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Incidence, timing, and causes of cerebral ischemia during carotid endarterectomy with regional anesthesia.

PURPOSE: Controversy exists regarding the best technique to identify cerebral ischemia during carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Regional anesthesia allows continuous evaluation of neurologic function and therefore can help determine the incidence, timing, and causes of cerebral ischemia. METHODS: The timing and clinical manifestations of any neurologic event during CEA and as long as 30 days afterward was determined by review of operative reports, hospital charts, and outpatient records of consecutive patients who underwent CEA under regional anesthesia over a 68-month period. RESULTS: Two hundred patients underwent CEA; indications were asymptomatic stenosis > 60% in 25%, transient ischemic attack with stenosis > 50% in 52%, and prior stroke with stenosis > 50% in 23%. Eight patients (4%) were converted to general anesthesia for non-ischemic reasons. Of the remaining 192 patients, 183 (95.5%) underwent the procedure with regional anesthesia and no shunt, 2% had cerebral ischemia and underwent shunt placement, and 2.5% had cerebral ischemia, were converted to general anesthesia, and underwent shunt placement. Cerebral ischemia developed in nine patients after carotid cross-clamping, manifested by loss of consciousness in four, confusion in two, dysarthria and confusion in one, and decreased contralateral motor strength in two. Immediate cerebral ischemia developed in four of the nine patients within 1 minute of cross-damping; all four underwent shunt placement. In five of the nine patients, cerebral ischemia occurred between 20 and 30 minutes after cross-clamping; all occurred during relative intraoperative hypotension (average reduction of 35 mm Hg in the systolic pressure). All awake patients in whom ischemic symptoms developed immediately regained and maintained normal neurologic function with shunt placement. Five of 26 patients (19%) with contralateral occlusion required a shunt; none had postoperative ischemia. The mean carotid cross-clamp time was 27 minutes. Postoperative (30 day) complications included a 0.5% stroke rate, a 0.5% rate of postoperative transient ischemic attack, a 0.5% rate of worsening of preexisting acute stroke, and a 0.5% rate of myocardial infarction (no deaths). Of the nine patients who had intraoperative ischemic changes, none had a postoperative neurologic deficit; the three patients who had postoperative neurologic changes had no intraoperative ischemic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: CEA with regional anesthesia allows continuous neurologic monitoring and can be performed safely even when contralateral occlusion coexists; intraoperative shunting for ischemia is necessary in 4.5% of all cases and in 19% of patients with contralateral occlusion. Intraoperative ischemia was flow-related in our patients; it occurred early from ipsilateral carotid clamping and late from reduced collateral flow as a result of hypotension. Monitoring should be continued throughout cross-clamping to identify late cerebral ischemia. Postoperative cerebral ischemia is not associated with intraoperative ischemia, if corrected.

Aged↗

Prevention of thromboembolism following elective hip surgery. The value of regional anesthesia and graded compression stockings.

Ninety-eight patients scheduled for elective hip arthroplasty receiving either general or regional anesthesia and graded compression stockings as the only thromboprophylactic treatment were screened for postoperative deep-venous thrombosis with 99mTc-plasmin scintimetry. The diagnosis of deep-venous thrombosis was established by phlebography and the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism by pulmonary perfusion and ventilation scintigraphy. Of 65 patients surgically treated under general anesthesia, 20 (31%) developed deep-venous thrombosis and six developed pulmonary embolism. Of 33 patients surgically treated using regional anesthesia, three (9%) developed deep-venous thrombosis and one developed a pulmonary embolus. The number of patients developing deep-venous thrombosis was significantly lower in the group receiving regional anesthesia compared with the group receiving general anesthesia. The results indicate the beneficial effects on the incidence of postoperative thromboembolic complications following elective hip surgery from the use of regional anesthesia and graded compression stockings.

