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Background: Thoracotomy is considered one of the most painful surgical procedures and can cause debilitating chronic post-surgical pain lasting months or years postoperatively. Aggressive management of acute pain resulting from thoracotomy may reduce the likelihood of developing chronic pain. This trial compares the two most commonly used modes of acute analgesia provision at the time of thoracotomy (thoracic epidural blockade (TEB) and paravertebral blockade (PVB)) in terms of their clinical and cost-effectiveness in preventing chronic post-thoracotomy pain. Methods: TOPIC 2 is a multi-centre, open-label, parallel group, superiority, randomised controlled trial, with an internal pilot investigating the use of TEB and PVB in 1026 adult (≥ 18 years old) patients undergoing thoracotomy in up to 20 thoracic centres throughout the UK. Patients (N = 1026) will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either TEB or PVB. During the first year, the trial will include an integrated QuinteT (Qualitative Research Integrated into Trials) Recruitment Intervention (QRI) with the aim of optimising recruitment and informed consent. The primary outcome is the incidence of chronic post-surgical pain at 6 months post-randomisation defined as 'worst chest pain over the last week' equating to a visual analogue score greater than or equal to 40 mm indicating at least a moderate level of pain. Secondary outcomes include acute pain, complications of regional analgesia and surgery, health-related quality of life, mortality and a health economic analysis. Discussion: Both TEB and PVB have been demonstrated to be effective in the prevention of acute pain following thoracotomy and nationally practice is divided. Identification of which mode of analgesia is both clinically and cost-effective in preventing chronic post-thoracotomy pain could ameliorate the debilitating effects of chronic pain, improving health-related quality of life, facilitating return to work and caring responsibilities and resulting in a cost saving to the NHS. Trial registration: NCT03677856 [ClinicalTrials.gov] registered September 19, 2018. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03677856. First patient recruited 8 January 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgery to repair pectus excavatum (PE) is often associated with severe postoperative pain, which can impact the length of hospital stay (LOS). While thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) has traditionally been used for pain management in PE, its placement can sometimes result in severe neurological complications. Recently, paravertebral block (PVB) and erector spinae plane block (ESPB) have been recommended for many other chest and abdominal surgeries. However, due to the more severe and prolonged pain associated with PE repair, it is still unclear whether continuous administration of these blocks is as effective as TEA. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to demonstrate the equivalence of continuous PVB and ESPB to TEA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adequate pain control after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for lung resection is important to improve postoperative mobilisation, recovery, and to prevent pulmonary complications. So far, no consensus exists on optimal postoperative pain management after VATS anatomic lung resection. Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is the reference standard for postoperative pain management following VATS. Although the analgesic effect of TEA is clear, it is associated with patient immobilisation, bladder dysfunction and hypotension which may result in delayed recovery and longer hospitalisation. These disadvantages of TEA initiated the development of unilateral regional techniques for pain management. The most frequently used techniques are continuous paravertebral block (PVB) and single-shot intercostal nerve block (ICNB). We hypothesize that using either PVB or ICNB is non-inferior to TEA regarding postoperative pain and superior regarding quality of recovery (QoR). Signifying faster postoperative mobilisation, reduced morbidity and shorter hospitalisation, these techniques may therefore reduce health care costs and improve patient satisfaction.Methods: This multi-centre randomised study is a three-arm clinical trial comparing PVB, ICNB and TEA in a 1:1:1 ratio for pain (non-inferiority) and QoR (superiority) in 450 adult patients undergoing VATS anatomic lung resection. Patients will not be eligible for inclusion in case of contraindications for TEA, PVB or ICNB, chronic opioid use or if the lung surgeon estimates a high probability that the operation will be performed by thoracotomy.Primary Outcomes: (1) the proportion of pain scores ≥ 4 as assessed by the numerical rating scale (NRS) measured during postoperative days (POD) 0-2; and (2) the QoR measured with the QoR-15 questionnaire on POD 1 and 2. Secondary outcome measures are cumulative use of opioids and analgesics, postoperative complications, hospitalisation, patient satisfaction and degree of mobility.Discussion: The results of this trial will impact international guidelines with respect to perioperative care optimization after anatomic lung resection performed through VATS, and will determine the most cost-effective pain strategy and may reduce variability in postoperative pain management. Trial registration The trial is registered at the Netherlands Trial Register (NTR) on February 1st, 2021 (NL9243). The NTR is no longer available since June 24th, 2022 and therefore a revised protocol has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on August 5th, 2022 (NCT05491239).Protocol Version: version 3 (date 06-05-2022), ethical approval through an amendment (see ethical proof in the Study protocol proof). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pain control following breast surgery is of utmost importance in order to reduce the chance of chronic pain development, and facilitate early rehabilitation. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a recently developed regional anaesthesia procedure successfully used for different types of surgical procedures including thoracic and abdominal surgeries. Methods: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted on 90 patients who were scheduled for modified radical mastectomy (MRM). Patients were randomly categorized into groups I (women who underwent ESPB), II (women who underwent paravertebral block (PVB), and III (women who underwent general anaesthesia). Results: The ESPB (4.9 ± 1.2 mg) and PVB (5.8 ± 1.3 mg) groups had significantly lower total morphine consumption than the control group had (16.4 ± 3.1 mg; p < 0.001). Notably, patients in the ESPB group had insignificantly lower morphine consumption than those in the PVB group had (p = 0.076). Moreover, patients in the ESPB and PVB groups had a significantly longer time to first required anaesthesia than those in the control group (7.9 ± 1.2 versus 7.5 ± 0.9 versus 2 ± 1.2 h, respectively; p < 0.001). The postoperative visual analog scale scores were lower in the ESPB and PVB groups than in the control group on the first 24 h after the procedure (p < 0.001). Conclusion: ESPB and PVB provide effective postoperative analgesia for women undergoing MRM. The ESPB appears to be as effective as the PVB. Trial registration: The study was registered before the enrolment of the first patient at the Pan African Clinical Trial Registry (www.pactr.org) database. Identification number for the registry is (PACTR202008836682092). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anesthesia management for patients with severe ankylosing spondylitis scheduled for total hip arthroplasty is challenging due to a potential difficult airway and difficult neuraxial block. We report 4 cases with ankylosing spondylitis successfully managed with a combination of lumbar plexus, sacral plexus and T12 paravertebral block. Case presentation: Four patients were scheduled for total hip arthroplasty. All of them were diagnosed as severe ankylosing spondylitis with rigidity and immobilization of cervical and lumbar spine and hip joints. A combination of T12 paravertebral block, lumbar plexus and sacral plexus block was successfully used for the surgery without any additional intravenous anesthetic or local anesthetics infiltration to the incision, and none of the patients complained of discomfort during the operations. Conclusions: The combination of T12 paravertebral block, lumbar plexus and sacral plexus block, which may block all nerves innervating the articular capsule, surrounding muscles and the skin involved in total hip arthroplasty, might be a promising alternative for total hip arthroplasty in ankylosing spondylitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thoracic epidural analgesia (EDA) is the gold standard for pain control after thoracotomy. However, because of its severe side effects, it is contraindicated in patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. In addition, some patients' anatomy can make epidural catheter insertion challenging. We therefore investigated the safety and efficacy of paravertebral block (PVB) using a thoracoscopic insertion technique, which avoids damage to the parietal pleura, for postoperative pain after thoracotomy.Methods: Patients who underwent thoracotomy with thoracic PVB in our hospital between March 2013 and March 2014 were examined retrospectively. Prior to creating the thoracotomy incision, a catheter for PVB was inserted percutaneously into the paravertebral space under thoracoscopic guidance. A matched-pair control group was selected at a 1:2 ratio from patients who underwent thoracotomy with thoracic EDA in our hospital from April 2011 to February 2013. Pain control and side effects were compared between groups and the results statistically analyzed.Results: Thoracic PVB was performed in 56 patients during this period, and 112 patients were selected as matched controls. Numeric Rating Scale scores on postoperative day 2 did not differ significantly between the PVB group (3.25 ± 1.80) and the EDA group (3.56 ± 2.05) (p = 0.334). In terms of side effects, urinary retention occurred less frequently in thoracic PVB patients (p = 0.03).Conclusion: Under the conditions of the present study, continuous thoracic PVB was at least as effective as epidural analgesia for postoperative pain control after thoracotomy with lung resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anesthesia management for patients with severe ankylosing spondylitis scheduled for total hip arthroplasty is challenging due to a potential difficult airway and difficult neuraxial block. We report 4 cases with ankylosing spondylitis successfully managed with a combination of lumbar plexus, sacral plexus and T12 paravertebral block., Case Presentation: Four patients were scheduled for total hip arthroplasty. All of them were diagnosed as severe ankylosing spondylitis with rigidity and immobilization of cervical and lumbar spine and hip joints. A combination of T12 paravertebral block, lumbar plexus and sacral plexus block was successfully used for the surgery without any additional intravenous anesthetic or local anesthetics infiltration to the incision, and none of the patients complained of discomfort during the operations., Conclusions: The combination of T12 paravertebral block, lumbar plexus and sacral plexus block, which may block all nerves innervating the articular capsule, surrounding muscles and the skin involved in total hip arthroplasty, might be a promising alternative for total hip arthroplasty in ankylosing spondylitis.

Background: Thoracic epidural analgesia (EDA) is the gold standard for pain control after thoracotomy. However, because of its severe side effects, it is contraindicated in patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs. In addition, some patients' anatomy can make epidural catheter insertion challenging. We therefore investigated the safety and efficacy of paravertebral block (PVB) using a thoracoscopic insertion technique, which avoids damage to the parietal pleura, for postoperative pain after thoracotomy., Methods: Patients who underwent thoracotomy with thoracic PVB in our hospital between March 2013 and March 2014 were examined retrospectively. Prior to creating the thoracotomy incision, a catheter for PVB was inserted percutaneously into the paravertebral space under thoracoscopic guidance. A matched-pair control group was selected at a 1:2 ratio from patients who underwent thoracotomy with thoracic EDA in our hospital from April 2011 to February 2013. Pain control and side effects were compared between groups and the results statistically analyzed., Results: Thoracic PVB was performed in 56 patients during this period, and 112 patients were selected as matched controls. Numeric Rating Scale scores on postoperative day 2 did not differ significantly between the PVB group (3.25 ± 1.80) and the EDA group (3.56 ± 2.05) (p = 0.334). In terms of side effects, urinary retention occurred less frequently in thoracic PVB patients (p = 0.03)., Conclusion: Under the conditions of the present study, continuous thoracic PVB was at least as effective as epidural analgesia for postoperative pain control after thoracotomy with lung resection.