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Single and Double Injection Bilateral Thoracic Paravertebral Blocks in Reduction Mammaplasty

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Pain, Postoperative
Interventions
Procedure: Thoracic paravertebral block-single injection
Procedure: Thoracic paravertebral block-double injection
Registration Number
NCT04517331
Lead Sponsor
Istanbul University
Brief Summary

This study compares the analgesic effects and dermatomal blockade distributions of single and double injection bilateral thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) techniques in patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty.

After obtaining ethics committee approval; 60 patients scheduled for elective bilateral reduction mammoplasty and gave written informed consent, were included in the study. The patients were randomized in one of single (Group S: T3-T4) or double injections (Group D: T2-T3\&T4-T5) bilateral TPVB groups (bupivacaine 0.375% 20 mL per side). All patients' dermatomal blockade distributions (T2-T6) were followed for 30 minutes, and then they were given general anesthesia. Before extubation, 1 g IV paracetamol was applied to all. Postoperatively, patients in both groups received IV paracetamol 1 g when numeric rating scale (NRS) pain score ≥4, and also tramadol 1 mg/kg if they defined NRS≥4 again after 1 h. The primary endpoint was NRS pain scores at postoperative 12th hour. The secondary endpoints were NRS scores and dermatomal blockade distributions through the postoperative first 48 hours, postoperative time until first pain, the total numbers of analgesic requirements on days 1 and 2.

Detailed Description

This prospective randomized controlled study compares the analgesic effects and dermatomal blockade distributions of single and double injection bilateral thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) techniques in patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty.

After obtaining ethics committee approval; 60 patients scheduled for elective bilateral reduction mammoplasty and gave written informed consent, were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were female gender, aging between 18 and 70 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of 1-3, capable of consenting, understanding the instructions for using the NRS pain scores and replying the study-based questions, lack of contraindications to regional anesthesia (allergy to a LA, local infection, and coagulopathy) and especially TPVB, absence of mental/psychiatric disorders, chronic analgesic/opioid use and alcohol/illicit drug use. The patients were randomized in one of single (Group S: T3-T4-bupivacaine 0.375% 20 mL/injection) or double injections (Group D: T2-T3\&T4-T5-bupivacaine 0.375% 10 mL/injection) bilateral TPVB groups using the sealed envelopes technique. All patients' dermatomal (sensorial) blockade distributions (T2-T6) were tested bilaterally between T2 and T6 dermatomal levels on the midclavicular line in every 5 minutes through the first 30 minutes after TPVB performances, by using the pin-prick test, and then they were given standard general anesthesia. Before extubation, 1 g IV paracetamol was applied to all. The NRS pain scores (0: no pain and 10: worst pain imaginable), and the dermatomal blockade distribution/numbers of blocked dermatomes of all patients on both sides were asked and documented on postoperative 0th min, 1st, 2nd, 6th, 12th, 24th and 48th hours. Postoperatively, patients in both groups received IV paracetamol 1 g when NRS pain score ≥4, and also tramadol 1 mg/kg if they defined NRS≥4 again after 1 h. The primary endpoint was NRS pain score at 12th hour. The secondary endpoints included the NRS pain scores and the dermatomal blockade distribution/numbers of blocked dermatomes through the postoperative first 48 hours, block application times, number of patients experienced hypotension or required fentanyl intraoperatively, length of stay in postoperative care unit (PACU), postoperative time until first pain (NRS≥4), the total numbers of paracetamol and tramadol requirements, incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and duration of sleep on postoperative days 1 and 2, patient and surgeon satisfaction scores.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
60
Inclusion Criteria
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of 1-3
  • Capable of consenting
  • Capable of understanding the instructions for using the NRS pain scores
  • Capable of replying the study-based questions
  • Lack of contraindications to regional anesthesia (allergy to a LA, local infection, and coagulopathy) and especially TPVB
  • Absence of mental/psychiatric disorders
  • Absence of chronic analgesic/opioid use
  • Absence of alcohol/illicit drug use
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patient refusal
  • American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status of 4
  • Not capable of consenting
  • Not capable of understanding the instructions for using the NRS pain scores
  • Not capable of replying the study-based questions
  • Contraindications to regional anesthesia (allergy to a LA, local infection, and coagulopathy) and especially TPVB
  • Presence of mental/psychiatric disorders
  • Presence of chronic analgesic/opioid use
  • Presence of alcohol/illicit drug use

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Group S (single injection TPVB group)Thoracic paravertebral block-single injectionPatients received bilateral single injection ultrasound-guided TPVB at the level of T3-T4 with 20 mL bupivacaine 0.375% per injection/side.
Group D (double injection TPVB group)Thoracic paravertebral block-double injectionPatients received bilateral double injection ultrasound-guided TPVB at the level of T2-T3 and T4-T5 with 10 mL bupivacaine 0.375% per injection (20 mL bupivacaine 0.375% per side as the single injection group).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain (Numeric rating scale (NRS)) score12th hour

NRS pain score (0: no pain, 10: worst pain imaginable) on postoperative 12th hour

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of patients experienced hypotension intraoperativelyIntraoperative 2-4 hours

The mean arterial pressure (MAP) decreased \>20% below preinduction value

Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV)0-48 hours

Number of feeling nausea or vomiting (on postoperative days 1 and 2)

Patient satisfaction0-48 hours

Satisfaction score: 0: very unsatisfied, 3: very satisfied

Pain (Numeric rating scale (NRS)) score0-48 hours

NRS pain scores (0: no pain, 10: worst pain imaginable) on postoperative 0th min, 1st, 2nd, 6th, 24th and 48th hours on both sides

Postoperative time until first pain0-48 hours

Postoperative first pain description (NRS ≥4)

Dermatomal blockade distribution/numbers of blocked dermatomes0-48 hours

Postoperatively, the sensorial blockade was tested bilaterally between the T2 and T6 dermatomal levels (4 regions) on the midclavicular line of the patients on postoperative 0th min, 1st, 2nd, 6th, 12th, 24th and 48th hours, by using the pin-prick test. Sensations: "normal", "decreased sensation" or "total anesthesia" separately on both sides. The answers such as "decreased sensation" or "total anesthesia" in different dermatomal regions within T2-T6 were accepted as "successfully blocked dermatome", and the numbers of blocked dermatomes out of 4 dermatomal regions were noted for the right and the left sides.

Block application time2-20 minutes

The bilateral TPVB application time was defined as the time period between the needle insertion at the first determined level and the needle withdrawal from the last determined level.

Number of patients required fentanyl intraoperativelyIntraoperative 2-4 hours

If a ≥ 20% increase above preinduction values in MAP or HR was observed during the perioperative period, additional fentanyl dose (1 µg/kg) was applied intravenously.

Tramadol consumption/the total numbers of tramadol requirements0-48 hours

Tramadol was used when postoperative pain NRS ≥4 again after 1 h of paracetamol application in the postanesthesia care unit or on the wards (on postoperative days 1 and 2)

Surgeon satisfaction0-48 hours

Satisfaction score: 0: very unsatisfied, 3: very satisfied

Paracetamol consumption/the total numbers of paracetamol requirements0-48 hours

Paracetamol was used when postoperative pain NRS ≥4 in the postanesthesia care unit or on the wards (on postoperative days 1 and 2)

Length of stay in postoanesthesia care unit (PACU)0-1 hours

Discharge from PACU was determined using the White Fast tracking score ≥12, whereas none of the parameters was \<1 in any category

Duration of sleep0-48 hours

Total hours of sleep per day (on postoperative days 1 and 2)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine

🇹🇷

Istanbul, Turkey

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