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The use of peripheral regional anaesthesia continues to increase, yet the evidence supporting its use and impact on relevant outcomes often lacks scientific rigour, especially when considering the use of specific blocks for a particular surgical indication. In this narrative review, we consider the relevant literature in a 10-yr period from 2013. We performed a literature search (MEDLINE and EMBASE) for articles reporting randomised controlled trials and other comparative trials of peripheral regional anaesthetic blocks vs systemic analgesia in adult patients undergoing surgery. We evaluated measures of effective treatment and complications. A total of 128 studies met our inclusion criteria. There remains variability in the technical conduct of blocks and the outcomes used to evaluate them. There is a considerable body of evidence to support the use of interscalene blocks for shoulder surgery. Saphenous nerve (motor-sparing) blocks provide satisfactory analgesia after knee surgery and are preferred to femoral nerve blocks which are associated with falls when patients are mobilised early as part of enhanced recovery programmes. There are additional surgical indications where the efficacy of cervical plexus, intercostal nerve, and ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve blocks have been demonstrated. In the past 10 yr, there has been a consolidation of the evidence indicating benefit of peripheral nerve blocks for specific indications. There remains great scope for rigorous, multicentre, randomised controlled trials of many peripheral nerve blocks. These would benefit from an agreed set of patient-centred outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rebound pain occurs after the resolution of peripheral nerve block and hampers patient recovery in the postoperative period. We sought to synthesise available data from randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of prophylactic dexamethasone for rebound pain in adult patients undergoing surgery with a peripheral nerve block. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, RCTs reporting rebound pain and use of dexamethasone in the context of a peripheral nerve block were searched in various databases and updated in May 2023. The primary outcome was the incidence of rebound pain; secondary outcomes included the severity and time to onset of rebound pain, patient satisfaction with pain control, sleep disturbance because of pain, and adverse effects of dexamethasone. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on the effect of route of administration (intravenous or perineural) on the incidence of rebound pain. Trial sequential analysis was performed to rule out the possibility of a false positive result. Seven RCTs comprising 574 patients were included in this review. The dexamethasone group was associated with a reduction in the incidence of rebound pain with an odds ratio of 0.16 (95% confidence interval 0.10–0.27, P =0.00, I 2=0%) compared with the control group. Trial sequential analysis confirmed the adequate information size for the beneficial effect of dexamethasone. Subgroup analysis showed that both intravenous and perineural administration were associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of rebound pain. Current evidence suggests that both intravenous and perineural dexamethasone reduce the incidence of rebound pain after a peripheral nerve block provided for postoperative analgesia. PROSPERO CRD42023424031. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urological procedures vary from minor ambulatory operations to ultra-major surgeries, and many are in elderly patients. This article highlights the preoperative assessment, intraoperative management, specific complications, and postoperative management of selected common procedures, namely transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), nephrectomy, robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy and radical cystectomy. Paediatric procedures are not covered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Training and expertise in regional anaesthesia have increased significantly in tandem with increased interest over the past two decades. This review outlines the most recent advances in regional anaesthesia and focuses on novel areas of interest including fascial plane blocks. Pharmacological advances in the form of the prolongation of drug duration with liposomal bupivacaine are considered. Neuromodulation in the context of regional anaesthesia is outlined as a potential future direction. The growing use of regional anaesthesia outside of the theatre environment and current thinking on managing the rebound plane after regional block regression are also discussed. Recent relevant evidence is summarised, unanswered questions are outlined, and priorities for ongoing investigation are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Regional anaesthesia has gained popularity in managing post-operative pain in paediatric patients. Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is recognised as one of the peri-operative pain management techniques used during abdominal surgeries. However, no consensus about the best approach has been reached. Material and Methods: Sixty paediatric patients with ages ranging from 1 to 6 as well as classification I and II of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, scheduled for laparoscopic inguinal hernia, were allocated to receive either a posterior approach (Group I) or an anterior approach (Group II) QLB. Twenty four-hour morphine consumption, the face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability (FLACC) score, duration of analgesia, performance time, and block-related complications were recorded. Results: Group II showed significantly lower morphine consumption as well as a longer duration of analgesia (P = 0.039*, 0.020*, respectively), with an equivalent period for block performance being reported in the two groups (P = 0.080). At 2, 4, 6, and 12 hours post-operatively, the FLACC scores were substantially diminished in Group II compared to Group I (P = 0.001*, 0.012*, 0.002*, 0.028*, respectively). However, at twenty-four hours, comparable pain scores were observed between both groups (P = 0.626). In addition, there were no block-related complications. Conclusions: In paediatric patients scheduled for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, the ultra-sound-guided anterior approach of the QLB was associated with significantly reduced post-operative morphine consumption, a lower FLACC score, and a longer analgesia duration when compared to the posterior approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postoperative pain management following laparoscopic, non-oncological visceral surgery in adults is challenging. Regional anaesthesia could be a promising component in multimodal pain management. Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis with GRADE assessment. Primary outcomes were postoperative acute pain intensity at rest/during movement after 24 h, the number of patients with block-related adverse events and the number of patients with postoperative paralytic ileus. Results: 82 trials were included. Peripheral regional anaesthesia combined with general anaesthesia versus general anaesthesia may result in a slight reduction of pain intensity at rest at 24 h (mean difference (MD) − 0.72 points; 95% confidence interval (CI) − 0.91 to − 0.54; I2 = 97%; low-certainty evidence), which was not clinically relevant. The evidence is very uncertain regarding the effect on pain intensity during activity at 24 h (MD -0.8 points; 95%CI − 1.17 to − 0.42; I2 = 99%; very low-certainty evidence) and on the incidence of block-related adverse events. In contrast, neuraxial regional analgesia combined with general anaesthesia (versus general anaesthesia) may reduce postoperative pain intensity at rest in a clinical relevant matter (MD − 1.19 points; 95%CI − 1.99 to − 0.39; I2 = 97%; low-certainty evidence), but the effect is uncertain during activity (MD − 1.13 points; 95%CI − 2.31 to 0.06; I2 = 95%; very low-certainty evidence). There is uncertain evidence, that neuraxial regional analgesia combined with general anaesthesia (versus general anaesthesia) increases the risk for block-related adverse events (relative risk (RR) 5.11; 95%CI 1.13 to 23.03; I2 = 0%; very low-certainty evidence). Conclusion: This meta-analysis confirms that regional anaesthesia might be an important part of multimodal postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic visceral surgery, e.g. in patients at risk for severe postoperative pain, and with large differences between surgical procedures and settings. Further research is required to evaluate the use of adjuvants and the additional benefit of regional anaesthesia in ERAS programmes. Protocol registration: PROSPERO CRD42021258281. