Regional analgesia techniques following nephrectomy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Introduction: This network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to assess the relative efficacy and safety of various regional analgesic techniques used in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy or nephrectomy.

Evidence acquisition: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating different regional analgesia techniques in patients underwent partial nephrectomy or nephrectomy were retrieved from databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, from inception to January 2024. The NMA was made by using Stata 15.1 softwares. The certainty of evidence was assessed by using CINeMA.

Evidence synthesis: We included 27 trials with 1852 patients and 14 techniques. Postoperative resting pain scores within 24 hours were decreased by erector spinae plane block (ESPB), thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB), intrathecal morphine (IM), retrolaminar block (RLB). Postoperative movement pain scores within 24 hours were decreased by ESPB, TPVB, lateral quadratus lumborum block (QLB-L), transversus abdominis plane block. Postoperative opiates consumption within 24 hours were decreased most by QLB-L, followed by transmuscular QLB (QLB-TM), TPVB, and IM. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were decreased by RLB, anterior QLB approach at the lateral supra-arcuate ligament (QLB-LSAL). Length of hospital stay were decreased by TPVB, ESPB.

Conclusions: This available evidence suggests that ESPB and TPVB are more likely to reduce pain scores within 24 hours and shorten the length of hospital stay. QLB-L and QLB-TM are more likely to reduce the cumulative opiates consumption within 24 hours. RLB and QLB-LSAL are more likely to decrease the incidence of PONV. The wound infiltration (WI), intraperitoneal instillation (IPI), and WI+IPI are less likely to be effective.