An Audit of Pain Control Pathways following Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 248-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Espeed Khoshbin ◽  
Ali N. Al-Jilaihawi ◽  
Nicholas B. Scott ◽  
Dhruva Prakash ◽  
Alan J. B. Kirk
Keyword(s):  
Pain Management ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Visual Analog Scale ◽  
Severe Pain ◽  
Thoracoscopic Surgery ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
Audit Commission ◽  
Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery ◽  
Daily Pain

Objective To compare different modes of pain management following video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) to our national standard. Methods This is an audit based on patient's experiences. One hundred consecutive patients who underwent VATS with or without pleurodesis were managed by one of the following pain relief pathways: (A) thoracic paravertebral block + morphine patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), (B) percutaneous thoracic paravertebral catheter +/– morphine PCA, (C) thoracic epidural +/– morphine PCA, (D) morphine PCA alone, and (E) intravenous or subcutaneous morphine as required. Pain score was documented up to four times per day for each patient. The incidence of severe pain was defined as visual analog scale ≥7. The results were compared with the standard set by the audit commission for postoperative pain relief in the UK. The mean daily pain scores were calculated retrospectively for all patients. Results There were no statistically significant differences in mean daily pain scores irrespective of having a pleurodesis. The percentage of patients experiencing severe pain was 34% [mean visual analog scale = 8 (standard deviation = 1.0)]. This was almost seven times the standard. Among these pathways, B had the least percentage incidence of severe pain (16.7%) followed by A (25.0%) D (33.3%), C (35.7%), and E (52.4%). Conclusions We are not compliant with the standards set by the audit commission. Pain management in theater recovery needs to be targeted. In the light of these results, we recommend the use of percutaneous thoracic paravertebral catheter +/– morphine PCA for postoperative VATS pain relief.

Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Traditional with Two “Mobile” Epidural Techniques

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (6) ◽  
pp. 1567-1575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Epidural Analgesia ◽  
Visual Analog Scale ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Labor Pain ◽  
Labor And Delivery ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
Visual Analog Scale Pain ◽  
To Receive

Background The authors recently showed that "mobile" epidural analgesia, using low-dose local anesthetic-opioid mixtures, reduces the impact of epidural analgesia on instrumental vaginal delivery, relative to a traditional technique. The main prespecified assessment of pain relief efficacy, women's postpartum estimates of labor pain after epidural insertion, did not differ. The detailed analgesic efficacy and the anesthetic characteristics of the techniques are reported here. Methods A total of 1,054 nulliparous women were randomized, in labor, to receive boluses of 10 ml 0.25% bupivacaine (traditional), combined spinal-epidural (CSE) analgesia, or low-dose infusion (LDI), the latter groups utilizing 0.1% bupivacaine with 2 microg/ml fentanyl. Visual analog scale pain assessments were collected throughout labor and delivery and 24 h later. Details of the conduct of epidural analgesia, drug utilization, and requirement for anesthesiologist reattendance were recorded. Results A total of 353 women were randomized to receive traditional epidural analgesia, 351 received CSE, and 350 received LDI. CSE was associated with a more rapid onset of analgesia, lower median visual analog scale pain scores than traditional in the first hour after epidural insertion, and a significant reduction in bupivacaine dose given during labor. Pain scores reported by women receiving LDI were similar to those in the traditional group throughout labor and delivery. Anesthesiologist reattendance was low but greater with each mobile technique. Conclusions Relative to traditional epidural analgesia, LDI is at least as effective and CSE provided better pain relief in the early stages after insertion. The proven efficacy of mobile epidurals and their beneficial impact on delivery mode make them the preferred techniques for epidural pain relief in labor.

scholarly journals Incorporation of an intercostal catheter into a multimodal analgesic strategy for uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a feasibility study

