SEARCH · PubMed Health
Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Intravenous regional anesthesia was used in an adult dog as part of a balanced approach to general anesthesia for amputation of the 4th digit of its right hind limb. It allowed the concentration of isoflurane to be reduced to 0.5%.
Four local or regional anesthesia techniques for the insertion of cardiac pacemaker were studied prospectively in 40 patients. The four techniques studied were: local anesthesia, field block of the supraclavicular nerves, interscalene block at C4, and interscalene block at C6. The three goals of the study were to find the technique that gave the best quality of analgesia, the incidence of complications related to each technique, and the area of sensory innervation of C4. No technique was found to be superior to the others with regard to the quality of analgesia. Interscalene blocks at C4 and C6 were associated with complications and side effects more often than the two other techniques. The authors also suggest that the dermatome of C4 is not under the clavicle but above the clavicle. It was concluded that local anesthesia infiltration at the site of cardiac pacemaker insertion or field block of the supraclavicular nerves are the best techniques for cardiac pacemaker insertion.
Although anesthesia and post-operative analgesia are associated with specific morbidity, regional anesthesia is not systematically given during groin hernia surgery. The goals of this work were to determine the anatomical bases of safe ilio-inguinal (II)-hypogastric anesthesia that can be prolonged into the post-operative period and to validate this technique on anatomical preparations and in clinical situations. We studied the courses of the ilio-hypogastric (IH) and II nerves in 33 halves of 20 embalmed adult cadavers. The intermediate portion of the IH and II nerves, located between the transverse and the internal oblique muscles, were found to be suitable for a simultaneous block with a single injection. We assessed the feasibility of injecting a percutaneous infiltration into this space by injecting a dye before dissection. In 75% of cases, we observed percutaneous coloring of the nerves, confirming that this site was suitable. To guide the infiltration, the points where the nerves passed through the transverse and the internal oblique muscles were located from the iliac crest and anterior and superior iliac spine, respectively. The nerve trunks were grouped for over 5 cm in a cell-fat layer running between these two deep muscles. It was possible to position a micro-catheter in this anatomical space to allow repeated injections. The results of this anatomical study were used to modify the technique so that it could be used to provide regional anesthesia in five patients operated on for hernia. Post-operative pain was very effectively controlled in four cases with no complications.
We retrospectively studied a series of 385 carotid endarterectomies performed either under general anesthesia (242) or under local anesthesia (145) to compare the peri-operative mortality and morbidity rate and to identify factors which may influence the choice of anesthesia. The rate of transient ischaemic attacks (TIA), stroke, death, combined mortality, severe neurological and cardiac morbidity were not statistically different. Under general anesthesia, more shunts were inserted (17% versus 7%, p less than 0.05) and more myocardial infarctions occurred (5% versus 0%, p less than 0.05). However, more strokes due to technical imperfection were seen under regional anesthesia. We concluded that regional anesthesia is more appropriate in patients with coronary artery disease and in patients at risk of intolerance to cross clamping. General anesthesia is more appropriate in poorly cooperative patients or in those with unfavorable operative conditions.
In a preliminary pilot study, the effect of disoprivan for sedation during regional anesthesia was investigated. In 15 patients (ASA I or II), lumbar epidural anesthesia with bupivacaine 0.75% was performed at L 3/4. For premedication morphine or pethidine combined with scopolamine was given. After injection of the local anesthetic, a 30-min period was allowed for establishing the physiological side effects of epidural blockade, to present any further changes in circulatory and/or cardiac function. Disoprivan (1 mg/kg body weight) was injected i.v. followed by continuous disoprivan infusion. Three groups of 5 patients each were given 1, 1.5, or 2 mg/kg per hour disoprivan. Changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate were studied. Recovery time and personal assessment of sleep were registered. Side-effects of clinical relevance from the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems were also registered. A dose-dependent upper airway obstruction that could easily be managed by an oral or nasal airway was seen in 9 of 15 patients. Eight patients had postoperative nausea or vomiting; 9 complained of pain during the bolus injection that they could not remember postoperatively. All patients described their sleep as pleasant. Recovery time from sleep was between 1 and 12 min. All changes from normal values increased in percentage with increasing disoprivan dosage. Disoprivan (1 or 1.5 mg/kg per hour) seems to be excellent for sedation during regional anesthesia and is perhaps even superior to other available drugs.
