Comparison of Intercostal Nerve Block with Ropivacaine and Ropivacaine-Dexmedetomidine for Postoperative Pain Control in Patients Undergoing Thoracotomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

AuthorKamran Mahmoudien
AuthorMahboobeh Rashidien
AuthorFarhad Soltanien
AuthorMohsen Savaieen
AuthorEhsan Hedayatien
AuthorParisa Rashidien
OrcidKamran Mahmoudi [0000-0002-5077-5280]en
OrcidMahboobeh Rashidi [0000-0002-4083-4275]en
OrcidFarhad Soltani [0000-0003-2655-1022]en
OrcidMohsen Savaie [0000-0002-5079-5273]en
OrcidEhsan Hedayati [0000-0002-1030-5209]en
Issued Date2021-12-31en
AbstractBackground: Thoracotomy is one of the most painful surgeries, and failure to alleviate patients' pain can have dangerous consequences. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the addition of dexmedetomidine to ropivacaine in the intercostal block for postoperative pain control in patients undergoing thoracotomy. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 74 patients aged 18 to 60 years with ASA class I or II, BMI less than 40, and no severe systemic problems referred to a teaching hospital in Ahvaz to undergo thoracotomy were included in the study and randomly divided into two groups. After surgery, an ultrasound-guided intercostal block was done with ropivacaine (5 cc of 0.25% solution; group R) or ropivacaine (5 cc of 0.25% solution) plus dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg; group RD) per dermatome. Two dermatomes above and two dermatomes below the level of surgical incision were used. Pain, total opioid consumption, length of ICU stays, time to first rescue analgesic, and time to get out of bed were compared between the two groups. Results: The intercostal block significantly reduced pain in both groups (P < 0.0001). The pain was lower in the RD group than in the R group from six hours after the intervention up to 24 hours after (P < 0.001). The number of patients who needed rescue analgesia at 12 hours was significantly lower in the RD group (P < 0.05). The RD group also had lower total opioid consumption and a longer time to receive the first rescue analgesia (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the length of hospitalization and the time to get out of bed. Conclusions: Dexmedetomidine is an effective and safe choice to be used as an adjunct to ropivacaine in ICB, and it extends the duration of analgesia in combination with ropivacaine after thoracotomy.en
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5812/aapm.118667en
URIhttps://brieflands.com/journals/aapm/articles/118667en
KeywordIntercostal Nerve Blocken
KeywordRopivacaineen
KeywordDexmedetomidineen
KeywordIntensive Care Uniten
KeywordThoracotomyen
KeywordPostoperative Painen
PublisherBrieflandsen
TitleComparison of Intercostal Nerve Block with Ropivacaine and Ropivacaine-Dexmedetomidine for Postoperative Pain Control in Patients Undergoing Thoracotomy: A Randomized Clinical Trialen
TypeResearch Articleen

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