Adult↗

Intravenous regional anesthesia for management of children's extremity fractures in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if intravenous regional anesthesia (Bier block) is safe and efficacious for the management of children's extremity fractures in the emergency department (ED). DESIGN: Retrospective review of 470 ED records of children presenting with extremity fractures reduced with intravenous regional anesthesia from 1989 through 1994. SETTING: ED of a 256-bed teriary care children's hospital. PATIENTS: Four hundred seventy children treated in the ED from 1989 through 1994 for extremity fractures reduced with Bier block anesthesia. Three hundred eleven boys and 159 girls with a mean age of 9.4 years (range two-19 years) were included in the review. INTERVENTION: Utilization of intravenous regional anesthesia for fracture reduction of affected extremity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ED records and orthopaedic consultation notes were reviewed for adequacy of reduction, number of reduction attempts, efficacy of anesthesia, and any associated untoward effects or complications, and review of operative notes of any children who required a subsequent procedure in the operating room (OR) under general anesthesia. RESULTS: Ninety-nine percent (467) had adequate anesthesia for fracture reduction. There were no complications noted. Specifically, there were no incidents of hypotension, tachycardia, seizures, or arrhythmia. Bier block anesthesia was aborted in three patients because venous access could not be obtained in the affected extremity. Less than 2% (8) required a general anesthetic in the OR for further treatment. All of the children taken to the OR underwent internal fixation of the fracture. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous regional anesthesia (Bier block) is safe and efficacious in the treatment of children's extremity fractures in the ED.

Adolescent↗

Parturients infected with human immunodeficiency virus and regional anesthesia. Clinical and immunologic response.

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that 1.5 million Americans are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), and the consequences of HIV infection are a leading cause of death in women aged 15-44 yr. Thus, HIV-1 disease, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, occurs with increasing frequency in the parturient, and there is little information concerning the risks of regional anesthesia. Fear of spreading infection to the central nervous system or adverse neurologic sequelae have led some clinicians to advise against regional anesthesia. Thus, this study was undertaken to evaluate the possible problems or risks associated with regional anesthesia in parturients infected with HIV-1 and to determine whether anesthesia affected the clinical course of the disease. METHODS: The clinical course and immunologic function of 30 parturients infected with HIV-1 were evaluated prospectively. Extensive medical and laboratory evaluation before delivery and 4-6 months postpartum was undertaken. Medical problems related to HIV-1 disease and use of antiviral drugs also were monitored. The anesthetic management was dictated by the clinical situation and the patient's wishes were careful postpartum follow-up to evaluate possible neurologic changes or infection. RESULTS: Regional anesthesia was administered in 18 parturients, and 12 received small doses of opioids or no analgesia. There were no changes in the immunologic parameters studied (CD4+, p24, beta 2 microglobulins), and HIV-1 disease remained stable in the peripartum period. There were no infections, complications, or neurologic changes in the peripartum period. Sixty-eight percent of the infants were HIV-1-negative and, in 21% of infants, the HIV-1 status was indeterminate (probably negative). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study of parturients infected with HIV-1 demonstrated that regional anesthesia can be performed without adverse sequelae. There were no neurologic or infectious complications related to the obstetric or anesthetic course. The immune function of the parturient was stable in the peripartum period. Although the number of patients studied was small, with careful medical evaluation, regional anesthesia is an acceptable choice in the parturient infected with HIV-1.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Effects of induction of general and regional anesthesia for cesarean section on maternal plasma beta-endorphin levels.

Plasma beta-endorphin was measured in 40 healthy pregnant women undergoing cesarean section. Group 1 patients (N = 14) received general anesthesia by rapid-sequence induction and endotracheal intubation with curare, thiopental, and succinylcholine. Anesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide, oxygen, and muscle relaxant until delivery. Group 2 patients (N = 26) received regional anesthesia (spinal, 14, and epidural, 12). Maternal blood samples were drawn from indwelling venous catheters prior to and after induction of either general or regional anesthesia. Plasma beta-endorphin was determined by radioimmunoassay following silicic acid extraction and gel chromatography. In the 14 patients who underwent general anesthesia, the mean (+/- SEM) plasma beta-endorphin increased significantly (p less than 0.025) from 46 +/- 7.4 to 111.6 +/- 8.9 fmol/ml. There was no significant change in plasma beta-endorphin level of the 26 patients who underwent regional anesthesia; beta-endorphin levels averaged 44.5 +/- 5.1 and 47.6 +/- 4.8 fmol/ml prior to and after induction of anesthesia, respectively. These data demonstrate that plasma beta-endorphin concentrations are elevated following induction of general anesthesia but not with induction of regional anesthesia, which suggests that less stress is associated with regional than with general anesthesia induction in patients undergoing cesarean section.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗

