Project description:BackgroundCurrently available local anesthetics approved for single-injection peripheral nerve blocks have a maximum duration of <24 hours. A liposomal bupivacaine formulation (EXPAREL, Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, CA), releasing bupivacaine over 96 hours, recently gained Food and Drug Administration approval exclusively for wound infiltration but not peripheral nerve blocks.MethodsBilateral single-injection femoral nerve blocks were administered in healthy volunteers (n = 14). For each block, liposomal bupivacaine (0-80 mg) was mixed with normal saline to produce 30 mL of study fluid. Each subject received 2 different doses, 1 on each side, applied randomly in a double-masked fashion. The end points included the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the quadriceps femoris muscle and tolerance to cutaneous electrical current in the femoral nerve distribution. Measurements were performed from baseline until quadriceps MVIC returned to 80% of baseline bilaterally.ResultsThere were statistically significant dose responses in MVIC (0.09%/mg, SE = 0.03, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.04-0.14, P = 0.002) and tolerance to cutaneous current (-0.03 mA/mg, SE = 0.01, 95% CI, -0.04 to -0.02, P < 0.001), however, in the opposite direction than expected (the higher the dose, the lower the observed effect). This inverse relationship is biologically implausible and most likely due to the limited sample size and the subjective nature of the measurement instruments. While peak effects occurred within 24 hours after block administration in 75% of cases (95% CI, 43%-93%), block duration usually lasted much longer: for bupivacaine doses >40 mg, tolerance to cutaneous current did not return to within 20% above baseline until after 24 hours in 100% of subjects (95% CI, 56%-100%). MVIC did not consistently return to within 20% of baseline until after 24 hours in 90% of subjects (95% CI, 54%-100%). Motor block duration was not correlated with bupivacaine dose (0.06 hour/mg, SE = 0.14, 95% CI, -0.27 to 0.39, P = 0.707).ConclusionsThe results of this investigation suggest that deposition of a liposomal bupivacaine formulation adjacent to the femoral nerve results in a partial sensory and motor block of >24 hours for the highest doses examined. However, the high variability of block magnitude among subjects and inverse relationship of dose and response magnitude attests to the need for a phase 3 study with a far larger sample size, and that these results should be viewed as suggestive, requiring confirmation in a future trial.
Project description:BackgroundPeriarticular anesthesia (PAI) with liposomal bupivacaine (LB) and femoral nerve block (FNB) were 2 common type of pain management after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). There is no consensus about PAI with LB shows better clinical outcome than FNB. Thus, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of PAI with LB and FNB for patients prepared for TKA.MethodsRandomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs from PubMed (1966-2017.2), EMBASE (1980-2017.2), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, 2017.2), Web of Science (1966-2017.2), and Chinese Wanfang database (1980-2017.2) were searched. Continuous outcomes including visual analogue scale (VAS) at 24, 48, and 72 hours, total morphine consumption, length of hospital, and range of motion (ROM) were reported as the weighted mean difference with 95% and confidence interval (CI) and discontinuous outcomes (the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting [PONV]) were presented as relative risk with 95% CI. Random-effects model was adopted to analyze the relevant data.ResultsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 8 studies with 2407 patients were eligible and finally included in this meta-analysis (LB = 1114, FNB = 1293). There was no significant difference between VAS at 24, 4, and 72 hours, ROM, and the occurrence of PONV between PAI with LB group versus FNB group (P > 0.05). Compared with the FNB group, PAI with LB was associated with a significant decrease in length of hospital stay by 0.43 day (MD = -0.43; 95% CI -0.60 to -0.27; P = 0.001) and the total dose of total morphine consumption by (MD = -29.32; 95% CI -57.55 to -1.09; P = 0.042).ConclusionsThe review of trials found that PAI with LB provided a significant beneficial effect over FNB in improving the pain or decreased the total morphine consumption in patients who underwent TKA. However, PAI with LB associated with less LOS than FNB. More high quality RCTs are still needed to identify the effects and optimal dose of LB for pain management after TKA.
Project description:Background:The purpose of this study was to investigate if the addition of liposome bupivacaine (LB) to an interscalene block (ISB) had an effect on the number of patients with surgical- or block-related complications. Methods:This was a single-center retrospective chart view performed by identifying patients who received an ISB from January 1, 2014, through April 26, 2018, at the University of Minnesota. 1,518 patients were identified who received an ISB (LB?=?784, nonliposomal bupivacaine?=?734). Patients were divided into two groups those who did receive liposome bupivacaine in their ISB and those who did not receive liposome bupivacaine in their ISB. Medical records were individually reviewed for surgical procedure, block medications, complications related to the block or surgical procedure, phone calls to the healthcare system for issues related to opioids or pain within 3 and within 30 days, readmissions within 30 days, and emergency room visits for complications within 3 and 30 days. Results:There was no significant difference in the number of patients with surgical or anesthetic complications. Only phone calls for pain within 3 days were significantly different. The LB group had 3.2% of patients call compared to 5.6% in the nonliposomal bupivacaine group (aOR?=?1.71 (95% CI: 1.04-2.87), p=0.036). We found no significant difference in any of the other secondary outcomes. Conclusions:The use of LB in an ISB demonstrated no significant difference compared to nonliposomal bupivacaine in numbers of complications, emergency room visits, and readmissions.
