Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Current Anesthesiology Reports 1/2024

13.12.2023 | Anesthesia, Pain Management and Long-term Outcomes (VNR Gottumukkala and ER Mariano, Section Editors)

Do Outcomes Differ Between Thoracic Epidurals and Continuous Fascial Plane Blocks in Adults Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery?

verfasst von: Anthony Carver, Franklin Wou, Amit Pawa

Erschienen in: Current Anesthesiology Reports | Ausgabe 1/2024

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The thoracic epidural has historically been regarded as the gold standard for the management of post-operative pain in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. However, it is not without risk, and there are several circumstances in which it is contraindicated. The advent of ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks has expanded our options in the provision of post-operative analgesia. This narrative review examines the evidence comparing their use against the thoracic epidural in major open abdominal surgery.

Recent Findings

The most common fascial plane blocks used in comparison to thoracic epidurals are rectus sheath blocks, transversus abdominis plane blocks, quadratus lumborum plane blocks, and erector spinae plane blocks. The current evidence demonstrates that these regional techniques can provide a viable alternative to thoracic epidurals for short-term post-operative outcomes and analgesia. However, there have been few studies looking at any long-term outcomes.

Summary

There is a growing number of alternative fascial plane blocks which can provide effective post-operative analgesia as an alternative to thoracic epidurals, especially when patients have contraindications for epidural insertion. Further research is warranted looking at the potential role regional anesthesia has on long-term outcomes for this group of surgical patients.
Literatur
9.
Zurück zum Zitat Le-Wendling L, DeLoach J, Haller A, Ihnatsenka B. Analgesia for the trunk: A comparison of epidural, thoracic paravertebral and transversus abdominis plane blocks. pain and treatment. InTech. 2014. https://doi.org/10.5772/57403. Le-Wendling L, DeLoach J, Haller A, Ihnatsenka B. Analgesia for the trunk: A comparison of epidural, thoracic paravertebral and transversus abdominis plane blocks. pain and treatment. InTech. 2014. https://​doi.​org/​10.​5772/​57403.
36.
Zurück zum Zitat Clemente A, Carli F. The physiological effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia and analgesia on the cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Minerva Anestesiol. 2008;74(10):549–63.PubMed Clemente A, Carli F. The physiological effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia and analgesia on the cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Minerva Anestesiol. 2008;74(10):549–63.PubMed
53.
57.
Zurück zum Zitat Eltwab M, Tueki DA, Rahman Ibrahim IA, Elzohry AAM. Peri-operative rectus sheath fentanyl-Levobupivacaine infusion vs. thoracic epidural fentanyl levobupvacaine infusion in patients undergoing major abdominal cancer surgeries with Medline Incision. J Pain Relief. 2018;7(3):318. https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-0846.1000318.CrossRef Eltwab M, Tueki DA, Rahman Ibrahim IA, Elzohry AAM. Peri-operative rectus sheath fentanyl-Levobupivacaine infusion vs. thoracic epidural fentanyl levobupvacaine infusion in patients undergoing major abdominal cancer surgeries with Medline Incision. J Pain Relief. 2018;7(3):318. https://​doi.​org/​10.​4172/​2167-0846.​1000318.CrossRef
59.
Zurück zum Zitat Kuniyoshi H, Yamamoto Y, Kimura S, Hiroe T, Terui T, Kase Y. Comparison of the analgesic effects continuous epidural anesthesia and continuous rectus sheath block in patients undergoing gynecological cancer surgery: a non-inferiority randomized control trial. J Anesth. 2021;35(5):663–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00540-021-02973-1.CrossRefPubMed Kuniyoshi H, Yamamoto Y, Kimura S, Hiroe T, Terui T, Kase Y. Comparison of the analgesic effects continuous epidural anesthesia and continuous rectus sheath block in patients undergoing gynecological cancer surgery: a non-inferiority randomized control trial. J Anesth. 2021;35(5):663–70. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1007/​s00540-021-02973-1.CrossRefPubMed
66.