Two hundred sixty three patients for extrathoracic vascular surgery of the arterial vessels, were evaluated retrospectively in order to assess the role of regional anesthesia in this group. In 33.8% regional anethesia with or without some form of suppletion was considered to be the anesthetic of choice. Regional anesthesia is especially indicated in those patients admitted for intractable ischaemic pain. As an anesthetic for the surgical procedure, it should be considered as a choice possibility as good as general anesthesia and in some cases as a better one.
For intraoperative anesthesia, the authors applied central regional blocks. A laryngeal mask was used to maintain free airways patency. The purpose of this study was to provide evidence for the effectiveness of a laryngeal mask used under combined regional anesthesia and to establish whether the mask could be employed for artificial ventilation during laparoscopy in children.
UNLABELLED: Subarachnoid or epidural needle placement in an anesthetized patient is controversial because general anesthesia and muscle relaxation may mask neural trauma. However, placement of a needle or catheter in the subarachnoid space for the purpose of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) drainage is frequently performed in anesthetized patients undergoing neurosurgery. The records from 530 consecutive transsphenoidal surgeries performed with lumbar CSF drainage were reviewed to determine the types of neurologic complications attributable to spinal drainage and their rates of occurrence. All patients were anesthetized during CSF drain placement. A 19-gauge malleable needle was placed in 473 (89%) patients. Subarachnoid catheters (20- or 16-gauge catheters placed via 18- or 14-gauge epidural needles, respectively) were placed in 17 (3%) patients. In 40 (8%) patients, the type of drain was unspecified. No new neurologic deficits attributable to spinal drain insertion were detected in the immediate postoperative period or within 1 yr of surgery. Thirteen patients developed postdural puncture headache (2.5%, exact 95% confidence interval 1.3%-4.2%); seven required epidural blood patch (1.3%, 0.5%-2.7%). The low incidence (0%, 0.0%-0.7%) of neurologic injury from spinal drain insertion in anesthetized patients from this study is similar to the incidence of neurologic complications historically reported for both CSF drain insertion and spinal anesthesia. IMPLICATIONS: The performance of regional anesthesia in an anesthetized patient is controversial due to the possibility of unrecognized nerve injury. We report no cases of nerve injury caused by the placement of cerebrospinal fluid drainage needles and catheters in 530 anesthetized patients undergoing neurosurgery.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present investigation was to survey former participants (n=869) of a cadaver workshop using a mail questionnaire to assess the demographic data and the impact of these courses on daily practice. METHODS: The deadline for acceptance of return mail was 60 days. Descriptive statistics were employed for analysis of results. RESULTS: The response rate was 36.7% and the course was judged to be recommendable by 98.2%. The average course attendant was board certified and had spent a mean time of 9+/-6 years in anesthesiology. The highest quality and degree of subsequent practicability in daily routine was attributed to peripheral nerve block training on cadavers. Of the course participants two-thirds performed regional anesthesia procedures more often following attendance. The majority of course attendants had to defray at least a part of the course fee themselves, and one-third was required to invest leisure time to attend. CONCLUSION: Attendance of a cadaver workshop increased knowledge of clinical anatomy and enhanced performance of regional anesthesia procedures. Courses of this format constitute a currently underestimated adjunct to contemporary regional anesthesia education.
The mini-dose Bier block, a technique of intravenous (IV) regional anesthesia that uses low-dose lidocaine and provides safe and effective anesthesia for outpatient closed reductions of upper extremity fractures and dislocations, is presented. This procedure was evaluated in two hospital emergency departments in 105 patients (ages 2 to 86). Ninety-five percent achieved adequate anesthesia (minimal or no pain on closed reduction). No significant complications were noted. Full neurologic function returned in ten minutes in all cases. Both patient and physician satisfaction with the procedure were high. The mini-dose Bier block creates the potential for significant cost savings in cases previously treated in the operating room by providing a safe, effective technique of IV regional anesthesia for outpatient use.
