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Erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a novel regional anesthesia technique and gaining importance for postoperative pain management. Since it was first described, the clinicians wonder if this new simple technique can replace paravertebral block (PVB). We aimed to compare the postoperative analgesic effect of ESP block and PVB with a control group in breast surgeries. Randomized controlled trial. Operating room. Seventy-five ASA I–II patients aged 25–65, who were scheduled to go under elective unilateral breast surgery for breast cancer were included to the study. Patients were randomized into three groups as ESP, PVB, and Control group. Ultrasound (US) guided ESP block and PVB with 20 ml 0.25% bupivacaine was done preoperatively to the patients according to their groups. All patients were provided with iv patient-controlled analgesia device for postoperative analgesia. Morphine consumptions and numeric rating scale (NRS) scores for pain were recorded at 1st, 6th, 12th and 24th hours postoperatively. There was a statistically significant difference between ESP and Control groups (p < 0,001) and between PVB and Control groups (p < 0,001), while there was no difference between ESP and PVB groups (p > 0,05) for 24-hour morphine consumptions. There was a significant difference between PVB and Control groups for NRS at postoperative 1st and 6th hour (p = 0.018 and p = 0.027 respectively). This study has shown that US guided ESP block and PVB provided adequate analgesia in patients undergoing breast surgery and have an opioid sparing effect by reducing morphine consumption. Clinical Trials Registry: NCT03480958. •ESP block provides effective analgesia in breast surgery.•ESP block has lower risk of complications compared to TPV block.•Both ESP block and TPV block have a similar analgesic effect in breast surgery.

BackgroundThe dural puncture epidural technique has been shown in some studies to improve the onset and quality of the initiation of labor analgesia compared with the standard epidural technique. However, few studies have investigated whether this technique confers advantages during the maintenance of analgesia. This randomized double-blinded controlled study compared dural puncture epidural analgesia with standard epidural analgesia when analgesia was maintained using programmed intermittent epidural boluses.Methods400 parturients requesting epidural labor analgesia were randomized to have analgesia initiated with a test dose of 3 mL lidocaine 1.5% with epinephrine 15 µg, followed by 12 mL ropivacaine 0.15% mixed with sufentanil 0.5 µg/mL using the dural puncture epidural or the standard epidural technique. After confirming satisfactory analgesia, analgesia was maintained with ropivacaine 0.1% and sufentanil 0.5 µg/mL via programmed intermittent epidural boluses (fixed volume 8 mL, intervals 40 min). We compared local anesthetic consumption, pain scores, obstetric and neonatal outcomes and patient satisfaction.ResultsA total of 339 patients completed the study and had data analyzed. There were no differences between the dural puncture epidural and standard epidural groups in ropivacaine consumption (mean difference −0.724 mg, 95% CI of difference −1.450 to 0.001 mg, p=0.051), pain scores, time to first programmed intermittent epidural bolus, the number of programmed intermittent epidural boluses, the number of manual epidural boluses, obstetric outcome or neonatal outcome. Patient satisfaction scores were statistically higher in the dural puncture epidural group but the absolute difference in scores was small.ConclusionOur findings suggest that when labor analgesia is maintained using the programmed intermittent epidural bolus method, there is no significant advantage to initiating analgesia using the dural puncture epidural compared with the standard epidural technique.Trial registration numberChiCTR2200062349.

