Stellate ganglion block alleviates postoperative sleep disturbance in patients undergoing radical surgery for gastrointestinal malignancies

Abstract

Study objectives: We explored the effects of stellate ganglion block on postoperative sleep disturbance in patients scheduled to undergo radical surgery for gastrointestinal malignancies.

Methods: Forty such patients were randomly assigned to the control group (Group C) or the preoperative stellate ganglion block treatment group (Group S). Using actigraphy, sleep quality was evaluated on the first night before the operation and first, second, and third postoperative nights. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scale was used for sleep state assessment on 1 day preoperatively and the first, second, third, fifth, and seventh days postoperatively. Plasma interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and IL-10 and melatonin levels were checked at 1 day preoperatively and the first and third days postoperatively. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO₂) were recorded before general anesthesia induction, immediately after tracheal intubation, at the beginning of the operation, 1 and 2 hours after the beginning of the operation, at the end of the operation, immediately after extubation, and 30 minutes after transfer to the postanesthesia care unit.

Results: Compared with Group C, in Group S sleep efficiency, total sleep time, and sleep maintenance were increased and sleep period change index, number of awakenings, wake after sleep onset, and body movements were reduced on the first and second postoperative nights; Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores and occurrence of postoperative sleep disturbance were lower on the first and second nights postoperatively; IL-6 was reduced on the first night postoperatively; IL-1 and IL-10 were reduced on the third night postoperatively; melatonin was increased on the first night postoperatively; and mean arterial pressure and heart rate were decreased before general anesthesia induction, immediately after tracheal intubation, and at the end of the operation (all P < .05). Conclusions: Stellate ganglion block alleviates postoperative sleep disturbance by reducing postoperative inflammatory response, increasing melatonin levels, and stabilizing perioperative hemodynamics in patients undergoing radical surgery for gastrointestinal malignancies.

Clinical trial registration: Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: The Effect of Stellate Ganglion Block on Postoperative Sleep Disturbance and Cognitive Function in Elderly Surgical Patients; URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04800653; Identifier: NCT04800653.

Citation: Yan S, Wang Y, Yu L, et al. Stellate ganglion block alleviates postoperative sleep disturbance in patients undergoing radical surgery for gastrointestinal malignancies. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(9):1633-1642.

Keywords: malignancy; postoperative sleep disorder; stellate ganglion block; surgery.