Efficacy of parasternal peripheral nerve catheters versus no block for median sternotomy: a single-centre retrospective study.

TitleEfficacy of parasternal peripheral nerve catheters versus no block for median sternotomy: a single-centre retrospective study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2024
AuthorsRubin JE, Ng V, Chung J, Salvatierra N, Rippon B, Khatib D, Girardi NI, Pryor KO, Weinberg RY, Jiang S, Khairallah S, Mick SL, Tedore TR
JournalBJA Open
Volume11
Pagination100288
Date Published2024 Sep
ISSN2772-6096
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sternal pain after cardiac surgery results in considerable discomfort. Single-injection parasternal fascial plane blocks have been shown to reduce pain scores and opioid consumption during the first 24 h after surgery, but the efficacy of continuous infusion has not been evaluated. This retrospective cohort study examined the effect of a continuous infusion of local anaesthetic through parasternal catheters on the integrated Pain Intensity and Opioid Consumption (PIOC) score up to 72 h.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing cardiac surgery with median sternotomy at a single academic centre before and after the addition of parasternal nerve catheters to a standard multimodal analgesic protocol. Outcomes included PIOC score, total opioid consumption in oral morphine equivalents, and time-weighted area under the curve pain scores up to 72 h after surgery.

RESULTS: Continuous infusion of ropivacaine 0.1% through parasternal catheters resulted in a significant reduction in PIOC scores at 24 h (-62, 95% confidence interval -108 to -16; P<0.01) and 48 h (-50, 95% CI -97 to -2.2; P=0.04) compared with no block. A significant reduction in opioid consumption up to 72 h was the primary factor in reduction of PIOC.

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that continuous infusion of local anaesthetic through parasternal catheters may be a useful addition to a multimodal analgesic protocol in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with sternotomy. Further prospective study is warranted to determine the full benefits of continuous infusion compared with single injection or no block.

DOI10.1016/j.bjao.2024.100288
Alternate JournalBJA Open
PubMed ID39007154
PubMed Central IDPMC11245929