Articles: nerve-block.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Efficacy of pre-emptive analgesia and continuous extrapleural intercostal nerve block on post-thoracotomy pain and pulmonary mechanics.
Thoracotomy results in severe pain and deleterious changes in pulmonary physiology. The literature suggests that these alterations in pulmonary mechanics are inevitable and can only be minimised but not prevented by effective analgesia. We have re-evaluated this concept and assessed the efficacy of pre-emptive analgesia [preincisional afferent block, premedication with opiate and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)] in conjunction with postoperative extrapleural continuous intercostal nerve block on postoperative pain and pulmonary function. ⋯ We conclude that a balanced analgesic regime comprising preoperative pain prophylaxis and postoperative maintenance analgesia by NSAID and continuous extrapleural intercostal nerve block will minimise and even reverse the expected decline in lung function after thoracotomy. The postoperative decline in lung function is not obligatory but primarily due to incisional pain and thus is preventable by effective analgesia. An ideal balanced pre-emptive analgesic regime should include preincisional local anaesthetic afferent block and premedication with opiates and a NSAID:
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The purpose of this study was to describe the relation of the lumbar plexus with the psoas major and with the superficial and deep landmarks close to it. Four cadavers were dissected and 22 computed tomography files of the lumbosacral region studied. Cadaver dissections demonstrated that the lumbar plexus, at the level of L5, is within the substance of the psoas major muscle rather than between this muscle and the quadratus lumborum. ⋯ However, while the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is in the same fascial plane as the femoral nerve, the obturator nerve can be found in the same plane as the two other nerves or in its own muscular fold. Radiological data provided the following measurements: the femoral nerve is at a depth of 9.01 +/- 2.43 cm; the psoas major medial border is at 2.73 +/- 0.64 cm from the median sagittal plane; and its lateral border is at 6.41 +/- 1.61 cm from the same plane. It is concluded that the lumbar plexus is within the psoas major, that the obturator nerve localization within the psoas major varies and that computed tomography data define precisely the relationship of the lumbar plexus with superficial and deep landmarks.
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Case Reports
Transient paraplegia from intraoperative intercostal nerve block after transthoracic discectomy.
To present two patients with transient paraplegia from intercostal nerve blocks after transthoracic discectomy. ⋯ Because of the inherent risk of neurologic injury after thoracic discectomy, the authors discourage the use of intercostal nerve blocks for relieving postoperative pain after transthoracic discectomy.
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A combination of lumbar plexus block, by a posterior technique, and sciatic nerve block can be a useful technique for outpatient anaesthesia. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics of these blocks using lidocaine and to measure the serum lidocaine concentrations. Forty-five patients, undergoing lower extremity surgery, were studied. ⋯ This was associated with a contra-lateral extension of the block. We conclude that this combination of blocks is a valuable alternative for unilateral lower extremity anaesthesia. However, clinicians must be aware of the implications of a contra-lateral extension of the block.
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J Hand Surg Eur Vol · Jun 1994
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe "mini-Bier's block": a new technique for prevention of tourniquet pain during axillary brachial plexus anaesthesia.
Tourniquet cuff pain is a significant cause of morbidity following regional anaesthesia of the upper limb. We describe a simple new technique for effectively anaesthetizing the area under a pneumatic tourniquet (the "mini-Bier's block"), which permits comfortable surgery under axillary block anaesthesia even if the local block is incomplete. We report a controlled study of 40 patients in whom statistically significant tourniquet cuff pain relief was obtained in patients receiving an additional low-dose intravenous injection of local anaesthetic localized beneath the cuff. This technique ensures that the safe axillary approach to the brachial plexus can always be used with avoidance of pain from the pressure of the tourniquet cuff.