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia with real-time visualization of anatomical structures and needle trajectory has become the standard method for accurately achieving nerve block procedures. Nevertheless, ultrasound is particularly limited in accurately detecting the needle tip in tissues with complex echogenicity. Fat-filled circumneural fascial tissue provides a barrier to local anaesthetic diffusion. Injection during gentle needle nerve contact is more likely to spread under the circumneurium (halo sign). On the other hand, excessive force may cause hematoma or activate the piezo ion channels and intraneural calcium release. Therefore, it is vital to understand the mechanics of needle–tissue interaction for optimizing the procedural outcomes and patients' safety. We hypothesised that continuous fluid infusion would reduce the needle force applied on the nerve compared to that of bolus injection. Thus, the primary objective of this study was to compare the forces associated with the bolus injection and continuous infusion techniques on the sciatic nerves of fresh lamb legs ex vivo. A needle combining pressure and force was inserted into six legs of lambs ex vivo using a motor stage at a constant velocity and imaged with a linear transducer. Saline injections were block randomised to bolus injection or infusion in the muscle upon gently touching and indenting of the epineurium at nine sites on six sciatic nerves at three angles (30°, 45° and 60°) in each location. The bolus was delivered over 6 s and infused for over 60 s. The result showed less force was generated during the infusion technique when gently touching the epineurium than that of the bolus technique, with p = 0.004, with significant differences observed at a 60° angle (0.49 N, p = 0.001). The injection pressure was also lower when light epineurium touches were applied (9.6 kPa, p = 0.02) and at 60° (8.9 kPa). The time to peak pressure varied across the insertion angles (p < 0.001), with the shortest time at 60° (6.53 s). This study explores future applications by emphasizing the significance of understanding needle–tissue interaction mechanics. This understanding is crucial for optimizing the procedural outcomes and enhancing patients' safety in ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia administration. Specifically, continuous infusion demonstrated a notable reduction in needle force compared to that of the bolus injection, especially during gentle epineurium contact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional anaesthesia, referred to as regional blocks, is one of the most frequently used methods of anaesthesia for surgery and for pain management. Local anaesthetic drug should be administered as close to the nerve as possible. If administered too far away, this may result in insufficient block. If it is administrated too close, severe nerve damage can occur. Neurostimulation techniques and ultrasound imaging have improved the effectiveness and safety of blockade, but the risk of nerve injury with permanent nerve disfunction has not been eliminated. Intraneural administration of a local anaesthetic damages the nerve mechanically by the needle and the high pressure generated by the drug inside the nerve. In many studies, injection pressure is described as significantly higher for unintended intraneural injections than for perineural ones. In recent years, the concept of combining techniques (neurostimulation + USG imaging + injection pressure monitoring) has emerged as a method increasing safety and efficiency in regional anaesthesia. This study focuses on the contribution of nerve identification methods to improve the safety of peripheral nerve blocks by reducing the risk of neural damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Intraoperative regional analgesia and enhanced recovery are standard care models aimed at reducing perioperative opioid use following spine surgeries. This study aimed to examine the analgesic effect of retrolaminar block in promoting recovery and pain relief after posterior lumbar discectomy. Methods: The patients undergoing elective posterior lumbar discectomy were randomised into the retrolaminar group (n = 36) (received an intra-operative bilateral retrolaminar block with 15 mL of bupivacaine 0.25%, 2 mL (8 mg) of dexamethasone, and 2 mL of magnesium sulphate 10% (200 mg) on each side) and control group (n = 36) (received standard general anaesthesia). Primary outcomes were recovery time (time from isoflurane discontinuation to the first response to verbal command) and time to discharge (time from admission to the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) to discharge from the PACU, when Aldrete score was ≥9). P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The extubation, recovery, and discharge times were significantly shorter in the retrolaminar group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the retrolaminar group for up to 8 h compared to only 2 h in the control group (P < 0.001). The time to first administration of ketorolac post-operatively was significantly longer in the retrolaminar group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). The total consumption of ketorolac post-operatively was significantly reduced in the retrolaminar group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Intra-operative retrolaminar block is an easy and effective opioid-free regional anaesthesia technique that improves recovery after posterior lumbar discectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two recent cases of central retinal artery occlusion under otherwise uncomplicated sub-Tenon's block that resulted in significant visual loss after cataract surgery prompted us to undertake a literature review of such cases. We identified 97 cases of retinal artery occlusion after ophthalmic surgery under regional anaesthesia that had no immediate signs of block-related complications. These occurred after various intraocular (87%) and extraocular (13%) operations, across a wide range of ages (19–89 years) on patients with (59%) or without (39%) known risk factors. The anaesthetic techniques included 40 retrobulbar blocks, 36 peribulbar blocks, 19 sub-Tenon's blocks, one topical anaesthetic and one unspecified local anaesthetic. Different strengths of lidocaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine and ropivacaine, either alone or in various combinations, were used. The details of the anaesthetic techniques were often incomplete in the reports, which made comparison and analysis difficult. Only nine cases had their cause (optic nerve sheath injury) identified, while the mechanism of injury was unclear in the remaining patients. Various mechanisms were postulated; however, the cause was likely to be multifactorial due to patient, surgical and anaesthetic risk factors, especially in those with compromised retinal circulation. As there were no definite risk factors identified, no specific recommendations could be made to avoid this devastating outcome. We have provided rationales for some general considerations, which may reduce this risk, and propose anaesthetic options for ophthalmic surgery on the fellow eye if required, based both on our literature review and our personal experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-mastectomy pain syndrome (PMPS) is a type of chronic postsurgical pain that can be severe, debilitating and frequently encountered in clinical practice. Multiple studies have focused on prevention, identifying risk factors and treating this condition. Nonetheless, PMPS remains a complex condition to treat effectively. In this case report, we describe the use of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in a breast cancer patient who experienced PMPS refractory to conventional treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wrist fracture is one of most common fractures frequently requiring surgical anaesthesia. There is limited information related to the anaesthetic practice and quality including 30‐day mortality associated with wrist fracture in Sweden in recent years. Aim: The aim of the present register‐based study was to investigate the anaesthesia techniques used and quality indices including 30‐day mortality associated with wrist fracture surgery in Sweden during the period 2018–2021. Materials and Methods: All fracture repositions, and surgical interventions related to wrist fracture requiring anaesthesia in patients aged >18 years registered in the Swedish Perioperative Register (SPOR) between 2018 and 2021 were included in the analysis. Information on age, ASA class, anaesthesia technique, severe operative events, most reported side‐effects during recovery room stay and all‐cause 30‐day mortality was collected. Results: The data set included 25,147 procedures split into 14,796 females and 10,252 males (missing information n = 99) with a mean age of 52.9 ± 18.7 years and a significant age difference between females and males, 60.3 ± 15.4 and 42.2 ± 17.7 years, respectively. Mean age and ASA class increased during the study period (2018–2021), from 52.8 ± 18.6 to 54.0 ± 18.4 and ASA class 3–5 from 8.1% to 9.4% (p <.001 and p <.041, respectively). General anaesthesia (GA), GA combined with regional anaesthesia (RA), RA with or without sedation and sedation only was used in 41%, 13%, 40% and 6% of procedures, respectively, with minor changes over the study period. Pain at arrival in the recovery room (RR), (3.4%), severe pain during RR stay (2.1%), hypothermia (1.4%), postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) (1.2%) and urinary retention (0.5%) were the most reported side‐effects during the RR stay. (RA) was associated with significantly lower occurrence of pain and PONV, and shorter RR stay, compared with GA (p <.001). The all‐cause 30‐day mortality was low (19 of 25,147 (0.08%)) with no differences over the period studied or anaesthetic technique. Conclusion: General anaesthesia or general anaesthesia combined with regional anaesthesia are the most used anaesthetic techniques for wrist fracture procedures in Sweden. Recovery room pain, PONV, hypothermia and urinary retention is reported in overall low frequencies, with no change over the period studied, but in lower frequencies for regional anaesthesia. All‐cause 30‐day mortality was low; 0.08% with no change over time or between anaesthetic techniques. Thus, the present quality review based on SPOR data supports high quality of perioperative anaesthesia care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This protocol describes a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the clinical effects of mixing short‐ and long‐acting local anaesthetics in peripheral nerve blocks. Clinicians often combine short‐ and long‐acting local anaesthetics to achieve a briefer onset time. However, this may come with a prize, namely a shorter total duration of the block, which is of clinical importance. Objective: This systematic review aims to strengthen the knowledge of the clinical effects associated with this practice. The primary outcome is the duration of block analgesia. Secondary outcomes are block onset time, sensory and motor block duration. Exploratory outcomes are postoperative pain scores, cumulative 24‐h opioid consumption and the prevalence of serious adverse events. Methods: We will conduct a meta‐analysis of the extracted data, and the risk of bias for each study will be evaluated. We will perform a Trial Sequential Analysis, subgroup, and sensitivity analyses and assess the overall risk of publication bias. Finally, we will evaluate the review using the GRADE principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design: Systematic review. Objective: Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is growing in popularity over the recent past as an adjuvant modality in multimodal analgesic management following lumbar spine surgery (LSS). The current updated meta-analysis was performed to analyze the efficacy of ESPB for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing LSS. Methods: We conducted independent and duplicate electronic database searches including PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library till June 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) analyzing the efficacy of bilateral ESPB for postoperative pain relief in lumbar spine surgeries. Post-operative pain scores, total analgesic consumption, first analgesic requirement time, length of stay and complications were the outcomes evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 17 software. Results: 32 RCTs including 1464 patients (ESPB/Control = 1077/1069) were included in the analysis. There was a significant pain relief in ESPB group, as compared to placebo across all timelines such as during immediate post-operative period (p

Pain is a common reason that patients seek care in the emergency department (ED). Regional anaesthesia in the form of nerve blocks provides an excellent alternative to traditional forms of analgesia, and may be superior in managing musculoskeletal pain compared to opioids. Adequate pain management improves patient satisfaction, facilitates examination and minor procedures, and allows for earlier and safe discharge. In low resource settings this modality is underutilised due to lack of trained providers and/or support from specialised services, shortages of equipment, and lack of context-sensitive guidelines. Advances in ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia has the potential to improve access to safe and reliable anaesthesia. It is often not accessible or an active part of training even for emergency physicians. There are, however, a number of nerve blocks that are easy to learn, don’t require specialised equipment, and can be readily applied in EDs for minor procedures and longer acting forms of analgesia. Nerve blocks more applicable in the operating theatre or best done under ultrasound guidance are mentioned but not discussed in this article. This continuous professional development (CPD) article aims to provide guidance with respect to several key areas related to more commonly used types of regional anaesthesia in district level services. We discuss the importance of good clinical practice including thorough preparation of equipment and the patient to avoid common complications, clinical indications for regional blocks in the ED, local anaesthetic agents, different techniques for some common regional blocks, potential complications, and the need for a trained interprofessional team.

Intravenous (IV) medication administration error remains a major concern during the perioperative period. This review examines inadvertent IV anaesthesia induction agent administration via high-risk routes. Using Medline and Google Scholar, the author searched published reports of inadvertent administration via neuraxial (intrathecal, epidural), peripheral nerve or plexus or intracerebroventricular (ICV) route. The author applied the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) framework to identify systemic and human factors. Among 14 patients involved, thiopentone was administered via the epidural route in six patients. Four errors involved the routes of ICV (propofol and etomidate one each) or lumbar intrathecal (propofol infusion and etomidate bolus). Intrathecal thiopentone was associated with cauda equina syndrome in one patient. HFACS identified suboptimal handling of external ventricular and lumbar drains and deficiencies in the transition of care. Organisational policy to improve the handling of neuraxial devices, use of technological tools and improvements in identified deficiencies in preconditions before drug preparation and administration may minimise future risks of inadvertent IV induction agent administration.

Background and Aims: Intraoperative regional analgesia and enhanced recovery are standard care models aimed at reducing perioperative opioid use following spine surgeries. This study aimed to examine the analgesic effect of retrolaminar block in promoting recovery and pain relief after posterior lumbar discectomy. Methods: The patients undergoing elective posterior lumbar discectomy were randomised into the retrolaminar group (n = 36) (received an intra-operative bilateral retrolaminar block with 15 mL of bupivacaine 0.25%, 2 mL (8 mg) of dexamethasone, and 2 mL of magnesium sulphate 10% (200 mg) on each side) and control group (n = 36) (received standard general anaesthesia). Primary outcomes were recovery time (time from isoflurane discontinuation to the first response to verbal command) and time to discharge (time from admission to the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) to discharge from the PACU, when Aldrete score was ≥9). P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: The extubation, recovery, and discharge times were significantly shorter in the retrolaminar group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the retrolaminar group for up to 8 h compared to only 2 h in the control group (P < 0.001). The time to first administration of ketorolac post-operatively was significantly longer in the retrolaminar group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). The total consumption of ketorolac post-operatively was significantly reduced in the retrolaminar group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Intra-operative retrolaminar block is an easy and effective opioid-free regional anaesthesia technique that improves recovery after posterior lumbar discectomy.

Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia is used to facilitate the real-time performance of the regional block, increase the block success and reduce the complication rate. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been studied in many medical disciplines with high success rates, especially radiology. The purpose of this article was to review the evolution of AI in regional anaesthesia. The role of AI is to identify and optimise the sonography image, display the target, guide the practitioner to advance the needle tip to the intended target and inject the local anaesthetic. AI supports non-experts in training and clinical practice and experts in teaching ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia.

Background: Breast surgeries are common surgical procedures and postoperative pain after mastectomy is a major concern as inadequate pain relief can result in chronic pain and reduced quality of life. Serratus anterior plane (SAP) block is suitable for perioperative analgesia for gynaecomastia correction surgery. Objectives: To compare postoperative pain relief using the VAS and D-VAS scores between anatomical landmark-guided SAP block and ultrasound-guided SAP block in patients undergoing surgery for gynecomastia correction. Methods: Patients aged 16-40 years, belonging to American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II who were scheduled for gynaecomastia correction surgery were randomized and allocated into two groups. Group I (n = 15) patients received 20 ml of 0.25 % bupivacaine solution with 20 μg of Fentanyl by anatomical landmark-guided SAP technique while Group II (n = 15) patients in the control group received same drug using ultrasound-guidance technique. VAS and D-VAS from arrival to post anaesthesia care unit (PACU), then after 30 minutes, and at 1 hour, 2 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, and 24 hours. Results: Both groups had comparable results in terms of pain scores at different time intervals, duration of analgesia (615 mins vs 706 mins) and need for rescue analgesics. Conclusion: Anatomical landmark-based SAP block technique is comparable to the ultrasound-guided SAP block technique in terms of efficacy and duration of analgesia with lesser complications. The former can serve as an alternative to the latter technique in resource-limited countries.

Objective: Erector spina plane block (ESPB) was first described in 2016 and is effective in various surgical procedures. Bibliometric analysis is a novel method that evaluates the contribution of scientific studies conducted in a specific field on the existing literature. This study examined articles on ESPB published by anaesthesia clinics in Türkiye in journals under the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E) category. Methods: Studies on ESPB indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection and published in Türkiye from 2018 to 2022 were evaluated. The primary outcome was to determine the number of studies published in journals under the SCI-E category. The secondary aims were to determine the number of citations and the institutions where the studies were conducted. Results: A total of 159 publications were analyzed. The journal with the highest number of publications was “Journal of Clinical Anesthesia” (n = 70). The institution that has to date made the most contributions to the literature was Atatürk University (n = 31). The most cited article was “Ultrasound guided erector spinae plane block reduces postoperative opioid consumption following breast surgery: A randomized controlled study.” published by Gürkan et al. (n = 175). Conclusion: This study reflects the contribution level of Türkiye-addressed anaesthesia clinics to journals under the SCI-E category. Our findings can serve as a benchmark for attracting the attention of national and international researchers.

Value-based healthcare prioritizes patient outcomes and quality relative to costs, shifting focus from service volume to delivered value. This review explores the significant role of regional anaesthesia (RA) and acute pain services (APS) within the evolving value-based healthcare (VBHC) framework. At the heart of VBHC is the goal to enhance patient outcomes while simultaneously optimizing operational efficiency and reducing costs. The review underscores the need for VBHC and illustrates how integrating RA/APS with Enhanced Recovery Protocols can lead to improved outcomes, aligning directly with the goals of the Triple Aim. Several clinical studies show that RA improves patient outcomes, enhances operating room efficiency, and reduces costs. This is complemented by a discussion on the integration of RA and APS into the VBHC model, highlighting emerging value-based payment structures and strategies for their successful implementation. By merging specialized RA/APS protocols with standardized clinical practices, significant improvements in operating room efficiency and associated economic benefits are observed. Across the healthcare spectrum, from providers to payers, this synergy results in enhanced operational efficiency and communication, raising the standard of patient care. Additionally, the potential of RA and APS to address the opioid crisis, through alternative pain management methods, is emphasized. Globally, the shift towards VBHC requires international collaboration, sharing of best practices, and efficient resource allocation, with RA and APS playing a crucial role. In conclusion, as healthcare moves toward a value-driven model, RA and APS become increasingly essential, signaling a future of refined, patient-centered care.

Introduction: Nalbuphine and magnesium sulfate are commonly used drugs for the treatment of Perioperative Shivering (POS), but there is a paucity of comparative studies on their intrathecal use in Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS) patients. LSCS is the most commonly performed obstetric surgery, and Spinal Anaesthesia (SA) is advantageous in LSCS. However, shivering has been found to be the most common side-effect of SA. Aim: To compare the effect of intrathecal injection of nalbuphine and magnesium sulfate on the prevention of postspinal anaesthesia shivering during LSCS. Materials and Methods: This randomised clinical study was conducted at the Department of Anaesthesiology, Government Medical College, Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, India on 60 parturients between the ages of 20-40 years from September 2021 to January 2023. The participants had full-term gestation and an American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) status of I or II, and were scheduled for LSCS under SA. The total sample was divided into two groups of 30 patients each. Group N (n=30) received 0.7 mg nalbuphine intrathecally, while Group M (n=30) received 25 mg of magnesium sulfate intrathecally, both with 0.5% bupivacaine (10 mg). Characteristics of spinal blockade, time to onset of shivering, severity of shivering, and side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, sedation, and hypotension were noted. Student’s t-test, Chi-square test, and Fisher’s exact test were used for data analysis. A p-value of

Background: Ultrasound scanning (USS) is a well-established imaging modality with widespread clinical applications; however, it is still broadly underused by plastic surgeons. This review aims to understand the breadth of potential uses for surgeon-led point-of-care USS in plastic surgery. Methods: A review of the literature was conducted by extracting articles from Medline, Embase, Google Scholar and Scopus databases relevant to USS use by plastic surgeons. Included articles were divided into themes corresponding to major fields of plastic surgery and their findings were extracted and summarised. Results: Major themes identified were “Upper limb”, “Microsurgery”, “Breast”, “Skin and soft tissues”, “Aesthetics” and “Regional anaesthesia”. USS was shown to have significant benefits in diagnostic, pre-operative planning and post-operative monitoring across the themes identified. Amongst others, its use as a bedside modality was particularly highlighted in evaluating structural hand injuries, pre-operative perforator mapping and post-operative monitoring in buried free flaps, clinic evaluation of breast implants for capsular contractures and ruptures, assessment of soft tissue infections such as necrotizing fasciitis and administration of regional blocks in the limbs and body such as transverse abdominal plane block as part of large abdominal surgeries. Conclusions: Plastic surgeon–operated USS appears to have clear benefits in a wide range of uses within the field. With such a broad scope, it is clear that the modern plastic surgeons would benefit from proficiency in its use as a part of their repertoire and that its use should be taught to current trainees. Level of Evidence: Not ratable [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Rectus sheath block (RSB) is an effective postoperative pain control technique in abdominal surgical procedures. This systematic review evaluated the efficacy and outcome data of patients undergoing RSB compared to the standard of care in both laparoscopic and open surgical procedures. Methods: This systematic review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022372596). The search was restricted to randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing RSB effectiveness on postoperative pain to any standard general anaesthesia technique (control). We systematically explored PubMed, Medline, Central, Scopus and Web of Science for RCTs from inception to September 2023. The primary outcome was the evaluation of pain scores at rest 0-2, 10-12 and 12-24 h postoperatively. The secondary outcome was the analysis of postoperative intravenous (IV) morphine equivalent consumption at 24-h. A risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials (ROB 2.0, Cochrane, Copenhagen, Denmark) assessment and Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE, Cochrane, Copenhagen, Denmark) analysis was conducted to evaluate the quality of the RCTs. Results: Twenty RCTs involving 708 participants who received RSB intervention and 713 who received alternative analgesic care were included. RSB pain scores were significantly lower than control at 0-2 h (P < 0.001) and 10-12 h (P < 0.001) postoperatively. No significant effect was observed at 24 h (P = 0.11). RSB performance compared to control in 24-h IV morphine equivalency in milligrams was significantly lower (P < 0.001). Conclusion: RSB implementation was associated with reduced postoperative pain scores and decreased opioid consumption in IV morphine equivalency up to 24 h following surgical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on outlining strategies for achieving successful lumbar neuraxial anesthesia and analgesia in patients with challenging anatomical considerations. Topics include practical approaches to address difficulties in administering spinal anesthesia and analgesia in individuals with unique anatomical features, aiming to enhance the effectiveness and safety of these procedures.

Breast augmentation is often performed as a day-case general anaesthetic operation, with postoperative, opioid-based analgesia regimens. However, it may also be performed using regional anaesthesia; a variety of nerve block techniques are available to reduce postoperative pain and analgesic requirements. This systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines comparing breast augmentation using regional anaesthesia with general anaesthesia, versus general anaesthesia alone or with local field infiltration. All randomised or quasi-randomised studies that recruited adult female patients undergoing breast augmentation using regional anaesthesia were considered. The primary outcome measures were postoperative pain and analgesic requirements. A randomised effects model was used, with standardised mean difference or mean difference outcomes used as appropriate. Thirteen studies were included for systematic review, out of which eight met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. Nerve blocks had statistically significant standardised mean difference reductions in postoperative pain scores across all time points: 0 h (−1.2 [−2.1 to −0.3], p = 0.01, I2 = 85%), 1 h (−1.3 [−2.1 to −0.5], p = 0.002, I2 = 89%), 2 h (−1.8 [−2.8 to −0.9], p = 0.0002, I2 = 88%), 4–6 h (−1.2 [−2.1 to −0.4], p = 0.006, I2 = 89%), 24 h (−1.4 [−2.5 to −0.2], p = 0.02, I2 = 94%). There was also a statistically significant reduction in postoperative opioid requirements: −150 mcg fentanyl (−259.2 to −40.9), p = 0.007. Although an element of study heterogeneity is noted, this systematic review and meta-analysis support the concept that regional anaesthesia using nerve blocks in breast augmentation surgery, reduces both postoperative pain and opioid requirements, compared with general anaesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anaesthesiologie & Intensivmedizin is the property of DGAI e.V. - Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Anasthesiologie und Intensivmedizin e.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The primary objective is to compare the efficacy of oral Melatonin and Oral Zolpidem on perioperative anxiety in surgeries done under regional anaesthesia. Secondary objectives of the study were to compare the effects of the two drugs on intraoperative and postoperative sedation. Materials and Methods: A randomized double blinded study performed in department of Anesthesiology in Chettinad hospital and Research Institute from July 2022 to October 2022 on sixty patients undergoing surgeries under spinal or epidural anesthesia where they were allocated into two groups by computer generated randomization, Group Z - Tab. Zolpidem 10 mg and Group M - Tab. Melatonin 6 mg per oral. Approximately an hour after the administration of the study drugs were given, VAS A score and the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety Scale (APAIS) was used to measure preoperative anxiety. Intraoperative and postoperative sedation was measured using Ramsay sedation score. Results: The pre-operative APAIS score were comparable between the two groups (p value 0.979). There were no statistical significance found between the two groups in the pre-operative and post-operative Ramsay sedation scores. Conclusion: Our study concludes that the effects of oral Zolpidem and Oral Melatonin on anxiolysis and sedation were comparable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia is used to facilitate the real-time performance of the regional block, increase the block success and reduce the complication rate. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been studied in many medical disciplines with high success rates, especially radiology. The purpose of this article was to review the evolution of AI in regional anaesthesia. The role of AI is to identify and optimise the sonography image, display the target, guide the practitioner to advance the needle tip to the intended target and inject the local anaesthetic. AI supports non-experts in training and clinical practice and experts in teaching ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pain management plays an essential role in postoperative recovery after lung surgeries. The Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) is a widely used regional anaesthesia technique; however, few clinical trials have compared this block to active control in thoracic surgeries. This study evaluated the non‐inferiority of the analgesia provided by ESPB when compared to paravertebral block (PVB) in lung surgeries. Methods: Randomised, active‐controlled, blinded for patients and assessors, non‐inferiority trial. Patients who underwent unilateral lung surgeries were divided into two groups according to the regional anaesthesia technique—continuous ESPB or PVB at the T5 level. The primary outcome was to assess pain using a numerical rating scale (NRS) with a test of the interaction of three measures over 24 h postoperatively. An NRS score ≥ 7 was considered analgesia failure, and the prespecified non‐inferiority margin was 10%. Results: In the interim analysis that terminated this study, 120 participants were enrolled. ESPB patients reported higher mean NRS general values over 24 h, 4.6 ± 3.2 in the ESPB group versus 3.9 ± 2.9 in the PVB group, with a difference of −0.67 (−15.2%) and 95%CI: −1.29 to −0.05 (p =.02), demonstrating not non‐inferiority. In addition, the ESPB group presented higher NRS failure of analgesia over 24 h (p <.01) and required more postoperative opioids (p =.01 over 24 h). There was no difference in patient satisfaction between groups. Conclusion: This trial demonstrated that a continuous erector spinae plane block was not non‐inferior to a continuous paravertebral block for analgesia after lung surgery but resulted in higher levels of postoperative pain and opioid consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global COVID-19 pandemic has led to major changes in the surgical caseloads in the operation theatres across the world. Elective surgeries have been curtailed to a great extent and the number of emergency surgeries has risen. We conducted a study to assess the changes in the surgical caseloads in two tertiary care hospitals in India during the pandemic and to assess the changes in anaesthesia techniques used. A multicentre retrospective observational study conducted at two tertiary care centres located 1500 kms apart. Hospital A in a city with high incidence of COVID-19 and Hospital B with a lighter load of COVID-19 cases. Record of all major surgeries carried out between 01Jul 2020 and 31 Dec 2020 were compared with the surgeries carried out between 01 Jul 2019 and 31 Dec 2019. There was a decrease of almost 53% in elective surgical workload in hospital A and 71% in hospital B. The decrease in the cases was not similar across all specialities. There was a significant increase in the percentage of emergency surgeries from 11.1% to 24% in hospital A and from 22.1% to 29.8% in hospital B in the year 2020. A statistically significant increase in regional anaesthesia and neuraxial blockade was noted in the year 2020 in both the hospitals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of elective surgical cases has significantly decreased in specialities like ophthalmology whereas there was no change in the surgical workload in specialities like obstetrics, oncology, orthopaedics, and neurosurgery. There was significant increase in the use of regional and neuraxial techniques of anaesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Several studies have compared the safety and effectiveness of general and regional anaesthesia in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). This study aimed to compare the perioperative and postoperative outcomes of general anaesthesia and regional anaesthesia for patients undergoing PCNL. Material and methods For relevant articles, three electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched from their inception until March 2023. A meta-analysis has been reported in line with PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR Guidelines. The risk ratio (RR) and mean difference (MD) were applied for the comparison of dichotomous and continuous variables with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results The final cohort analysis, comprised 3871 cases of PCNL, (2154 regional anaesthesia and 1717 general anaesthesia). Compared to general anaesthesia, the regional anaesthesia group had a significantly shorter length of stay (MD = -0.34 days, 95% CI -0.56 to -0.12, p = 0.002), lower postoperative nausea and vomiting rates (RR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.80, p = 0.026), lower complications grade III-V rates (RR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.88, p = 0.004), and lower postoperative visual analogue pain score (VAS) at 1 hour (MD = -3.5, 95% CI -4.1 to -2.9, p <0.001). There were no significant differences in other outcomes between the two groups. Conclusions Our results show that PCNL under regional anaesthesia is safe and feasible, with comparable results to those done under general anaesthesia. While patient selection is important, counselling and decision-making for these procedures must go hand in hand to achieve the best clinical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anaesthesiologie & Intensivmedizin is the property of DGAI e.V. - Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Anasthesiologie und Intensivmedizin e.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Summary: We investigated the distribution of injected dye after deep serratus anterior plane and superficial parasternal intercostal plane blocks in 15 Thiel embalmed cadavers. We injected 0.4 ml.kg−1 of 0.25% aqueous methylene blue solution into the deep serratus anterior and superficial parasternal intercostal planes using real‐time ultrasound needle visualisation followed by posterior dissection to observe the distribution of the injected dye in the chest wall. The two blocks were performed bilaterally in 15 cadavers at the T5/T6 level, comprising 60 blocks in 30 hemithoraces in total. At dissection, the intercostal nerve territories were observed to be dyed completely from T2 to T6 in 28 of 30 hemithoraces, and extending caudal to T6 in 10 hemithoraces. Following the deep serratus anterior plane blocks in all cadavers, the dye was found to have spread to the axillae. Following the superficial parasternal intercostal plane blocks, the dye reached T7 in four cadaver dissections. We concluded that the territories innervated by the intercostal nerves (T2–T6 dermatomes) are dyed following the combination of the two blocks when performed at the T5–T6 intercostal space level. These techniques might provide an effective option for anaesthesia in breast surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Inadequately managed amputation pain can contribute to postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, amputation pain can be challenging to manage due to its complex nature, with both central and peripheral nociceptive and neuropathic elements. Here, we present the case of a 47‐year old man who developed irreversible ischaemic injuries to all four limbs following admission to intensive care with sepsis. He required quadruple amputation and we describe our approach to his peri‐operative management including anaesthesia, invasive monitoring and the multi‐modal approach to his peri‐operative management using a combination of intravenous analgesics, bilateral brachial plexus nerve catheters and a combined spinal and epidural. The patient made a good recovery and was able to return home from a rehabilitation facility 12 months after the operation, able to undertake many tasks himself with the aid of prosthetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Worldwide, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Surgical