Clinical Research Directory

Rhomboid Intercostal and Sub-Serratus Block for Improving Pulmonary Function and Pain in Patients With Fracture Ribs

Rib fractures are seen in more than 50% of patient spresenting with blunt chest trauma and are associated with significant morbidity, long-term disability and mortality . Many of these adverse consequences are a result ofinadequately controlled pain which hinders respiration,leading to atelectasis, pneumonia and respiratory failure . The early provision of adequate analgesia is thereforeparamount in the management of these patients. The cornerstones of analgesic management are oral andintravenous medications such as paracetamol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatorydrugs(NSAIDs) and opioids. Nevertheless, in patients with more significant injuries orcomorbidities, interventional procedures are often neededto provide adequate analgesia and avoid opioid-relatedadverse effects .

Kinesiotaping in Trauma

Rationale: Patients with acute traumatic injury to the shoulder or chest wall in de Emergency Department (ED) usually have intense pain. The patient normally is treated with oral analgesics as standard care and in shoulder injury with a sling. Pain of the shoulder or chest wall increases with movement of the affected arm and chest. Kinesiotaping is offered regularly as an additional pain treatment, but there is no hard evidence about its effectiveness. A randomized pilot study in OLVG (Bakker 2022) showed the pain decreasing more when using kinesiotaping comparing to no tape. However, a placebo-effect could not be ruled out and the pilot data need confirmation in a large cohort of patients to study the effectiveness of additional treatment with kinesiotaping in terms of pain, comfort and patient satisfaction.