Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
-
Reg Anesth Pain Med · Nov 2012
Adverse outcomes associated with nerve stimulator-guided and ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks by supervised trainees: update of a single-site database.
We previously published a retrospective review of complications related to peripheral nerve blocks performed by supervised trainees, from our quality assurance and billing data, guided by either ultrasound, with nerve stimulator confirmation, or landmark-based nerve stimulator techniques. This report updates our results, for the period from May 2008 through December 2011, representing ongoing transition to near-complete combined ultrasound/nerve stimulator guidance in a block-oriented, outpatient orthopedic anesthesia practice. ⋯ We report a large series of combined ultrasound/nerve stimulator nerve blocks by supervised trainees without major local anesthetic systemic toxicity. While lacking the compelling evidence of randomized controlled trials, this observational database nonetheless allows increased confidence in the safety of using combined ultrasound/nerve stimulator in the setting of anesthesiologists-in-training.
-
Reg Anesth Pain Med · Nov 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialComparison of plasma concentrations of levobupivacaine with and without epinephrine for transversus abdominis plane block.
The pharmacokinetics for levobupivacaine in transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks has not been previously reported. We aimed to determine the extent of the block and the effect on plasma concentrations of levobupivacaine with the addition of epinephrine. ⋯ Adding epinephrine to levobupivacaine reduces its peak plasma concentration after unilateral TAP blocks, with no remarkable effects on block characteristics or duration.
-
Reg Anesth Pain Med · Nov 2012
Prolonged nerve block by microencapsulated bupivacaine prevents acute postoperative pain in rats.
To minimize acute postoperative pain, a new formulation of slowly released bupivacaine was developed. ⋯ Corresponding to its far greater functional blocking time, the microsphere-bupivacaine formulation was able to significantly reduce postoperative pain below control levels for up to 4 days. These findings of several days of postoperative pain relief, for an injectable formulation containing a single active agent, present an improved and potentially promising therapy to prevent acute pain after surgery.
-
Reg Anesth Pain Med · Nov 2012
Review Meta AnalysisContinuous peripheral nerve block compared with single-injection peripheral nerve block: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Many practitioners consider continuous peripheral nerve blocks (cPNBs) to be superior to single-injection peripheral nerve blocks (siPNBs). Several randomized controlled trials have demonstrated improved pain control, patient satisfaction, and other outcomes for patients with cPNBs compared with patients with siPNBs, whereas other trials have not shown significant differences. We sought to clarify any potential advantages of cPNBs over siPNBs. ⋯ Compared with siPNBs, cPNBs were associated with improved pain control, decreased need for opioid analgesics, less nausea, and greater patient satisfaction. The effect of cPNBs on other clinically relevant outcomes, such as complications, long-term functional outcomes, or costs, remains unclear.