Safety of regional anesthesia in Eisenmenger's syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Eisenmenger's syndrome is characterized by right-to-left or bidirectional shunting and pulmonary hypertension. Perioperative risk is high for noncardiac surgery, and many clinicians avoid regional anesthesia because of the potential deleterious hemodynamic effects. We determined perioperative mortality based on published reports describing anesthetic management in patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome. METHODS: A literature search identified 57 articles describing 103 anesthetics in patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome. An additional 21 anesthetics were identified in patients receiving regional anesthesia for labor. RESULTS: Overall perioperative mortality was 14%; patients receiving regional anesthesia had a mortality of 5%, whereas those receiving general anesthesia had a mortality of 18%. This trend favored the use of regional anesthesia but was not statistically significant. A better predictor of outcome was the nature of the surgery (and presumably the surgical disease). Patients requiring major surgery had mortality of 24%, whereas those requiring minor surgery had mortality of 5% (P <.05). Patients in labor receiving regional anesthesia had a mortality rate of 24%, and most of these occurred several hours after delivery. CONCLUSIONS: This review of anesthesia and surgery in patients with Eisenmenger's syndrome reveals that most deaths probably occurred as a result of the surgical procedure and disease and not anesthesia. Although perioperative and peripartum mortalities are high, many anesthetic agents and techniques have been used with success.

Adult↗

Major neck surgeries under regional anesthesia.

PURPOSE: Major neck surgeries are conventionally performed under general anesthesia. To receive general anesthesia, patients must meet certain criteria that have attendant limitations. This report discusses the investigator's experiences with performing major neck surgeries under regional anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty major neck surgeries were performed (30 thyroidectomies, 10 laryngectomies with or without neck dissection, 3 thyroglossal cyst, 2 branchial cyst, and 5 submandibular gland excisions) under regional anesthesia over a period of 2 years between March 1994 and March 1996. The selection criteria of patients for regional anesthesia, the regional neural blocks used, the technique of performing these blocks, the efficacy, advantages, and limitations of these blocks are all discussed. RESULTS: The combination of regional neural blocks and intraoperative medications produced superb analgesia and good patient compliance. Intraoperative blood loss was minimal. With postoperative complications being negligible, recovery was faster. CONCLUSION: Regional anesthesia is an effective alternative to general anesthesia for neck surgeries of less than 4 hours' duration.

Adult↗

Complete paraplegia as a result of regional anesthesia.

Complications after spinal or epidural anesthesia are rare. We report 2 cases of postoperative, complete paraplegia after regional anesthesia in orthopaedic patients not on anticoagulants. The paralysis was likely the result of spinal cord compression secondary to an epidural hematoma in 1 case and subdural hematoma in 1 case. A review of the literature regarding complications of regional anesthesia is presented. Regional anesthesia should be administered with caution and in selected patients.

Aged↗

[Carotid endarterectomy under regional anesthesia: initial experience].