Project description:Perioperative pain management is an important consideration in early recovery and patient satisfaction following laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Transmuscular quadratus lumborum block has been described to reduce pain and opioid usage following several abdominal surgeries. In this prospective single-blind randomized controlled trial, we compared 52 patients who adhered to our institutional donor nephrectomy Early Recovery After Surgery pathway, which includes a laparoscopic-guided transversus abdominus plane block, to 40 patients who additionally received a transmuscular quadratus lumborum block with liposomal bupivacaine. Compared to control patients, those who received the block spent longer in the operating room prior to the surgical start (65.4 vs. 51.6 min, P < .001). Both groups had similar total hospital length of stay (33.3 h vs. 34.4 h, P = .61). Pain scores from postoperative days 0-30, number of patients requiring opioids, postoperative nausea, and pain management satisfaction were similar between both groups. Patients who received the block consumed less opioid on postoperative day 1 compared to controls (P = .006). No complications were attributable to the block. The quadratus lumborum block provides a safe pain management adjunct for some patients, and may reduce opioid use in the early postoperative period when combined with our standard institutional protocol for kidney donors.
Project description:Background:Good postoperative analgesia in cardiac surgical patients helps in early recovery and ambulation. An alternative to parenteral, paravertebral, and thoracic epidural analgesia can be pectoralis nerve (Pecs) block, which is novel, less invasive regional analgesic technique. Aims:We hypothesized that Pecs block would provide superior postoperative analgesia for patients undergoing cardiac surgery through midline sternotomy compared to parenteral analgesia. Materials and Methods:Forty adult patients between the age groups of 25 and 65 years undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgeries through midline sternotomy under general anesthesia were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups with 20 in each group. Group 1 patients did not receive Pecs block, whereas Group 2 patients received bilateral Pecs block postoperatively. Patients were extubated once they fulfilled extubation criteria. Ventilator duration was recorded. Patients were interrogated for pain by visual analog scale (VAS) scoring at rest and cough. Inspiratory flow rate was assessed using incentive spirometry. Results:Pecs group patients required lesser duration of ventilator support (P < 0.0001) in comparison to control group. Pain scores at rest and cough were significantly low in Pecs group at 0, 3, 6, 12, and 18 h from extubation (P < 0.05). At 24 h, VAS scores were comparable between two groups. Peak inspiratory flow rates were higher in Pecs group as compared to control group at 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h (P < 0.05). Thirty-four episodes of rescue analgesia were given in control group, whereas in Pecs group, there were only four episodes of rescue analgesia. Conclusion:Pecs block is technically simple and effective technique and can be used as part of multimodal analgesia in postoperative cardiac surgical patients for better patient comfort and outcome.
Project description:Background. Parasternal block and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) have been demonstrated to produce effective analgesia and reduce postoperative opioid requirements in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Objectives. To compare the effectiveness of TENS and parasternal block on early postoperative pain after cardiac surgery. Methods. One hundred twenty patients undergoing cardiac surgery were enrolled in the present randomized, controlled prospective study. Patients were assigned to three treatment groups: parasternal block, intermittent TENS application, or a control group. Results. Pain scores recorded 4 h, 5 h, 6 h, 7 h, and 8 h postoperatively were lower in the parasternal block group than in the TENS and control groups. Total morphine consumption was also lower in the parasternal block group than in the TENS and control groups. It was also significantly lower in the TENS group than in the control group. There were no statistical differences among the groups regarding the extubation time, rescue analgesic medication, length of intensive care unit stay, or length of hospital stay. Conclusions. Parasternal block was more effective than TENS in the management of early postoperative pain and the reduction of opioid requirements in patients who underwent cardiac surgery through median sternotomy. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov number NCT02725229.