Thirty-nine patients, aged 8 to 15, who were operated for damaged bones in the upper lower limbs were examined. The parameters of central hemodynamics, heart rate and arterial pressure were studied (monitor HP "Viridia m3", USA). Strike volume was determined automatically (rheography monitor NCCOM-3"Boomed Co.", USA). Cardiac output, body area, stroke index and the peripheral vascular resistance were calculated by the routine formulae. Group 1 comprised 20 children who were operated on with the halothane-oxide-oxygen narcosis. Group 2 comprised 19 patients who received regional anesthesia combined with drug sedation (midazolam). A 1% lydokain solution with adrenalin was used as a local anesthetic. The block of the brachial plexus with auxiliary approach and the "3 in 1" block were in use. The changes of hemodynamics detected in the children of group 1 revealed an insufficient analgetic and antistress efficiency of halothane. The data obtained for group 2 are indicative of insignificant hemodynamic changes observed at all examination stages and related with the impact exerted by drugs, used for sedation and regional anesthesia, on the vascular tonus of the original undetected hypovolemia. A lack of complications, a fast awakening and recovery of an adequate consciousness after combined regional anesthesia as well as comfort and a lack of need in extra analgetics that are normally used in the immediate postoperative period make it possible to refer to the discussed anesthesia variation as to the preferential one in cases of surgeries for damaged bones in children.
The mini-dose Bier block, a technique of intravenous (IV) regional anesthesia that uses low-dose lidocaine and provides safe and effective anesthesia for outpatient closed reductions of upper extremity fractures and dislocations, is presented. This procedure was evaluated in two hospital emergency departments in 105 patients (ages 2 to 86). Ninety-five percent achieved adequate anesthesia (minimal or no pain on closed reduction). No significant complications were noted. Full neurologic function returned in ten minutes in all cases. Both patient and physician satisfaction with the procedure were high. The mini-dose Bier block creates the potential for significant cost savings in cases previously treated in the operating room by providing a safe, effective technique of IV regional anesthesia for outpatient use.
Validates the concept and discusses the advantages of central and peripheral regional anesthesias in children in combination with superficial narcosis during the stage of analgesia in surgical interventions of any severity. Emphasizes the efficacy of regional blocking, including prolonged ones, for postoperative analgesia. Presents the fundamentals of regional anesthesias in children.
OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of propofol and midazolam as sedatives in non-premedicated patients receiving regional anesthesia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Parameters measured were quality of sedation, intraoperative changes in hemodynamics, respiration and plasma biochemistry as compared with baseline, preinduction and post-anesthetic recovery levels. Forty patients were distributed randomly into two groups. Group P (n = 20) received an infusion of 1% propofol (10 mg/ml) at an initial rate of 6 mg/kg/h for 10 minutes, later decreased to 3 mg/kg/h. Group M (n = 20) received an infusion of 0.3% midazolam with an initial bolus of 0.06 mg/kg along with simultaneous infusion at a rate of 0.05 mg/kg/h. RESULTS: Adequate sedation that was easily controlled during surgery was attained in both groups. The mean doses used were 336.7 +/- 33.7 mg in group P and 10.1 +/- 1.1 mg in group M. No significant changes in hemodynamic and respiratory parameters were observed. Differences between baseline and preinduction levels were found in some analyses, but significant changes during surgery were recorded only for HCO3-. There were no differences in recovery time from the moment infusion ceased until spontaneous eye opening and recall of date of birth. The degree of amnesia was greater in the midazolam group. The lesser amnesia with propofol meant that psychological measures were higher (p < 0.01). No differences in side effects were found. CONCLUSION: Continuous perfusion of propofol and midazolam for sedation in regional anesthesia are equivalent with respect to efficacy and safety.
PURPOSE: To determine the effects of diazepam or clonidine on the quality of sedation with propofol during regional anesthesia. METHODS: In a prospective randomised, controlled, double-blinded study, 60 patients undergoing elective gynecological surgery were studied. They were given premedication with 0.15-mg clonidine (Group-CL, n=20), 5-mg diazepam (Group-DZ, n = 20), or placebo (Group-P, n = 20) po. After spinal anesthesia was established, sedation was provided with propofol and controlled using a five-point sedation score at 3, "eyes closed but rousable to command", and 4, "eyes closed but rousable to mild physical stimulation". During sedation, blinded anesthesiologist recorded occurrence of complications. At two hours after end of sedation, patients were asked if they had intraoperative dream and memory. RESULTS: The loading dose, steady-state infusion rate, and overall mean infusion rate in Group-CL were 0.80 mg x kg(-1), 2.35 mg x kg(-1) x hr(-1) and 2.89 mg x kg(-1) x hr(-1), compared with 0.97 mg x kg(-1), 3.13 mg x kg(-1) x hr(-1) and 3.59 mg x kg(-1) x hr(-1) in Group-DZ, and 1.38 mg x kg(-1), 4.10 mg x kg(-1) x hr(-1) and 4.36 mg x kg(-1) x hr(-1) in Group-P, respectively. Indices of both Group-CL (P < 0.001) and Group-DZ (P < 0.05) were smaller than those of Group-P Moreover, clonidine reduced the incidence of uncontrolled movement (P < 0.01), while diazepam reduced the incidence of intraoperative memory and increased the incidence of dream (P < 0.05). Premedication did not affect the incidence of other complications. CONCLUSION: Both premedicants reduced propofol requirements and exerted beneficial effects on the incidence of some complications during sedation with propofol as an adjunct to regional anesthesia.
UNLABELLED: We assessed the sedative potential of continuous infusions of remifentanil with a validated composite alertness scale in 160 patients (ASA physical status I or II) undergoing hip replacement surgery with spinal block (n = 61) or hand surgery using brachial plexus block (n = 93). They were randomized to receive one of the following initial dose regimens in double-blinded fashion: placebo or 0.04, 0.07, or 0.1 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) remifentanil subsequently titrated to effect. Additional midazolam IV was allowed for adequate sedation as required. The combined analysis of both surgery groups revealed a dose-related increase in achievement of sedation level > or =2 within 15 min of the start of the study drug infusion; all remifentanil dose comparisons with placebo reached significance (P < 0.001). The remifentanil 50% effective dose for a composite sedation level > or =2 within 15 min of the start of drug infusion was estimated as 0.043 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) (95% confidence interval 0.01, 0.059). The requirement for midazolam decreased with increasing remifentanil dose compared with placebo (P < 0.001). The median time to return to alertness after the end of infusion was 10-12 min in the remifentanil groups and 5 min in the placebo group. Significant incidences of nausea, pruritus, sweating, and respiratory depression were reported during remifentanil infusions compared with placebo. The data suggest that remifentanil may be useful for supplementation of regional anesthesia, provided that ventilation is carefully monitored. IMPLICATIONS: In this dose-finding, placebo-controlled study, remifentanil infusions were used to provide sedation during spinal and brachial plexus regional anesthesia. The 50% effective dose for achievement of sedation was 0.043 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1). Return to alertness occurred after 10-12 min (median time). Remifentanil infusions can be used to supplement regional anesthesia, but this requires careful monitoring of ventilation.
BACKGROUND: Thyroid surgery is performed by a large number of surgeons with varying experience in thyroidectomy. The standard technique involves the use of general anesthesia, which provides patient comfort and virtually unlimited time to conduct the operation. Historically, thyroid surgery was conducted under local anesthesia by surgeons with significant expertise in the treatment of thyroid diseases. Over the past decade, there has been a renewed interest in the art of performing thyroidectomy under local/regional anesthesia in some specialized high volume endocrine surgery centers. METHODS: Here we review the indications and contraindications and technical considerations for performing thyroidectomy under local or regional anesthesia. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Local and regional anesthesia is safe and well tolerated for the majority of thyroid surgery.
UNLABELLED: A longer acting local anesthetic such as ropivacaine may offer advantages over lidocaine for IV regional anesthesia (IVRA). The objective of this investigation was to determine whether the use of ropivacaine improves the quality and duration of IVRA. In a randomized, double cross-over design, 10 volunteers received lidocaine 0.5% or ropivacaine 0.2% for IVRA of the upper extremity on two separate days with a standard double-cuff technique. Sensation to pinprick, response to tetanic stimuli, and tourniquet pain were assessed on a 0-10 verbal numeric score scale at 5-min intervals throughout the period of tourniquet inflation. Motor function was evaluated by grip strength. After release of the second (distal) cuff, pinprick sensation, motor strength, and systemic side effects were evaluated at 3, 10, and 30 min. No significant differences were observed for onset times of anesthesia and times to proximal (38 +/- 3 and 36 +/- 3 min) or distal (34 +/- 13 and 36 +/- 13 min) tourniquet release after the administration of ropivacaine and lidocaine, respectively. However, postdeflation hypoalgesia and motor blockade were prolonged with ropivacaine, and postdeflation light-headedness, tinnitus, and drowsiness were more prominent with lidocaine. We conclude that ropivacaine may be an alternative to lidocaine for IVRA. It may result in prolonged analgesia and fewer side effects after tourniquet release. IMPLICATIONS: In this study, volunteers received lidocaine 0.5% or ropivacaine 0.2% for IV regional anesthesia on two study days. Ropivacaine and lidocaine provided similar surgical conditions. However, after release of the distal tourniquet, prolonged sensory blockade and fewer central nervous system side effects were observed with ropivacaine.