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Wei Tan ◽  
Jameelah Sheik Mohamed ◽  
John Kit Chung Tam
Keyword(s):  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Urinary Retention ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Thoracoscopic Surgery ◽  
Early Recovery ◽  
Rescue Analgesia ◽  
Video Assisted ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Abstract Background Well-controlled postoperative pain is essential for early recovery after uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (UVATS). Conventional analgesia like opioids and thoracic epidural anaesthesia have been associated with hypotension and urinary retention. Intercostal catheters are a regional analgesic alternative that can be inserted during UVATS to avoid these adverse effects. This feasibility study aims to evaluate the postoperative pain scores and analgesic requirements with incorporation of an intercostal catheter into a multimodal analgesic strategy for UVATS. Methods In this observational study, 26 consecutive patients who underwent UVATS were administered a multilevel intercostal block and oral paracetamol. All of these patients received 0.2% ropivacaine continuously at 4 ml/h via an intercostal catheter at the level of the incision. Rescue analgesia including etoricoxib, gabapentin and opioids were prescribed using a pain ladder approach. Postoperative pain scores and analgesic usage were assessed. The secondary outcomes were postoperative complications, days to ambulation and length of stay. Results No technical difficulties were encountered during placement of the intercostal catheter. There was only one case of peri-catheter leakage. Mean pain score was 0.31 (range 0–2) on post-operative day 1 and was 0.00 by post-operative day 5. 16 patients (61.6%) required only oral rescue analgesia. The number of patients who required rescue non-opioids only increased from 1 in the first 7 months to 8 in the next 7 months. There were no cases of hypotension or urinary retention. Median time to ambulation was 1 day (range 1–2). Mean post-operative length of stay was 4.17 ± 2.50 days. Conclusions Incorporation of an intercostal catheter into a multimodal analgesia strategy for UVATS is feasible and may provide adequate pain control with decreased opioid usage.

Frequency and nature of pain in patients undergoing neurorehabilitation

2020 ◽  
pp. 026921552095678
Author(s):  
Alicja Timm ◽  
Stefan Knecht ◽  
Matthias Florian ◽  
Heidrun Pickenbrock ◽  
Bettina Studer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Period ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Severe Pain ◽  
Pain Medication ◽  
Daily Activities ◽  
Inpatient Stay ◽  
Moderate Pain ◽  
Group Level ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
Pain Scores

Objective: This prospective study investigated the extent to which patients undergoing neurorehabilitation reported pain, how this pain developed during inpatient stay and whether patients were treated accordingly (using pain medication). Methods: The extent of pain, performance in daily activities, with a focus on possible impairment from pain, and pain medication were assessed at the beginning and the end of neurorehabilitation treatment. Overall 584 patients, with various neurological diagnoses, such as stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, polyneuropathy, etc. were classified into four groups based on whether they reported having “no pain,” “mild pain,” “moderate pain,” or “severe pain.” All patients received conventional neurorehabilitation therapy in the Mauritius Hospital, Germany. Results: A total of 149 patients had clinically relevant pain at the beginning of their inpatient stay, at a group level this did not change significantly during the treatment period. At the end of inpatient stay, a slight increase was noted in patients reporting pain. Overall 164 patients suffered from moderate or severe pain, operationalized of pain scores >3 on the visual analog scale. A total of 145 patients who had pain at the end of inpatient stay, did not receive pain medication. There was a weak negative association between pain at baseline and activities of daily living at the end of the treatment period, such that, patients with higher pain levels tended to showed lower Barthel Index scores at the end. Conclusion: In our study, about one-third of patients suffered from clinically relevant pain during neurorehabilitation treatment and most of them did not receive any pain medication.

Strategies to Enhance Patient Care and Compliance with Pain Order Duplications and Gaps

2021 ◽  
pp. 001857872110323
Author(s):  
Shayna Cruz ◽  
Amberene Daya ◽  
Andrea Quinn ◽  
Amanda Ries
Keyword(s):  
Pain Management ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Visual Analog Scale ◽  
Patient Preferences ◽  
Joint Commission ◽  
Hospital Level ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
Vas Scores ◽  
Enhance Patient Care ◽  
The Joint Commission

According to the Joint Commission every patient has a right to pain management. Due to multimodal pain management, pain orders have the potential for duplication as well as gaps in therapy. At our institution, we evaluated pain orders and implemented strategies that aimed to reduce those gaps. We found that current ordering practices permitted the use of varying visual analog scale (VAS) ranges (e.g., VAS 1-3 and 1-5) which inherently increased the potential for duplicate therapies. When gaps in therapy occurred, medication orders for corresponding VAS scores were not available and thus, therapy was delayed. Additionally, current administration policies did not take into account patient preferences for less potent agents which can also cause a delay in care. In summary, simple strategies, discussed in this article, may be implemented at the hospital level to optimize patient care while maintaining recommendations by the Joint Commission for clear medication orders.

