Comparing Continuous and Intermittent Infusion Effects on Serratus Anterior Plane Blocks in Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of the Patients (n=61)

Variable	CI Group (n=31)	PIBI Group (n=30)	p value
Male, (%)	35.5%	50.0%	0.078**
Age, (years), median(IQR)	54 [39,59]	54 [47,60]	0.812*
BMI, (kg/m^2)	24.0 ± 3.2	24.3± 3.6	0.574
ASA (I/II/III)	10/16/5	11/15/4	0.446**
Left side (%)	35.5%	23.3%	0.298**
Thoracic procedure			0.572**
Lobectomy	11	12
Segmentectomy	11	7
Wedge resection	9	11
Duration of surgery, (min), mean (SD)	85 [70,140]	93 [74,106]	0.908*
Hospital stay length, (d), median (IQR)	3 [3,5]	3 [2,4]	0.302*

Notes: p-values from Student’s t-test.*p-values from MannWhitney U-test. **p-values from χ²test.

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; ASA, American Society of Anesthesiologists; CI, continuous infusion; PIBI, programmed intermittent bolus infusion.

Figure 1 Flow diagram of the study.

Table 2 Tramadol Consumption, Patient Satisfaction, and Blocked Dermatomes by Group

Variable	CI Group (n=31)	PIBI Group (n=30)	p value
Tramadol consumption over 48-h postoperative period (mg)	220 [170,480]	190 [125,305]	0.034
Tramadol consumption during the first 24 h after operation (mg)	190 [140,400]	145 [87.5,210]	0.012
Tramadol consumption during the second 24 h after operation	30 [20,60]	20 [20,42.5]	0.259
Patient satisfaction 48 h after the operation	4 [3,5]	4 [4,5]	0.020
Blocked dermatomes 24 h after the operation	3 [3,4]	5 [4,5]	< 0.001

Note: Data are expressed as medians (IQRs). p-values from MannWhitney U-test.

Abbreviations: CI, continuous infusion; PIBI, programmed intermittent bolus infusion.

Figure 2 Violin plot of VAS scores at rest and upon movement at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h after operation. p-values from MannWhitney U-test.

Abbreviations: CI, continuous infusion; PIBI, programmed intermittent bolus infusion; VAS, visual analogue scale.