Articles: nerve-block.
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Clinical Trial
The false-positive rate of uncontrolled diagnostic blocks of the lumbar zygapophysial joints.
One hundred and seventy-six consecutive patients with chronic low back pain and no history of previous lumbar surgery were studied to determine the false-positive rate of single diagnostic blocks of the lumbar zygapophysial joints. All patients underwent diagnostic blocks using lignocaine. Those patients who obtained definite or complete relief from these blocks subsequently underwent confirmatory blocks using bupivacaine. ⋯ Using the response to confirmatory blocks as the criterion standard, the false-positive rate of uncontrolled diagnostic blocks was 38% and the positive predictive value of these blocks was only 31%. Because the positive predictive value of a test is lower when the pre-test probability (prevalence) is low, and because the prevalence of lumbar zygapophysial joint pain is likely to be less than 50%, uncontrolled diagnostic blocks will always be associated with an unacceptably low positive predictive value. These features render uncontrolled diagnostic blocks unreliable for the diagnosis of lumbar zygapophysial joint pain not only in epidemiologic studies but also in any given patient.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Aug 1994
Letter Case ReportsUltrasound facilitation of brachial plexus block.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · Jul 1994
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialInterscalene block for pain relief after shoulder surgery. A prospective randomized study.
A prospective randomized study undertaken in 30 patients who underwent outpatient decompressive acromioplasty demonstrated the efficacy and safety of interscalene block post-operatively. Interscalene block improved the postoperative condition and well being of these patients. Their use decreased the hospitalization rate. There were no complications or side effects.
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The use of epidural analgesia has become so widespread in recent years that many women are now requesting repeat epidural analgesia for their second or subsequent labour. This study examines the incidence of problems at insertion and of inadequate block in 71 multiparae having second epidurals compared with 150 primiparae having their first epidural. ⋯ Epidurals were inserted at a greater dilatation (P < 0.05) and there was a shorter time to delivery (P < 0.01) in the multiparous group. We conclude that unilateral block is thus more common in women receiving repeat epidurals.
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Regional anesthesia · Jul 1994
Clinical TrialOne needle transcrural celiac plexus block. Single shot or continuous technique, or both.
The purpose of the study was to establish a one needle transcrural technique for the celiac plexus block in the lateral position. Contrary to the conventional prone bilateral approach, the lateral position with a cushion under the flank is better tolerated and makes bony landmarks more accessible. Unilateral needle placement reduces the morbidity of the technique and should also enable one to apply single administration or continuous blocks, or both. ⋯ Clinical results proved that the unilateral, transcrural technique in a lateral position is simple, safe, and gives a reliable celiac plexus block or neurolysis effects under fluoroscopy, or both, comparable to the results where computed tomography was used. The possibility of continuous block makes this technique useful in clinical practice.