Ultrasound-guided modified approach local/regional anesthesia for thyroidectomy: a randomized controlled study

Abstract

Background General anesthesia is the standard technique for thyroid surgery. However, local anesthesia has been used for thyroid surgery by expert surgeons. Local/regional anesthesia is a safe alternative to general anesthesia and well tolerated for the majority of the thyroid surgeries. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of superficial cervical plexus block and infiltration around thyroid capsule anesthesia in thyroidectomy. The primary outcome of the present study was patient satisfaction. Patients and methods After informed consent, 70 patients were randomized into two groups. The first group received general anesthesia (group G) and the second group received bilateral superficial cervical plexus block with injection of local anesthetics between the thyroid capsule and its overlying muscle (group\u2009L). Patient satisfaction was our primary concern. The secondary outcomes included surgeon satisfaction, discharge time, rescue analgesic, postoperative nausea or vomiting, pain score, and side effects. Results Satisfaction score was significantly higher in group L when compared with group G. Moreover, group L showed statistically significant less postanesthesia care unit time, number of patients requiring rescue analgesic, and hospital stays than in group G. Pain score was significantly less in group L than in group G at 6 and 12\u2009h postoperatively. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided modified local/regional anesthesia could be a suitable alternative for general anesthesia in thyroidectomy. It was associated with shorter hospital stay, more patient satisfaction, and better postoperative analgesia when compared with general anesthesia.