Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background and ObjectivesTruncal blocks have a place within multimodal analgesia techniques in abdominal surgery. The quadratus lumborum block is a new abdominal truncal block used for somatic analgesia of both the upper and lower abdomen. In this prospective, double-blind, randomized study, we aimed to compare quadratus lumborum block and transversus abdominis plane block in pediatric patients undergoing lower abdominal surgery.MethodsFifty-three children undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair or orchiopexy surgery were randomized into 2 groups: transversus abdominis plane block and quadratus lumborum block. All blocks were performed under general anesthesia before surgery. Pain levels were assessed using an FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale.ResultsThe study included 50 patients, after excluding 3 patients who were not eligible. The number of patients who required analgesia in the first 24 hours postoperatively was significantly lower in the quadratus lumborum block group (P < 0.05). In the quadratus lumborum block group, the postoperative 30-minute and 1-, 2-, 4-, 6-, 12-, and 24-hour FLACC scores were lower compared with those of the transversus abdominis plane block group (P < 0.05). Parent satisfaction scores were higher in the quadratus lumborum block group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe results of this study showed that in pediatric patients undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair or orchiopexy the quadratus lumborum block provided longer and more effective postoperative analgesia compared with the transversus abdominis plane block.Clinical Trials Registration: The trial was registered prospectively at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02715999).

Background: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks provide postoperative pain relief after various abdominal surgeries. Recently, erector spinae plane (ESP) block has obtained vast attention due to its simplicity and usage in truncal procedures. Objectives: This study aims to compare the ultrasound-guided bilateral ESP block versus bilateral TAP block on postoperative analgesia after open total abdominal hysterectomy. Study Design: A prospective, double-blinded, randomized, controlled, clinical trial. Setting: Zagazig University Hospitals. Methods: After ending of surgical procedure and before reversing of the muscle relaxant, 48 women were randomly allocated into 2 equal groups: erector spinae (ES) group received bilateral ultrasound-guided ESP block with 20 mL of bupivacaine 0.375% plus 5 ug/mL adrenaline (1:200000) in each side at the level of T9, and transversus abdominis (TA) group received bilateral ultrasound-guided TAP block with the same volume of bupivacaine plus adrenaline. Results: Visual Analog Scale scores at 30 minutes, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours were statistically significantly lower in the ES group compared with the TA group. The time for requirement of first morphine was highly statistically significantly prolonged in the ES group (14.81 ± 3.52 hours) compared with the TA group (10.58 ± 2.35 hours). The total amount of morphine consumption in 24 hours postoperatively was statistically significantly decreased in the ES group; P = 0.01. Incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was higher but statistically insignificant in the TA group than the ES group. There were statistically significant numbers of unsatisfied patients (4) in the TA group compared with the ES group (no patient). Limitations: Sensorial evaluation of patients was not performed because both blocks had been done under general anesthesia but did not affect outcome. Therefore we recommend further studies comparing between both blocks. Conclusions: Bilateral ultrasound-guided ESP block provides more potent and longer postoperative analgesia with less morphine consumption than TAP block after open total abdominal hysterectomy. Key words: Abdominal hysterectomy, transversus abdominis plane block, erector spinae plane block, postoperative analgesia

This study aimed to investigate the effect of liposomal bupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane block (TAP) on recovery quality after cesarean delivery. A randomized trial. An operating room, a post-anesthesia care unit, and a hospital ward. A total of 147 women scheduled for cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia were enrolled and randomized to receive a TAP block with plain bupivacaine (bupivacaine group), liposomal bupivacaine (liposomal group), or a mixture of plain bupivacaine and liposomal bupivacaine (mixture group). The bupivacaine group received bilateral TAP blocks with plain bupivacaine 50 mg alone. The liposomal group received bilateral TAP blocks with liposomal bupivacaine 266 mg alone. The mixture group received bilateral TAP blocks with plain bupivacaine 50 mg followed by liposomal bupivacaine 266 mg. The primary outcome was the Quality of Recovery−15 (QoR − 15) score assessed 24 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes encompassed the QoR − 15 score at 48 h post-surgery, the VAS pain score at rest and with movement at 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively, opioid consumption within the 0–24 h and 24–48 h periods following surgery, as well as patient's satisfaction with analgesic. The QoR − 15 score at 24 h postoperatively was significantly higher in both the liposomal group and the mixture group compared to the bupivacaine group. Specifically, the QoR − 15 score for the liposomal group versus the bupivacaine group (median [IQR]: 120 [107, 128] vs. 109 [104, 120]; median difference, 7; 95 % CI, 2 to 13; P = 0.011) and for the mixture group versus the bupivacaine group (median [IQR]: 122 [112, 128] vs. 109 [104, 120]; median difference, 9; 95 % CI, 4 to 14; P = 0.001). The QoR − 15 score in both the liposomal group and the mixture group were also higher than those in the bupivacaine group at 48 h postoperatively, though the difference was not clinically meaningful. Additionally, both the liposomal and mixture groups exhibited lower pain score at 24 h and 48 h postoperatively compared to the bupivacaine group, but no significant clinical differences were achieved in either pain scores or opioid consumption. Patients in both the liposomal and mixture groups reported higher satisfaction score with analgesia than those in the bupivacaine group. TAP block using either liposomal bupivacaine or a mixture of plain bupivacaine and liposomal bupivacaine provided superior quality of recovery at 24 h after cesarean delivery compared to using plain bupivacaine alone. •The efficacy of TAP blocks using liposomal bupivacaine for cesarean deliveries remains uncertain.•Recovery quality at 24 h was superior with TAP blocks with LB alone and mixed with plain bupivacaine than plain bupivacaine.•No significant clinical differences were observed in quality of recovery, pain score, or opioid consumption at 48 h.

