Articles: nerve-block.
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In the Emergency Department (ED), ultrasound-guided nerve blocks (UGNBs) have become a cornerstone of multimodal pain regimens. We investigated current national practices of UGNBs across academic medical center EDs, and how these trends have changed over time. ⋯ All programs participating in our study report performing UGNB in their ED, which is a 16% increase over the last 5 years. UGNB's are currently performed safely and effectively in the ED, however practice improvements can still be made. Creating multi-disciplinary committees at local and national levels can standardize guidelines and practice policies to optimize patient safety and outcomes.
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Persistent pain following breast surgery is common and may be challenging to treat. In patients refractory to conservative treatments, ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks of thoracic nerves can be a useful option. ⋯ This technical review aims to present an up-to-date summary of the most common ultrasound-guided fascial plane blocks for chronic pain in post-breast surgery patients, provide a detailed technical description of each intervention, and propose preferred injections based on the anatomical location of the pain.
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Selection of anesthetic technique for thigh amputation is complicated by patients' comorbid conditions. The sacral erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an emerging technique with potential as a primary anesthetic for thigh amputation. ⋯ This instance underscores the necessity for further investigation into the reliability of the sacral ESPB for lower limb surgeries. Until such evidence is established, caution is advised in relying solely on the sacral ESPB for thigh amputations, and consideration of alternative techniques is recommended.
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Rectus sheath blocks can provide analgesia for upper abdominal midline incisions. These blocks can be placed on patients who are anticoagulated, supine, and under general anesthesia. ⋯ Here we characterize a hypoechoic triangle with sonography, an anatomic space between adjacent rectus abdominis segments that can be accessed for easier needle tip and catheter placement. This approach could reduce reliance on hydrodissection to correctly identify the potential space and instead improve block efficacy by offering providers a discrete target for local anesthesia.