BACKGROUND: Endarterectomy is the treatment of choice for internal carotid artery critical stenosis. Some authors have proposed that the use of regional anesthesia has advantages over general anesthesia. AIM: To report our initial experience with carotid endarterectomy under regional anesthesia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1998 and 1999, patients with critical carotid artery stenosis, asymptomatic or with transient and recovered symptoms, were selected. A C2, C3, C4 root deep cervical block and superficial block was performed, using a mixture of lidocaine and bupivacaine. A carotid endarterectomy with patch and without routine shunt insertion, with standard and neurological monitoring, was performed. RESULTS: During the study period, 94 carotid endarterectomies were done, 22 under regional anesthesia in 21 patients (12 male, age range 58-90 years old). Ninety five percent had hypertension, 52% smoked and 38% had renal dysfunction. One patient was converted to general anesthesia. Seventeen patients were discharged within 48 hours of the procedure and the rest, within 72 hours. There was no mortality or complications. CONCLUSIONS: Endarterectomy under regional anesthesia is less invasive, has excellent results and is well accepted by patients.

Aged↗

Quantitative comparison of leakage under the tourniquet in forearm versus conventional intravenous regional anesthesia.

UNLABELLED: We compared the quantitative leakage between forearm and conventional IV regional anesthesia (IVRA). Forearm IVRA remains unpopular because of the theoretical risk of local anesthetic leakage through the interosseous vessels. IVRA was simulated on the forearm or arm during two separate, randomized sessions using a double tourniquet in 14 volunteers. A radiolabeled substance, DISIDA (99m Tc-disofenin) with a structure similar to lidocaine, was injected instead of local anesthetic. Volumes of 0.4 mL/kg (maximum 25 mL), were used for forearm IVRA and 0.6 mL/kg (maximum 45 mL) for conventional IVRA. A gamma camera recorded radioactivity levels in the limb distal to the tourniquet every 30 s while the tourniquet was inflated (25 min) and for 20 min postdeflation. The leakage of radiolabeled substance during inflation was similar in both groups, 6%+/-12% (mean +/- SD) from the forearm and 10%+/-20% from the upper arm. After deflation, mean loss of radioactivity was higher in conventional IVRA, 70%+/-7% vs 57%+/-11% and 82%+/-5% vs 69%+/-11% at 3 and 20 min, respectively (P < 0.001). We conclude that forearm IVRA results in tourniquet leakage comparable to conventional IVRA and is potentially safer because the required dose of local anesthetic is smaller. IMPLICATIONS: Using a tourniquet on the forearm for IV regional anesthesia does not increase the risk of drug leakage. This is potentially a safer technique compared with conventional IV regional anesthesia because a much smaller dose of local anesthetic is required.

Adult↗

Regional anesthesia for pain associated with terminal pediatric malignancy.

The objectives of this study were to identify the characteristics of children who required regional anesthesia for pain associated with terminal malignancy and to identify the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of regional anesthesia as an analgesic modality in terminal pediatric malignancy. A retrospective examination was made of the medical records of children who died of malignancy following treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts and who required either epidural or subarachnoid infusions, or neurolytic blockade for pain management (June, 1986--April, 1994) during the terminal phase of their illness. Eleven patients were identified, with a duration of epidural or subarachnoid infusions ranging from 3 days to 7 weeks. Indications for this intervention included limiting side effects of opioids, neuropathic pain unresponsive to either rapid escalation of opioids or massive opioid infusions, analgesia for thoracocenteses for the drainage of malignant pleural effusions and instillation of intrapleural chemotherapy. Pain was localized to one area in ll patients. Analgesia was judged to be satisfactory in all cases after regional anesthesia was instituted and remained satisfactory in all cases throughout the treatment course. Complications associated with regional anesthesia included dural puncture headache and mild respiratory depression. Five patients were nursed at home with either epidural or subarachnoid infusions.

Adolescent↗

Regional anesthesia in the preterm neonate.

The physiologic immaturity of respiratory musculature and central respiratory control centers leads to an increased risk of apnea and respiratory complications following general anesthesia in the neonate. Regional anesthetic techniques, such as spinal and caudal epidural anesthesia, may obviate the need for general anesthesia and lessen the risks of perioperative morbidity. Although these techniques have been previously described in infants, most reports focus on regional anesthesia in the former preterm infant outside the actual neonatal period. There is relatively little or no information concerning regional anesthesia in neonates during the first week of life. We present four neonates (weight, 1.07 to 2.8 kg; gestational age, 27 to 35 weeks) who required anesthetic care during the first week of life for various surgical procedures, including vesicostomy placement, gastroschisis closure, and debridement of a lower-extremity wound. Either caudal epidural or spinal anesthesia was successfully used in the four neonates. Regional anesthesia was used as the sole technique without supplementation with intravenous or inhalational agents in three of the four neonates. The advantages, risks, and applications of regional anesthesia in the neonate are discussed.

