Evaluation of the Determinants of Satisfaction With Postoperative Pain Control After Thoracoscopic Surgery

Comparison of Intercostal Nerve Block and Serratus Anterior Plane Block for Perioperative Pain Management and Impact on Chronic Pain in Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVES

The intent of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of intercostal nerve block (ICNB) under direct thoracoscopic visualization and serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) with ultrasound guidance during thoracoscopic surgery's perioperative period. Furthermore, it examined their impact on chronic pain and identifies potential risk factors associated with its development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective randomized controlled study, 74 thoracoscopic surgery patients were randomly assigned to ICNB or SAPB groups. Attending surgeons administered ICNB, while anesthesiologists performed SAPB, both using 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine. Primary outcomes included Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores for resting and coughing pain at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours postoperatively, perioperative opioid and NSAID consumption, and chronic pain incidence at 3 months postoperatively. Secondary outcomes aimed to identify independent risk factors for chronic pain.

RESULTS

The primary results reveal that the SAPB group exhibited significantly lower VAS scores than the ICNB group for postoperative coughing at 24 hours ( P <0.001, 95% CI=0.5, 1) and for resting pain at 48 hours ( P =0.001, 95% CI=0.2, 1). Conversely, the ICNB group demonstrated a reduced VAS score for resting pain at 6 hours compared with the SAPB group ( P =0.014, 95% CI=-0.5, 0.5). SAPB group required significantly less intraoperative sulfentanil ( P <0.001, 95% CI=2.5, 5), remifentanil ( P =0.005, 95% CI=-0.4, -0.1), and flurbiprofen ester ( P =0.003, 95% CI=0, 50) than ICNB group. Chronic pain incidence was similar ( P =0.572, 95% CI=0.412, 1.279), with mild pain in both ICNB and SAPB groups. Secondary findings indicate that resting VAS score at 12 hours (OR=7.59, P =0.048, 95% CI=1.02, 56.46), chest tube duration (OR=3.35, P =0.029, 95% CI=1.13, 9.97), and surgical duration (OR=1.02, P =0.049, 95% CI=1.00, 1.03) were significant predictors of chronic pain occurrence.

DISCUSSION

ICNB and SAPB demonstrated comparable analgesic effects, with similar rates of chronic pain occurrence. Chronic pain independent risk factors included resting VAS score at 12 hours, chest tube duration, and surgical duration.

Effectiveness of a Teach-Back Education Program on Perioperative Pain in Patients With Lung Cancer: An Intervention Study Using Behavior Change Wheel

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of a teach-back educational intervention using Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) framework on perioperative pain among patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

A prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted in 88 patients with lung cancer from a tertiary hospital in China. According to the order of admission, they were allocated to either control group or intervention group, with 44 patients in each group. Patients in the control group received routine nursing care, while patients in the intervention group were given a teach-back education program based on BCW framework. The visual analog scale (VAS) was adopted to evaluate patients' pain on the day of surgery (T0), 1 (T1), 2 (T2), and 3 (T3) days after surgery. We also recorded the use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), the length of hospital stay, and the degree of patients' satisfaction.

RESULTS

Rest pain, pain when coughing, and pain during activity that patients in the intervention group experienced were significantly less severe than those in the control group on T0 and T1. The pain when coughing in the intervention group was also significantly milder on T2 and T3. In addition, the number of self-control time, use duration, and total dose of PCA were significantly lower in the intervention group. Moreover, patients' satisfaction of nursing service was significantly higher in the intervention group.

CONCLUSION

A teach-back education program based on BCW framework was effective in pain management among the perioperative patients with lung cancer. This study demonstrates the application of teach-back method and the BCW in the development of patient education intervention to mitigate perioperative pain.

Acute Pain Services and pain-related patient-reported outcomes in Hungarian hospitals

BACKGROUND

Postoperative pain management is an important part of surgical care, where Acute Pain Service offers added value in terms of patient outcomes and costs. The technology, however, has hardly been adopted in Hungary, with only two hospitals operating Acute Pain Service and whose performance has not been evaluated yet. This research compared pain management outcomes of surgical, orthopedic, and traumatology patients in Hungarian hospitals with and without Acute Pain Service.

