This study showed no statistically significant difference in the duration of post-operative analgesia between the supraclavicular and interscalene blocks. However, the supraclavicular block was associated with a lower incidence of diaphragmatic paresis compared with that of the interscalene block after shoulder surgery.

BackgroundDexmedetomidine extends the duration of nerve block when administered perineurally together with local anesthetics by central and/or peripheral action. In this study, we compared the duration of nerve block between dexmedetomidine and epinephrine as an adjuvant to 1% mepivacaine in infraclavicular brachial plexus block.Methods Thirty patients, scheduled for upper limb surgery were assigned randomly to 3 groups of 10 patients each. We performed brachial plexus block using a nerve stimulator. In the control group (group C), patients received 40 ml of 1% mepivacaine. In group E, patients received 40 ml of 1% mepivacaine containing 200 µg of epinephrine as an adjuvant. In group D, patients received 40 ml of 1% mepivacaine containing 1 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant. Sensory block duration, motor block duration, time to sense pain, and onset time were assessed. We also monitored blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation and bispectral index.ResultsIn group D and group E, sensory block duration, motor block duration and time to sense first pain were prolonged significantly compared to group C. However, there was no significant difference between group D and group E.ConclusionsPerineural 1 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine similarly prolonged nerve block duration compared to 200 µg of epinephrine, but slowed heart rate. Thus, dexmedetomidine is expected to be a good alternative as an adjuvant to local anesthesia in patients who are cautioned against epinephrine.

BACKGROUND: Relative to interscalene block, superior trunk block (STB) provides comparable analgesia and a reduced risk of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. However, the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis remains high when a standard volume (15 mL) of local anesthetic is used. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of local anesthetic volume of STB on the incidence of phrenic nerve palsy, as well as its analgesic efficacy following arthroscopic shoulder surgery. METHODS: Patients scheduled for elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided STB using either 5- or 15-mL 0.5% ropivacaine before general anesthesia. The primary outcome was the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis at 30 minutes after block. The secondary outcomes were pulmonary function, grade of sensory and motor blockade, pain score, opioid consumption, adverse effects, and satisfaction. RESULTS: Relative to standard-volume STB, low-volume STB was associated with a lower incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis after block (14.3 [4.8%–30.3%] vs 65.7 [46.8%–80.9%]; difference 51.4% [95% confidence intervals {CIs}, 29.0%–67.1%]; P < .0001) and at the postanesthesia care unit (9.4% vs 50.0%; difference 40.6 [95% CI, 18.9%–57.7%]; P = .0004). Pulmonary function was also better preserved in the low-volume group than in the standard-volume group. The extent of the sensory and motor blocks was significantly different between the groups. Pain-related outcomes, satisfaction, and any adverse events were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Low-volume STB provided a lower incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis with no significant difference in analgesic efficacy relative to standard-volume STB for arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

The technique of submental intubation in patients with multiple facial fractures and skull base fracture was originally described by Altemir. This technique provides a secure airway and allows intermaxillary fixation while avoiding the complications of nasotracheal intubation or tracheostomy. However, when the endotracheal pilot balloon and endotracheal tube are pulled through the submental incision site using this technique, soft tissues or blood may enter the endotracheal tube and trauma may result in the surrounding tissues. To overcome these problems, we carried out a modification of submental orotracheal intubation using the blue cap on the end of the thoracic catheter in a patient with mandibular fractures and injury to the skull base and found that this modification resulted in a safer and less traumatic intubation.

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Although heparin is better known as an anticoagulant, it also has several anti-inflammatory effects. Heparin is known to inhibit neutrophil adhesion, chemotaxis and oxygen free radical production. In addition, heparin is also known to act as an oxygen radical scavenger. Our hypothesis was that heparin would attenuate renal ischemia reperfusion injury. In this study, we investigated whether heparin had a protective effect on renal ischemia reperfusion injury. Sheep (n = 12) were prepared for the chronic study with venous, arterial and urinary catheters inserted. In addition, pneumatic occluders and ultrasonic flow probes were placed on renal arteries. After a 5-day recovery period, the sheep were randomized to either a heparin treatment group (400 IU/kg i.v. bolus 10 minutes before renal artery occlusion, followed by a continuous effusion 25,000 IU in 250 ml of 0.9% NaCl at 10 ml/hr, n = 6) or a control group (n = 6), which received an equivalent volume of 0.9% NaCl. All the sheep then underwent 90 minutes of bilateral renal ischemia followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), and creatinine clearance (CrCl) were determined at various intervals during both the ischemic and reperfusion periods. Kidney tissue samples were obtained at autopsy for histologic examination. As a result, there were significant differences in the degree of inflammation (1.50 +/- 1.24 Vs 0.50 +/- 0.79, P < 0.05) between the control and heparin treatment groups, but not in the degree of injury (2.83 +/- 0.44 Vs 2.33 +/- 0.28). In this study, heparin significantly attenuated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) infiltration within the interstitium, but it did not affect the degree of renal damage as measured by urinary chemistries or renal tubular damage as assessed by histopathologic evaluation.

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Background:Coccygodynia is a pain in the region of the coccyx that radiates to the sacral, perineal area. The cause of the pain is often unknown. Coccygodynia is diagnosed through the patient's past history, a physical examination, and dynamic radiographic study, but the injection of local anesthetics or a diagnostic nerve blockade are needed to distinguish between somatic, neuropathic, and combined pain. Ganglion impar is a single retroperitoneal structure made of both paravertebral sympathetic ganglions. Although there are no standard guidelines for the treatment of coccygodynia, ganglion impar blockade is one of the effective options for treatment.Methods:Here, we report a 42-year-old female patient presenting with severe pain in the coccygeal area after spinal arachnoid cyst removal.Results:Treatment involved neurolysis with absolute alcohol on the ganglion impar through the transsacrococcygeal junction. Pain was relieved without any complications.Conclusion:Our case report offers the ganglion impar blockade using the transsacrococcygeal approach with absolute alcohol can improve intractable coccydynia.