A comparison of regional anesthesia techniques in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracic surgery: A network meta-analysis.

Postoperative pain control remains challenging in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). This study aimed to investigate the relative efficacy of different regional anesthesia interventions for VATS using a Network Meta analysis (NMA). A literature search was conducted for NMA using Pubmed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, and the Web of Science databases to identify all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the analgesic effects of different regional analgesia techniques from inception to February 2022. The primary outcome was opioid consumption during the first 24 h postoperatively. The secondary outcomes were morphine consumption at 48 h postoperatively, pain intensity, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and hospital length of stay. Pain scores at two different intervals from different regional analgesia techniques were measured and investigated in this NMA. A total of 38 RCTs (2224 patients) were included. Two studies compared three arm interventions of intercostal nerve block (ICNB) vs. thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) vs. erector spinae plane block (ESPB) in intravenous morphine consumption at 24 h and 48 h postoperatively, and showed patients who received TPVB had less demand for morphine than ICNB and ESPB (P = 0.001, P = 0.001). For resting pain scores at 24 h postoperatively, ESPB was superior to serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) (P = 0.01), and TPVB provided effective analgesia compared to ICNB, retrolaminar block (RLB), and ESPB (P = 0.05, P = 0.01, P = 0.03). Similarly, pain scores at rest at 48 h, SAPB and TPVB showed the best results (P = 0.04, P = 0.001, P = 0.01) compared with local infiltration analgesia (LIA), ICNB, RLB, and ESPB. Additionally, pain scores at coughing at 24 h and 48 h, TPVB showed superior results compared with RLB,ESPB(P = 0.02, P = 0.02, P = 0.03). SAPB was superior to LIA in reducing the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (P = 0.04). In regional anaesthesia, TPVB is a better option than other analgesic methods, and its combination with other methods can be beneficial. However, our findings can only provide objective evidence. Clinicians should choose the treatment course based on the individual patient's condition and clinical situation.

Sandeep B ，Huang X ，Li Y ，Xiong D ，Zhu B ，Xiao Z ... -  《-》

Erector spinae plane block for postoperative pain.