METHODS

We recruited 348 patients, 120 in the APS group and 228 in the control group, whose experience was surveyed with an adapted version of the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire. The questionnaire covered pain intensity, pain interference with physical and emotional functions, side effects, patient satisfaction, information received, and participation in treatment decisions. The differences were analyzed by Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

The APS group showed better results with lower pain intensity scores regarding worst postoperative pain (χ2 = 18.919, p = 0.0043). They reported less pain interference with activities in bed (χ2 = 21.978, p = 0.0006) and out of bed (χ2 = 14.341, p = 0.0129). Furthermore, patients in the APS group experienced fewer pain-management-related side effects, like nausea (χ2 = 15.240, p = 0.0101), drowsiness (χ2 = 26.965, p = 0.0001), and dizziness (χ2 = 13.980, p = 0.0124). However, patient information (χ2 = 3.480, p = 0.0945) and patient satisfaction (χ2 = 5.781, p = 0.2127) did not differ significantly between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings confirm earlier international evidence on the benefits of Acute Pain Service in postoperative pain management and support the wider adoption of the technology in Hungarian hospitals. Nevertheless, close attention should be paid to patient information and involvement as better outcomes alone do not necessarily increase patient satisfaction.

Analgesic efficacy of erector spinae plane block versus paravertebral block in lung surgeries-A non-inferiority randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Pain management plays an essential role in postoperative recovery after lung surgeries. The Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) is a widely used regional anaesthesia technique; however, few clinical trials have compared this block to active control in thoracic surgeries. This study evaluated the non-inferiority of the analgesia provided by ESPB when compared to paravertebral block (PVB) in lung surgeries.

METHODS

Randomised, active-controlled, blinded for patients and assessors, non-inferiority trial. Patients who underwent unilateral lung surgeries were divided into two groups according to the regional anaesthesia technique-continuous ESPB or PVB at the T5 level. The primary outcome was to assess pain using a numerical rating scale (NRS) with a test of the interaction of three measures over 24 h postoperatively. An NRS score ≥ 7 was considered analgesia failure, and the prespecified non-inferiority margin was 10%.

RESULTS

In the interim analysis that terminated this study, 120 participants were enrolled. ESPB patients reported higher mean NRS general values over 24 h, 4.6 ± 3.2 in the ESPB group versus 3.9 ± 2.9 in the PVB group, with a difference of -0.67 (-15.2%) and 95%CI: -1.29 to -0.05 (p = .02), demonstrating not non-inferiority. In addition, the ESPB group presented higher NRS failure of analgesia over 24 h (p < .01) and required more postoperative opioids (p = .01 over 24 h). There was no difference in patient satisfaction between groups.

CONCLUSION

This trial demonstrated that a continuous erector spinae plane block was not non-inferior to a continuous paravertebral block for analgesia after lung surgery but resulted in higher levels of postoperative pain and opioid consumption.

Effectiveness of Surgeon-Performed Paravertebral Block Analgesia for Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance

In minimally invasive thoracic surgery, paravertebral block (PVB) using ultrasound (US)-guided technique is an efficient postoperative analgesia. However, it is an operator-dependent process depending on experience and local resources. Because pain-control failure is highly detrimental, surgeons may consider other locoregional analgesic options.

Objective

To demonstrate the noninferiority of PVB performed by surgeons under video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS), hereafter referred to as PVB-VATS, as the experimental group compared with PVB performed by anesthesiologists using US-guided technique (PVB-US) as the control group.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In this single-center, noninferiority, patient-blinded, randomized clinical trial conducted from September 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021, patients older than 18 years who were undergoing a scheduled minimally invasive thoracic surgery with lung resection including video-assisted or robotic approaches were included. Exclusion criteria included scheduled open surgery, any antalgic World Health Organization level greater than 2 before surgery, or a medical history of homolateral thoracic surgery. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to an intervention group after general anesthesia. They received single-injection PVB before the first incision was made in the control group (PVB-US) or after 1 incision was made under thoracoscopic vision in the experimental group (PVB-VATS).

Interventions

PVB-VATS or PVB-US.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary end point was mean 48-hour post-PVB opioid consumption considering a noninferiority range of less than 7.5 mg of opioid consumption between groups. Secondary outcomes included time of anesthesia, surgery, and operating room occupancy; 48-hour pain visual analog scale score at rest and while coughing; and 30-day postoperative complications.

Results

A total of 196 patients were randomly assigned to intervention groups: 98 in the PVB-VATS group (mean [SD] age, 64.6 [9.5] years; 53 female [54.1%]) and 98 in the PVB-US group (mean [SD] age, 65.8 [11.5] years; 62 male [63.3%]). The mean (SD) of 48-hour opioid consumption in the PVB-VATS group (33.9 [19.8] mg; 95% CI, 30.0-37.9 mg) was noninferior to that measured in the PVB-US group (28.5 [18.2] mg; 95% CI, 24.8-32.2 mg; difference: -5.4 mg; 95% CI, -∞ to -0.93; noninferiority Welsh test, P ≤ .001). Pain score at rest and while coughing after surgery, overall time, and postoperative complications did not differ between groups.

Conclusions and Relevance

PVB placed by a surgeon during thoracoscopy was noninferior to PVB placed by an anesthesiologist using ultrasonography before incision in terms of opioid consumption during the first 48 hours.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04579276.

The effect of virtual reality glasses on reducing pain during chest tube removal

<b>Background:</b> The studies that generally investigate the effectiveness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods in reducing chest tube removal related pain are remarkable. However, new studies need to expand the use of virtual reality glasses and evaluate its effectiveness.<br /> <b>Aim</b>: This study aims to determine the effect of distraction with virtual reality glasses on pain during chest tube removal in patients undergoing tube thoracostomy.<br /> <b>Material and methods:</b> This quasi-experimental study with a pre-test post-test control group design was performed with the participation of 40 patients. The patients in the intervention group (n=20) watched the video with virtual reality glasses throughout procedure. Pain measurements were evaluated before, during, and after chest tube removal. The patients in the control group (n=20) received standard care.<br /> <b>Results:</b> In the intervention group, it was revealed that the pre-procedure pain score decreased compared to the pain score obtained during the procedure (p=0.002). After the chest tube removal procedure, a statistically significant decrease was observed in pain score in favor of the intervention group. In the intervention group, the pre-procedure pain score was found to decrease statistically significantly in the measurement at the 10th min of the procedure (p=0.000). The pain score of the intervention group 10 min after the chest tube removal procedure was lower than that of the control group (1.80 vs 2.95 and p=0.028).<br /> <b>Conclusion:</b> The virtual reality glasses assisted chest tube removal procedure can help reduce pain. Surgical nurses should benefit from the use of virtual reality glasses for pain control.

Determinants of satisfaction with acute pain therapy during and after childbirth

BACKGROUND

An important task in obstetrics is to offer patients adequate pain management after vaginal delivery (VD) and after cesarean section (CS). The aim of the present analysis was to assess pain intensity at the day after childbirth, after 3 and 6 months in women after VD and after CS. Additionally, it was planned to identify determinants of maternal satisfaction with acute pain therapy following VD and CS.

METHODS

This secondary analysis of a single-center prospective cohort study included 210 parturients. The women gave birth in the University Hospital of Wuerzburg. They completed a survey before childbirth (P), on the first day (D1), 3 and 6 months after VD and CS. The survey included questions about the expected pain, the experienced pain, the birth, the pain afterwards and also psychological questionnaires. In addition, information was collected from the patient records. Women with planned CS received spinal anesthesia. A secondary CS was performed with an epidural, spinal or general anesthesia. Pain therapy on the ward was standardized. The primary outcomes were acute and chronic pain intensity at rest, during movement, determinants of satisfaction with pain therapy and the wish to have received more pain medication during and after VD and CS (D1).

RESULTS

A total of 175 women completed the survey at all time points and were available for the analysis (drop-out 16.8%). The results confirmed high pain levels at D1 after CS (median pain intensity during movement: 8 NRS points, interquartile range, IQR 6-9 points). After VD pain scores were much lower (median pain intensity during movement: 4 points, IQR 2-5 points). Of the mothers 7.4% reported pain at rest at all time points after VD or CS but pain intensity was low after 3 and 6 months (median pain intensity at rest: 2 points, IQR 0-3 points), 28% received extended-release opioids after CS and 33% of women (VD and CS) had an epidural. The most important influencing factor for lower satisfaction with pain therapy after CS or VD was inadequate pain relief. Women with VD who had an epidural, were more satisfied during delivery than women without but there was no difference at D1.

DISCUSSION

This study confirmed high acute pain levels following CS and an incidence of chronic pain of around 7% but pain intensity was low and one third received strong opioids after CS. Around 11% of women after primary CS (8% epidural, 3% combined spinal/epidural) and around 55% of women after secondary CS had an epidural, which could be used for pain therapy after birth. Women without an epidural or without opioids may not have had good pain management. The received pain relief appeared to be the most relevant predictor for satisfaction and the wish to have received more pain medication. Mothers having a VD with an epidural catheter were more satisfied with pain therapy during birth than those without. Therefore, a better multimodal pain management (including opioids, epidural and nonopioids) might provide better pain relief and might improve overall satisfaction with pain treatment following CS. Finally, the received pain relief might be a better patient-related outcome measure for satisfaction with pain treatment after childbirth than pain intensity alone.

Assessment of patients' satisfaction with the postanesthesia care unit service at University Hospital in Al Khobar, KSA

Objectives

The quality of health care is individually and subjectively reflected through patients' level of satisfaction, as well as the optimality and effectiveness of the provided postoperative pain management. The provision of postanesthesia care unit (PACU) service in hospitals has led to overall positive outcomes, in addition to the enhancement of patients' satisfaction with the provided pain management service. This study assessed patients' level of satisfaction with PACU service at a university hospital and discussed different factors that might have contributed to the level of satisfaction.

Methods

A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out among patients after being discharged from PACU. The study took place at King Fahad Hospital of the University in Al Khobar, KSA between November 2021 and February 2022. The data were collected using a three-section predesigned questionnaire.

Results

Two hundred patients were included in this study. Nearly all patients (95.5%) were satisfied with the provided pain management service. Almost all patients (99.5%) indicated that the PACU staff was courteous and professional during the entire pain management service. More patients complained about pain before using analgesia and this difference was statistically significant (Z = 8.642; p < 0.001). The satisfaction rate was significantly higher in the older age group (>45 years) (Z = 2.114; p = 0.035), in patients with American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) 3 physical status (H = 13.130; p = 0.001), and those with a previous surgical history (Z = 2.139; p = 0.032).

Conclusion

This study concluded that the level of patients' satisfaction with PACU service was high, and established a statistically significant association with age, ASA score, and previous surgical history. Healthcare providers should consider patient education and effective communication to increase patients' satisfaction level and improve the overall quality of care.

The influence of involving patients in postoperative pain treatment decisions on pain-related patient-reported outcomes: A STROBE-compliant registering observational study

