Papers of the Week

Ultrasound-guided rhombic intercostal block (RIB) is a novel regional block that provides analgesia for patients who have received video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). The anesthetic characteristics of ultrasound-guided RIB with different concentrations of ropivacaine are not known. This research primarily hypothesizes that ultrasound-guided RIB, given in combination with the same volume of different concentrations of ropivacaine, would improve the whole quality of recovery-40 (QoR-40) among patients with VATS. : This double-blinded, single-center, prospective, and controlled trial randomized 100 patients undergoing VATS to receive RIB. One hundred patients who have received elective VATS and satisfied inclusion standards were fallen into four groups randomly: control group with no RIB and R, R, and R; they underwent common anesthesia plus the RIB with ropivacaine at 0.2%, 0.3%, and 0.4% in a volume of 30 ml. Groups R, R, and R displayed great diversities in the overall QoR-40 scores and QoR-40 dimensions (in addition to psychological support) by comparing with the control group (Group C) ( < 0.001 for all contrasts). Groups R and R displayed great diversities in the overall QoR-40 scores and QoR-40 dimensions (in addition to psychological support) by comparing with the R group ( < 0.001 for all contrasts). The overall QoR-40 scores and QoR-40 dimensions [physical comfort ( = 0.585)] did not vary greatly between Groups R and R ( > 0.05 for all contrasts). Groups R, R, and R showed significant differences in numerical rating scales (NRS) score region under the curve (AUC) at rest and on movement in 48 h when compared with the Group C ( < 0.001 for all contrasts). Groups R and R displayed great diversities in NRS score AUC at rest and on movement in 48 h when compared with the R group ( < 0.001 for all contrasts). The NRS mark AUC at rest and, on movement in 48 h, did not vary greatly between the Group R and R ( > 0.05 for all contrasts). In this study it was found that a dose of 0.3% ropivacaine is the best concentration for RIB for patients undergoing VATS. Through growing ropivacaine concentration, the analgesia of the RIB was not improved greatly. https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier ChiCTR2100046254.