Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine最新文献

Innervation of the shoulder joint is complex and remains poorly understood among regional anesthesiologists and chronic pain specialists. Current literature supports the important contribution of the axillary nerve to the total innervation of the shoulder, as well as its blockade for perioperative pain and denervation for chronic shoulder pain. However, a description of the entire course of the axillary nerve, the corresponding optimal targets, and the sonoanatomy pertinent to pain intervention is lacking. This educational article discusses in detail the functional anatomy and sonographic identification of possible windows for axillary nerve intervention. We discuss the contribution, extent, and type of innervation the axillary nerve provides to the shoulder joint, which is often misunderstood. Ultimately, this article serves to stimulate thoughts and ideas for future research in an area where literature is scarce.

Background and aims: Minimally invasive repair of pectus excavatum is associated with intense postoperative pain. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous intercostal cryoanalgesia according to the different timing of its preoperative application. Outcome variables included pain, drug consumption, time to mobilization, and hospital length of stay.

Methods: Retrospective data analyzed from a single pediatric institution, involving a series of consecutive patients who underwent pectus surgery. Group 1: 18 patients received thoracic epidural analgesia. Group 2: 11 patients underwent cryoanalgesia on the same day of surgery and epidural analgesia as a bridge to cryoanalgesia onset. Group 3: 13 patients underwent earlier preoperative intercostal cryoanalgesia with a median of 6 days (IQR 3-6) before surgery. All groups received rescue systemic analgesia.

Results: Pain scores were similar among groups. The incidence of severe pain decreased in Group 3 versus Group 1 (38% vs 78%) (p<0.05). Ropivacaine epidural cumulative dose (mg/kg) decreased in Group 2 versus Group 1: 16 (IQR 12-23) versus 27 (IQR 22-35) (p<0.01). Cumulative oral morphine equivalent dose (mg/kg) decreased among groups: 12 (IQR 9.3-17), 8 (IQR 4.2-12), and 0.2 (IQR 0.0-0.3) (p<0.001) for Groups 1-3, respectively. Length of stay (days) also decreased among Groups 1-3, respectively: 7 (IQR 6-7), 6 (IQR 5-7), and 4 (IQR 4-5) (p<0.001).

Conclusions: This exploratory observational study suggests that the timing of cryoanalgesia may play a crucial role in its efficacy, with earlier placement being associated with improvements in pain, opioid utilization, and length of stay.

Background and objectives: Chronic knee pain, including postarthroplasty knee pain, is a major cause of morbidity. Radiofrequency ablation of genicular nerve branches is a treatment option. The literature to date has demonstrated and recommended consistent rhizotomy targets in the coronal and axial position of the three primary genicular nerve branches (superomedial genicular nerve, superolateral genicular nerve, inferomedial genicular nerve). The debate on genicular nerve positions focuses on the anterior-posterior courses of the nerve branches.

Methods: The sagittal positions of the three primary genicular neurovascular bundles were measured in 28 consecutive knee MRI and described relative to the total anterior-posterior depth of the bony cortex. Standard radiofrequency capture radius at the classic rhizotomy targets sites was compared with identified nerve position to report proportion of observed nerves within the capture radius.

Results: The genicular neurovascular bundles were found further posterior than classic landmark targets. Proportion of visualized nerve branches captured by classic rhizotomy target radius varied by genicular nerve branch.

Conclusions: This study supports updated guidance on genicular rhizotomy targets. Nerve localization studies using MRI data may be a promising avenue in future nerve localization research pertinent to rhizotomy.

Background: While many medical specialties have established links between bibliometric indices, academic rank, leadership roles, and National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, there exists a gap within the field of pain medicine. The purpose of our study is to examine the impact of research productivity (h-index, m-index, publications, citations), professional degrees (PhD, MPH, MBA), leadership positions (program director, division chief, chairman), and faculty demographics (gender, nationality of training) on attaining NIH grant funding among pain medicine faculty.

Methods: A complete list of 98 civilian pain medicine programs was included in the study. Between September 1, 2022, and December 30, 2022, departmental websites were accessed to accrue a list of pain medicine faculty listings. Publicly available information was used to extract research productivities, professional degrees, leadership positions, faculty demographics, and NIH grant funding. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis, with NIH funding status as the primary outcome.

Results: A total of 696 pain physicians within the academic community were identified. Markers of research productivity such as a higher h- or m-index, larger number of publications and citations, PhD status, and being senior faculty (full professor, division chief, or chairman) were independently associated with NIH funding. There was no statistical difference (p>0.05) among males and females in the number of R grants received.

Conclusions: We have identified many factors associated with NIH funding status and failed to find significant gender disparities in NIH funding. These findings allow for chronic pain programs to have another set of tools to attract, promote, and retain faculty.

Background/importance: Local anesthetic (LA) mixtures are used in peripheral nerve blocks (PNB) to improve onset, though study results remain conflicting.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the efficacy outcomes of long-acting LA to their mixture with shorter-acting LA in ultrasound-guided PNB. The primary outcome was sensory block onset.

Evidence review: We searched WoS, Scopus, MEDLINE, EMBASE, BVS/LILACS, and Cochrane databases from 1998 to 2024 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis, evaluated the risk of bias (RoB) with RoB 2.0, performed sensitivity analyses, assessed non-reporting bias with DOI plots and Luis Furuya-Kanamori index, and evaluated strength of evidence with Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluations.