Which is the Best Minimal Invasive Approach for the Treatment of Spontaneous Pneumothorax? Uniport, Two, or Three Ports: A Prospective Randomized Trail

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (07) ◽  
pp. 589-594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celalettin Kocaturk ◽  
Hasan Akin ◽  
Sertan Erdogan ◽  
Salih Bilen ◽  
Kemal Karapinar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spontaneous Pneumothorax ◽  
Standard Treatment ◽  
Thoracoscopic Surgery ◽  
Operation Time ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Minimal Invasive ◽  
Invasive Approach ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
Minimal Invasive Approach ◽  
Video Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Objective Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has become the standard treatment method for primary spontaneous pneumothorax. Concerns about lesser pain and better cosmesis led to the evolution of uniportal access. This study prospectively compared the results of the uniportal, two-port, and three-port thoracoscopic surgery. Material and Methods One hundred and thirty-five patients were randomized into three groups according to the port numbers. The groups were compared regarding the operation time, hospital stay, amount of drainage, area of pleurectomy, complications, recurrences, and pain scores. Results Except for the amount of drainage (p = 0.03), no factors were found to be statistically significant. The overall recurrence rate was 5%. Although the first and second week pain scores were not statistically significant, the single-incision group patients had significantly less pain at 4, 24, and 72 hours (p < 0.05). Conclusion The study indicated that uniportal VATS approach is less painful and has better cosmetic results, besides it is as efficient as two- or three-port VATS approach.

scholarly journals Reproducibility of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) Pain Scores to Mechanical Pressure

CRANIO® ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg Goddard ◽  
Hiroyuki Karibe ◽  
Charles McNeill
Keyword(s):  
Visual Analog Scale ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
Mechanical Pressure ◽  
Pain Scores

Total subaxial reconstruction

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent C. Traynelis
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Visual Analog Scale ◽  
Anterior Decompression ◽  
Analog Scale ◽  
Excellent Outcome ◽  
Arm Pain ◽  
Subaxial Cervical Spine ◽  
Pain Scores ◽  
The Mean

Object Certain cervical spinal conditions require decompression and reconstruction of the entire subaxial cervical spine. There are limited data concerning the clinical details and outcomes of patients treated in this manner. The object of this study was to describe the specific technique employed to perform a total subaxial reconstruction and review the postoperative outcomes following surgery. Methods The author performed a review of data prospectively collected in 27 consecutive patients undergoing complete anterior decompression and reconstruction of the anterior cervical spine and followed by posterior instrumented arthrodesis with or without decompression. Results There were 16 men and 11 women whose mean age was 59 years (range 35–86 years). The minimum follow-up was 12 months and the mean follow-up period for all patients was 26 months. One patient underwent C2–7 surgery, and in all others the procedure crossed the cervicothoracic junction. Following surgery patients remained intubated for an average of 3.3 days (range 1–22 days). The mean hospital length of stay was 11 days (range 3–45 days). One patient died 6 weeks following an uneventful surgery. Pneumonia developed in 5 patients, 1 patient experienced a minor pulmonary embolism, and 2 patients had posterior wound infections. No patient was neurologically worse following surgery. A single patient presented with a C-8 radiculopathy 6 weeks after surgery. At final follow-up no patient complained of dysphagia when specifically questioned about this potential problem. In all patients solid fusions developed at each treated levels. Preoperatively the mean sagittal Cobb angle was 15.4° (kyphosis) and the postoperative mean angle was −10.9° (lordosis) representing a total average correction of over 25° (p < 0.0001). The mean preoperative Neck Disability Index was 27.6; this score decreased to 15.5 (p = 0.0008) postoperatively. The mean pre- and postoperative visual analog scale neck pain scores were 6.0 and 2.1, respectively (p = 0.0004), and mean visual analog scale arm pain scores decreased by 3.7 following surgery (p = 0.001). Based on Odom criteria, the author found that 8 patients had an excellent outcome and 14 patients a good outcome. There were 4 patients in whom the outcome was judged to be fair and the single death was recorded as a poor outcome. The mean preoperative Nurick score was 2.68. Postoperatively the group improved to an average score of 1.5; the difference between the 2 was statistically significant (p = 0.002). Conclusions Segmental anterior decompression and reconstruction of the entire subaxial cervical spine, combined with an instrumented posterolateral fusion, can be performed with acceptable morbidity and is of significant benefit in selected patients.

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