Comparison of two concentrations of bupivacaine by continuous paravertebral infusion after thoracotomy with pulmonary resection: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background and objectives: Post-thoracotomy pain management should be based on a multimodal approach that includes continuous regional analgesia. The objective of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of two concentrations of bupivacaine (0.2 % and 0.3 %) through a paravertebral catheter, both group plus fentanyl 2 mcg/ml.Methods: We conducted a randomized double-blind clinical trial to compare these two concentrations in patients undergoing pulmonary resection by thoracotomy in Donostia University Hospital between November 2010 and May 2011 (n = 59). The paravertebral catheter was placed prior to the surgical intervention, with the patient awake and sitting upright. Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. The Chi-squared test was used for qualitative variables and Student's t-tests or Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon tests for quantitative variables, depending on the distribution of the variables. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS software (Version 17).Results: We did not find statistically significant differences in postoperative pulmonary function (p = 0.49), self-perceived pain (VAS; p = 0.28) or cumulative morphine consumption (p = 0.101) in the two groups. We observed adverse effects in 8 patients in group 1 (29.6 %) and in 12 patients (37.5 %) in group 2, the difference not being statistically significant (p = 0.52).

Comparison of Postoperative Opioid Consumption of Paravertebral Block and Erector Spinae Plane Block After Thoracotomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…In our study, 20 mL of 0.5% local anesthesia was used for both blocks. Zabaleta et al [10] compared the efficacy of PVB using two different concentrations in patients undergoing thoracotomy. Although one group received 0.5% 20 mL bupivacaine and the other 0.33% 20 mL bupivacaine, there was no significant difference in postoperative VAS scores or morphine consumption between the two groups.…”