This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare abdominal muscle thickness between intensive care patients and healthy controls, and to evaluate the impact of IMT on expiratory muscle thickness using ultrasound. In this single-blind randomized controlled trial, 20 post-extubation intensive care patients were randomly assigned to either an a conventional physiotherapy (CP) group or IMT + CP group. Both interventions were applied for five days. An additional 10 healthy individuals served as controls for comparison. Abdominal muscle thicknesses—including external oblique (EOA), internal oblique (IOA), transversus abdominis (TRA), and rectus abdominis (RA)—were measured using ultrasound. Maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) were also recorded. At baseline, healthy controls had significantly higher MIP, MIP% predicted, MEP, MEP% predicted, and RA muscle thickness compared to both patient groups (p < 0.05). Following intervention, both IMT and CP groups showed significant improvements in MIP (p < 0.05), but only the IMT group demonstrated significant increases in MEP, MEP% predicted, IOA, and RA muscle thickness (p < 0.05). The IMT group showed significantly greater improvements in MIP, MEP, IOA, and RA muscle thickness compared to the CP group (p < 0.05). Post-extubation IMT may improve not only inspiratory but also expiratory muscle strength and abdominal wall thickness. These findings suggest that IMT could support weaning processes in intensive care, although larger studies are needed. •Rectus abdominis thickness, MIP, MIP% predicted, MEP and MEP% predicted are higher in the healthy individiuals than in ICU patients•IMT increasesinternal oblique and rectus abdominis thickness in respiratory ICU patients.•IMT improves both MIP,MEPand predict

Background Low back pain developers (PDs) are individuals at a high risk of developing low back pain (LBP), especially during prolonged standing. Understanding their characteristics is essential for devising effective preventive strategies. Prolonged standing has been associated with increased co-contraction of trunk muscles and elevated activity of the trunk extensor muscles. This study aims to examine the effects of using a normalized footrest height and altering arm positions on muscle activity in PDs. Methods Twenty-four female PDs, identified by a > 10 mm increase on the visual analog scale (VAS) during prolonged standing, were recruited. They were randomly divided into two groups: Group A used a footrest intermittently, while Group B used a footrest combined with changes in arm positions (shoulder flexion and hands crossed on the clavicles). Muscle activity was monitored using electromyography (EMG) over a one-hour standing protocol. Results Both interventions significantly reduced lumbar erector spinae (LES) muscle activity, as well as co-contraction of the trunk flexor and extensor muscles ( p  < 0.05). The group that adjusted their arm positions (Group B) experienced a greater reduction in muscle activity ( p  = 0.05). Additionally, transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle activity slightly increased in both groups, with a more notable increase in Group B ( p  > 0.05). Although lumbar spine muscle activity decreased, thoracic spine extensor (TES) activity increased in Group B. This increase is attributed to the engagement of the thoracic spine during upper limb movement, compensating for the reduced lumbar muscle activity, which may help alleviate back pain. Conclusions Using footrests cyclically and adjusting arm positions can help prevent back pain during prolonged standing by promoting muscle relaxation, reducing fatigue, and improving posture. These findings offer practical strategies for enhancing workplace ergonomics, particularly for occupations involving prolonged standing. Trial registration This study is registered in the Clinical Trial Registry ( http://www.irct.ir/ ) with Trial ID 71,648 and IRCT ID IRCT20230628058610N1, dated January 20, 2024.

Background and ObjectivesThe transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a widely used nerve block. However, basic block characteristics are poorly described. The purpose of this study was to assess the cutaneous sensory block area, muscle-relaxing effect, and block duration.MethodsSixteen healthy volunteers were randomized to receive an ultrasound-guided unilateral TAP block with 20 mL 7.5 mg/mL ropivacaine and placebo on the contralateral side. Measurements were performed at baseline and 90 minutes after performing the block. Cutaneous sensory block area was mapped and separated into a medial and lateral part by a vertical line through the anterior superior iliac spine. We measured muscle thickness of the 3 lateral abdominal muscle layers with ultrasound in the relaxed state and during maximal voluntary muscle contraction. The volunteers reported the duration of the sensory block and the abdominal muscle–relaxing effect.ResultsThe lateral part of the cutaneous sensory block area was a median of 266 cm2 (interquartile range, 191–310 cm2) and the medial part 76 cm2 (interquartile range, 54–127 cm2). In all the volunteers, lateral wall muscle thickness decreased significantly by 9.2 mm (6.9–15.7 mm) during a maximal contraction. Sensory block and muscle-relaxing effect duration were 570 minutes (512–716 minutes) and 609 minutes (490–724 minutes), respectively.ConclusionsCutaneous sensory block area of the TAP block is predominantly located lateral to a vertical line through the anterior superior iliac spine. The distribution is nondermatomal and does not cross the midline. The muscle-relaxing effect is significant and consistent. The block duration is approximately 10 hours with large variation.