procedures are typically performed using general anaesthesia, often complemented by regional anaesthesia to manage postoperative pain. However, avoidance of general anaesthesia for breast surgery may be desirable for clinical reasons or patient choice. It is theorised that the use of regional anaesthesia and the avoidance of volatile anaesthetics and opioid analgesia may have beneficial effects on oncological outcomes, and there is some evidence to support this. While many patients successfully undergo awake breast surgery, a limited number of anaesthetists possess direct experience of this approach, despite familiarity with regional anaesthesia techniques. Undertaking regional anaesthesia for awake breast surgery requires patient cooperation and excellent staff teamwork. Here, we present a case of a patient who underwent awake bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. This was carried out under two 'paravertebral‐by‐proxy' blocks: the thoracic erector spinae plane and inter‐transverse plane blocks, with intravenous sedation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin antisepsis is essential before the central neuraxial blockade. Various antiseptic solutions are in clinical use, like povidone-iodine, alcohol, or chlorhexidine. This study was conducted to assess current practices for skin antisepsis before central neuraxial blockade and observe the compliance of anaesthesiologists with international standards in Teaching Hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on all anaesthesia faculty members, working in Teaching Hospitals in Karachi from March to May 2022. Demographic data included institutional setup and current position at the institution. The type of solution used for skin anti-sepsis for the central neuraxial blockade, method of application, and subsequent practices of anti-sepsis were asked. Recommendations for skin anti-antisepsis and the reason for opting for their choice of solution and practices were also assessed. Stratification analysis was then performed to observe the effect modifiers of study variables. Results: Data from seventy faculty members were analyzed. Povidone-iodine was the most frequent solution used for skin antisepsis. Alcohol-based Chlorhexidine 2% and 0.5% were the choices. The application method prevalent was Sponge/swab with Gallipot (94.3%). Major reasons to opt for their choice of solution were personal preference, cost-effectiveness, and availability of the solution in their Institute. Fifty percent of physicians considered Chlorhexidine 2% as the recommended solution for central neuraxial procedures. Regarding sterility, over ninety percent adhered to the recommended practices. Conclusion: Povidone-Iodine is currently the most frequent solution used for skin antisepsis before central neuraxial blockade by anaesthesiologists. The recommended solution (Chlorhexidine) was not in clinical practice due to personal preference, cost-effectiveness, or unavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The effects of oral dexamethasone on peripheral nerve blocks have not been investigated. We randomly allocated adults scheduled for forearm or hand surgery to oral placebo (n = 61), dexamethasone 12 mg (n = 61) or dexamethasone 24 mg (n = 57) about 45 min before lateral infraclavicular block. Mean (SD) time until first pain after block were: 841 (327) min; 1171 (318) min; and 1256 (395) min, respectively. Mean (98.3%CI) differences in time until first postoperative pain for dexamethasone 24 mg vs. placebo and vs. dexamethasone 12 mg were: 412 (248–577) min, p < 0.001; and 85 (‐78 to 249) min, p = 0.21, respectively. Mean (98.3%CI) difference in time until first postoperative pain for dexamethasone 12 mg vs. placebo was 330 (186–474) min, p < 0.001. Both 24 mg and 12 mg of oral dexamethasone increased the time until first postoperative pain compared with placebo in patients having upper limb surgery under infraclavicular brachial plexus block. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Studies have suggested that anaesthetic agents have modulatory effects on the immune system, leading to cancer recurrence. The association between colorectal cancer (CRC) recurrence and anaesthesia is still unclear. Therefore, this systematic review aimed to determine the association between the recurrence of CRC after surgery and anaesthesia. Methods: A database search of PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Scopus was performed for articles on the recurrence of CRC after surgeries under general anaesthesia (GA) and regional anaesthesia (RA), published between January 2002 and January 2023. Qualitative and risk-of-bias assessment of retrospective studies was performed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale (NOS). Synthesis Without Meta-analysis guidelines were used to report data synthesis. The primary outcome was cancer recurrence, and the secondary outcomes were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival. The standardised metric to represent data synthesis was the median hazard ratio (HR). Evidence quality was rated as per GRADE pro-GDT. Results: A total of six retrospective cohorts were identified through the literature search for inclusion. The risk of bias was low in all studies and was rated good quality as per the NOS. The pooled risk ratio for cancer recurrence in the two studies was 1.04, 95% confidence interval 0.98–1.10 (P = 0.20). The median HR for cancer recurrence was 0.895. DFS was not statistically significant with GA or RA, with a median HR of 1.06. Conclusion: No conclusive association was found between regional anaesthesia and colorectal cancer recurrence. However, due to a lack of studies reporting cancer recurrence and less data for comparison and different intervention groups, a conclusive association cannot be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite the use of perioperative anxiolytics and pain medication, surgery can be a stressful and painful experience. Providing patients with distractions using video and/or audio tools in addition to medication may be helpful. To date, no studies have compared different distraction modalities in a same-day surgical setting in adults. This study aims to determine whether audio-visual distraction with video glasses (AVD) is more effective in reducing anxiety and pain compared to audio distraction (AD) in conscious patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. It was hypothesised that AVD, being the more immersive modality, would be more effective than AD on the outcome parameters. Methods: Fifty patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery with local and/or regional anaesthesia in a clinical day-care setting were randomly assigned to receive either fixed-scenery AVD or patient-choice AD with music. Primary outcome was anxiety, as measured by the Dutch version of the Spielberger State–Trait Anxiety Inventory-6 (STAI-6) prior to and 15 min after the intervention. Secondary outcomes were pain (Numeric Rating Scale Pain [NRS-P]), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate and patient satisfaction. Results: Within each group, there was a significant reduction in anxiety (p = 0.028 for AVD, p < 0.001 for AD). In contrast to our hypothesis, listening to music without watching a video (AD group) reduced anxiety significantly more than experiencing full AVD (p = 0.018). The mean pain score did not change significantly within either user group, nor did pain scores differ between user groups. Conclusion: In conscious patients undergoing surgery, watching a movie (using video glasses and a headphone set) and listening to music (using only a headphone set) are able to significantly reduce anxiety. AVD, although believed to provide higher levels of distraction, did not prove to be superior to AD. The clinical relevance of this study highlights the potential benefits of AVD or AD modalities in improving the surgical experience for conscious patients. Further research is required to examine the influence of freedom of choice in content on the aforementioned outcomes. To estimate the true value of higher immersion levels, different distraction modalities (e.g. AVD versus virtual reality) featuring the exact same scenery or content need to be compared. Level of evidence: Level I. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Nalbuphine and magnesium sulfate are commonly used drugs for the treatment of Perioperative Shivering (POS), but there is a paucity of comparative studies on their intrathecal use in Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS) patients. LSCS is the most commonly performed obstetric surgery, and Spinal Anaesthesia (SA) is advantageous in LSCS. However, shivering has been found to be the most common side-effect of SA. Aim: To compare the effect of intrathecal injection of nalbuphine and magnesium sulfate on the prevention of postspinal anaesthesia shivering during LSCS. Materials and Methods: This randomised clinical study was conducted at the Department of Anaesthesiology, Government Medical College, Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, India on 60 parturients between the ages of 20-40 years from September 2021 to January 2023. The participants had full-term gestation and an American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) status of I or II, and were scheduled for LSCS under SA. The total sample was divided into two groups of 30 patients each. Group N (n=30) received 0.7 mg nalbuphine intrathecally, while Group M (n=30) received 25 mg of magnesium sulfate intrathecally, both with 0.5% bupivacaine (10 mg). Characteristics of spinal blockade, time to onset of shivering, severity of shivering, and side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, sedation, and hypotension were noted. Student’s t-test, Chi-square test, and Fisher’s exact test were used for data analysis. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Both study groups were comparable in terms of age (p-value=0.081), height, weight (p-value=0.079), ASA grade (p-value=0.072), and duration of surgery (p-value=0.077). In group N, 5 patients (16.67%) had POS, while in Group M, 6 patients (20%) had POS, but the difference was not statistically significant. In Group N, 3 patients (10%) had a shivering score of 3 and 2 patients (6.67%) had a shivering score of 4, while in group M, 3 patients (10%) had a shivering score of 3 and 3 patients (10%) had a shivering score of 4. The difference was statistically insignificant. Perioperative complications (sedation, hypotension, nausea, and vomiting) were comparable in both groups with no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Intrathecal injection of preservative-free 0.7 mg nalbuphine and 25 mg magnesium sulfate were both effective in reducing the incidence of postspinal shivering. Both drugs had comparable minimum perioperative complications. The intrathecal use of nalbuphine and magnesium sulfate for the prevention of postspinal shivering is encouraged, as both drugs are less expensive and readily available in the operation theaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Erector spina plane block (ESPB) was first described in 2016 and is effective in various surgical procedures. Bibliometric analysis is a novel method that evaluates the contribution of scientific studies conducted in a specific field on the existing literature. This study examined articles on ESPB published by anaesthesia clinics in Türkiye in journals under the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E) category. Methods: Studies on ESPB indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection and published in Türkiye from 2018 to 2022 were evaluated. The primary outcome was to determine the number of studies published in journals under the SCI-E category. The secondary aims were to determine the number of citations and the institutions where the studies were conducted. Results: A total of 159 publications were analyzed. The journal with the highest number of publications was "Journal of Clinical Anesthesia" (n = 70). The institution that has to date made the most contributions to the literature was Atatürk University (n = 31). The most cited article was "Ultrasound guided erector spinae plane block reduces postoperative opioid consumption following breast surgery: A randomized controlled study." published by Gürkan et al. (n = 175). Conclusion: This study reflects the contribution level of Türkiye-addressed anaesthesia clinics to journals under the SCI-E category. Our findings can serve as a benchmark for attracting the attention of national and international researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Value-based healthcare prioritizes patient outcomes and quality relative to costs, shifting focus from service volume to delivered value. This review explores the significant role of regional anaesthesia (RA) and acute pain services (APS) within the evolving value-based healthcare (VBHC) framework. At the heart of VBHC is the goal to enhance patient outcomes while simultaneously optimizing operational efficiency and reducing costs. The review underscores the need for VBHC and illustrates how integrating RA/APS with Enhanced Recovery Protocols can lead to improved outcomes, aligning directly with the goals of the Triple Aim. Several clinical studies show that RA improves patient outcomes, enhances operating room efficiency, and reduces costs. This is complemented by a discussion on the integration of RA and APS into the VBHC model, highlighting emerging value-based payment structures and strategies for their successful implementation. By merging specialized RA/APS protocols with standardized clinical practices, significant improvements in operating room efficiency and associated economic benefits are observed. Across the healthcare spectrum, from providers to payers, this synergy results in enhanced operational efficiency and communication, raising the standard of patient care. Additionally, the potential of RA and APS to address the opioid crisis, through alternative pain management methods, is emphasized. Globally, the shift towards VBHC requires international collaboration, sharing of best practices, and efficient resource allocation, with RA and APS playing a crucial role. In conclusion, as healthcare moves toward a value-driven model, RA and APS become increasingly essential, signaling a future of refined, patient-centered care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fascial plane blocks provide effective analgesia after midline laparotomy; however, the most efficacious technique has not been determined. We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials to synthesise the evidence with respect to pain, opioid consumption, and adverse events. We searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central, and Scopus databases for studies comparing commonly used non-neuraxial analgesic techniques for midline laparotomy in adult patients. The co-primary outcomes of the study were 24-h cumulative opioid consumption and 24-h resting pain score, reported as i.v. morphine equivalents and 11-point numerical rating scale, respectively. We performed a frequentist meta-analysis using a random-effects model and a cluster-rank analysis of the co-primary outcomes. Of 6115 studies screened, 67 eligible studies were included (n =4410). Interventions with the greatest reduction in 24-h cumulative opioid consumption compared with placebo/no intervention were single-injection quadratus lumborum block (sQLB; mean difference [MD] −16.1 mg, 95% confidence interval [CI] −29.9 to −2.3, very low certainty), continuous transversus abdominis plane block (cTAP; MD −14.0 mg, 95% CI −21.6 to −6.4, low certainty), single-injection transversus abdominis plane block (sTAP; MD −13.7 mg, 95% CI −17.4 to −10.0, low certainty), and continuous rectus sheath block (cRSB; MD −13.2 mg, 95% CI −20.3 to −6.1, low certainty). Interventions with the greatest reduction in 24-h resting pain score were cRSB (MD −1.2, 95% CI −1.8 to −0.6, low certainty), cTAP (MD −1.0, 95% CI −1.7 to −0.2, low certainty), and continuous wound infusion (cWI; MD −0.7, 95% CI −1.1 to −0.4, low certainty). Clustered-rank analysis including the co-primary outcomes showed cRSB and cTAP blocks to be the most efficacious interventions. Based on current evidence, continuous rectus sheath block and continuous transversus abdominis plane block were the most efficacious non-neuraxial techniques at reducing 24-h cumulative opioid consumption and 24-h resting pain scores after midline laparotomy (low certainty). Future studies should compare techniques for upper vs lower midline laparotomy and other non-midline abdominal incisions. PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42021269044. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When conservative treatment, including rest, oral analgesics and physiotherapy, fail to manage shoulder pain, surgical treatment should be considered. While interscalene block remains the gold standard for regional anaesthesia for shoulder surgery, there is a high incidence of hemi-diaphragmatic paralysis as a result of phrenic nerve block. As patients with pre-existing cardiopulmonary pathology are those who benefit most from regional anaesthesia, we explore the options for regional anaesthesia which spare the phrenic nerve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]