Our Summary
This research studied the effectiveness of a type of pain management technique, called erector spinae plane block, in adults who underwent a specific type of heart surgery. The researchers analyzed data from eight different studies, involving a total of 543 patients. They found that this pain management technique reduced pain scores immediately after the tube was removed from the patient’s throat (extubation), 6 hours after extubation, and 12 hours after extubation. The reduction in pain was significant enough to be clinically important within 6 hours. Additionally, the use of opioids for pain management was reduced 24 hours after surgery. However, the quality of the data used in this study was rated as very low to moderate, so the researchers recommend more high-quality studies to confirm these findings.
FAQs
- What is the erector spinae plane block technique and how does it help in pain management?
- How significant was the reduction in pain experienced by patients who underwent the erector spinae plane block technique?
- Why do the researchers recommend more high-quality studies despite the positive findings of the erector spinae plane block technique?
Doctor’s Tip
A doctor might tell a patient undergoing sternotomy that using erector spinae plane block as a pain management technique can effectively reduce pain after surgery and decrease the need for opioids. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Suitable For
Patients who undergo heart surgery, specifically sternotomy, are typically recommended to receive sternotomy. This includes patients undergoing procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), valve replacement, or aortic surgery. Sternotomy is a surgical procedure in which the breastbone is divided to access the heart. It is a common approach for open-heart surgeries and may be recommended for patients with certain heart conditions or in certain situations where minimally invasive techniques are not suitable.
Timeline
Before sternotomy: The patient undergoes pre-operative preparation, which includes medical history review, physical examination, and possibly diagnostic tests. The patient is then taken into the operating room, where they are given anesthesia and prepared for surgery.
During sternotomy: The surgeon makes an incision in the chest to access the heart. The sternum is then divided, allowing the surgeon to perform the necessary procedure on the heart.
After sternotomy: The patient is taken to the recovery room, where they are monitored closely for any complications. Pain management techniques, such as opioids or regional nerve blocks, may be used to help manage post-operative pain. The patient will gradually be weaned off of these pain medications as they recover. Physical therapy and rehabilitation may be recommended to help the patient regain strength and mobility. Follow-up appointments with the surgeon and cardiologist will be scheduled to monitor the patient’s progress and adjust their treatment plan as needed.
What to Ask Your Doctor
- What is a sternotomy and why is it necessary for my surgery?
- What are the potential risks and complications associated with a sternotomy?
- How long is the recovery process after a sternotomy?
- What can I expect in terms of pain management after a sternotomy?
- Are there any alternative pain management techniques, such as erector spinae plane block, that could be used in my case?
- How effective is erector spinae plane block in reducing pain after a sternotomy?
- What are the potential side effects or risks associated with erector spinae plane block?
- How soon after surgery can erector spinae plane block be administered?
- Will I still need to use opioids for pain management if I receive erector spinae plane block?
- Are there any other pain management options that I should consider in addition to erector spinae plane block?
Reference
Authors: Wang W, Yang W, Liu A, Liu J, Yuan C. Journal: J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2024 Nov;38(11):2792-2800. doi: 10.1053/j.jvca.2024.05.019. Epub 2024 May 22. PMID: 38890084