Acute and chronic postoperative pain are important healthcare problems, which can be treated with a combination of opioids and regional anaesthesia. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is a new regional anaesthesia technique, which might be able to reduce opioid consumption and related side effects. To compare the analgesic effects and side effect profile of ESPB against no block, placebo block or other regional anaesthetic techniques. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase and Web of Science on 4 January 2021 and updated the search on 3 January 2022. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating adults undergoing surgery with general anaesthesia were included. We included ESPB in comparison with no block, placebo blocks or other regional anaesthesia techniques irrespective of language, publication year, publication status or technique of regional anaesthesia used (ultrasound, landmarks or peripheral nerve stimulator). Quasi-RCTs, cluster-RCTs, cross-over trials and studies investigating co-interventions in either arm were excluded. Two review authors independently assessed all trials for inclusion and exclusion criteria, and risk of bias (RoB), and extracted data. We assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool, and we used GRADE to rate the certainty of evidence for the primary outcomes. The primary outcomes were postoperative pain at rest at 24 hours and block-related adverse events. Secondary outcomes were postoperative pain at rest (2, 48 hours) and during activity (2, 24 and 48 hours after surgery), chronic pain after three and six months, as well as cumulative oral morphine requirements at 2, 24 and 48 hours after surgery and rates of opioid-related side effects. We identified 69 RCTs in the first search and included these in the systematic review. We included 64 RCTs (3973 participants) in the meta-analysis. The outcome postoperative pain was reported in 38 out of 64 studies; block-related adverse events were reported in 40 out of 64 studies. We assessed RoB as low in 44 (56%), some concerns in 24 (31%) and high in 10 (13%) of the study results. Overall, 57 studies reported one or both primary outcomes. Only one study reported results on chronic pain after surgery. In the updated literature search on 3 January 2022 we found 37 new studies and categorised these as awaiting classification. ESPB compared to no block There is probably a slight but not clinically relevant reduction in pain intensity at rest 24 hours after surgery in patients treated with ESPB compared to no block (visual analogue scale (VAS), 0 to 10 points) (mean difference (MD) -0.77 points, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.08 to -0.46; 17 trials, 958 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). There may be no difference in block-related adverse events between the groups treated with ESPB and those receiving no block (no events in 18 trials reported, 1045 participants, low-certainty evidence). ESPB compared to placebo block ESPB probably has no effect on postoperative pain intensity at rest 24 hours after surgery compared to placebo block (MD -0.14 points, 95% CI -0.29 to 0.00; 8 trials, 499 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). There may be no difference in block-related adverse events between ESPB and placebo blocks (no events in 10 trials reported; 592 participants; low-certainty evidence). ESPB compared to other regional anaesthetic techniques Paravertebral block (PVB) ESPB may not have any additional effect on postoperative pain intensity at rest 24 hours after surgery compared to PVB (MD 0.23 points, 95% CI -0.06 to 0.52; 7 trials, 478 participants; low-certainty evidence). There is probably no difference in block-related adverse events (risk ratio (RR) 0.27, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.95; 7 trials, 522 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). Transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) ESPB may not have any additional effect on postoperative pain intensity at rest 24 hours after surgery compared to TAPB (MD -0.16 points, 95% CI -0.46 to 0.14; 3 trials, 160 participants; low-certainty evidence). There may be no difference in block-related adverse events (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.21 to 4.83; 4 trials, 202 participants; low-certainty evidence). Serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) The effect on postoperative pain could not be assessed because no studies reported this outcome. There may be no difference in block-related adverse events (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.06 to 15.59; 2 trials, 110 participants; low-certainty evidence). Pectoralis plane block (PECSB) ESPB may not have any additional effect on postoperative pain intensity at rest 24 hours after surgery compared to PECSB (MD 0.24 points, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.58; 2 trials, 98 participants; low-certainty evidence). The effect on block-related adverse events could not be assessed. Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) Only one study reported on each of the primary outcomes. Intercostal nerve block (ICNB) ESPB may not have any additional effect on postoperative pain intensity at rest 24 hours after surgery compared to ICNB, but this is uncertain (MD -0.33 points, 95% CI -3.02 to 2.35; 2 trials, 131 participants; very low-certainty evidence). There may be no difference in block-related adverse events, but this is uncertain (RR 0.09, 95% CI 0.04 to 2.28; 3 trials, 181 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Epidural analgesia (EA) We are uncertain whether ESPB has an effect on postoperative pain intensity at rest 24 hours after surgery compared to EA (MD 1.20 points, 95% CI -2.52 to 4.93; 2 trials, 81 participants; very low-certainty evidence). A risk ratio for block-related adverse events was not estimable because only one study reported this outcome. ESPB in addition to standard care probably does not improve postoperative pain intensity 24 hours after surgery compared to no block. The number of block-related adverse events following ESPB was low. Further research is required to study the possibility of extending the duration of analgesia. We identified 37 new studies in the updated search and there are three ongoing studies, suggesting possible changes to the effect estimates and the certainty of the evidence in the future.

Oostvogels L ，Weibel S ，Meißner M ，Kranke P ，Meyer-Frießem CH ，Pogatzki-Zahn E ，Schnabel A ... -  《Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews》

Comparisons in analgesic effects between ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block and surgical intercostal nerve block after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to compare the analgesic effects of anesthesiologist-administrated erector spinae plane block (ESPB) and surgeon-administrated intercostal nerve block (ICNB) following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Randomized, controlled, double-blinded study. Operating room, postoperative recovery room and ward in two centers. One hundred patients, ASA I-III and scheduled for elective VATS. The anesthesiologist-administrated ESPB under ultrasound guidance or surgeon-administrated ICNB under video-assisted thoracoscopy was randomly provided during VATS. Regular oral non-opioid analgesic combined with intravenous rescue morphine were prescribed for multimodal analgesia after surgery. The primary outcomes were the pain score and morphine consumption during 48 h after surgery. Postoperative pain intensity were assessed using the 10-cm visual analogue scale at 1 h, 24 h, and 48 h after surgery. Morphine consumption at these time points was compared between the two study groups. Furthermore, oral weak opioid rescue analgesic was also provided at 24 h after surgery. Postoperative quality of recovery at 24 h was also assessed using the QoR-15 questionnaire, along with duration of chest tube drainage and hospital stay were compared as secondary outcomes. Patients in the two study groups had comparable baseline characteristics, and surgical types were also similar. Postoperative VAS changes at 1 h, 24 h, and 48 h after surgery were also comparable between the two study groups. Both groups had low median scores (<4.0) at all time points (all p > 0.05). Patients in the ESPB group required statistically non-significant higher 48-h morphine consumption [3 (0-6) vs. 0 (0-6) mg in the ESPB group and ICNB group respectively; p = 0.135] and lower numbers of oral rescue analgesic (0.4 ± 1.2 vs. 1.0 ± 1.8 in the ESPB group and ICNB group respectively; p = 0.059). Additionally, patients in the two study groups had similar QoR15 scores and lengths of hospital stay. Both anesthesiologist-administered ultrasound-guided ESPB and surgeon-administered VATS ICNB were effective analgesic techniques for patients undergoing VATS for tumor resection.

