Is It Useful and Necessary to Add a T2 Paravertebral Block to the Regional Anesthesia During Proximal Humeral Fracture Surgery in Elderly Patients? A Prospective and Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study was designed to investigate whether it is useful and necessary to add a T2 level thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) based on brachial-cervical plexus block to avoid incomplete anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing deltopectoral approach proximal humeral fracture (PHF) surgery.Materials and MethodsThis study involved 80 patients scheduled for PHF surgery who were randomized to receive either IC block (combined interscalene brachial plexus with superficial cervical plexus block) or ICTP block (T2 TPVB supplemented with IC block). The primary outcome was the success rate of regional anesthesia. The patient who experienced incomplete block was administered with intravenous remifentanil for rescue, or conversion to general anesthesia (GA) if remifentanil was still ineffective. Secondary outcomes included requirements of rescue anesthesia, sensory block of the surgical region, the incidence of adverse reactions, and block procedure-related complications.ResultsThe success rate of regional anesthesia in the ICTP group was higher compared with the IC group (77.5 vs. 52.5%, p = 0.019). Intravenous remifentanil was required in 32.5% of patients in the IC group and 17.5% in the ICTP group, respectively. Conversion to GA was performed in 15% of patients in the IC group and 5% in the ICTP group. Sensory block at the medial proximal upper arm was achieved in 85% of patients in the ICTP group, whereas 10% in the IC group (p < 0.001). There was no difference between the groups with respect to the incidence of intraoperative adverse reactions. No block-related complications occurred in either group.ConclusionAdding a T2 TPVB is helpful to decrease, but not absolutely avoid the occurrence of incomplete regional anesthesia during PHF surgery in elderly patients. However, considering the potential risks, it is not an ideal option while a minor dose of remifentanil can provide a satisfactory rescue effect.Clinical Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03919422.

Assessment of therapeutic clinical trials for proximal humeral fractures

“…Results were available for 11 trials, which resulted in a 17% publication rate. Fifteen original publications, excluding publication of a systematic review, were produced from the included trials [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31]. Three of the trials were linked to multiple original publications.…”

“…The published results explored anesthesia-related, conservative, and surgical treatment options in the setting of PHFs. In a study by Wang et al [ 20 ], adding a T2-level thoracic paravertebral block was helpful to decrease the occurrence of incomplete anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing a PHF surgery using a deltopectoral approach; however, it does not eliminate all such cases and does involve potential risks. Understanding the benefits and risks of administering regional anesthesia is important to reduce the risk of increased postoperative pain.…”