Anesthesia, Epidural↗

Median nerve blockade during diagnostic intravenous regional anesthesia as measured by somatosensory evoked potentials.

Intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) may be used as a diagnostic method in patients suffering from chronic pain in the forearm or hand to differentiate the origin of pain within the anesthetic area from that above. For this purpose it needs to be proven that all nerve fibers are blocked and that conduction blockade induced by IVRA takes place within the nerve trunks. Therefore the transmission of impulses in a nerve trunk to the central nervous system has been studied. Diagnostic intravenous regional anesthesia (5 mg/kg mepivacaine 1%) of the arm was performed in eight patients for 30 min. Short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) induced by median nerve stimulation at the wrist were recorded from the scalp at 5-min intervals before, during, and after IVRA. In five patients, sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) of the median nerve, at the elbow and axilla, and SSEPs at spinous processus C-7 were recorded simultaneously. During IVRA the function of the nerve fibers which are assumed to mediate pain was tested by the patient's sensation following median nerve stimulation at an intensity which evoked pain before IVRA. During IVRA, peak latencies of the scalp recorded SSEPs (N20) increased progressively and interpeak amplitudes (N20/P25) decreased. After 20 min, SSEPs could no longer be recorded, and median nerve stimulation no longer evoked any sensation at all. After deflation of the cuff, both peak latency (N20) and interpeak amplitude (N20/P25) of SSEPs recovered. The changes in latency and amplitude of SSEPs from the scalp as well as SNAPs and SSEPs from the neck were similar. Because SSEPs, SNAPs, and the pain sensation following median nerve stimulation disappeared during IVRA, it may be concluded that the thick and thin myelinated nerve fibers of the median nerve have been blocked. For diagnostic use, IVRA is superior to peripheral nerve blockade, which has been shown previously to not abolish SSEPs.

Adult↗

Intravenous regional anesthesia.

A series of 33 patients who underwent intravenous regional anesthesia for treatment of orthopedic and surgical procedures is reported. Intravenous regional anethesia is a safe and reliable alternative to general or other regional anesthesia techniques for use in the emergency department. The technique is easily mastered and requires minimal special equipment. The agent of choice is lidocaine in a dosage of 3 mg/kg administered as a 0.5% solution. Complications are few and are usually related to rapid systemic absorption of the anesthetic agent or minor mistakes in technique.

Adolescent↗

Local and regional anesthesia. Nursing implications.

Local and regional anesthesia offers many advantages and is relatively safe, resulting primarily in positive outcomes for the patient. The potential for complications and the need for patient education, however, dictate that the PACU nurse prepare the patient appropriately, remain vigilant, and initiate the necessary measures for monitoring and intervention when caring for such patients in both the preanesthesia and postanesthesia phases. Local and regional anesthetic agents and techniques have been discussed along with their implications for nursing care. Readers are also encouraged to consult the references and their own institutional policies for additional information.

