Objective To analyze the outcome of fast track surgery after intercostal nerve block (INB) during thoracoscopic resection of lung bullae. Methods We recuited 76 patients who accepted thoracoscopic resection of lung bullae from February 2013 to March 2015. They were randomly divided into two groups: an intercostal nerve block and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (INB+IPCA) group, in which 38 patients (30 males, 8 females, with a mean age of 23.63±4.10 years) received INB intraoperatively and IPCA postoperatively, and a postoperative intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IPCA) group, in which 38 patients (33 males, 5 females, with a mean age of 24.93±6.34 years) only received IPCA postoperatively. Their general clinical data and the postoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) were recorded. Analgesia-associated side effects, rate of the pulmonary infection were observed. Expenses associated with analgesia during hospital were calculated. Results The score of VAS, the incidence of nausea and vomiting, fatigue and other side effects, pulmonary atelectasis and the infection rate in the INB+IPCA group were significantly lower than those in the IPCA group. Postoperative use of analgesic drugs was significantly less than that in the IPCA group. Medical expenses did not significantly increase. Conclusion INB+IPCA is beneficial for fast track surgery after thoracoscopic resection of lung bullae.
ObjectiveTo determine the effectiveness of continuous intercostal nerve block for pain relief after thoracotomy.MethodsFrom November 2017 to October 2018, 120 patients who received thoracotomy procedure in our hospital were collected, including 60 males and 60 females aged 40-77 (58.10±7.00) years. The patients were randomly allocated into three groups by digital table including a continuous intercostal nerve block group (group A, n=40), a single intercostal nerve block group (group B, n=40), and an epidural analgesia group (group C, n=40). All the groups received the same basic analgesia. The pain scores and rescue analgesic doses were compared.ResultsOn postoperative day (POD) 0, all groups achieved effective pain control, and the visual analogue score was 2.02±0.39 points in the group A, 2.13±0.75 points in the group B and 2.03±0.69 points in the group C (P>0.05). On POD 0-2 and POD 3-4 (without basement analgesia), there was no significant difference between the group A and group C in the pain scores (2.08±0.28 points vs. 1.93±0.53 points, 3.20±0.53 points vs. 3.46±0.47 points, P>0.05), however, the difference between POD 0-2 and POD 3-4 in each group was stastically different (group A, 2.08±0.28 points vs. 3.20±0.53 points; group B, 2.42±0.73 points vs. 5.45±0.99 points; group C 1.93±0.53 points vs. 3.46±0.47 points, P<0.05). In terms of the rescue analgesic doses, there was no significant difference between the group A and group C (220.00±64.08 mg vs. 225.38±78.85 mg, P>0.05); it was larger in the group B than that in the group A and group C (343.33±119.56 mg vs. 220.00±64.08 mg; 343.33±119.56 mg vs. 225.38±78.85 mg, P<0.05).ConclusionMultimodal analgesia is an optimal choice in the initial stage after thoracotomy surgery. Continuous intercostal nerve block is an effective way to pain management in patients with thoracotomy.
Objective To compare the pain relief and rehabilitation effect of intercostal nerve block and conventional postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. Methods China National Repository, Wanfang Database, VIP, China Biomedical Literature Database, Web of Science, Clinicaltrials.gov, Cochrane Library, EMbase and PubMed were searched from establishment of each database to 10 Febraray, 2022. Relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of intercostal nerve block in thoracoscopic surgery were collected, and meta-analysis was conducted after data extraction and quality evaluation of the studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Results A total of 21 RCTs and one semi-randomized study were identified, including 1 542 patients. Performance bias was the main bias risk. Intercostal nerve block had a significant effect on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 12 h after surgery (MD=–1.45, 95%CI –1.88 to –1.02, P<0.000 01), VAS score at 24 h after surgery (MD=–1.28, 95%CI –1.67 to –0.89, P<0.000 01), and VAS score at 48 h after surgery significantly decreased (MD=–0.90, 95%CI –1.22 to –0.58, P<0.000 01). In exercise or cough state, VAS score at 24 h after surgery (MD=–2.40, 95%CI –2.66 to –2.14, P<0.000 01) and at 48 h after surgery decreased significantly (MD=–1.89, 95%CI –2.09 to –1.69, P<0.000 01). In the intercostal nerve block group, the number of compression of the intravenous analgesic automatic pump on the second day after surgery significantly reduced (SMD=–0.78, 95%CI –1.29 to –0.27, P=0.003). In addition to the analgesic pump, the amount of additional opioids significantly reduced (SMD=–2.05, 95%CI –3.65 to –0.45, P=0.01). Postoperative patient-controlled intravenous analgesia was reduced (SMD=–3.23, 95%CI –6.44 to –0.01, P=0.05). Patient satisfaction was significantly improved (RR=1.31, 95%CI 1.17 to 1.46, P<0.01). Chest tube indwelling time was significantly shortened (SMD=–0.64, 95%CI –0.84 to –0.45, P<0.001). The incidence of analgesia-related adverse reactions was significantly reduced (RR=0.43, 95%CI 0.33 to 0.56, P<0.000 01). Postoperative complications were significantly reduced (RR=0.28, 95%CI 0.18 to 0.44, P<0.000 01). Two studies showed that the length of hospital stay was significantly shortened in the intercostal nerve block group, which was statistically different (P≤0.05), and there was no statistical difference in one report. Conclusion The relief of acute postoperative pain and pain in the movement state is more prominent after intercostal nerve block. Intercostal nerve block is relatively safe and conforms to the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery, which can be extensively utilized in clinical practice.
Objective To compare the analgesic effect, duration and incidence of adverse reactions of liposome bupivacaine (LB) and bupivacaine hydrochloride after intercostal nerve block in single-port thoracoscopic lung surgery. Methods In Department of Thoracic Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University between September 2023 and March 2024, 228 patients who needed to undergo thoracoscopic lung surgery were selected and divided into two groups by random number table method: a group B with bupivacaine hydrochloride (n=118), and a group LB with LB (n=110). Intraoperative intercostal nerve block was performed under endoscopy, and the time of first use of analgesic drugs after surgery, cumulative use of opioids 72 h after surgery, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting, length of stay and other indicators were evaluated and recorded. Results Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at 4 h, 8 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h in the LB group were significantly lower than those in the group B (P<0.05). The total number of activities within 48 h after surgery in the group B was significantly lower than that in the LB group (P<0.05), and the postoperative hospitalization stay in the LB group was shorter than that in the group B, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in postoperative adverse reactions. Conclusion Intercostal nerve block with LB during single-port thoracoscopic lung surgery can significantly reduce postoperative pain, improve quality of life, and promote recovery of the patients. It is worthy of clinical application.