Sung CS ，Wei TJ ，Hung JJ ，Su FW ，Ho SI ，Lin MW ，Chan KC ，Wu CY ... -  《-》

Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Thoracic Paravertebral Block Versus Thoracic Paravertebral Block Combined With Serratus Anterior Plane Block or Erector Spinae Block Following Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Lobectomy.

Compared the efficacy of ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) and thoracic paravertebral combined with serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) or erector spinae block (ESPB) following video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy(VATL). This retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 295 patients who underwent VATL surgery between August 2021 and January 2023. Patients were divided into three groups: TPVB (92 patients), TPVB combined with SAPB (106 patients), and TPVB combined with ESPB (97 patients). The primary outcomes were postoperative pain levels, measured using an 11-point visual analogue scale (VAS) both at rest and during coughing at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively, as well as cumulative oxycodone consumption within 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. Postoperative cumulative oxycodone consumption within 24 and 48 hours was significantly lower in the TPVB+SAPB and TPVB+ESPB groups compared to the TPVB group (P < 0.001), with no significant difference between the TPVB+SAPB and TPVB+ESPB groups. The TPVB group exhibited higher VAS pain scores both at rest and during coughing at 2 and 6 hours postoperatively compared to the other two groups (P < 0.005). Within 24 hours postoperatively, the Area Under Curve (AUC) for VAS scores at rest was significantly lower in the TPVB+SAPB group than in the other two groups (P < 0.05), while the AUC for coughing pain was significantly lower in the TPVB+ESPB group compared to the TPVB group (P = 0.049). Nausea or vomiting occurred more frequently in the TPVB group compared to the other groups (P = 0.016). TPVB combined with SAPB or ESPB provides superior analgesic effects compared to TPVB alone after video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy, with both techniques showing comparable analgesic efficacy. However, TPVB+SAPB may offer slightly better analgesia at rest, while TPVB+ESPB may have a potential advantage in reducing postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Zheng MM ，Xie J ，Tan W ，Yuan CW ，Qi DY ，Sun J ... -  《Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management》

Comparison of the postoperative analgesic efficacy of serratus anterior plane block with different types of blocks for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of single-shot serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with other regional block techniques. In this meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials published in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ClinicalKey, and PROSPERO electronic databases between March 24, 2014 and March 24, 2024 comparing the analgesic efficacy of SABP with other regional blocks in adult patients undergoing VATS were reviewed. Nine randomized controlled trials consisting of a total of 537 participants (287 males, 250 females; mean age: 55.2±13.1 years) were included in this meta-analysis. Serratus anterior plane block was compared with erector spinae plane block (ESPB), local infiltration anesthesia (LIA), and thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB). The postoperative 24-h cumulative opioid consumption was statistically significantly higher in SAPB than in ESPB (standardized mean difference [SMD]=1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23 to 3.73; Z=2.22; p=0.03; I 2 =97%; random effects model) and TPVB (SMD=0.63; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.96; Z=3.84; p<0.001; I 2 =0%; fixed effects model) and lower than in LIA (SMD=-1.77; 95% CI, -2.24 to -1.30; Z=7.41; p<0.001; I 2 =0%; fixed effects model). Active pain scores 2 h postoperatively were statistically significantly lower in SAPB than in LIA (SMD=-2.90; 95% CI, -5.29 to -0.50; Z=2.37; p=0.02; I 2 =93%; random-effects model). At 12 h postoperatively, both passive pain scores (SMD=0.37; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.66; Z=2.41; p=0.02; I 2 =0%; fixed effects model) and active pain scores (SMD=0.55; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.85; Z=3.60; p<0.001; I 2 =0%; fixed effects model) were statistically significantly lower in ESBP than in SAPB. There was no difference between SAPB and the other groups in terms of the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. After a comprehensive evaluation of postoperative analgesic effects, it appears that ESBP and TPVB may be better than SABP, and SABP may be better than LIA for analgesia of patients undergoing VATS. Further studies are required to determine the optimal regional analgesia technique in VATS.

Dostbil A ，Kasali K ，Aydin Y ，Ince I ，Ulas AB ，Yilmaz MA ，Ceren M ，Eroğlu A ，Ozgodek HB ，Ozkal MS ，Elsharkawy H ... -  《-》