Laparoscopic myomectomy is a commonly performed minimally invasive gynecologic procedure. However, surgical trauma, tracheal intubation, and pneumoperitoneum may induce pronounced perioperative stress responses, resulting in hemodynamic instability, postoperative pain, inflammatory activation, sleep disturbance, and anxiety, which can delay postoperative recovery. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a sympathetic nerve modulation technique that has been shown to attenuate stress-related sympathetic overactivity. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effects and safety of ultrasound-guided right-sided stellate ganglion block combined with standardized general anesthesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy. In this randomized controlled study, a total of 240 patients scheduled for laparoscopic myomectomy were randomly assigned to either a combined block group (ultrasound-guided right-sided SGB before anesthesia induction plus general anesthesia) or a general anesthesia group (sham saline injection plus general anesthesia). Perioperative hemodynamic parameters, heart rate variability, postoperative pain scores, analgesic requirements, recovery profiles, inflammatory stress markers, sleep quality, anxiety levels, and adverse events were compared between groups. This study was retrospectively registered after completion. The results are intended to provide evidence for optimizing perioperative management and enhancing recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy.
This single-center, randomized controlled clinical study was conducted to investigate the effects of ultrasound-guided right-sided stellate ganglion block (SGB) on perioperative stress responses and postoperative recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic myomectomy under general anesthesia. A total of 240 adult female patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic myomectomy were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the combined block group or the general anesthesia group. All participants received standardized general anesthesia with propofol-based induction and maintenance. In the combined block group, ultrasound-guided right-sided stellate ganglion block was performed prior to anesthesia induction using ropivacaine. In the control group, an identical ultrasound-guided procedure was conducted with injection of an equal volume of normal saline at the same anatomical location. Perioperative management and postoperative analgesia protocols were standardized for both groups. Hemodynamic variables and heart rate variability parameters were recorded at predefined perioperative time points. Postoperative pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale, and analgesic consumption was recorded during the first 48 hours after surgery. Recovery indicators, including time to first flatus and ambulation, were documented. Inflammatory and stress-related biomarkers were measured preoperatively and at 24 hours postoperatively. Sleep quality and anxiety were evaluated using validated questionnaires before surgery and on postoperative day one. Adverse events were monitored and recorded throughout the perioperative period. The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Cangzhou Central Hospital (Approval No. 2024-332-03). Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to enrollment. The trial was retrospectively registered following study completion to enhance transparency and public accessibility of the study design and results.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
233
Ultrasound-guided right-sided stellate ganglion block was performed prior to anesthesia induction. Using a high-frequency linear ultrasound probe at the C6 level, ropivacaine was injected into the prevertebral fascial plane between the longus colli muscle and prevertebral fascia.
An ultrasound-guided sham procedure was performed prior to anesthesia induction, in which an equal volume of normal saline was injected at the same anatomical location without performing an active stellate ganglion block.
Cangzhou Central Hospital
Cangzhou, Hebei, China
Mean Arterial Pressure During Airway Manipulation
Mean arterial pressure (MAP), measured in mmHg.
Time frame: Immediately after tracheal intubation and at extubation during surgery
Heart Rate During Airway Manipulation
Heart rate (HR), measured in beats per minute.
Time frame: Immediately after tracheal intubation and at extubation during surgery
Low-Frequency (LF) Power of Heart Rate Variability
Low-frequency (LF) power of heart rate variability, measured in ms²/Hz.
Time frame: Pre-block (baseline), immediately after tracheal intubation, 5 minutes after pneumoperitoneum creation, at the end of surgery, and at extubation
Low-Frequency/High-Frequency (LF/HF) Ratio of Heart Rate Variability
Low-frequency to high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio of heart rate variability.
Time frame: Pre-block (baseline), immediately after tracheal intubation, 5 minutes after pneumoperitoneum creation, at the end of surgery, and at extubation
Postoperative Pain Intensity at Rest
Pain intensity assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), scored from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain), with higher scores indicating more severe pain.
Time frame: 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours after surgery
Postoperative Patient-Controlled Intravenous Analgesia (PCIA) Use
Number of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) pump button presses.
Time frame: Within 48 hours after surgery
Use of Rescue Analgesia
Proportion of participants receiving rescue analgesia.
Time frame: Within 48 hours after surgery
Time to First Flatus
Time from completion of surgery to first postoperative flatus, measured in hours.
Time frame: From end of surgery to first postoperative flatus (assessed up to hospital discharge, up to 7 days)
Time to First Ambulation
Time from completion of surgery to first postoperative ambulation, measured in hours.
Time frame: From end of surgery to first postoperative ambulation (assessed up to hospital discharge, up to 7 days)
Length of Hospital Stay
Total length of postoperative hospital stay, measured in days.
Time frame: From completion of surgery to hospital discharge (up to 7 days)
Serum Interleukin-6 Level
Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 24 hours after surgery
Serum Cortisol Level
Serum cortisol concentration.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 24 hours after surgery
Serum Norepinephrine Level
Serum norepinephrine concentration.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and 24 hours after surgery
Sleep Quality
Sleep quality assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), with total scores ranging from 0 to 21, where higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality.
Time frame: Preoperatively and postoperative day 1
Anxiety Level
Anxiety assessed using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), with standard scores ranging from 20 to 80, where higher scores indicate greater anxiety severity.
Time frame: Preoperatively and postoperative day 1
Adverse Events
Incidence of postoperative adverse events, including nausea and vomiting, dizziness, headache, and shoulder pain.
Time frame: Within 48 hours after surgery
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