About a third of women receiving pethidine for labour pain subsequently require an epidural, which provides effective pain relief but increases the risk of instrumental vaginal delivery. Remifentanil patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in labour is an alternative to pethidine, but is not widely used. We aimed to evaluate epidural analgesia progression among women using remifentanil PCA compared with pethidine. We did an open-label, multicentre, randomised controlled trial in 14 UK maternity units. We included women aged 16 years or older, beyond 37 weeks' gestation, in labour with a singleton cephalic presentation, and who requested opioid pain relief. We randomly assigned eligible participants (1:1) to either the intravenous remifentanil PCA group (40 μg bolus on demand with a 2 min lockout) or the intramuscular pethidine group (100 mg every 4 h, up to 400 mg in 24 h), using a web-based or telephone randomisation service with a minimisation algorithm for parity, maternal age, ethnicity, and mode of labour onset. Because of the differences in routes of drug administration, study participants and health-care providers were not masked to the group allocation. The primary outcome was the proportion of women who received epidural analgesia after enrolment for pain relief in labour. Primary analyses were unadjusted and analysed by the intention-to-treat principle. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN29654603. Between May 13, 2014, and Sept 2, 2016, 201 women were randomly assigned to the remifentanil PCA group and 200 to the pethidine group. One participant in the pethidine group withdrew consent, leaving 199 for analyses. The proportions of epidural conversion were 19% (39 of 201) in the remifentanil PCA group and 41% (81 of 199) in the pethidine group (risk ratio 0·48, 95% CI 0·34–0·66; p<0·0001). There were no serious adverse events or drug reactions directly attributable to either analgesic during the study. Intravenous remifentanil PCA halved the proportion of epidural conversions compared with intramuscular pethidine. This finding challenges routine pethidine use as standard of care in labour. National Institute for Health Research Clinician Scientist Award.

Shortening analgesic onset has been researched and it has been documented that prewarming epidural medications to body temperature (37°C) prior to administration increases medication efficacy. Our double-blind randomized controlled trial was designed to investigate if a lower degree of prewarming in providers’ pockets could achieve similar results without the need of a bedside incubator. A total of 136 parturients were randomized into either the pocket-warmed group or the room temperature group to receive 10 mL of 0.125% bupivacaine with 2 μg/mL fentanyl epidural bolus at either the 27.8 ±1.7°C or 22.1 ±1.0°C temperatures, respectively. Primary outcome, time to analgesic onset (verbal rating scale pain score ≤ 3) was recorded in 0-, 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 30-, and 60-minutes intervals. It was observed that the pocket-warming group (n = 64) and room temperature group (n = 72) had no significant difference of analgesic onset time (median 8 vs. 6.2 minutes; p = 0.322). The incidence of adverse events such as hypotension, fever (≥ 38°C), nausea, vomiting, and number of top-off epidural boluses, as well as patient satisfaction rates and mode of delivery, were not significantly different between the groups as well. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore the impact of different temperatures on analgesic onset time as well as the logistical issues associated with their clinical implementations.

Background Dural puncture epidural (DPE) improves labor analgesia by reducing numeric rating scale (NRS) score, accelerating onset, and enhancing sacral blockade. Although larger-gauge needles may potentiate local anesthetic diffusion and improve analgesic quality, current clinical practice favors smaller-gauge needles (25-gauge to 27-gauge) to mitigate post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) risks. This randomized trial specifically evaluates the differential impacts of 23-gauge, 25-gauge, and 27-gauge needles on both analgesic efficacy and procedure-related complications. Methods In this randomized trial, 200 parturients requesting labor analgesia received DPE (23-gauge, 25-gauge, 27-gauge subgroups) or standard epidural (EP), followed by programmed intermittent epidural boluses (PIEB) of 12 mL with ropivacaine 0.08% and sufentanil 0.33 µg/mL every 50 min. Primary outcome was NRS score 10 min after the initial epidural bolus; secondary outcomes included time to NRS score ≤ 1, block characteristics at 20 min, number of top-up boluses, Apgar scores, and adverse events. Results Among 198 analyzed participants, all DPE groups exhibited lower 10-minute NRS scores versus EP groups ( P  < 0.001). The 23-gauge and 25-gauge subgroups had lower NRS scores than 27-gauge ( P  < 0.05), with no difference between 23-gauge and 25-gauge ( P  > 0.05). The 23-gauge group achieved NRS score ≤ 1 fastest ( P  < 0.001). DPE groups demonstrated higher bilateral sacral (S2) blockade rates versus EP groups ( P  < 0.001), with no inter-subgroup differences. No significant difference were observed in procedure duration, top-up requirements, catheter adjustments/replacement, complications (PDPH, hypotension, nausea), or neonatal Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min. Conclusion Compared to conventional epidural analgesia, the combined application of DPE and PIEB techniques demonstrated superior quality. The utilization of 25-gauge pencil-point spinal needles achieves the optimal balance between analgesic efficacy and safety, while the 23-gauge needle may be suitable for specific scenarios requiring rapid onset of action.

