Randomised controlled trial comparing ultrasound guided cervical plexus block with general anaesthesia for elective Hemi-Thyroidectomy surgery

AIM and OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to compare the Ultrasound guided cervical plexus block with general anesthesia for elective Hemi-thyroidectomy surgeries in terms of:

Intraoperative hemodynamic stability ,Patient satisfaction

Post operative analgesia requirement , PONV and antiemitic requirement

Time of postoperative revival

Duration of recovery stay

INTRODUCTION

Thyroid surgery is one of the frequently performed surgical procedures.1 Both general anesthesia (GA) and cervical plexus anesthesia (CPA) can be used for thyroidectomy surgeries. The use of regional anaesthesia in thyroid surgery remains controversial. Cervical Plexus Blocks(CPB) are regional anesthesia techniques that can be used alone or in combination with GA for various head and neck surgeries.

CPB alone can provide effective anaestesia in pain relief for procedure involving the anterior-lateral neck, upper shoulder and posterior scalp. In our study, we are comparing CPB with GA for anterior-lateral neck surgery hemi-thyroidectomy. Unilateral deep cervical plexus block and bilateral superficial block are given for hemi-thyroidectomy surgeries.

Ultrasound guided technique has the advantages over the landmark based technique include the ability to visualise the spread of local anesthetic in correct plane, which therefore increases the success rate. It also avoid a needle insertion that is too deep and the inadvertent puncture of neighboring structures. Regional blocks in thyroid surgeries has the advantage to monitor voice and breathing during surgery.