Zurück zum Zitat Ganapathy S, Sondekoppam RV, Terlecki M, Brookes J, Das AS, Subramanian L. Comparison of efficacy and safety of lateral-to-medial continuous transversus abdominis plane block with thoracic epidural analgesia in patients undergoing abdominal surgery: A randomised, open-label feasibility study. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2015;32(11):797–804. https://doi.org/10.1097/EJA.0000000000000345.CrossRefPubMed Ganapathy S, Sondekoppam RV, Terlecki M, Brookes J, Das AS, Subramanian L. Comparison of efficacy and safety of lateral-to-medial continuous transversus abdominis plane block with thoracic epidural analgesia in patients undergoing abdominal surgery: A randomised, open-label feasibility study. Eur J Anaesthesiol. 2015;32(11):797–804. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1097/​EJA.​0000000000000345​.CrossRefPubMed
70.
Zurück zum Zitat Cata JP, Fournier K, Corrales G, Owusu-Agyemang P, Soliz J, Bravo M, et al. The Impact of thoracic epidural analgesia versus four quadrant transversus abdominis plane block on quality of recovery after cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy surgery: a single-center, noninferiority, randomized. Controlled Trial. Ann Surg Oncol. 2021;28(9):5297–310. https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-021-09622-7.CrossRefPubMed Cata JP, Fournier K, Corrales G, Owusu-Agyemang P, Soliz J, Bravo M, et al. The Impact of thoracic epidural analgesia versus four quadrant transversus abdominis plane block on quality of recovery after cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy surgery: a single-center, noninferiority, randomized. Controlled Trial. Ann Surg Oncol. 2021;28(9):5297–310. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1245/​s10434-021-09622-7.CrossRefPubMed
74.
Zurück zum Zitat Korgvee A, Veskimae E, Huhtala H, Koskinen H, Tammela T, Junttila E, et al. Posterior quadratus lumborum block versus epidural analgesia for postoperative pain management after open radical cystectomy: A randomized clinical trial. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2023;67(3):347–55. https://doi.org/10.1111/aas.14188.CrossRefPubMed Korgvee A, Veskimae E, Huhtala H, Koskinen H, Tammela T, Junttila E, et al. Posterior quadratus lumborum block versus epidural analgesia for postoperative pain management after open radical cystectomy: A randomized clinical trial. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2023;67(3):347–55. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1111/​aas.​14188.CrossRefPubMed
103.
Zurück zum Zitat Moormann S, Rüebsam ML, Warnking E, Gottschalk A, Hahnenkamp K, Van Aken H, et al. Beneficial effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia on mortality rate in geriatric patients after elective surgery for colon cancer: A study of 215 consecutive patients. Anesth Crit Care. 2022;4(2):104–17. https://doi.org/10.26502/acc.044.CrossRef Moormann S, Rüebsam ML, Warnking E, Gottschalk A, Hahnenkamp K, Van Aken H, et al. Beneficial effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia on mortality rate in geriatric patients after elective surgery for colon cancer: A study of 215 consecutive patients. Anesth Crit Care. 2022;4(2):104–17. https://​doi.​org/​10.​26502/​acc.​044.CrossRef
109.
114.
Zurück zum Zitat Weinstein EJ, Levene JL, Cohen MS, Andreae DA, Chao JY, Johnson M, et al. Local anaesthetics and regional anaesthesia versus conventional analgesia for preventing persistent postoperative pain in adults and children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;(6):CD007105. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd007105.pub4. Weinstein EJ, Levene JL, Cohen MS, Andreae DA, Chao JY, Johnson M, et al. Local anaesthetics and regional anaesthesia versus conventional analgesia for preventing persistent postoperative pain in adults and children. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;(6):CD007105. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1002/​14651858.​cd007105.​pub4.
115.
Zurück zum Zitat Lavand’homme P, De Kock M. The use of intraoperative epidural or spinal analgesia modulates postoperative hyperalgesia and reduces residual pain after major abdominal surgery. Acta Anaesthesiol Belg. 2006;57(4):373–9.PubMed Lavand’homme P, De Kock M. The use of intraoperative epidural or spinal analgesia modulates postoperative hyperalgesia and reduces residual pain after major abdominal surgery. Acta Anaesthesiol Belg. 2006;57(4):373–9.PubMed
120.
Zurück zum Zitat Royse C, Remedios C, Royse A. High thoracic epidural analgesia reduces the risk of long-term depression in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2007;13(1):32–5.PubMed Royse C, Remedios C, Royse A. High thoracic epidural analgesia reduces the risk of long-term depression in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2007;13(1):32–5.PubMed
123.