Findings: We included 10 RCTs (516 participants). Mixture of LA may have no effect on sensory block onset (mean difference (MD) -1.62 min, 95% CI: -4.04 to 0.81; I²=81.50%, 95% CI: 62.82% to 90.80%; prediction interval (PI)=-7.78 to 4.55; very low certainty) and motor block onset (MD -5.60 min; 95% CI: -14.54 to 3.33, I²=98.89%, 95% CI: 98.50% to 99.18%; PI=-31.90 to 20.69; very low certainty), while it may reduce the duration of sensory block (MD -2.16 hours, 95% CI: -4.16 to -0.17; I²=90.77%, 95% CI: 84.22% to 94.60%; PI=-7.24 to 2.92; very low certainty).

Conclusions: LA mixtures may not affect sensory and motor block onset in ultrasound-guided PNB but could shorten the duration of sensory blockade.

Background: Different approaches to the obturator nerve have been described. However, few have focused on the injection point inferior the iliopubic ramus, specifically at the exit of the obturator canal. This study aims to anatomically evaluate the ultrasound-guided obturator nerve block at the exit of the obturator canal, detailing anatomical landmarks and solution distribution.

Methods: This anatomical study was conducted using 10 cadavers to generate 20 hemipelvis samples. Ultrasound references were utilized to identify the obturator canal, iliopubic ramus, pectineus and external obturator muscles, and the obturator membrane. An ultrasound-guided obturator nerve block was performed using a low-frequency convex probe for initial identification and a high-frequency linear transducer for the injection of a methylene blue solution. Subsequent dissections were performed to evaluate the distribution of the dye within the obturator nerve.

Results: The injection of methylene blue consistently stained the common trunk and anterior branch of the obturator nerve in 100% of the cases and the posterior branch in 80% of the samples. Intrapelvic staining was observed in 65% of the specimens, indicating effective diffusion of the dye. Key anatomical landmarks, such as the iliopubic ramus and the obturator membrane, were crucial for accurate identification and injection.

Conclusion: In conclusion, sagittal approaches using the iliopubic ramus as an anatomical reference achieve the most complete obturator nerve block. Our anatomical study details the structures of the obturator canal and access to the obturator nerve at its exit. Future studies are needed to confirm its safety and efficacy.

Background: The perioperative use of methadone is increasing because of its favorable effects on postoperative analgesia and opioid consumption. Methadone can cause QTc interval prolongation, increasing the risk of Torsades de Pointes. The effect of an intraoperative loading dose of methadone on intraoperative QTc interval prolongation is unknown.

Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study of patients aged ≥18 years who underwent major non-cardiopulmonary surgery was conducted. Patients receiving an intraoperative loading dose of methadone were assigned to the methadone group; others formed the non-methadone group. Single-lead ECGs (II) were analyzed using a wavelet-based QTc interval algorithm to obtain 1- min average QTc interval values at baseline and intraoperatively. The outcome measure was the occurrence of any intraoperative 1- min averaged time windows that exceeded the predefined thresholds of 500 ms (primary), increase of ≥30 ms from baseline and increase of ≥60 ms from baseline (secondary). Propensity score matching was performed.

Results: A total of 637 patients were included, and after propensity score matching (1:1 ratio), 244 patients were analyzed. A QTc interval >500 ms (23.8% vs 23.0%; p=0.88), an increase of ≥30 ms from baseline (67.8% vs 75.0%; p=0.22), and an increase of ≥60 ms from baseline (29.7% vs 22.4%; p=0.21) occurred equally in the non-methadone group compared with the methadone group. The percentage of intraoperative time spent above threshold was significantly higher in the non-methadone group for the>500 ms threshold (p=0.004).

Conclusion: The implementation of methadone for perioperative pain management was not associated with an increased incidence of intraoperative QTc interval prolongation.

Background: Substance use among surgical patients is common and correlated with greater postoperative opioid use. However, the association of preoperative substance use on postoperative pain is unknown. In this context, a brief, validated tool such as the Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medication, and other Substance use (TAPS) Questionnaire could provide valuable information to assess the risk of poor postoperative pain control.

Methods: We prospectively identified adults aged 18 years and older undergoing common surgical procedures between December 2018 and July 2023 across three institutions. Patients completed the TAPS measure prior to surgery. A positive TAPS screen was defined as tobacco use ≥monthly, heavy alcohol use ≥monthly, any use of recreational drugs, or any use of prescription medication not as prescribed. The primary outcome was 'worst' overall pain (on a scale of 0-10, 0=no pain, 10=worst pain imaginable) at three time points: prior to surgery, 2 weeks postoperatively, and 1 month postoperatively. Mixed linear models were used to determine the association between TAPS Score and pain over time, adjusting for patient factors.

Results: In this cohort of 4410 individuals, 42.2% reported unhealthy substance use using TAPS in the 12 months prior to surgery. After adjusting for patient factors, participants who screened positively on TAPS reported higher worst overall pain scores than those with negative TAPS screens at baseline (3.51 vs 3.15, p<0.001) and at 1 month postoperatively (2.66 vs 2.41, p=0.036). No significant difference was observed at 2 weeks after surgery.

Conclusions: Preoperative substance use is common and is correlated with higher levels of patient-reported pain after surgery, but within minimal clinically important differences. These findings are preliminary and require confirmation. Risky substance use has an important impact on postoperative recovery, and the perioperative window provides an opportunity to assess and intervene in unhealthy substance use.