Project description:ImportanceLiposomal bupivacaine for pain relief is purported to last 3 days compared with 8 hours with standard bupivacaine. However, its effectiveness is unknown in truncal incisions for cardiothoracic or vascular operations.ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of single-administration standard bupivacaine vs liposomal bupivacaine in patients undergoing truncal incisions.Design, setting, and participantsThis randomized clinical trial enrolled patients undergoing sternotomy, thoracotomy, minithoracotomy, and laparotomy from a single cardiovascular surgery department in an academic medical center between November 2012 and June 2018. The study was powered to detect a Cohen effect size of 0.35 with a power of greater than 80%. Data analysis was performed from July to December 2018.InterventionPatients were randomized to standard bupivacaine or liposomal bupivacaine.Main outcomes and measuresPain was assessed over 3 postoperative days by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Adjunctive opioids were converted to morphine equivalents units (MEU). NRS scores were compared using Wilcoxon rank-sum (3-day area under the curve) and 2-way nonparametric mixed models (daily scale score) to assess time-by-group interaction. Secondary outcomes included cumulative opioid consumption.ResultsA total of 280 patients were analyzed, with 140 in each group (single-administration standard bupivacaine vs liposomal bupivacaine). Mean (SD) age was 60.2 (14.4) years, and 101 of 280 patients (36%) were women. Irrespective of treatment assignment, pain decreased by a mean of approximately 1 point per day over 3 days (β = -0.87; SE = 0.11; mixed model regression P < .001). Incision type was associated with pain with patients undergoing thoracotomy (including minithoracotomy) reporting highest median (interquartile range [IQR]) pain scores on postoperative days 1 (liposomal vs standard bupivacaine, 6 [4-8] vs 5 [3-7]; P = .049, Wilcoxon rank-sum) and 2 (liposomal vs standard bupivacaine, 5 [4-7] vs 4 [2-6]; P = .003, Wilcoxon rank-sum) but not day 3 (liposomal vs standard bupivacaine, 3 [2-6] vs 3 [1-5]; P = .10, Wilcoxon rank-sum), irrespective of treatment group. Median (IQR) 3-day cumulative NRS was 12.0 (8.0-16.5) for bupivacaine and 13.5 (9.0-17.0) for liposomal bupivacaine (P = .15, Wilcoxon rank-sum) Furthermore, use of opioids was greater following liposomal bupivacaine compared with standard bupivacaine (median [IQR], 41.5 [21.3-73.8] MEU vs 33.0 [17.8-62.5] MEU; P = .03, Wilcoxon rank-sum). On multivariable analysis, no interaction by incision type was observed for mean pain scores or opioid use.Conclusions and relevanceIn this randomized clinical trial involving truncal incisions for cardiovascular procedures, liposomal bupivacaine did not provide improved pain control and did not reduce adjunctive opioid use compared with conventional bupivacaine formulation over 3 postoperative days.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02111746.
Project description:Local electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves can block the propagation of action potentials, as an attractive alternative to pharmacological agents for the treatment of acute pain. Traditional hardware for such purposes, however, involves interfaces that can damage nerve tissue and, when used for temporary pain relief, that impose costs and risks due to requirements for surgical extraction after a period of need. Here, we introduce a bioresorbable nerve stimulator that enables electrical nerve block and associated pain mitigation without these drawbacks. This platform combines a collection of bioresorbable materials in architectures that support stable blocking with minimal adverse mechanical, electrical, or biochemical effects. Optimized designs ensure that the device disappears harmlessly in the body after a desired period of use. Studies in live animal models illustrate capabilities for complete nerve block and other key features of the technology. In certain clinically relevant scenarios, such approaches may reduce or eliminate the need for use of highly addictive drugs such as opioids.
Project description:BackgroundIn breast augmentation with implant, there is severe pain due to damage from expansion of breast tissue and the pectoralis major. Therefore, the authors conducted this study to analyze the effectiveness of postoperative intercostal nerve block (ICNB) in reducing postoperative pain after breast augmentation with implant.MethodForty-four female patients were enrolled in the study. Just before awaking from general anesthesia, 34 cases were injected with 0.2% ropivacaine to both third, fourth, fifth, and sixth intercostal spaces. We compared them (ICNB group) with the control group for VAS scores at the time of arrival in the recovery room, after 30, 60, and 120 min.ResultThe average VAS scores per time of the control group and ICNB group were 7.1 ± 0.74 and 3.50 ± 1.81 at arrival time in the recovery room, 7.00 ± 0.67 and 3.03 ± 1.47 after 30 min, 5.50 ± 0.71 and 2.68 ± 1.49 after 60 min, and 4.60 ± 0.84 and 2.00 ± 1.35 after 120 min. VAS scores of two groups were significantly different at each time and decreased overall. Also, time and group effect of the two groups were significantly different, especially between 30 and 60 min.ConclusionICNB just before awaking from general anesthesia showed a statistically significant reduction in VAS score, and this means postoperative pain was reduced effectively and time to discharge could be shortened. Therefore, it can be a good way to reduce postoperative pain after augmentation mammoplasty with implant.Level of evidence ivThis journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .