Efficacy of different nerve block techniques with liposomal bupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing single-port video-assisted thoracoscopic partial lung resection - Summary - MDSpire
To compare the efficacy of postoperative analgesia between liposomal bupivacaine-administered thoracic paravertebral blockade (TPVB) and thoracoscopic direct intercostal nerve blockade (INB) in uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for partial lung resection, highlighting the significance of this comparison.
Key Findings:
No significant differences in VAS scores at 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, or 72 h (all p > 0.05), indicating similar pain management efficacy.
No significant differences in intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption, need for rescue analgesia, or postoperative recovery indicators.
No significant differences in NRS scores for chest-related chronic pain between groups at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively (p > 0.05), suggesting comparable long-term outcomes.
Interpretation:
The study found no statistically significant differences in early analgesia, safety, or long-term chronic pain impact between TPVB and INB using liposomal bupivacaine, which may inform clinical decisions.
Limitations:
Results do not establish equivalence between the two approaches, limiting the applicability of findings.
The trial compared two active interventions without a placebo arm, which restricts the determination of absolute analgesic efficacy.
Conclusion:
Liposomal bupivacaine administered via TPVB or INB showed no significant differences in postoperative pain management for uniportal VATS, underscoring the need for further research in this area.
