Articles: nerve-block.
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The advantages of regional over general anaesthesia have led to an increased use of peripheral nerve blocks. Among the few risks of regional anaesthesia are those of overdosage, systemic and neural toxicity. Techniques have been proposed to improve the success of peripheral nerve blocks and to avoid nerve damage or systemic toxicity. Nerve stimulator, anatomic landmarks, needles and anaesthetic solutions are discussed.
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Reversible functional joint disorders (joint blockages, somatic dysfunction) of the intervertebral and rib joints can be treated using manual therapy, which improves the related segmental changes in both the dorsal and the ventral area [pseudoradicular syndrome, hyperalgesia zone (HAZ)]. This phenomenon is triggered by a decrease in the heightened nociceptor irritation in the joint capsule and in the surrounding tissues. ⋯ From our results we conclude that blocking of the peripheral nociceptors, rather than of the peripheral nerve bundles, is of primary significance for the effective treatment of anterior thoracalgia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Recovery characteristics after early administration of anticholinesterases during intense mivacurium-induced neuromuscular block.
The time course of recovery after early administration of anticholinesterases during intense mivacurium-induced block was evaluated by recording the mechanomyographic response of the adductor pollicis to post-tetanic count (PTC) and train-of-four (TOF) ulnar nerve stimulation. Seventy-two adult patients receiving thiopentone, fentanyl, nitrous oxide, isoflurane anaesthesia and mivacurium 0.15 mg kg-1 were allocated randomly to one of six equal groups according to the type of anticholinesterase and intensity of block at which antagonism was attempted. Groups 1, 3 and 5 received neostigmine 0.07 mg kg-1, while groups 2, 4 and 6 received edrophonium 1 mg kg-1. ⋯ The longest clinical duration (CD) values (time from administration of mivacurium to T1 25%) were encountered in groups 1, 5 and 6 and were 17.4 (7.9), 19.7 (3.4) and 21.4 (4.8) min, respectively. CD was reduced significantly in groups 2, 3 and 4 and values were 13.9 (3.5), 13.7 (3.5) and 13.8 (3.3) min, respectively. Recovery indices (RI) (time interval between T1 25% and 75%) were 13.8 (7.3), 6.3 (1.4), 4.6 (1.8), 6.0 (2.1), 3.7 (2.2) and 4.8 (3.1) min in groups 1-6, respectively and was prolonged with neostigmine antagonism at PTC 0 (group 1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Low and high frequency stimulation tests to characterize the effects of edrophonium on vecuronium-induced neuromuscular block.
We recorded adductor pollicis mechanical activity in response to low (0.1 and 2 Hz) and high (50 and 100 Hz) frequency stimulation 15 min after edrophonium 250, 500 and 1000 micrograms kg-1, given to antagonize vecuronium-induced block at 10, 25 and 50% pre-reversal twitch height. We studied 54 ASA class I and II anaesthetized (methohexitone, fentanyl, nitrous oxide) young adult patients allocated randomly to nine groups of six patients each. The greater sensitivity of train-of four (TOF) ratio and residual force after 100-Hz, 5-s tetanic stimulation (RF100) to residual deficit allowed discrimination more readily between the effects of edrophonium dose and pre-reversal twitch height (P < 0.001, two-way analysis of variance). The highest reversal scores (approximately 0.9 TOF ratio and 0.6 RF100) were obtained when edrophonium 500-1000 mg kg-1 was given at 50% twitch height (P < 0.05, Duncan's test).
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The pain associated with multiple rib fractures can be surprisingly variable. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of an indwelling, percutaneously placed intercostal catheter in relieving the pain associated with multiple rib fractures. ⋯ These results confirm that an indwelling intercostal catheter provides a continuous nerve block resulting in a simple, safe procedure that can ameliorate the pain and splinting associated with multiple rib fractures. Although we experienced no complications, additional investigation is clearly needed.