Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Paravertebral blocks have gained in popularity and offer the possible benefit of reduced adverse effects when compared with epidural analgesia. Nevertheless, pulmonary complications in the form of inadvertent pleural puncture are still a recognized risk. Also, the traditional paravertebral blocks are often technically difficult even with ultrasound guidance and constitute deep non-compressible area injections. We present our experience with the first three patients receiving ultrasound-guided retrolaminar blocks for managing the pain associated with multiple rib fractures. ⋯ Successful analgesia was achieved in all three cases utilizing continuous infusion and intermittent boluses with ultrasound-guided retrolaminar blocks. These results show the feasibility of this approach for patients with multiple rib fractures.
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Clinical Trial
Single-operator real-time ultrasound-guided spinal injection using SonixGPS™: a case series.
The SonixGPS™ is a novel needle tracking system that has recently been approved in Canada for ultrasound-guided needle interventions. It allows optimization of needle-beam alignment by providing a real-time display of current and predicted needle tip position. Currently, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of this technique for performance of real-time spinal anesthesia. This case series reports performance of the SonixGPS system for real-time ultrasound-guided spinal anesthesia in elective patients scheduled for joint arthroplasty. ⋯ This case series shows that real-time ultrasound-guided spinal anesthesia with the SonixGPS system is possible within an acceptable time frame. It proved effective with a low rate of failure and a low rate of complications. Our clinical experience suggests that a randomized trial is warranted to compare the SonixGPS with a standard block technique.
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Case Reports
Ultrasound-guided perineural steroid injection to treat intractable pain due to sciatic nerve injury.
Sciatic neuropathy is a rare but serious complication of cardiac surgery. Neuropathic pain following nerve injury can be severely debilitating and largely resistant to treatment. We present a case of this complication where ultrasound-guided perineural steroid injection at the site of the sciatic nerve injury provided excellent pain relief and facilitated subsequent rehabilitation. ⋯ There are a limited number of reports in the literature on sciatic nerve injuries associated with cardiac surgery. This case illustrates the efficacy of ultrasound-guided steroid injection around sciatic nerves at the level of superior gemellus in treating our patient's neuropathic pain.
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The purpose of this Continuing Professional Development module is to describe anatomic and physiologic challenges in obese patients, review their effects on oxygenation and airway management, and propose strategies for perioperative management. ⋯ Rapid oxygen desaturation may occur in obese patients. Potential difficulties in airway management should be assessed and anticipated, and oxygenation, ventilation, and airway management strategies should be optimized perioperatively.