To test the hypothesis that thoracic epidural anesthesia and analgesia (TEA) reduces the incidence of chronic postoperative pain (CPSP) after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). A single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted. The study was conducted in the operating room, with follow-up assessments performed in the ward. Telephone was used to follow the long-term outcomes. 231 patients ≥18 years of age and scheduled for VATS. Patients were randomized into two groups, including an epidural block (EPI) group (general anesthesia with patient-controlled epidural analgesia) and a general anesthesia with patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) group. The primary endpoint was the incidence of CPSP at 3 months postoperatively. CPSP data, including acute pain, neuropathic pain, depression, and side effects, were collected at 3 and 6 months postoperatively through telephone follow-up. A total of 231 patients were analyzed, including 114 in the PCIA group and 117 in the EPI group. Sixty-six patients (56.4 %) in the PCIA group and 33 patients (28.9 %) in the EPI group experienced chronic pain at 3 months postoperatively. The odds ratio (OR) was 0.31 (95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.18 to 0.54; P < 0.0001). After adjusting for confounding factors, the adjusted OR was 0.28 (95 % CI, 0.16 to 0.50, P < 0.001). Six months postoperatively, 50 (42.7 %) and 17 (14.9 %) patients in the PCIA and EPI groups, respectively, were diagnosed with CPSP (P < 0.0001). •Thoracic epidural analgesia can reduce the incidence of chronic pain after VATS.•Thoracic epidural analgesia can reduce the severity of acute pain after 24 h of VATS.•Thoracic epidural analgesia should be superior considered for patients with high risks of CPSP.

Background Abnormal cardiotocogram (CTG) tracing may appear after induction of neuraxial labor analgesia. Non-reassuring fetal status (NRFS) indicated by severely abnormal tracings, such as prolonged deceleration (PD) or bradycardia, can necessitate immediate operative delivery. Combined spinal epidural analgesia (CSEA) is known to result in more frequent abnormal tracings than epidural analgesia (EA); however, the corresponding data related to dural puncture epidural (DPE) are unclear. We aimed to evaluate the rates of incidence of severe abnormal CTG after induction of DPE and CSEA. Methods In this study of nulliparous women with full-term pregnancy, data for the DPE intervention group were prospectively collected, while those for the CSEA control group were obtained from medical records. Neuraxial analgesia was performed with cervical dilation ≤ 5 cm, administering initial epidural dosing of 15 mL of 0.125% levobupivacaine with fentanyl 2.5µg/mL for DPE, and intrathecal 0.5% bupivacaine 2.5 mg (0.5ml), fentanyl 10 µg (0.2ml), and 1.3 mL of saline for CSEA. The primary outcome was the incidence of PD, defined as a fetal heart rate reduction ≥ 15 bpm below the baseline and with a lowest value < 80 bpm, and lasting for ≥ 2 min but < 10 min (fetal heart rate < 80 bpm does not have to last for ≥ 2 min), within 90 min after induction of neuraxial labor analgesia. Results A total of 302 patients were analyzed, with 151 in each group. The incidence of PD after DPE induction was significantly lower than that after CSEA induction (4.0% vs. 14.6%, P  = 0.0015, odds ratio = 0.243, 95% confidence interval = 0.095–0.617). Conclusion DPE appears to be a safer method compared to CSEA for neuraxial labor analgesia in the early stages of labor for nulliparous women. Trial registration UMIN-CTR: UMIN000035153 . Date registered: 01/01/2019.

