Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Continuous peripheral nerve block (CPNB) can provide surgical anesthesia, prolonged postoperative analgesia, and acceptable side effects. Despite these advantages, CPNB is not in widespread use. Recently a new CPNB catheter system (Contiplex, B. Braun, Bethlehem, PA) was developed based on an insulated Tuohy needle, which allows for injection of local anesthetic and catheter insertion without disconnection or needle movement. At present, no clinical studies exist describing this system. ⋯ CPNB using the insulated Tuohy catheter system offered acceptable anesthesia and prolonged pain relief postsurgery. There were few side effects. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2001;26:209-214.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 2001
Effects of adrenergic agonists and antagonists on tetrodotoxin-induced nerve block.
The relative contributions of alpha(1)-, alpha(2)-, and beta-adrenergic receptors to adrenergic agonists' prolongation of nerve block by tetrodotoxin (TTX) are unknown. We investigated which receptor agonists prolong TTX block, and whether delayed injection of antagonists can interrupt prolonged blocks after coinjection of TTX and agonists. ⋯ TTX block can be prolonged by alpha(1)- and alpha(2)-, but not beta-adrenergic agonists via locally mediated events of relatively brief duration. Delayed injection of adrenergic antagonists does not interrupt the prolonged blocks produced by coinjection of TTX and adrenergic agonists unless administered soon after block is established. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2001;26:239-245.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 2001
Case ReportsLumbar sympathetic block for pain relief in two patients with interstitial cystitis.
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is characterized clinically by lower abdominal pain, pain during urination, and increased frequency of urination. Treatment of the symptoms in IC remains challenging. We report effective treatment using lumbar sympathetic block for 2 patients with IC. ⋯ Lumbar sympathetic block using a neurolytic agent produced long-lasting pain relief in 2 patients with IC. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2001;26:271-273.