Successful cutaneous sensory blockade following single-injection and double-injection techniques of ultrasound-guided superficial parasternal intercostal plane block: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: While superficial parasternal intercostal plane blocks can improve analgesia after cardiac surgery, the optimal site and the number of injections remain uncertain. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of single versus double injections of superficial parasternal blocks, hypothesizing that double injections would achieve superior cutaneous sensory blockade.

Methods: 70 cardiac patients undergoing median sternotomy were randomly assigned to receive either single or double injections of superficial parasternal blocks bilaterally.

Randomized comparison between ultrasound-guided proximal and distal approaches of intercostobrachial nerve block as an adjunct to supraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper arm arteriovenous access procedures.

Backgrounds: Ultrasound-guided proximal and distal approaches of the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN) blocks facilitate analgesia for upper arm and axillary surgery, though success rates vary and lack clinical comparison. This study compared their anesthetic and analgesic efficacy as an adjunct to the supraclavicular brachial plexus block for upper arm arteriovenous access surgery.

Methods: 60 end-stage renal disease patients undergoing upper arm arteriovenous access were randomly assigned to receive either proximal or distal ICBN block using 10 mL of a mixture of levobupivacaine and lidocaine with epinephrine.

External validation of the CARDOT score for predicting respiratory complications after thoracic surgery.

Background: The CARDOT scores have been developed for prediction of respiratory complications after thoracic surgery. This study aimed to externally validate the CARDOT score and assess the predictive value of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for postoperative respiratory complication.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of consecutive thoracic surgical patients at a single tertiary hospital in northern Thailand was conducted.

Optimal techniques of ultrasound-guided superficial and deep parasternal intercostal plane blocks: a cadaveric study.

Introduction: The optimal techniques of a parasternal intercostal plane (PIP) block to cover the T2-T6 intercostal nerves have not been elucidated. This pilot cadaveric study aims to determine the optimal injection techniques that achieve a consistent dye spread over the second to sixth intercostal spaces after both ultrasound-guided superficial and deep PIP blocks. We also investigated the presence of the transversus thoracis muscle at the first to sixth intercostal spaces and its sonographic identification agreement, as well as the location of the internal thoracic artery in relation to the lateral border of the sternum.

Effectiveness of enhanced recovery after surgery protocol in open gynecologic oncology surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of applying the recommended enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol compared with our usual care in women with gynecologic malignancy undergoing elective laparotomy.

Methods: From June 2020 to May 2021, 93 women with gynecologic cancers (cervix, endometrium, and ovary) undergoing elective laparotomy at our institution were randomly assigned into an intervention group (ERAS protocol, 46 women) or control group (usual care, 47 women). For the intervention group, each woman was brought through the pre-specified ERAS protocol starting from preoperative counseling to postoperative management.