Abstract
Funding Acknowledgements
No Funding
OnBehalf
RHYTHM DETECT study group
Background
A two-incision technique, in association with inter-muscular positioning of the subcutaneous defibrillator (S-ICD), is now the most frequently adopted implantation approach in Europe. Ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) has been proposed in order to provide anesthesia/analgesia during S-ICD implantation.
Objective
We performed a case-control analysis in which a standardized SAPB approach was compared with the typical local anesthesia and sedation approach.
Methods
91 consecutive patients underwent implantation of an S-ICD with the SAPB approach for anesthesia/analgesia at 10 centers. The control group consisted of 55 consecutive patients who underwent S-ICD implantation with standard local approach.
Results
The mean procedure duration was 59 ± 15min in the SAPB group and 76 ± 23min in the control group (p < 0.001). No operative complications were reported in either group. During the procedure, 79 (87%) patients in the SAPB group and 25 (46%) patients in the control group (p < 0.001) remained awake. Lower values of pain intensity at the device pocket (p = 0.005) and the lateral tunneling site (p = 0.046) were reported in the SAPB group. The difference in static (p = 0.002) and dynamic (p = 0.007) pain intensity between the groups persisted at 1 hour, while no differences were observed 6 hours after the end of the procedure.
Conclusions
SAPB is feasible and effective in providing anesthesia/analgesia during S-ICD implantation. The procedures were successfully accomplished and no complications occurred in either group. However, SAPB was associated with lower pain levels, enabling the need for sedation to be reduced and more patients to remain awake. Moreover, it resulted in shorter procedure durations.
Thin-flap (sub-Bowman keratomileusis) versus thick-flap laser in situ keratomileusis for moderate to high myopia: Case-control analysis