BackgroundFew interventions reduce patellar tendinopathy (PT) pain in the short term. Eccentric exercises are painful and have limited effectiveness during the competitive season. Isometric and isotonic muscle contractions may have an immediate effect on PT pain.MethodsThis single-blinded, randomised cross-over study compared immediate and 45 min effects following a bout of isometric and isotonic muscle contractions. Outcome measures were PT pain during the single-leg decline squat (SLDS, 0–10), quadriceps strength on maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), and measures of corticospinal excitability and inhibition. Data were analysed using a split-plot in time-repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results6 volleyball players with PT participated. Condition effects were detected with greater pain relief immediately from isometric contractions: isometric contractions reduced SLDS (mean±SD) from 7.0±2.04 to 0.17±0.41, and isotonic contractions reduced SLDS (mean±SD) from 6.33±2.80 to 3.75±3.28 (p<0.001). Isometric contractions released cortical inhibition (ratio mean±SD) from 27.53%±8.30 to 54.95%±5.47, but isotonic contractions had no significant effect on inhibition (pre 30.26±3.89, post 31.92±4.67; p=0.004). Condition by time analysis showed pain reduction was sustained at 45 min postisometric but not isotonic condition (p<0.001). The mean reduction in pain scores postisometric was 6.8/10 compared with 2.6/10 postisotonic. MVIC increased significantly following the isometric condition by 18.7±7.8%, and was significantly higher than baseline (p<0.001) and isotonic condition (p<0.001), and at 45 min (p<0.001).ConclusionsA single resistance training bout of isometric contractions reduced tendon pain immediately for at least 45 min postintervention and increased MVIC. The reduction in pain was paralleled by a reduction in cortical inhibition, providing insight into potential mechanisms. Isometric contractions can be completed without pain for people with PT. The clinical implications are that isometric muscle contractions may be used to reduce pain in people with PT without a reduction in muscle strength.

Pain inhibition by additional somatosensory input is the rationale for the widespread use of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) to relieve pain. Two main types of TENS produce analgesia in animal models: high-frequency (∼50–100 Hz) and low-intensity ‘conventional’ TENS, and low-frequency (∼2–4 Hz) and high-intensity ‘acupuncture-like’ TENS. However, TENS efficacy in human participants is debated, raising the question of whether the analgesic mechanisms identified in animal models are valid in humans. Here, we used a sham-controlled experimental design to clarify the efficacy and the neurobiological effects of ‘conventional’ and ‘acupuncture-like’ TENS in 80 human volunteers. To test the analgesic effect of TENS we recorded the perceptual and brain responses elicited by radiant heat laser pulses that activate selectively Aδ and C cutaneous nociceptors. To test whether TENS has a long-lasting effect on brain state we recorded spontaneous electrocortical oscillations. The analgesic effect of ‘conventional’ TENS was maximal when nociceptive stimuli were delivered homotopically, to the same hand that received the TENS. In contrast, ‘acupuncture-like’ TENS produced a spatially-diffuse analgesic effect, coupled with long-lasting changes both in the state of the primary sensorimotor cortex (S1/M1) and in the functional connectivity between S1/M1 and the medial prefrontal cortex, a core region in the descending pain inhibitory system. These results demonstrate that ‘conventional’ and ‘acupuncture-like’ TENS have different analgesic effects, which are mediated by different neurobiological mechanisms. •‘Acupuncture-like’ TENS produces a spatially-diffuse analgesic effect.•‘Conventional’ TENS produces a spatially-localized analgesic effect.•‘Acupuncture-like’ TENS results in an enhancement of ongoing α oscillation in S1/M1.•‘Acupuncture-like’ TENS results in an enhanced connectivity between S1/M1 and mPFC.•These two types of TENS are mediated by different neurobiological mechanisms.

PurposeContinuous epidural infusion and programmed intermittent epidural boluses are analgesic techniques routinely used for pain relief in laboring women. We aimed to assess both techniques and compare them with respect to labor analgesia and obstetric outcomes.MethodsAfter Institutional Review Board approval, 132 laboring women aged between 18 and 45 years were randomized to epidural analgesia of 10 mL of a mixture of 0.1% bupivacaine plus 2 µg/mL of fentanyl either by programmed intermittent boluses or continuous infusion (66 per group). Primary outcome was quality of analgesia. Secondary outcomes were duration of labor, total drug dose used, maternal satisfaction, sensory level, motor block level, presence of unilateral motor block, hemodynamics, side effects, mode of delivery, and newborn outcome.ResultsPatients in the programmed intermittent epidural boluses group received statistically less drug dose than those with continuous epidural infusion (24.9 vs 34.4 mL bupivacaine; P = 0.01). There was no difference between groups regarding pain control, characteristics of block, hemodynamics, side effects, and Apgar scores.ConclusionsOur study evidenced a lower anesthetic consumption in the programmed intermittent boluses group with similar labor analgesic control, and obstetric and newborn outcomes in both groups.