Der Anaesthesist
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Case Reports
[Pneumothorax in vertical infraclavicular block of the brachial plexus. Review of a rare complication].
A 50 year old female patient received anaesthesia of the arm by the vertical infraclavicular blockade of the plexus brachialis (VIP). Postoperatively an ipsilateral pneumothorax occurred complicated by pleural effusion and a contralateral bronchopneumonia, which resolved completely after treatment. ⋯ Nevertheless, the VIP is an important method due to its high success rate concerning blockade of the musculocutaneous nerve and tolerance of tourniquet. The risk of a pneumothorax is about 0.2 to 0.7%.
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S-100 protein and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) serum concentrations serve as markers of cerebral damage in cardiac surgery, neurology, or after head injury. In these circumstances, S-100 and NSE levels correspond with the results of neuropsychological tests. The present study investigated the diagnostic value in orthopaedic patients after joint replacement. ⋯ Obviously, increased NSE levels seem to indicate cerebral damage only in more severe cases. S-100 does not seem to be brain-specific in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Therefore, the value of S-100 in the assessment of brain disorders is limited.