Latest Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine research

Top 10 this week

Week of 20 September 2026

1. 1

   Comparison of liposomal bupivacaine and modified cocktail analgesia for postoperative pain control after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial

   Journal of neurosurgery. Spine · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 18 September 2026

   Liposomal bupivacaine vs cocktail for TLIF analgesia

2. 2

   Opioid-free analgesia with esketamine-dexmedetomidine versus opioid-based analgesia after gynaecological laparoscopic surgery: a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial

   Annals of medicine · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 16 September 2026

   Opioid‑free esketamine‑dexmedetomidine vs sufentanil analgesia

3. 3

   Preoperative and postoperative ultrasound guided intercostal nerve blockade on postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS): a prospective randomized comparative study

   Frontiers in medicine · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 4 September 2026

   In a randomized trial of 172 adults, giving an ultrasound-guided intercostal nerve block after video-assisted thoracic surgery reduced the proportion experiencing moderate-to-severe resting pain in the first 24 hours from 28% to 12%. The later block also lowered opioid use and improved sleep, while overall recovery and complications were unchanged.

4. 4

   Postoperative Analgesic Efficacy of a Novel Surgical Modified Serratus Anterior Plane Block in Reduction Mammaplasty: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

   Aesthetic plastic surgery · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 18 September 2026

   Prospective RCT, serratus block opioid-sparing

5. 5

   Ultrasound-Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block and Subcostal Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Laparoscopic Liver Resection: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

   Journal of pain research · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 11 September 2026

   In a trial of 120 patients undergoing laparoscopic liver resection, both erector spinae plane block and subcostal transversus abdominis plane block reduced coughing pain scores by about one point at two hours and cut opioid use, leading to better quality-of-recovery scores on day one. The two techniques performed similarly, so either can be added to multimodal analgesia without a clear superiority.

6. 6

   Ultrasound-assisted modified paramedian approach vs. traditional paramedian approach for spinal anesthesia in lower limb surgery: a single-center randomized controlled trial

   Frontiers in medicine · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 3 September 2026

   Ultrasound‑assisted modified paramedian spinal anaesthesia trial

7. 7

   Burst vs Tonic Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Neuropathic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Multidimensional Outcomes

   Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 21 July 2026

   Burst vs tonic SCS meta‑analysis for chronic neuropathic pain

8. 8

   Effects of gut microbiota-targeted interventions on pain, physical function, and inflammatory biomarkers in osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

   Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 4 September 2026

   High-quality evidence in a top journal

9. 9

   Platelet-Rich Plasma Provides Greater Pain Relief and Functional Improvement Than Hyaluronic Acid for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

   Journal of ISAKOS : joint disorders & orthopaedic sports medicine · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 15 September 2026

   High-quality evidence in a top journal

10. 10

    Orthobiologic Injections Adjunctive to Cartilage-Preserving Surgery May Improve Outcomes for Focal Knee Chondral Defects: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials With Subgroup Meta-analyses

    Arthroscopy : the journal of arthroscopic & related surgery : official publication of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the International Arthroscopy Association · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 18 September 2026

    Orthobiologic adjuncts to cartilage surgery, no anaesthetic relevance

Paper of the day, last two weeks

• Preventing intraoperative hypotension in propofol-sedated gastroenteroscopy: a randomized trial of crystalloid preloading

  Surgical endoscopy · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 17 September 2026

  Crystalloid preloading prevents intra‑operative hypotension in gastroenteroscopy

• Short-term postoperative neurocognitive safety and recovery profiles of remimazolam tosilate combined with flumazenil vs. propofol in cirrhotic patients undergoing endoscopic variceal treatment: a randomized controlled trial

  Frontiers in medicine · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 4 September 2026

  Shorter recovery, higher MOAA/S with remimazolam

• Preventing intraoperative hypotension in propofol-sedated gastroenteroscopy: a randomized trial of crystalloid preloading

  Surgical endoscopy · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 17 September 2026

  Crystalloid preloading prevents intra‑operative hypotension in gastroenteroscopy

• Familial Mediterranean fever in Azerbaijani children: a nationwide cohort study of genotype-phenotype association

  Rheumatology (Oxford, England) · Q1 journal · Retrospective cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 11 September 2026

  Opioid‑limiting law reduced >7‑day prescriptions in survivors

• Familial Mediterranean fever in Azerbaijani children: a nationwide cohort study of genotype-phenotype association

  Rheumatology (Oxford, England) · Q1 journal · Retrospective cohort · Evidence level 3 (Low) · 11 September 2026

  Opioid‑limiting law reduced >7‑day prescriptions in survivors

• Efficacy of lidocaine spray for pain reduction during rabies immunoglobulin infiltration: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

  Vaccine · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 12 September 2026

  Lidocaine spray reduces pain during rabies immunoglobulin infiltration

• Caudal versus penile block and urethrocutaneous fistula formation following hypospadias repair in children <2 years: a multicenter randomized clinical trial

  Regional anesthesia and pain medicine · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 11 September 2026

  In a multicenter randomized trial of children under two years, fistula formed in 8.9% after caudal block and 7.3% after penile block, showing no meaningful difference. Caudal block lowered intra-operative and rescue opioid use and produced lower pain scores in recovery. The study stopped early and follow-up was incomplete, so larger trials are needed to confirm safety and analgesic benefits.

• Evaluating Improvement in Pain and Sensory Function When Using High-Frequency (10-kHz) Spinal Cord Stimulation in Individuals With Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (PDN-Sensory)

  Diabetes care · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 9 September 2026

  RCT of 10‑kHz SCS showing pain and sensory improvement in

• Perioperative Depression and Anxiety Care in Older Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

  JAMA network open · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 1 September 2026

  In a trial of 306 patients aged 68 on average, a combined psychological and medication protocol lowered PHQ-ADS scores by 2.2 points versus enhanced usual care at three months after cardiac, oncologic or orthopedic surgery. The benefit was strongest in cancer surgery (nearly 5-point drop), and clinicians found the approach feasible, though larger studies are needed to confirm which groups profit most.

• Evaluating Improvement in Pain and Sensory Function When Using High-Frequency (10-kHz) Spinal Cord Stimulation in Individuals With Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial (PDN-Sensory)

  Diabetes care · Q1 journal · RCT · Evidence level 1 (High) · 9 September 2026

  RCT of 10‑kHz SCS showing pain and sensory improvement in

• The impact of remimazolam on postoperative neurocognitive disorder in elderly surgical patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  Frontiers in pharmacology · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 24 August 2026

  Remimazolam impact on postoperative neurocognitive disorder

• Effectiveness of Selective Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibitors for Postoperative Pain Management Using Multidimensional Pain Assessment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

  Anesthesiology · Q1 journal · SR/MA of RCTs · Evidence level 1 (High) · 9 September 2026

  In a meta-analysis of 38 trials involving 5,424 adults, peri-operative COX-2 inhibitors lowered pain-related interference with daily activities by roughly one point on a ten-point scale and halved the odds of developing chronic pain, though evidence for chronic pain intensity was weak. The drugs also modestly improved overall recovery without raising major safety concerns.

Evidence summaries in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome