scholarly journals Randomized Study of the Effect of Initial Ropivacaine Dosage during Continuous Popliteal Nerve Blocks on Rebound Pain in Foot and Ankle Surgery

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0006
Author(s):  
Ryan Rogero ◽  
Elizabeth McDonald ◽  
Steven M. Raikin ◽  
Daniel Fuchs ◽  
Rachel J. Shakked ◽  
...  

Category: Basic Sciences/Biologics, Anesthesia/Pain Control Introduction/Purpose: Rebound pain, the quantifiable difference in pain experienced after nerve block resolution, can be a substantial component of postoperative pain, opioid intake, sleep disturbances, and patient satisfaction. A relatively higher concentration initial local anesthetic bolus may contribute to this phenomenon, as the transition from an entirely numb and painless limb to a partially numb limb may lead to greater perceived pain following block resolution. In contrast, patients experiencing some level of background pain immediately following surgery due to a lower concentration initial bolus may have less perceived pain after block resolution. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of the initial local anesthetic concentration in continuous popliteal nerve blocks on rebound pain and other postoperative variables in foot and ankle surgery. Methods: Following IRB approval, patients undergoing outpatient foot and ankle procedures requiring continuous popliteal nerve blocks under the care of a single fellowship-trained foot & ankle surgeon were identified. Subjects were randomized and blinded to either the standard (0.5%) or low-dose (0.2%) initial ropivacaine bolus, both being followed by a continuous 0.2% ropivacaine catheter infusion. From postoperative days 1 to 7, subjects recorded their hourly visual analog scale (VAS) pain level out of 100, perceived pain relief from the block, and satisfaction with pain control, as well as daily narcotic intake and other postoperative side effects, through an electronic survey. Rebound pain was scored according to a published method by subtracting the lowest VAS pain score during the 12 hours prior to the subject’s determination of block resolution from the highest VAS pain score in the 12 hours after resolution. 69 subjects completed the study. Outcomes were compared using Student’s t-tests. Results: Thirty-four subjects received a standard initial 0.5% ropivacaine bolus, while 35 received a 0.2% bolus. Chi-square testing and t-tests revealed no difference in any preoperative patient variables or procedural type/location between groups. Subjects receiving the lower 0.2% ropivacaine bolus had a lower rebound pain score (47.6) than those receiving the standard ropivacaine bolus (51.0), though not significantly (p=.679). The group receiving the lower concentration bolus only reported a higher mean VAS pain at 72 hours following surgery (39.6 vs. 25.7, p=.044) and more pain interference with sleep (p=.015) on postoperative day 5. The groups did not differ significantly (p>.05) on any day in terms of morphine equivalent units (MEUs) consumed, satisfaction with pain control, nausea, constipation, or nerve-related symptoms of tingling, numbness, and hypersensitivity. Conclusion: The utilization of a lower concentration initial local anesthetic bolus in continuous peripheral nerve blocks in foot and ankle surgery did not significantly lower rebound pain, but provided similar postoperative pain control as a standard local anesthestic bolus concentration. Further investigation with larger cohorts is needed to further optimize local anesthetic concentration in continuous nerve blocks in order to limit postoperative pain, side effects, and opioid intake following foot and ankle surgery.

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0000
Author(s):  
Laura E. Sokil ◽  
Elizabeth McDonald ◽  
Ryan G. Rogero ◽  
Daniel J. Fuchs ◽  
Steven M. Raikin ◽  
...  

Category: Pain Management Introduction/Purpose: The opioid epidemic in the United States continues to take lives. As one of the top prescribing groups, orthopaedic surgeons must tailor post-surgical pain control to minimize the potential for harm from prescription opioid use. Patients often reference their own pain threshold as a benchmark for how they will tolerate the pain of surgery, but current literature suggests that there is not a significant correlation between an individual’s perceived pain threshold and their actual threshold for heat stimulus. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between a patient’s self- reported pain tolerance and their actual prescription narcotic medication usage after foot and ankle surgery. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of adult patients that underwent outpatient foot and ankle surgeries performed by 5 fellowship-trained foot and ankle surgeons at a large, multispecialty orthopaedic practice over a one year period. Demographic data, procedural details and anesthesia type were collected. Narcotic usage data including number of pills dispensed and pill counts performed at the first postoperative visit were obtained. Patients were contacted via email or telephone between 7-19 months postoperatively, and asked to respond to the validated statement “Pain doesn’t bother me as much as it does most people” by choosing “strongly disagree”, “disagree”, “neither”, “agree” or “strongly agree”. Patients scored their pain threshold on a scale of 1- 100 with 0 being “pain intolerant” and 100 a ”high pain threshold" and ranked their expectations of the pain after surgery and satisfaction with pain management on respective five-point Likert scales. Data was analyzed using a Spearman’s correlation. Results: Of the 486 patients who completed surveys, average age was 51.24 years, 32.1% were male and 7.82% current smokers. After controlling for age and anesthesia type, both agreement with the validated statement and higher pain tolerance score had a weak negative correlation with pills taken (r=-0.13, p=0.004 and r=-0.14, p=0.002, respectively); patients with higher perceived pain thresholds took fewer opioid pills after surgery (Table 1). Correlation between high expectations of postoperative pain and pills taken was weakly negative (r=-0.28, p=<0.001) (Table 1). Patients who found surgery more painful than they expected took less pain medication. There was a small, positive correlation between pain tolerance and satisfaction with pain management (r=0.12, p=0.008), indicating that patients with a relatively high pain tolerance had more satisfaction (Table 1). Conclusion: Assessment of both subjective description and quantitative score of a patient’s pain threshold prior to surgery may assist the surgeon in tailoring postoperative pain control regimens. Unexpectedly, patients who found surgery less painful than expected actually took a greater number of opioid pills. This may highlight an educational opportunity regarding postoperative pain management in order to reduce narcotic requirement. Setting expectations on safe utilization of prescribed pain medications may also increase satisfaction. This study provides useful information for surgeons to customize pain management regimens and to perform effective preoperative education and counseling regarding postoperative pain management. [Table: see text]


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0003
Author(s):  
Ryan Mulligan ◽  
Joel Morash ◽  
James DeOrio ◽  
Selene Parekh

Category: Ankle, Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: The use of liposomal bupivacaine (LB) has recently gained popularity in joint arthroplasty. Despite it’s proven safety and efficacy, there is little reported on the use of LB in foot and ankle surgery. Catheter placement for a continuous popliteal sciatic nerve block (CPSNB) has an excellent track record for pain relief, and is commonly used by our group for major foot and ankle reconstructions. The purpose of this study was to compare the use of intraoperative LB injection to CPSNB as a regional anesthetic for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), with attention to postoperative pain scores, narcotic use, and complications. Methods: Retrospective review of TAA patients treated by two fellowship-trained orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons was performed. Patient demographic data, operative, and postoperative details were collected, including type of regional anesthetic used. Patient’s received either preoperative single-shot popliteal sciatic nerve block with 0.25% bupivacaine followed by intraoperative injection of LB, or preoperative CPSNB alone. Outcomes examined were VAS pain score at 8 hours, 24 hours, 1 week, and 3 weeks following surgery, need for opioid pain medication refill, physician office notification for pain issues or other adverse events, and complications within the first 90 days following surgery. Standard statistical analysis was performed and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: 75 patients were identified who underwent TAA and met inclusion criteria. 41 received LB and 34 received CPSNB. No statistical difference was seen between groups with regard to complications, emergency department visits, readmissions, reoperations, VAS pain score at any time point, physician office contacts, and narcotic refills. Mean VAS with LB use was 1.8, 3.5, 2.6, and 2.2 at 8 hours, 24 hours, 1 week, and 3 weeks respectively, compared with mean VAS 2.1, 3.2, 2.2, and 1.9 at similar time points for CPSNB (p=0.59, 0.65, 0.27, and 0.40, respectively). 16 of 41 LB patients needed narcotic refills, versus 12 of 34 CPSNB patients (p=0.81). 3 of 41 LB patients had a complication postoperatively, versus 4 of 34 CPSNB patients. Conclusion: This is the first study evaluating the use of LB for total ankle arthroplasty. LB was both safe and effective for postoperative pain control, with comparable results to CPSNB. As LB gains more widespread use in foot and ankle surgery, further investigation is warranted to determine potential unseen complications and cost-effectiveness.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0003
Author(s):  
Austin Sanders ◽  
Akash Gupta ◽  
Mackenzie Jones ◽  
Matthew Roberts ◽  
David Levine ◽  
...  

