Superficial selective cervical plexus block following total thyroidectomy: a randomized trial.
BACKGROUND
Pain after thyroid surgery is of moderate intensity and short duration. Bilaterally superficial cervical plexus block (BSCPB) may reduce analgesic requirements. However, its effectiveness in decreasing pain after thyroidectomy is debated.


METHODS
This double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled study in 100 patients undergoing total thyroidectomy evaluates the effects of BSCPB done with 20 mL of 0.75% ropivacaine. Additional parecoxib was administrated immediately postoperatively and 12 hours later.


RESULTS
Postoperative pain was assessed by visual analogue rating scale. All parameters were recorded at 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 hours after surgery. The control group had higher values than the ropivacaine group at all moments (p < .05) except H12 (p = .76). Additional analgesia was needed for 7 patients (14%) in the control group and for 8 patients (16%) in the group with ropivacaine (p = .96).


CONCLUSIONS
Two-point bilateral BSCPB has a major analgesic effect on patients after total thyroidectomy, with a statistically significant reduction in postoperative pain scores. However, no significant difference was noted in the proportion of patients that required additional analgesics.
Kesisoglou
Isaak
I
Third Department of Surgery, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Papavramidis
Theodossis S
TS
Michalopoulos
Nick
N
Ioannidis
Konstantinos
K
Trikoupi
Anastasia
A
Sapalidis
Konstantinos
K
Papavramidis
Spiros T
ST
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002572:Cervical Plexus; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000577:Amides; D000700:Analgesics; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077212:Ropivacaine