Background:Suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) is an effective method for the treatment of shoulder disorders. The present study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of SSNB under ultrasonographic guidance with anatomical landmark-guided (LMG) technique in the treatment of chronic shoulder pain.Materials and Methods:A total of fifty patients with shoulder pain were enrolled in the present prospective randomized study. Patients in Group I (n = 25) received SSNB using the anatomical LMG as technique described by Dangoisse, in whom a total of 6 ml of drug (5 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine and 40 mg methylprednisolone) was injected. Group II patients (n = 25) were given SSNB using the ultrasound guidance with the same amount of drug. Pain was measured using visual analog scale (VAS), range of motion and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) were recorded. Observations were recorded before the block, immediately after the block, and 1 and 4 weeks after the block.Results:There was no statistically significant difference between the VAS score, range of motion and SPADI before the procedure (P > 0.05) in both the groups. Both the groups showed statistically similar improvement of VAS, range of motion and SPADI at 4-week (P > 0.05) follow-up. In Group I, VAS decreased from baseline value of 6.64 ± 1.50–2.04 ± 0.94 at 4 weeks (P < 0.001). In Group II, the VAS decreased from 6.92 ± 1.00 to 1.84 ± 1.03 at 4 weeks (P < 0.01).Conclusion:In our study, both the techniques have produced comparable relief of pain, improvement in shoulder movement, and decreased SPADI 4 weeks after the block.

Background:Clonidine is added to intrathecal local anesthetics to improve intraoperative analgesia and to increase the duration of sensory and motor block. Aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of addition of two different doses of clonidine (15 and 30 mcg) to 11 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine in patients undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy surgery under spinal anesthesia.Materials and Methods:Seventy-five patients enrolled in the study were randomly divided into three groups of 25 each. Group I patients received 11 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine, whereas groups II and III received 15 mcg and 30 mcg clonidine, respectively, as an adjuvant to 11 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine. The volume of solution was kept constant to 2.4 ml by adding saline wherever needed.Results:Highest level of sensory block, time to achieve this level, and highest Bromage scale recorded were comparable among the groups. The mean time to two-segment regression, regression of sensory block to L3 dermatome, and mean duration of motor block were the greatest in group III followed by group II and group I. There was significant fall in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in groups II and III as compared to group I (P = 0.04). Episodes of hypotension were more in group III than in group II.Conclusion:30 mcg clonidine was associated with more incidence and duration of hypotension than 15 μg of clonidine. 15 mcg clonidine added to 11 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine provides better sensory and motor blockade for inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Background and Aims:Infraclavicular (IC) approach of subclavian vein (SCV) catheterisation is widely used as compared to supraclavicular (SC) approach. The aim of the study was to compare the ease of catheterisation of SCV using SC versus IC approach and also record the incidence of complications related to either approach, if any.Methods:In the study, 60 patients enrolled were randomly divided into two groups of 30 patients each. In Gp. SC right SCV catheterisation was performed using SC approach and in Gp. IC catheterisation was performed using IC approach. Access time, success rate of cannulation, number of attempts to cannulate vein, ease of guidewire and catheter insertion and length of catheter inserted and any associated complications were recorded.Results:The mean access time in group SC for SCV catheterisation was 4.30 ± 1.02 min compared to 6.07 ± 2.14 min in group IC. The overall success rate in catheterisation of the right SCV using SC approach (29 out of 30) was better as compared with group IC (27 out of 30) using IC approach. First attempt success in the SC group was 75.6% as compared with 59.25% in the IC group. All successful subclavian vein  catheterisations in SC group and IC group were associated with smooth insertion of guidewire following subclavian venipuncture.Conclusion:The SC approach of SCV catheterisation is comparable to IC approach in terms of landmarks accessibility, success rate and rate of complications.

cardiac arrest after intravenous injection of bupivacaine. Anesth Analg 2008; 106:1566 -71 3. van Woerkens LJ, Duncker DJ, Huigen RJ, van der Giessen WJ, Verdouw PD: Redistribution of cardiac output caused by opening of arteriovenous anastomoses by a combination of azaperone and metomidate. Br J Anaesth 1990; 65:393-9 4. Gregory NG, Wilkins LJ: Effect of azaperone on cardiovascular responsiveness in stress-sensitive pigs. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 1986; 9:164 -70 5. Lees P: Pharmacology and toxicology of alpha chloralose: A review. Vet Rec 1972; 91:330 -3 6. Schwartz JB, Heere JM: The electrophysiological effects of alpha-chloralose anesthesia in the intact dog: (1) alone and (2) in combination with verapamil. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol 1989; 12:283-93 7. Aya AGM, de La Coussaye JE, Robert E, Ripart J, Cuvillon P, Mazoit JX, Jeannes P, Fabbro-Peray P, Eldjam JJ: Comparison of the effects of raceimc bupivacaine, levobupicaine, and ropivacaine on ventricular conduction, refractoriness, and wavelength. ANESTHESIOLOGY 2002; 96:641-50 8. Bardaji A, Cinca J, Worner F, Schoenenberger A: Effects of anaesthesia on acute ischaemic arrhythmias and epicardial electrograms in the pig heart in situ.

Background: Brachial plexus blockade is a time tested anesthetic technique for upper limb surgeries. Among the various approaches of brachial plexus block, supraclavicular block, once described as the "spinal of the arm," offers dense anesthesia of the brachial plexus for surgical procedures at or distal to the elbow. Landmark technique has been traditionally used for performing this block. But blind technique often requires multiple trial-and-error needle attempts, resulting in increase in procedure time, procedure-related pain and complications including pneumothorax, which is very risky. In developing countries like India, ultrasound is a relatively new technique and is increasingly being used for performing nerve blocks for acute as well as chronic pain procedures. Objective: We performed this study to evaluate safety and clinical usefulness of ultrasound technology for supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks. Methods: We included 60 adult patients of either sex undergoing surgeries for fracture of lower end of humerus or fracture of forearm bones. Patients were divided into two groups. In one group, surface landmark technique was used while in other group, supraclavicular nerve block was performed under ultrasound guidance by double injection technique. All patients received 10 ml each of 2% lignocaine with adrenaline, 10 ml 0.5% bupivacaine and 10 ml of saline. Surgery was started after confirming adequacy of block. Ineffective blocks were replaced with general anesthesia and insufficient pain control during surgery was supplemented with fentanyl. Results: There was no significant difference between patient groups with regard to demographic data. Supraclavicular plexus nerve block was placed in all 60 patients. Block failure was seen in 5 patients in landmark technique group and in one patient in USG group. The time of onset of sensory and motor block was shorter in USG group than landmark technique group. Intra-op analgesic was required in 5/30 patients in blind group and 3/30 patients in USG group. Post-op analgesia was for longer duration in USG guided group as compared to blind group. Conclusion: Ultrasound guidance is clinically very useful for supraclavicular brachial plexus block. It allows visualization of underlying structures, movement of needle and direct spread of local anesthetic and thus making the procedure safer and more effective.

Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is a multisystem disease and immunoglobulin A-mediated vasculitis with a self-limited course affecting the skin, joints, gastrointestinal tract, and kidneys. Severe renal and central nervous system disease may lead to life-threatening conditions, and immunosuppressive agents and plasmapheresis may be needed. We report successful management of a 6-year-old patient with HSP for drainage of cervical lymphadenitis.

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J o u rn al of A n e s th es ia & C li n ic a l Resea rc h