Category: Pain Management, Anesthetic Advances Introduction/Purpose: The number of opioid prescriptions in the United States has significantly increased over the past 20 years, including those given after low-risk surgery. Unintentional opioid overdoses have also dramatically risen. Excess pills are widely acknowledged as a source of diversion, which accounts for up to 40% of opioid-related overdoses. In the foot and ankle literature, there are no studies looking at the quantity of pain medications that should be prescribed following outpatient surgery. Furthermore, with the increasing use of peripheral nerve blocks, their effect on quantities of narcotics needed after these surgeries have not been explored. This study aims to determine prescribing patterns for common outpatient foot and ankle surgery and whether patients are over or under-prescribed opioids and if so, by how much. Methods: 57 patients undergoing outpatient foot and ankle surgeries were prospectively enrolled. Patients received a spinal neuraxial block and a long-acting popliteal peripheral nerve block, and did not receive ketorolac perioperatively. Patients were excluded if they had a history of chronic pain, or were currently using opioids or muscle relaxers. Enrolled patients received a standard post-operative prescription regimen of 60 tablets of narcotics, 3 days of scheduled ibuprofen, aspirin 81 mg twice a day (or alternate based on risk factors) for DVT prophylaxis, and ondansetron taken as needed. Patients used a pain diary to record when their block wore off and the quantity of narcotic taken. They received surveys at post-operative day (POD) 3, 7, and 14 detailing how many days they took the medication and how many pills were consumed, how their actual pain compared to their expected level of pain, and if they were satisfied with their pain control. Results: At POD 3, compared to their expected level of pain 36 patients had less pain, 15 had the same pain, and 3 had more pain than expected. The mean pain score was 4. Patients first started feeling the block wear off at 0.9 days. Patients averaged 10.3 pills of narcotics in the first 3 days and rated their overall satisfaction with pain control at 8.5. Between days 4-7, patients took an average of 7 pills, and on POD 7, 22 patients were still taking narcotics. At POD 14, patients experienced 74.4% relief of pain compared to their expected pain, and rated their overall satisfaction at 8.2. Patients had an average of 33.5 remaining pills on POD 14 and 13 patients (22.8%) were still taking narcotics. Conclusion: Patients receiving spinal and long-acting popliteal blocks, followed by the prescription regimen described above had excellent pain control after outpatient foot and ankle surgeries. Patients had a high level of satisfaction with their pain control, with many patients describing better pain relief than expected. However, 60 tablets of narcotics were excessive in most cases. We suggest that in patients receiving spinal and long-acting popliteal blocks, 30 tablets of a narcotic would cover the pain needs of most patients. This would provide a small excess in case of need, but would help minimize the risk of narcotic related complications and diversion.


2021 ◽  
pp. 107110072110600
Author(s):  
Tonya An ◽  
Elliot Schwartz ◽  
Michael Kissen ◽  
Gabriel Pollock ◽  
Glenn Pfeffer

Background: Outpatient surgical deformity correction for Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is limited by effective postoperative pain control. Our previous institutional protocol for foot and ankle surgery in this population included preoperative single-injection nerve blocks, but patients often experienced uncontrolled pain when the block wore off postoperative day 0 or 1, resulting in high opioid requirements and unplanned emergency department visits. The use of ultrasonography-guided continuous nerve catheters in CMT patients has not previously been studied. We aimed to prospectively investigate the safety and efficacy of ultrasonography-guided indwelling popliteal catheters in CMT patients undergoing outpatient foot deformity correction surgery. Methods: Twenty CMT patients, average 28 (range 13-53) years old, undergoing reconstructive surgery by a single foot and ankle attending surgeon were consented for preoperative ultrasonography-guided popliteal catheters. This series included 24 total outpatient procedures; 4 were staged bilateral. Indwelling popliteal catheters were maintained on discharge, providing continuous infusion until postoperative day (POD) 3, and then self-discontinued. Patients were prescribed oxycodone 5 mg (60-80 pills) as needed for breakthrough pain. Outcomes collected included daily pain scores (0-10), an opioid pill count on POD 14, and patient satisfaction ratings. Neurologic evaluation by 5-point 10g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing was performed preoperatively and on POD 14. Results: There were no observed catheter-site infections or hematomas. Nine of the patients had pre-existing sensory deficits involving at least 2 areas on the 5-point monofilament test. Postoperative testing showed these deficits were unchanged and there were no instances of new sensory deficits. Postoperative pain scores were typically low, with median values (interquartile ranges [IQRs]) of 3.5 (2.0-5.0) on POD 1, 2.5 (2.0-5.0) on POD 2, and 2.5 (1.0-3.75) on POD 3. At POD 14, pain was 1.0 (0-1.0). Patients consumed a median of 25 oxycodone pills (IQR 8-43) over 2 weeks, less than half the prescribed number. Patient satisfaction was high. All patients reported they would choose to have a nerve catheter again for a similar surgery. Conclusion: This cases series demonstrated that regional anesthesia using ultrasonography-guided indwelling popliteal catheters was safe and effective for pain control in CMT patients undergoing outpatient foot and ankle surgery. Opioid consumption was comparable to published rates following major bony procedures, and no patients required emergent treatment or hospital admission for uncontrolled pain. No new sensory deficits were detected and patients with underlying sensory deficits remained unchanged. Patients were highly satisfied. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 247301141877594
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Hearty ◽  
Paul Butler ◽  
John Anderson ◽  
Donald Bohay

Background: The misuse and abuse of opioid pain medications have become a public health crisis. Because orthopedic surgeons are the third highest prescribers of opioids, understanding their postoperative pain medication prescribing practices is key to solving the opioid crisis. To this end, we conducted a study of the variability in orthopedic foot and ankle surgery postoperative opioid prescribing practice patterns. Methods: Three hundred fifty orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons were contacted; respondents completed a survey with 4 common patient scenarios and surgical procedures followed by questions regarding typical postoperative pain medication prescriptions. The scenarios ranged from minimally painful procedures to those that would be expected to be significantly more painful. Summaries were calculated as percentages and chi-square or Fisher exact tests were used to compare survey responses between groups stratified by years in practice and type of practice. Results: Sixty-four surgeons responded to the survey (92.8% male), 31% were in practice less than 5 years, 34% 6 to 15 years and 34% more than 15 years. For each scenario, there was variation in the type of pain medication prescribed ( scenario 1: 17% 5 mg hydrocodone, 22% 10 mg hydrocodone, 52% oxycodone, and 3% oxycodone sustained release [SR]; scenario 2: 15% 5 mg hydrocodone, 13% 10 mg hydrocodone, 58% oxycodone, and 9% oxycodone SR; scenario 3: 11% 5 mg hydrocodone, 13% 10 mg hydrocodone, 56% oxycodone, and 14.1% oxycodone SR; scenario 4: 3% 5 mg hydrocodone, 5% 10 mg hydrocodone, 44% oxycodone, and 45% oxycodone SR) and the number of pills dispensed. Use of multimodal pain management was variable but most physicians use regional nerve blocks for each scenario (76%, 87%, 69%, 94%). Less experienced surgeons (less than 5 years in practice) supplement with tramadol more for scenario 1 ( P = .034) as well as use regional nerve blocks for scenario 2 ( P = .039) more than experienced surgeons (more than 15 years in practice). Conclusion: It is evident that variation exists in narcotic prescription practices for postoperative pain management by orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons. With new AAOS guidelines, it is important to try to create some standardization in opioid prescription protocols.


Foot & Ankle ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 350-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael H. Bourne ◽  
Kenneth A. Johnson

Effective pain control following surgery is a concern. Oral narcotic agents may be effective yet have many side effects. Parenteral agents are impractical in outpatient procedures. Local blocks may distort tissue planes and require additional time and technical skill to administer. We have found that instillation of local anesthetic (0.5% bupivacaine [Marcaine, Sensorcaine]) into the wound prior to closure is a safe and effective means of providing significant reduction in postoperative foot pain.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 232596711881585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Kay ◽  
Muzammil Memon ◽  
Thomas Hu ◽  
Nicole Simunovic ◽  
Andrew Duong ◽  
...  

Background: Regional nerve blocks are commonly used to manage postoperative pain after arthroscopic shoulder procedures. The interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) is commonly used; however, because of the reported side effects of ISB, the use of a suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) has been described as an alternative strategy with fewer reported side effects. Purpose: To examine the efficacy of SSNB for pain control after shoulder arthroscopy compared with ISB as well as anesthesia without a nerve block. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: Three databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE) were searched on April 20, 2018, to systematically identify and screen the literature for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A meta-analysis of standard mean differences (SMDs) was performed to pool the estimated effects of the nerve blocks. Results: The search identified 14 RCTs that included 1382 patients, with a mean age of 54 years (SD, 13 years). The mean follow-up time was 3 days (range, 24 hours to 6 weeks). Postoperative pain control was significantly more effective in the SSNB groups compared with the control groups within 1 hour (SMD, –0.76; 95% CI, –1.45 to –0.07; P = .03) and 4 to 6 hours (SMD, –0.81; 95% CI, –1.53 to –0.09; P = .03) postoperatively. However, pain control was significantly less effective in the SSNB groups compared with ISB within 1 hour (SMD, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.28 to 1.46; P = .004). No major complications were noted in the SSNB groups, and minor complications such as hoarseness and prolonged motor block were significantly less common for SSNB compared with ISB. Conclusion: Although not more efficacious than ISB in terms of pain control for patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy, SSNB provides significantly improved pain control in comparison with analgesia without a nerve block. Moreover, few major and minor complications are associated with SSNB reported across the literature.


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