The evidence regarding the influence of allowing patients to participate in postoperative pain treatment decisions on acute pain management is contradictory. This study aimed to identify the role of patient participation in influencing pain-related patient-reported outcomes (PROs). This is a cross-sectional study. The data were provided by PAIN OUT (www.pain-out.eu). A dataset specific to adult Chinese patients undergoing orthopedic surgery was selected. The PROs were assessed on postoperative day 1. The patient participant was assessed using an 11-point scale. Participants who reported >5 were allocated to the "participation" group, and those who reported ≤5 were allocated to the "nonparticipation" group. A 1:1 propensity score matching was conducted. The primary outcome was the desire for more pain treatment. All other items of PROs were the secondary outcomes comprising pain intensity, interference of pain with function, emotional impairment, adverse effects, and other patient perception. From February 2014 to November 2020, 2244 patients from 20 centers were approached, of whom 1804 patients were eligible and 726 pairs were matched. There was no significant difference between the groups in the desire for more pain treatment either before (25.4% vs 28.2%, risk ratio [95% CI]: 0.90 [0.77, 1.05], P = .18) or after matching (26.7% vs 28.8%, risk ratio [95% CI]: 0.93 [0.79, 1.10], P = .43). After matching, patients in the participation group reported significantly better PROs, including pain intensity (less time spent in severe pain [P < .01]), emotional impairment (less anxiety [P < .01]), interference with function (less interference with sleep [P < .01]), adverse effects (less drowsiness [P = .01]), and patient perception (more pain relief [P < .01] and more satisfaction [P < .01]), than the nonparticipation group. Patient participation in pain treatment decisions was associated with improved pain experience but failed to mitigate the desire for more treatment.

Patient satisfaction with post-operative pain management and associated factors among surgical patients at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital: Cross-sectional study

Background

Objective

Method

Result

Conclusion

•

Patient satisfaction with postoperative pain management was suboptimal.

•

ASA status, pain, analgesic techniques & management were significantly associated.

•

Patient satisfaction also associated with empathy, patient education, & communication.

Factors affecting perioperative patient satisfaction with regional anesthesia: A patient-centered survey study

Objective: To determine the demographic and clinical characteristics that affect patient satisfaction with regional anesthesia. Methods: This study was conducted at Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Hospital between June-July 2019. The patients were included on a voluntary basis and all had undergone obstetrics, urology, orthopedics, or general surgery, and met the following inclusion criteria: (1) age >18 years, (2) received regional anesthesia, (3) ASA-PS score of ≤ 3, and (4) no cognitive problem that would prevent self-expression. A Personal Information Form and the Evaluation of the Experience of Regional Anesthesia Questionnaire were applied to 402 patients at 48 hours after surgery performed under regional anesthesia in a university hospital in Turkey. Results: The EVAN-LR total scores were 71.2±15.6 in obstetrics patients, followed by 54.9±24.9 in orthopedic patients, 26.6±24.4 in urology patients and 15.9±7.2 in general surgery patients (p

Clinical analysis of subxiphoid single-port thoracoscopic surgery for simultaneous bilateral lung lesion resection

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of simultaneous subxiphoid single-port thoracoscopic resection of bilateral lung lesions.

METHODS

This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of 72 patients who underwent resection of bilateral lung lesions at the Department of Thoracic Surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China between August 2020 and January 2022. Surgery-related parameters were compared between patients who underwent subxiphoid single-port thoracoscopy (subxiphoid group, 36 patients) and patients who underwent intercostal single-port thoracoscopy (intercostal group, 36 patients).

RESULTS

Compared to the intercostal group, the subxiphoid group exhibited significantly better postoperative catheterization time (P = 0.013), postoperative thoracic drainage, postoperative visual analog scale pain scores at 24 and 48 h, and incision pain and numbness at 1 and 3 months after surgery (all P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, or postoperative complications between the two groups (all P > 0.05). There were no cases of perioperative mortality, conversion to thoracotomy, or serious complications in either group.

CONCLUSION

Subxiphoid single-port thoracoscopic surgery for simultaneous resection of bilateral lung lesions is safe and effective, reduces postoperative acute and chronic pain, decreases trauma, allows faster recovery, and is more consistent with the concept of minimally invasive surgery than bilateral intercostal single-port thoracoscopy. Thus, this subxiphoid single-port thoracoscopic surgery approach should be considered for clinical application.

Evaluation of the Postoperative Nursing Effect of Thoracic Surgery Assisted by Artificial Intelligence Robot

In order to evaluate the postoperative nursing effect of artificial intelligence robot-assisted thoracic surgery, this study proposed the Da Vinci robot-assisted pulmonary lobotomy, from January to December 2014; 42 patients (15 males and 27 females, aged 33–69 years old) underwent lobectomy with the Da Vinci robot system in the chest hospital. A series of postoperative nursing was carried out. The surgical results showed that 42 patients with Da Vinci robot-assisted lobectomy had operation time of 62–225 min and blood loss of 70–300 mL. There was no intraoperative blood transfusion, the intraoperative central rate was maintained at 60–100 times/min, and the blood pressure was maintained at 90–140/60–90 mmHg. No patient was transferred to thoracotomy, and 2 patients were performed robotic wedge resection first, and then, robotic lobectomy was performed after malignant tumor was confirmed by freezing results, with relatively light postoperative pain, no infection, beautiful wound, and smooth recovery and discharge. Robot-assisted lobectomy is a new technique with advantages of less trauma, less pain, faster recovery, and safer and more thorough lymph node dissection.

Does thoracic epidural anaesthesia constitute over-instrumentation in video- and robotic-assisted thoracoscopic lung parenchyma resections?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Effective and sustained perioperative analgesia in thoracic surgery and pulmonary resection is beneficial to patients by reducing both postoperative pulmonary complications and the incidence of chronic pain. In this review, the indication of thoracic epidural anaesthesia in video- (VATS) and robotic-assisted (RATS) thoracoscopy shall be critically objectified and presented in a differentiated way.

RECENT FINDINGS

Pain following VATS and RATS has a negative influence on lung function by inhibiting deep respiration, suppressing coughing and secretion and favours the development of atelectasis, pneumonia and other postoperative pulmonary complications.In addition, inadequate pain therapy after these procedures may lead to chronic pain.

SUMMARY

Since clear evidence-based recommendations for optimal postoperative analgesia are still lacking in VATS and RATS, there can be no universal recommendation that fits all centres and patients. In this context, thoracic epidural analgesia is the most effective analgesia procedure for perioperative pain control in VATS and RATS-assisted surgery for patients with pulmonary risk factors.

Comparison of post-operative pain and quality of life between uniportal subxiphoid and intercostal video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy

Background

Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) although considered less invasive than the multi-port techniques, is still an intercostal approach, resulting in intercostal nerve injury. Recently, some surgeons have tried to address this problem by attempting a subxiphoid approach. The aim of our study was to assess and compare results between intercostal and subxiphoid uniportal VATS lobectomy in terms of postoperative pain and quality of life (QoL).

Methods

Patients from January 2014 to January 2018 undergoing subxiphoid and intercostal VATS lobectomy were prospectively assessed for pain and QoL at 1, 3, and 6 months following discharge. Postoperative pain was measured using a numeric rating scale (NRS) and QoL was assessed with the EuroQoL 5-dimension questionnaire (EQ5D)

Results

Eight hundred and thirty-three patients undergoing lobectomy were included: 373 in the intercostal VATS group and 459 in the subxiphoid group. The proportion of patients with moderate or worse clinical pain was significantly lower at 1 and 3 months after subxiphoid VATS (P<0.01) compared with intercostal VATS. QoL was significantly higher following subxiphoid VATS at these same time points (P<0.001).

Conclusions

Uniportal subxiphoid VATS is a safe and feasible minimally invasive approach for undertaking pulmonary lobectomy that may result in reduced postoperative pain compared to conventional VATS. There may also be earlier return of QoL. A randomized controlled trial examining this further would provide further insight into our observations.

A survey of postoperative pain treatments and unmet needs

More than 300 million patients undergo surgery worldwide each year. Pain associated with these procedures is associated with short- and long-term negative sequelae for patients, healthcare providers, and healthcare systems. The following chapter is a review of the reality of postoperative pain management in everyday clinical routine based on survey- and registry-derived data with a focus on care in adults. Between 30% and up to 80% of patients report moderate to severe pain in the days after surgery. Structures, processes, and outcomes vary widely between hospitals and indicate gaps between evidence-based findings and practice. Pain assessment is not effectively implemented in many hospitals and should consider cultural differences. Few data exist on the situation of pain management in low- and middle-income countries, indicating lack of resources and available medication in many of these areas. Certain types of surgery as well as demographic and clinical factors are associated with increased risk of severe postoperative pain.