Bilateral cervical plexus block for anterior cervical spine surgery: study protocol for a randomised...

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology and Pain Management
• Neurosurgery
• Surgical Recovery

Background:

• Postoperative pain and nausea are significant challenges following anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS).
• Superficial cervical plexus block (SCPB) offers targeted analgesia with potentially fewer side effects, enhancing recovery quality.
• Improving patient outcomes and reducing hospital stays are key focuses in ACSS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of bilateral superficial cervical plexus block (SCPB) on postoperative recovery in patients undergoing ACSS.
• To determine if SCPB can reduce pain, nausea, and hospital length of stay after ACSS.
• To provide evidence-based data on the efficacy of SCPB in ACSS.

Main Methods:

• A pragmatic, multi-center, blinded, randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 136 ACSS patients.
• Intervention group received ultrasound-guided SCPB with 0.2% ropivacaine; placebo group received saline.
• Primary outcome: 40-item Quality of Recovery questionnaire score at 24 hours. Secondary outcomes: opioid use, hospital stay, pain intensity, and incidence of nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, or hoarseness.

Main Results:

• The study is designed to compare the Quality of Recovery scores between the SCPB and placebo groups.
• Opioid consumption, length of hospital stay, and patient-reported pain levels will be assessed.
• Incidence of common postoperative complications like nausea and dysphagia will be analyzed.

Conclusions:

• This blinded, placebo-controlled trial aims to rigorously assess the true treatment effect of SCPB in ACSS.
• A significant improvement in recovery quality would validate SCPB as a beneficial intervention.
• Absence of a significant difference would indicate that SCPB may not be a necessary adjunct for ACSS recovery.