Heart surgery is performed mainly via medium sternotomy, which results in significant postoperative pain and a non-negligible incidence of chronic pain. Effective pain control improves patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. There is no clearly superior technique. It is believed that a combined multimodal analgesic regimen (using different techniques) is the best approach for treating postoperative pain, maximizing analgesia and reducing side effects.

Heart surgery is performed mainly via medium sternotomy, which results in significant postoperative pain and a non-negligible incidence of chronic pain. Effective pain control improves patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes. There is no clearly superior technique. It is believed that a combined multimodal analgesic regimen (using different techniques) is the best approach for treating postoperative pain, maximizing analgesia and reducing side effects.

To evaluate the analgesic effect of esmolol in patients submitted to laparoscopic gastroplasty. Methods: Forty patients aged between 18 and 50 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status scores of II and III who underwent gastric bypass were allocated to two groups. Group 1 patients received a 0.5-mg/kg bolus of esmolol in 30 mL of saline before induction of anesthesia, followed by an infusion at 15 µg/kg/min until the end of surgery. Group 2 patients received 30 mL of saline as a bolus and then an infusion of saline. Anesthesia included fentanyl (3 µg/kg), propofol (2-4 mg/kg), rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg), and 2% sevoflurane, with remifentanil if necessary. The following parameters were evaluated: pain intensity over 24h, remifentanil consumption, the first analgesic request, morphine consumption, and side effects. Results: Pain intensity was lower in the esmolol group except at T0 (after extubation) and 12h postoperatively. Remifentanil supplementation, recovery time, and postoperative morphine supplementation were lower in the esmolol group. No differences in the time to the first analgesic request or side effects were found between the groups. Conclusion: Intraoperative esmolol promotes reductions in pain intensity and the need for analgesic supplementation without adverse effects, thus representing an effective drug for multimodal analgesia in gastroplasty.

Background Patients undergoing bariatric surgery can have respiratory complications in addition to vomiting and ileus. Esmolol can decrease the consumption of opioids, reducing their side effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of esmolol in patients allocated to laparoscopic gastroplasty. Methods Forty patients between 18 and 50 years old, of both genders, physical status ASA I-II, who underwent bypass gastroplasty were divided into two groups. Participants in group 1 received a 0.5 mg/kg bolus of esmolol in 30 mL of saline before induction of anesthesia, followed by infusion of 15µg/kg/min until the end of surgery; those in group 2 received 30 mL of saline bolus and infusion of solution in the same volume as group 1. The anesthesia included fentanyl (5ug/kg), propofol (2-4 mg/kg), rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg), 50% oxygen without nitrous oxide and 2% sevoflurane, with remifentanil if necessary. There were evaluated: remifentanil consumption, time to analgesic supplementation, pain intensity for 24 h and morphine dose over 24 h. Side effects were noted. Results Intraoperative remifentanil supplementation, time to recovery, and postoperative morphine supplementation were lower in the esmolol group; there was no difference in time for the first supplementation. Pain intensity was lower, except at T0 and after 12 h. There were no differences in side effects. Conclusions Intraoperative esmolol promotes an analgesic effect without causing adverse effects, making it an effective drug for multimodal analgesia for gastroplasty.