Background
Formerly management of malignant tumors of lower limb was mainly through amputation. After advancement in neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy, saving the limb through lower limb-sparing surgery became the main line for management. Different regional techniques are used for perioperative pain control in limb-sparing surgeries. One of these techniques is lumbar paravertebral block. It is a regional technique that provides ipsilateral analgesia resulting in somatic and sympathetic blockade in a continuous dermatomal manner.
Methods
The study included 60 cancer patients scheduled for lower limb sparing surgeries. Patients were randomly allocated into two groups to receive either lumbar paravertebral block Group P with 25 ml of Bupivacaine 0.25%, with adrenaline 1:200,000 or general anesthesia Group C.
Results
There was a statistically significant decrease in hemodynamics values for Group P compared to Group C at most of the study times. Intraoperative fentanyl consumption was lower in Group P compared to Group C (107.1 ± 22.89 ug versus 233.43 ± 49.29 ug), respectively. VAS scores were lower for Group P compared to Group C with lower postoperative morphine consumption in Group P compared to Group C (8.65 ± 3.57 mg versus 16 ± 3.15 mg) respectively.
Conclusion
Ultrasound guided paravertebral block can be used as an effective perioperative analgesic modality for cancer patients undergoing lower limb sparing surgeries.