Paravertebral Block with Compound Betamethasone in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Backgrounds The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of unilateral single injection thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) with and without the addition of betamethasone for the acute pain management of patient's undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Methods Eligible patients were allocated randomly to three groups: (A) general anesthesia followed by surgeon infiltration at port sites with ropivacaine (n = 48), (B) general anesthesia after single injection TPVB at right T7-8 level with ropivacaine only, Ropi_TPVB (n = 43), and (C) general anesthesia after single injection TPVB with ropivacaine plus betamethasone, Ropi_Betamet_TPVB (n = 45). Primary outcome was TPVB duration assessed by the number of dermatomes at regular intervals up to 72 hours (h). Secondary outcomes included pain scores, analgesics consumption, and perioperative functional outcomes. Results The addition of betamethasone to ropivacaine in TPVB resulted in similar onset but significantly slower block regression between 4 h and 72 h as compared to ropivacaine alone (P < 0.001). When compared to the surgeon infiltration group, Ropi_TPVB and Ropi_Betamet_TPVB group had significantly lower pain scores for 24 h and 48 h, respectively, P ≤ 0.001. Both TPVB groups had less frequency of analgesics administration for 72 h, P < 0.001, and earlier mobilization, P < 0.001. Conclusions The addition of betamethasone to TPVB significantly prolonged block duration as compared to local anesthetic alone. TPVB both with and without the addition of betamethasone resulted in better perioperative analgesia and improved functional status when compared to surgical site local anesthetic infiltration.