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Nerve-stimulator guided paravertebral blockade vs. general anaesthesia for breast surgery: a prospective randomized trial

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 July 2005

M. Z. Naja ,
M. F. Ziade  and
P. A. Lönnqvist
M. Z. Naja
Affiliation:
Makassed General Hospital, Department of Anesthesia and Intensive care, Beirut, Lebanon
M. F. Ziade
Affiliation:
Lebanese University, Faculty of Public Health, Beirut, Lebanon
P. A. Lönnqvist
Affiliation:
KS/Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Stockholm, Sweden
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Abstract

Summary

Background and objective: Different anaesthetic techniques are used during breast surgery but are frequently associated with unsatisfactory postoperative analgesia. Paravertebral nerve blockade has recently been proposed as a favourable alternative for this type of surgical procedure, providing excellent pain relief and a reduced incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting. The aim of the present study was to compare the use of a nerve-stimulator guided paravertebral nerve blockade technique to regular general anaesthesia for breast surgery.

Methods: Sixty patients were prospectively randomized to receive either paravertebral nerve blockade or general anaesthesia for breast surgery. The primary end-point of the study was to assess postoperative analgesia (visual analogue scale and supplemental opioid requirements); the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and length of hospital stay were considered as secondary outcome measures.

Results: Visual analogue scores both at rest and at movement, as well as the need for supplemental opioid administration during the first 3 days postoperatively, were significantly lower in patients handled with paravertebral nerve blockade compared to patients receiving general anaesthesia (P < 0.05). The number of patients free from nausea and vomiting after operation was significantly higher in the paravertebral nerve blockade group (93%) compared to the general anaesthesia group (67%) (P < 0.05). The use of paravertebral nerve blockade was also associated with a significantly shorter hospital stay (median 1 day) compared to general anaesthesia (2 days) (P < 0.01). Both the performance of the block and the intraoperative conditions was well accepted by the vast majority of patients treated by paravertebral nerve blockade (97%).

Conclusion: The use of paravertebral nerve blockade was associated with improved postoperative pain relief, a reduced incidence of nausea and vomiting after operation and a shorter duration of hospital stay compared to general anaesthesia in patients undergoing breast surgery.

Keywords

ANAESTHESIA, CONDUCTION, nerve block, paravertebralBREAST DISEASES, breast neoplasmsPOSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS, postoperative nausea and vomitingSURGERY, breast
Type
Original Article
Information
European Journal of Anaesthesiology , Volume 20 , Issue 11 , November 2003 , pp. 897 - 903
Copyright
2003 European Society of Anaesthesiology

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