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The comparison of the analgesic efficacy of continuous paravertebral block alone compared with continuous paravertebral and intercostal nerve block for thoracotomy in adults: a randomized controlled trial

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A Letter to the Editor to this article was published on 19 December 2023

Abstract

Purpose

The study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of two analgesic interventions, continuous paravertebral (PVB) nerve block alone with continuous paravertebral and intercostal nerve block (PVB/ICB) in patients undergoing thoracotomy.

Methods

A total of 70 patients undergoing thoracotomy were randomly enrolled in either continuous paravertebral nerve block (PVB) group or in continuous paravertebral and intercostal nerve block (PVB/ICB) group and received corresponding blocks. Analgesic efficacy measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score, hemodynamic effects, total narcotic consumption, sedation score, patient’s length of stay in hospital and patient’s satisfaction with the analgesic technique were recorded.

Results

Demographic characteristics of the patients were similar in both groups. The mean VAS pain score was not statistically significant in both groups at 24 h. The mean pulse rate and blood pressures were comparable in both groups for the first 24 h. Nalbuphine consumption was significantly higher in PVB group as compared to PVB/ICB group at 1 h (p = 0.01), 6 h (p = 0.03) and 12 h (p = 0.009) and 24 h (p = 0.03). The mean total nalbuphine consumption in the PVB group was higher (28.29 mg vs. 22.63 mg) and statistically significant then PVB/ICB group (p = 0.03). The total tramadol consumption as a rescue analgesic was higher in the PVB group (131.42 mg) as compared to PVB/ICB group (120 mg) after 24 h but not statistically significant (p = 0.17).

Conclusion

Continuous paravertebral nerve block with intercostal nerve block provides effective post-operative pain relief after thoracotomy with reduced narcotic consumption compared to continuous paravertebral nerve block alone.

Clinical trial registration number

Clinicaltrails.gov NCT04715880.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology, Aga Khan University, 2nd Floor Private Wing, Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan

    Sundeep Kumar, Malika Hameed, Rizwana Shehzad & Khalid Samad

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  1. Sundeep Kumar
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  2. Malika Hameed
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  4. Khalid Samad
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Correspondence to Malika Hameed.

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Kumar, S., Hameed, M., Shehzad, R. et al. The comparison of the analgesic efficacy of continuous paravertebral block alone compared with continuous paravertebral and intercostal nerve block for thoracotomy in adults: a randomized controlled trial. J Anesth 37, 923–929 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-023-03255-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-023-03255-8

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