The implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols has led to increased interest in nonintubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (NIVATS), especially in patients with compromised pulmonary function. We present a case of a 62-year-old female with stage IIIA breast cancer and pulmonary bronchiectasis who underwent right-sided wedge resection via NIVATS. A two-level thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) at T4 and T6 using 0.4% isobaric bupivacaine with epinephrine was performed, resulting in sensory block from T2 to T7. An intrathoracic vagal block with 0.5% bupivacaine was administered to prevent cough. Sedation was maintained with dexmedetomidine and remifentanil. Surgery lasted 83 minutes with no complications. Postoperatively, pain was minimal (NRS 0–2), the patient mobilized within 6 hours and was discharged the next day. This case highlights the feasibility and safety of TPVB-based NIVATS in a high-risk patient, aligning with ERAS goals of enabling early recovery, avoiding airway instrumentation and minimizing opioid use.

The implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols has led to increased interest in nonintubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (NIVATS), especially in patients with compromised pulmonary function. We present a case of a 62-year-old female with stage IIIA breast cancer and pulmonary bronchiectasis who underwent right-sided wedge resection via NIVATS. A two-level thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) at T4 and T6 using 0.4% isobaric bupivacaine with epinephrine was performed, resulting in sensory block from T2 to T7. An intrathoracic vagal block with 0.5% bupivacaine was administered to prevent cough. Sedation was maintained with dexmedetomidine and remifentanil. Surgery lasted 83 minutes with no complications. Postoperatively, pain was minimal (NRS 0–2), the patient mobilized within 6 hours and was discharged the next day. This case highlights the feasibility and safety of TPVB-based NIVATS in a high-risk patient, aligning with ERAS goals of enabling early recovery, avoiding airway instrumentation and minimizing opioid use.

The implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols has led to increased interest in nonintubated video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (NIVATS), especially in patients with compromised pulmonary function. We present a case of a 62-year-old female with stage IIIA breast cancer and pulmonary bronchiectasis who underwent right-sided wedge resection via NIVATS. A two-level thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) at T4 and T6 using 0.4% isobaric bupivacaine with epinephrine was performed, resulting in sensory block from T2 to T7. An intrathoracic vagal block with 0.5% bupivacaine was administered to prevent cough. Sedation was maintained with dexmedetomidine and remifentanil. Surgery lasted 83 minutes with no complications. Postoperatively, pain was minimal (NRS 0–2), the patient mobilized within 6 hours and was discharged the next day. This case highlights the feasibility and safety of TPVB-based NIVATS in a high-risk patient, aligning with ERAS goals of enabling early recovery, avoiding airway instrumentation and minimizing opioid use.

Background and Objective: Hip fractures among the elderly continue to be a serious public health concern. Hip fractures result in extremely painful injuries and given the higher risk of the elderly for complications, managing pain in this population can be challenging. This study aimed to describe the outcomes of peripheral nerve blocks on elderly patients with fragility hip fractures who will undergo elective or emergency hip surgery. Methods: A single-center prospective cohort study was conducted at the Philippine General Hospital from May 2022 to November 2022. Patients included were aged 60 years old and above with fragility hip fracture, for elective or emergency hip surgery, and with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Score 1–3. Patients’ baseline profile, intraoperative characteristics, and postoperative outcomes were collected using a standard data collection form. The data collector was blinded to the type of block performed. Results: A total of 29 patients who underwent hip surgery were included in the study. Most (65.5%) had Subarachnoid block + Peripheral Nerve Block (SAB+PNB) while 24.1% had General Anesthesia + Peripheral Nerve Block (GA+PNB) and 10.3% had no Peripheral Nerve Block (PNB). The median Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) 30 minutes post block was similar (p=0.977) in those who had PNB blocks (GA+PNB = 0, SAB+PNB = 0). The median NRS at rest during Postoperative day 1 (POD1) was significantly highest (p=0.023) in the No PNB group (3) than in both GA+PNB (0) and SAB+PNB (0). In contrast, the median NRS at rest during POD2 was similar (p=0.713) in the three groups (GA+PNB = 0, SAB+PNB = 0, No PNB = 0). The median NRS at motion during POD1 was significantly highest (p=0.008) in the No PNB group (6) than in both GA+PNB (0) and SAB+PNB (1). Also, the median NRS at motion during POD2 was significantly highest (p=0.009) in No PNB group (4) than in both GA+PNB (0) and SAB+PNB (1). Median Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME) of postoperative opioid was significantly higher in the No PNB group among the three groups (p=0.047). The median satisfaction score (p=0.210), median delirium score at POD2 (p=0.993), and median length of hospitalization (p=0.173) were all similar in the three groups. Conclusion Peripheral nerve block is effective in elderly patients undergoing surgery for fragility hip fractures. It results in lower pain scores and can be administered with equal effectiveness either with general anesthesia or with subarachnoid block. Mortality rate, incidence of delirium, and hospital length of stay did not vary between those with and without peripheral nerve block.
regional anesthesia ; anesthesia, conduction

Background and Objective: Hip fractures among the elderly continue to be a serious public health concern. Hip fractures result in extremely painful injuries and given the higher risk of the elderly for complications, managing pain in this population can be challenging. This study aimed to describe the outcomes of peripheral nerve blocks on elderly patients with fragility hip fractures who will undergo elective or emergency hip surgery. Methods: A single-center prospective cohort study was conducted at the Philippine General Hospital from May 2022 to November 2022. Patients included were aged 60 years old and above with fragility hip fracture, for elective or emergency hip surgery, and with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status Score 1–3. Patients’ baseline profile, intraoperative characteristics, and postoperative outcomes were collected using a standard data collection form. The data collector was blinded to the type of block performed. Results: A total of 29 patients who underwent hip surgery were included in the study. Most (65.5%) had Subarachnoid block + Peripheral Nerve Block (SAB+PNB) while 24.1% had General Anesthesia + Peripheral Nerve Block (GA+PNB) and 10.3% had no Peripheral Nerve Block (PNB). The median Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) 30 minutes post block was similar (p=0.977) in those who had PNB blocks (GA+PNB = 0, SAB+PNB = 0). The median NRS at rest during Postoperative day 1 (POD1) was significantly highest (p=0.023) in the No PNB group (3) than in both GA+PNB (0) and SAB+PNB (0). In contrast, the median NRS at rest during POD2 was similar (p=0.713) in the three groups (GA+PNB = 0, SAB+PNB = 0, No PNB = 0). The median NRS at motion during POD1 was significantly highest (p=0.008) in the No PNB group (6) than in both GA+PNB (0) and SAB+PNB (1). Also, the median NRS at motion during POD2 was significantly highest (p=0.009) in No PNB group (4) than in both GA+PNB (0) and SAB+PNB (1). Median Morphine Milligram Equivalent (MME) of postoperative opioid was significantly higher in the No PNB group among the three groups (p=0.047). The median satisfaction score (p=0.210), median delirium score at POD2 (p=0.993), and median length of hospitalization (p=0.173) were all similar in the three groups. Conclusion Peripheral nerve block is effective in elderly patients undergoing surgery for fragility hip fractures. It results in lower pain scores and can be administered with equal effectiveness either with general anesthesia or with subarachnoid block. Mortality rate, incidence of delirium, and hospital length of stay did not vary between those with and without peripheral nerve block.
regional anesthesia ; anesthesia, conduction

BACKGROUND: Whether regional anesthesia may help to prevent disease recurrence in cancer patients is still controversial. The stage of cancer at the time of diagnosis is a key factor that defines prognosis and is one of the most important sources of heterogeneity for the treatment effect. We sought to update existing systematic reviews and clarify the effect of regional anesthesia on cancer recurrence in late-stage cancer patients. METHODS: Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to September 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies that assessed the effect of regional anesthesia on cancer recurrence and overall survival (OS) compared with general anesthesia. Late-stage cancer patients were primarily assessed according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer Cancer Staging Manual (eighth edition), and the combined hazard ratio (HR) from random-effects models was used to evaluate the effect of regional anesthesia. RESULTS: A total of three RCTs and 34 cohort studies (including 64,691 patients) were identified through the literature search for inclusion in the analysis. The risk of bias was low in the RCTs and was moderate in the observational studies. The pooled HR for recurrence-free survival (RFS) or OS did not favor regional anesthesia when data from RCTs in patients with late-stage cancer were combined (RFS, HR = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58-2.18, P = 0.729, I2 = 76%; OS, HR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.63-1.18, P = 0.345, I2 = 48%). Findings from observational studies showed that regional anesthesia may help to prevent disease recurrence (HR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.78-0.96, P = 0.008, I2 = 71%) and improve OS (HR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.79-0.98, P = 0.022, I2 = 79%). CONCLUSIONS RCTs reveal that OS and RFS were similar between regional and general anesthesia in late-stage cancers. The selection of anesthetic methods should still be based on clinical evaluation, and changes to current practice need more support from large, well-powered, and well-designed studies.
Anesthesia, Conduction ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; Recurrence

