomy; intrapleural regional analgesia is used as a simple, safe technique to control it. This study was performed to evaluate whether a small dose of naloxone with local anesthetics prolongs sensory blockade. METHODS: A prospective, randomized double-blinded controlled study was conducted on 60 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists statuses I and II, aged 18 to 60 years, scheduled for unilateral thoracotomy surgery. After surgery, patients were randomly divided into two groups: through the intrapleural catheter, group B received 30 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine, while group N received 30 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine with 100 ng of naloxone. Postoperative pain was assessed using the visual analog pain scale (VAS). Time for the first request for rescue analgesia, total amount consumed, and incidence of postoperative complications were also recorded. RESULTS: The VAS score significantly decreased in group N, at 6 h and 8 h after operation (P < 0.001 for both). At 12 h after injection, the VAS score increased significantly in group N (P < 0.001). The time for the first request of rescue analgesia was significantly longer in group N compared to group B (P < 0.001). The total amount of morphine consumed was significantly lower in group N than in the bupivacaine group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of a small dose of naloxone to bupivacaine in intrapleural regional analgesia significantly prolonged pain relief after thoracotomy and delayed the first request for rescue analgesia, without significant adverse effects.

Small dose of naloxone as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in intrapleural infiltration after thoracotomy surgery: a prospective, controlled study / 대한통증학회지

BACKGROUND: Severe pain always develops after thoracotomy; intrapleural regional analgesia is used as a simple, safe technique to control it. This study was performed to evaluate whether a small dose of naloxone with local anesthetics prolongs sensory blockade. METHODS: A prospective, randomized double-blinded controlled study was conducted on 60 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists statuses I and II, aged 18 to 60 years, scheduled for unilateral thoracotomy surgery. After surgery, patients were randomly divided into two groups: through the intrapleural catheter, group B received 30 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine, while group N received 30 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine with 100 ng of naloxone. Postoperative pain was assessed using the visual analog pain scale (VAS). Time for the first request for rescue analgesia, total amount consumed, and incidence of postoperative complications were also recorded. RESULTS: The VAS score significantly decreased in group N, at 6 h and 8 h after operation (P < 0.001 for both). At 12 h after injection, the VAS score increased significantly in group N (P < 0.001). The time for the first request of rescue analgesia was significantly longer in group N compared to group B (P < 0.001). The total amount of morphine consumed was significantly lower in group N than in the bupivacaine group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of a small dose of naloxone to bupivacaine in intrapleural regional analgesia significantly prolonged pain relief after thoracotomy and delayed the first request for rescue analgesia, without significant adverse effects.

Epidural catheter misplaced into the thoracic cavity: Utilized to provide interpleural analgesia.

Thoracic epidural analgesia is one of the most effective and time-tested modalities of providing postthoracotomy pain relief. It improves postoperative pulmonary outcome. Nevertheless, being a blind procedure several complications have been associated with the technique. Pleural puncture is one rare complication that might occur following thoracic epidural catheterization. We have discussed a patient who underwent a right thoracotomy for excision of emphysematous bulla of lung under general anesthesia with thoracic epidural. The epidural catheter was misplaced in the pleural cavity and was detected intraoperatively after thoracotomy. The catheter was left in situ and was successfully utilized to provide postoperative analgesia via the interpleural route.

Intrapleural analgesia after endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy / Analgesia intrapleural após simpatectomia videotoracoscópica

PURPOSE: To compare analgesia traditionally used for thoracic sympathectomy to intrapleural ropivacaine injection in two different doses. METHODS: Twenty-four patients were divided into three similar groups, and all of them received intravenous dipyrone. Group A received intravenous tramadol and intrapleural injection of saline solution. Group B received intrapleural injection of 0.33 percent ropivacaine, and Group C 0.5 percent ropivacaine. The following aspects were analyzed: inspiratory capacity, respiratory rate and pain. Pain was evaluated in the immediate postoperative period by means of the visual analog scale and over a one-week period. RESULTS: In Groups A and B, reduced inspiratory capacity was observed in the postoperative period. In the first postoperative 12 hours, only 12.5 percent of the patients in Groups B and C showed intense pain as compared to 25 percent in Group A. In the subsequent week, only one patient in Group A showed mild pain while the remainder reported intense pain. In Group B, half of the patients showed intense pain, and in Group C, only one presented intense pain. CONCLUSION: Intrapleural analgesia with ropivacaine resulted in less pain in the late postoperative period with better analgesic outcomes in higher doses, providing a better ventilatory pattern.

OBJETIVO: Comparar a analgesia tradicionalmente utilizada para simpatectomia videotoracoscópica à injeção intrapleural de ropivacaína em duas doses diferentes. MÉTODOS: Vinte e quatro pacientes foram distribuídos em três grupos semelhantes, e todos eles receberam dipirona endovenosa. O grupo A recebeu tramadol endovenoso e injeção intrapleural de solução salina. O grupo B recebeu injeção intrapleural de ropivacaína a 0,33 por cento, e Grupo C ropivacaína a 0,5 por cento. Os aspectos analisados foram: capacidade inspiratória, freqüência respiratória e dor. A dor foi avaliada no período pós-operatório por meio da escala visual analógica e durante o período de uma semana. RESULTADOS: Nos grupos A e B, a redução da capacidade inspiratória foi observada no período pós-operatório. Nas primeiras 12 horas de pós-operatório, apenas 12,5 por cento dos pacientes nos grupos B e C apresentaram dor intensa em comparação a 25 por cento no Grupo A. Na semana seguinte, apenas um paciente do grupo A apresentou dor leve, enquanto o restante relatou dor intensa. No Grupo B, metade dos pacientes apresentou dor intensa, e no Grupo C, apenas um apresentou intensa dor. CONCLUSÃO: A analgesia intrapleural com ropivacaína resultou em menos dor no pós-operatório tardio com os melhores resultados analgésicos nas doses mais altas, proporcionando um melhor padrão ventilatório.