Open AccessBilateral Superficial Cervical Plexus Block Reduces Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting and Early Postoperative Pain after Thyroidectomy
Author(s) -
Cai Hd,
Lin Cz,
ChangXi Yu,
Lin Xz
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of international medical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.421
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1473-2300
pISSN - 0300-0605
DOI - 10.1177/147323001204000417
Subject(s) - medicine , ropivacaine , anesthesia , postoperative nausea and vomiting , perioperative , thyroidectomy , nausea , surgery , vomiting , general anaesthesia , saline , placebo , randomized controlled trial , incidence (geometry) , thyroid , physics , alternative medicine , pathology , optics
OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and postoperative pain in thyroidectomy patients undergoing general anaesthesia, with or without bilateral superficial cervical plexus block (BSCPB). METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study, adult patients scheduled for thyroid surgery under general anaesthesia were randomized to receive BSCPB with 20 ml 0.5% ropivacaine (ropivacaine group) or placebo (20 ml saline; saline group) before surgery. The incidence of PONV and postoperative pain, and the need for rescue antiemetics were assessed at 0 – 24 h postoperatively. RESULTS: Data from 135 patients were evaluated and the incidence of PONV, the need for rescue antiemetics and the number of patients needing additional perioperative pain relief in the postanaesthetic care unit were significantly lower in the ropivacaine group compared with the saline group. Early postoperative (0 – 8 h) visual analogue scale pain scores were significantly lower in the ropivacaine group compared with the saline group. CONCLUSIONS: BSCPB with 0.5% ropivacaine administered before surgery can significantly reduce the incidence of PONV and early postoperative pain and also reduce perioperative opioid requirements in thyroidectomy patients undergoing general anaesthesia.