Evaluation of a Precision Approach to Intraoperative Ropivacaine Nerve Block to Improve Postoperative Analgesia in 120 Patients Undergoing Thyroid Surgery

BACKGROUND This study aimed to compare a precision approach to intraoperative nerve block with traditional analgesia to reduce postoperative pain in 120 patients during thyroid surgery. The precision intraoperative technique used 0.3% ropivacaine to block the lower branch of the transverse cervical nerve and the inner branches of the supraclavicular nerve. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 120 patients were prospectively enrolled in this study. All patients were randomly and evenly divided into 3 groups. In the precision group, 0.3% ropivacaine was used through the wound during surgery. In the traditional group, a superficial cervical plexus nerve block was performed before surgery. Saline was injected in the control group. The valuation of postoperative pain was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS Two hours after surgery, the VAS scores in the precision group, traditional group, and control group were 1.4±0.5, 1.6±0.7, and 2.8±1.0 (P