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. 2018 Nov 22:11:115-121.
doi: 10.2147/LRA.S184589. eCollection 2018.

Patient-controlled paravertebral analgesia for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy

Nguyen Truong Giang  1 , Nguyen Van Nam  1 , Nguyen Ngoc Trung  1 , Le Viet Anh  1 , Nguyen Manh Cuong  2 , Ngo Van Dinh  2 , Dinh Cong Pho  2 , Phillip Geiger  3 , Nguyen Trung Kien  2
Affiliations

Patient-controlled paravertebral analgesia for video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy

Nguyen Truong Giang et al. Local Reg Anesth. .

Abstract

Background: Paravertebral block has been proven to be an efficient method to provide post-thoracotomy pain management. This study aimed to compare patient-controlled paravertebral analgesia (PCPA) and intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IVPCA) in terms of analgesic efficiency, respiratory function, and adverse effects after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomy.

Patients and methods: The prospective randomized trial study was carried out on 60 patients who underwent VATS lobectomy (randomly allocated 30 patients in each group). In the PCPA group, an initial dose of 0.3 mL/kg of 0.125% bupivacaine with fentanyl 2 µg/mL was administered, followed by a 3 mL/h continuous infusion with patient-controlled analgesia (2 mL bolus, 10-minute lockout interval, 25 mL/4 h limit). In the IVPCA group with morphine 1 mg/mL solution, an infusion device was programmed to deliver a 1.0 mL demand bolus with no basal infusion rate, with a 10-minute lockout interval and a maximum of 20 mL/4 h period. Postoperative pain was assessed by visual analog scale at rest and on coughing. Arterial blood gas and spirometry were monitored and recorded for the first 3 postoperative days. Side effects to include were also recorded.

Results: The PCPA group had statistically significant lower pain scores (P<0.0001) at rest at all times. Lower pain scores on coughing were statistically significant in PCPA group in the first 4 hours. Postoperative spirometry showed that both the groups had comparable recovery trajectories for their pulmonary function. Arterial blood gas analysis showed pH and PaCO2 were in a normal range in both the groups. The incidence of headache was higher in the IVPCA group (13.3% vs 0%; P=0.038).

Conclusion: PCPA effectively managed pain after VATS lobectomy, with lower pain scores, similar respiratory function, and fewer side effects than standard IVPCA treatment.

Keywords: IVPCA; PCPA; VATS; intravenous patient controlled analgesia; patient-controlled paravertebral analgesia; video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Access to paravertebral space.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Paravertebral block.
Figure 3
Figure 3
VAS at rest. Abbreviations: PCPA, patient-controlled paravertebral analgesia; IVPCA, intravenous patient-controlled analgesia; VAS, visual analog scale.
Figure 4
Figure 4
VAS on coughing. Abbreviations: PCPA, patient-controlled paravertebral analgesia; IVPCA, intravenous patient-controlled analgesia; VAS, visual analog scale.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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