Zurück zum Zitat Liu QR, Xie J, Dai YC, Ji MH, Zhou CM, Gu HW, et al. Quadratus lumborum block spares postoperative opioid usage but does not appear to prevent the development of chronic pain after gastrointestinal surgery. Pain Physician. 2021;24(8):E1191–8.PubMed Liu QR, Xie J, Dai YC, Ji MH, Zhou CM, Gu HW, et al. Quadratus lumborum block spares postoperative opioid usage but does not appear to prevent the development of chronic pain after gastrointestinal surgery. Pain Physician. 2021;24(8):E1191–8.PubMed
125.
Zurück zum Zitat Sellam S, Nguyen AT, Pogu M, Kianmanesh R, Malinovsky JM, Renard Y. Transversus abdominis plane block in the treatment of chronic postsurgical abdominal wall pain improves patient quality of life: A retrospective study and literature review. Pain Physician. 2023;26(2):E91–E100.PubMed Sellam S, Nguyen AT, Pogu M, Kianmanesh R, Malinovsky JM, Renard Y. Transversus abdominis plane block in the treatment of chronic postsurgical abdominal wall pain improves patient quality of life: A retrospective study and literature review. Pain Physician. 2023;26(2):E91–E100.PubMed
130.
Zurück zum Zitat • Barry G, Sehmbi H, Retter S, Bailey JG, Tablante R, Uppal V. Comparative efficacy and safety of non-neuraxial analgesic techniques for midline laparotomy: a systematic review and frequentist network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Anaesth. 2023;131(6):1053–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bja.2023.08.024. Systematic review and network meta-analysis suggesting continuous RS and TAP blocks are the most efficacious fascial plane techniques for managing post-operative pain in patients undergoing midline laparotomy.CrossRefPubMed • Barry G, Sehmbi H, Retter S, Bailey JG, Tablante R, Uppal V. Comparative efficacy and safety of non-neuraxial analgesic techniques for midline laparotomy: a systematic review and frequentist network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Br J Anaesth. 2023;131(6):1053–71. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1016/​j.​bja.​2023.​08.​024. Systematic review and network meta-analysis suggesting continuous RS and TAP blocks are the most efficacious fascial plane techniques for managing post-operative pain in patients undergoing midline laparotomy.CrossRefPubMed
131.
Zurück zum Zitat • Howle R, Ng SC, Wong HY, Onwochei D, Desai N. Comparison of analgesic modalities for patients undergoing midline laparotomy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Can J Anesth. 2022;69(1):140–76. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12630-021-02128-6. Systematic review and network meta-analysis concluding TEA provide clinically superior analgesia compared with continuous regional techniques for the first 24 h post-operatively following midline laparotomy.CrossRefPubMed • Howle R, Ng SC, Wong HY, Onwochei D, Desai N. Comparison of analgesic modalities for patients undergoing midline laparotomy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Can J Anesth. 2022;69(1):140–76. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1007/​s12630-021-02128-6. Systematic review and network meta-analysis concluding TEA provide clinically superior analgesia compared with continuous regional techniques for the first 24 h post-operatively following midline laparotomy.CrossRefPubMed
132.
Zurück zum Zitat • Bailey JG, Morgan CW, Christie R, Ke JXC, Kwesi Kwofie M, Uppal V. Continuous peripheral nerve blocks compared to thoracic epidurals or multimodal analgesia for midline laparotomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Korean J Anesthesiol. 2021;74(5):394–408. https://doi.org/10.4097/KJA.20304. Systematic review and meta-analysis find no statistically significant difference between TEA and continuous nerve blocks in the management of post-operative pain following midline laparotomy.CrossRefPubMed • Bailey JG, Morgan CW, Christie R, Ke JXC, Kwesi Kwofie M, Uppal V. Continuous peripheral nerve blocks compared to thoracic epidurals or multimodal analgesia for midline laparotomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Korean J Anesthesiol. 2021;74(5):394–408. https://​doi.​org/​10.​4097/​KJA.​20304. Systematic review and meta-analysis find no statistically significant difference between TEA and continuous nerve blocks in the management of post-operative pain following midline laparotomy.CrossRefPubMed
Metadaten
Titel
Do Outcomes Differ Between Thoracic Epidurals and Continuous Fascial Plane Blocks in Adults Undergoing Major Abdominal Surgery?
verfasst von
Anthony Carver
Franklin Wou
Amit Pawa
Publikationsdatum
13.12.2023
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Current Anesthesiology Reports / Ausgabe 1/2024
Elektronische ISSN: 2167-6275
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40140-023-00594-w