Background: Serratus anterior plane block (SPB) is a relatively new regional anesthetic technique that provides long-lasting anesthesia, extended postoperative analgesia, and demonstrates less consumption of opioid analgesic compared to local infiltration anesthesia (LIA). Objective: To compare the outcomes of SPB and LIA as anesthetic techniques among patients undergoing chest tube thoracostomy (CTT) insertion. Design: Cohort study. Setting: Department of Surgery, Southern Philippines Medical Center, from October 2017 to May 2019. Participants: 110 male and female patients aged >18 years old undergoing CTT given either SPB or LIA. Main outcome measures: Mean VAS during the procedure, at PACU, and 4, 8, 12, 16, 18, and 24 hours postoperatively. Main results: Of the 110 patients undergoing CTT in this study, 55 (50%) where under SPB, and the remaining 50% where under LIA. Compared to those under LIA, patients under the SPB group had significantly lower mean VAS during the procedure (4.02 ± 1.43 vs 2.76 ± 1.35; p<0.0001), and at post-anesthesia care unit (4.25 ± 1.87 vs 3.15 ± 1.56; p=0.0010). The mean level of physician's satisfaction on the procedure was significantly higher in the SPB group than in the LIA group (3.56 ± 0.50 vs 2.96 ± 0.33; p<0.0001). The mean dose of fentanyl as supplemental anesthetic agent was significantly higher in the LIA group than those in the SPB group (1.38 ± 0.59 vs 0.95 ± 0.29; p<0.0001). Similarly, the mean dose of nalbuphine, as rescue opioid dose, was significantly higher in the LIA group than in the SPB group (2.16 ± 0.57 vs 1.53 ± 0.57; p<0.0001). Conclusion Patients under SPB who underwent CTT had less pain during the procedure and at the PACU, and used lower doses of the supplemental anesthetic agent (fentanyl) during the procedure, and of the rescue opioid analgesic (nalbuphine), postoperatively.
Anesthesia, Conduction

Anesthesia, Conduction ; Nerve Block ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

During pregnancy, the procoagulant activity increases (manifested by elevation in factor VII, factor VIII, factor X, and fibrinogen levels), while the anticoagulant activity decreases (characterized by reduction in fibrinolysis and protein S activity), resulting in hypercoagulation. Standard coagulation tests, such as prothrombin time or activated partial thromboplastin time, are still used despite the lack of evidence supporting its accuracy in evaluating the coagulation status of pregnant women. Thromboelastography and rotational thromboelastometry, which are used to assess the function of platelets, soluble coagulation factors, fibrinogen, and fibrinolysis, can replace standard coagulation tests. Platelet count and function and the effect of anticoagulant treatment should be assessed to determine the risk of hematoma associated with regional anesthesia. Moreover, anesthesiologists should monitor patients for postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), and attention should be paid when performing rapid coagulation tests, transfusions, and prohemostatic pharmacotherapy. Transfusion of a high ratio of plasma and platelets to red blood cells (RBCs) showed high hemostasis success and low bleeding-related mortality rates in patients with severe trauma. However, the effects of high ratios of plasma and platelets and the ratio of plasma to RBCs and platelets to RBCs in the treatment of massive PPH were not established. Intravenous tranexamic acid should be administered immediately after the onset of postpartum bleeding. Pre-emptive treatment with fibrinogen for PPH is not effective in reducing bleeding. If fibrinogen levels of less than 2 g/L are identified, 2–4 g of fibrinogen or 5–10 ml/kg cryoprecipitate should be administered.
Anesthesia, Conduction ; Blood Coagulation Factors ; Blood Transfusion ; Drug Therapy ; Erythrocytes ; Factor VII ; Factor VIII ; Factor X ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; Fibrinolysis ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Hemostasis ; Humans ; Mortality ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Plasma ; Platelet Count ; Postpartum Hemorrhage ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Pregnant Women ; Protein S ; Prothrombin Time ; Thrombelastography ; Tranexamic Acid

In this case report, we describe the use of ultrasound in the administration regional anesthesia for a super-super obese patient. A 23-year-old female patient (height 167.2 cm, weight 191.5 kg, body mass index 68.6 kg/m²) was admitted to the hospital for surgical repair of an anterior talofibular ligament rupture. We used ultrasound to help facilitate the administration of regional anesthesia. In the sagittal view of the lumbar spine, (with the patient in a sitting position) we were able to identify the border between the sacrum and the lumbar vertebral; in the transverse view, we were able to identify the transverse process, posterior dura, vertebral body, and the distance from the skin to the posterior dura. After skin marking, regional anesthesia was successfully performed. Based on this case study, we suggest that ultrasound can be very useful in regional anesthesia for severely obese patients.
Anesthesia ; Anesthesia, Conduction ; Body Mass Index ; Female ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Obesity ; Rupture ; Sacrum ; Skin ; Spine ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult