Articles: nerve-block.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 2001
Clinical TrialAn evaluation of the brachial plexus block at the humeral canal using a neurostimulator (1417 patients): the efficacy, safety, and predictive criteria of failure.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the multiple peripheral nerve block technique at the humeral canal (humeral block) with the use of a neurostimulator, we prospectively studied 1417 patients undergoing upper limb surgery with a brachial plexus block at the humeral canal (1468 blocks). The success rate (defined as sensory block [in all nerve distributions] and/or the absence of another anesthetic technique required to allow surgery) was 95%. The threshold of minimal stimulation used to locate each nerve before injecting the anesthetic solution was the unique predictive factor for identified failure. For the median nerve, the threshold was 0.8 mA with a relative risk of failure (RRf: relative risk evaluated by series of Taylor with a 95% confidence interval) = 1.49 (P = 0.04), for the radial nerve the threshold was 0.6 mA (RRf 1.3, P = 0.02), and 0.7 mA for the ulnar nerve (RRf 1.36, P = 0.04). For any equal or higher stimulation level, the risk of failure of the humeral block increased. For the musculocutaneous nerve, we did not observe a significant stimulation threshold for the risk of failure; although beyond 0.7 mA, the RRf was always more than 1.3. Adverse events occurred in 7% of all cases and were usually minor (nausea/vomiting, anxiety, local pain). Our study provides supplementary information on the efficacy and safety of this technique. Stimulation thresholds are clinically identified for the first time as the main factor linked to the failure of a technique using a neurostimulator. We conclude that the humeral block is a reliable peripheral block allowing good success rates results with minor complications, which can be used as an alternative to the axillary block. ⋯ We prospectively evaluated the feasibility and the factors causing failure of a peripheral nerve block technique (humeral block) using neurostimulation in a large number of patients. The importance of the level of stimulation for the success of the block was evaluated for the first time.
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Obturator nerve blocks (ONB) have been performed by anaesthesiologists mainly to eliminate the obturator reflex during transurethral resections. An effect on hip pain has also been described. However, being a time-consuming and operator-dependent procedure if performed manually, it has not been widely used for chronic hip pain. ⋯ Excellent pain relief for 3-11 months was achieved in another 4 patients. Reasons for a mid-term or even long-term effect based on a single injection of local anaesthetic are not exactly known. The CT-guided ONB is a fast, easy and safe procedure that may be useful for mid-term (weeks) and sometimes even long-term (months) treatment of hip pain.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 2001
The division of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa: anatomical implications for popliteal nerve blockade.
The sciatic nerve (SN) originates from the L4-S3 roots in the form of two nerve trunks: the tibial nerve (TN) and the common peroneal nerve (CPN). The TN and CPN are encompassed by a single epineural sheath and eventually separate (divide) in the popliteal fossa. This division of the SN occurs at a variable level above the knee and may account for frequent failures reported with the popliteal block. We studied the level of division of the SN in the popliteal fossa and its relationship to the common epineural sheath of the SN. The level of division of the SN sheath into TN and CPN above the knee was measured in 28 cadaver leg specimens. The SN was invariably formed of independent trunks (TN and CPN) encompassed in one common epineural sheath. The SN divided at a mean distance of 60.5 +/- 27.0 mm (range 0 to 115 mm) above the popliteal fossa crease. We conclude that the TN and CPN leave the common SN sheath at variable distances from the popliteal crease. This finding and the relationship of the TN and CPN sheaths may have significant implications for popliteal block. ⋯ When performing popliteal block, insertion of the needle at 100 mm above the popliteal crease is more likely to result in placement of the needle proximal to the division of the sciatic nerve than placement at 50 or 70 mm, according to the classical teaching.
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Anesteziol Reanimatol · Jan 2001
Comparative Study[Combined anesthesia with blockade of nn.dorsalis penis and inhalation anesthetics in surgery of the penis in children].
The studies were carried out in 21 patients with abnormalities of the penis (coronal and penile hypospadia, webbed penis) aged 5-15 years. Central hemodynamics, heart rate, and arterial pressure were evaluated at 6 stages of anesthesia and surgery. ⋯ The nn. dorsalis penis was blocked with 0.25% marcaine in a dose of 0.1 ml/kg for each side. The results indicate that penile blockade in combination with inhalation anesthesia is an effective method for anesthesiological protection of children operated on the penis.