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 1/2024

Current Anesthesiology Reports 1/2024 Zur Ausgabe

Anesthesia, Pain Management and Long-term Outcomes (VNR Gottumukkala and ER Mariano, Section Editors)

Anesthetic Techniques and Long-Term Oncological Outcomes

Goal-Directed Therapy (M Legrand, Section Editor)

Goal-Directed Therapy in Cardiogenic Shock: No Magical Recipe

Anesthesia, Pain Management and Long-term Outcomes (VNR Gottumukkala and ER Mariano, Section Editors)

Anesthetic Exposure During Early Childhood and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes: Our Current Understanding

Neuromuscular Blockade (CA Lien, Section Editor)

Monitoring the Depth of Neuromuscular Blockade

Darf man die Behandlung eines Neonazis ablehnen?

08.05.2024 Gesellschaft Nachrichten

In einer Leseranfrage in der Zeitschrift Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology möchte ein anonymer Dermatologe bzw. eine anonyme Dermatologin wissen, ob er oder sie einen Patienten behandeln muss, der eine rassistische Tätowierung trägt.

Ein Drittel der jungen Ärztinnen und Ärzte erwägt abzuwandern

07.05.2024 Klinik aktuell Nachrichten

Extreme Arbeitsverdichtung und kaum Supervision: Dr. Andrea Martini, Sprecherin des Bündnisses Junge Ärztinnen und Ärzte (BJÄ) über den Frust des ärztlichen Nachwuchses und die Vorteile des Rucksack-Modells.

Häufigste Gründe für Brustschmerzen bei Kindern

06.05.2024 Pädiatrische Diagnostik Nachrichten

Akute Brustschmerzen sind ein Alarmsymptom par exellence, schließlich sind manche Auslöser lebensbedrohlich. Auch Kinder klagen oft über Schmerzen in der Brust. Ein Studienteam ist den Ursachen nachgegangen.

Aquatherapie bei Fibromyalgie wirksamer als Trockenübungen

03.05.2024 Fibromyalgiesyndrom Nachrichten

Bewegungs-, Dehnungs- und Entspannungsübungen im Wasser lindern die Beschwerden von Patientinnen mit Fibromyalgie besser als das Üben auf trockenem Land. Das geht aus einer spanisch-brasilianischen Vergleichsstudie hervor.

Update AINS

Bestellen Sie unseren Fach-Newsletter und bleiben Sie gut informiert.