Use of the On-Q system for pain management after robot - assisted endoscopic transaxillary thyroidectomy.
- Author:
Woo Young PARK
1
;
Ki Jun KIM
;
Kyoung Tae MIN
;
Seung Ho CHOI
;
Sung Jin LEE
;
Woong Youn CHUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Randomized Controlled Trial
- Keywords:
Local anesthetics;
Pain relief;
Robotics;
Subcutaneous infusion;
Thyroidectomy
- MeSH:
Amides;
Anesthetics, Local;
Axilla;
Female;
Humans;
Infusions, Subcutaneous;
Length of Stay;
Methods;
Neck;
Pain Management*;
Patient Safety;
Perfusion;
Robotics;
Thyroid Gland;
Thyroidectomy*;
Wounds and Injuries
- From:Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
2013;8(4):216-221
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: The robot-assisted transaxillary approach to thyroid surgery is a novel method that has recently been used to improve patient safety and cosmetic outcomes. We evaluated post-operative pain, following robot-assisted endoscopic transaxillary thyroid surgery, and pain relief using a continuous wound perfusion system with local anesthetics. METHODS: In a control group of 25 female patients who underwent robot-assisted endoscopic transaxillary thyroidectomy, the post-operative pain scores and characteristics as well as analgesic use were monitored. Fifty female patients undergoing robot-assisted endoscopic transaxillary thyroidectomy were given the On-Q system. They were then randomly assigned to receive one of two different local anesthetic doses: Group I (0.25% Ropivacaine, n = 25); and Group II (0.375% Ropivacaine, n = 25). The pain score, pain site, analgesic requirements and side effects of each group were recorded during the 48 hour period post-surgery. RESULTS: Post-operative pain scores and analgesic demand were lower in the On-Q groups than in the control group. No difference was found between Group I and Group II. Until 6-12 hours after surgery, pain was mainly located in the axilla, while after 6-12 hours, the primary location of pain had a tendency to move to the neck. Pain scores gradually decreased in time for all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent robot-assisted endoscopic transaxillary thyroidectomy with an On-Q system injecting 0.25% ropivacaine had lower pain scores, showing the effectiveness of the system. As a potential pain blocker, continuous wound perfusion with the On-Q system attenuates side effects. This could lead to shortened hospital stays after robot-assisted endoscopic transaxillary thyroidectomy.