Anesthesia, Conduction↗

Characterisitcs of patients having thyroid surgery under regional anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Recently local/regional anesthesia has been reintroduced as an alternative to general anesthesia for thyroidectomy. This study was undertaken to analyze characteristics and outcomes of patients who had thyroid surgery performed under regional anesthesia compared with those who had thyroidectomy under general anesthesia. STUDY DESIGN: One hundred seventy-five consecutive patients who underwent thyroid surgery under regional or general anesthesia during a 3-year period were analyzed. Fifty-eight operations were performed under regional anesthesia and 116 under general anesthesia. Patient characteristics analyzed included age, gender, obesity, anesthesia class, and tumor pathology. Postoperative complications, including nausea or vomiting, were compared. Additionally, operative times and length of stay in each group were compared. RESULTS: Patient characteristics including age, gender, tumor pathology, and anesthesia class were similar in both groups. But only 2% of patients treated under regional anesthesia were obese compared with 23% under general anesthesia. Although not significant, there was a trend toward decreased incidence of nausea and vomiting in the regional group. Other complications for the regional and general anesthesia groups were equal at 3%. Two patients required conversion to general anesthesia. Complications in the general anesthesia group included one episode of transient symptomatic hypocalcemia, two patients with transient vocal cord paralysis, and one episode of hematoma. Finally, there was a statistically significant increase in total operating room time and length of stay for the general anesthesia group. CONCLUSIONS: Regional anesthesia is a safe alternative to general anesthesia for patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Patients who cannot communicate verbally with the surgical team or who are obese may not be ideal candidates for regional anesthesia. The use of regional anesthesia results in a decreased length of stay and similar operative and operating room times.

Adolescent↗

Regional anesthesia and pain medicine: residency training--the year 2000.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A survey of anesthesiology training programs in 1980 reported the use of a regional anesthetic technique in 21.3% of cases. A similar survey of anesthesiology training programs in 1990 reported that the use of regional anesthetic techniques had increased to 29.8%. Over the ensuing 10 years, additional changes have occurred in the field of anesthesiology and its United States residency training programs. This manuscript reports the impact these changes have had on the use of regional anesthesia techniques in residency training programs in the year 2000. METHODS: Blinded cumulative data about regional anesthetic techniques performed by anesthesiology residents were obtained from all annual training report forms submitted to the Residency Review Committee for Anesthesiology. Exposure to obstetric (OB) anesthesia, pain management, and a resident's year-in-training were analyzed as independent factors expected to influence the use of regional anesthesia. RESULTS: Anesthesiology trainees used a regional anesthesia technique in 30.2% of cases in the year 2000. This represents an insignificant change from 1990 and a marked slowing in the growth of regional anesthesia techniques compared with the 1980 to 1990 period. The use of regional anesthesia remains strongly correlated with a resident's exposure to OB anesthesia and pain consultations. Variability in exposure to regional anesthesia techniques among individual residents has decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Anesthesiology training programs now appear to provide a satisfactory exposure to regional anesthesia for a majority of resident trainees, although 40% of residents may still be deficient in nerve block anesthesia. The growth in the use of regional anesthesia during residency has plateaued over the past decade, but the discrepancy between individual resident experience has improved.

Analgesia, Obstetrical↗

Injuries associated with regional anesthesia in the 1980s and 1990s: a closed claims analysis.

BACKGROUND: The authors used the American Society of Anesthesiologists Closed Claims Project database to identify specific patterns of injury and legal liability associated with regional anesthesia. Because obstetrics represents a unique subset of patients, claims with neuraxial blockade were divided into obstetric and nonobstetric groups for comparison. METHODS: The American Society of Anesthesiologists Closed Claims Project is a structured evaluation of adverse anesthetic outcomes collected from closed anesthesia malpractice insurance claims of professional liability companies. An in-depth analysis of 1980-1999 regional anesthesia claims was performed with a subset comparison between obstetric and nonobstetric neuraxial anesthesia claims. RESULTS: Of the total 1,005 regional anesthesia claims, neuraxial blockade was used in 368 obstetric claims and 453 of 637 nonobstetric claims (71%). Damaging events in 51% of obstetric and 41% of nonobstetric neuraxial anesthesia claims were block related. Obstetrics had a higher proportion of neuraxial anesthesia claims with temporary and low-severity injuries (71%) compared with the nonobstetric group (38%; P <or=0.01) and a lower proportion of claims with death or brain damage and permanent nerve injury compared with the nonobstetric group (P <or= 0.01). Cardiac arrest associated with neuraxial block was the primary damaging event in 32% of obstetric and 38% of nonobstetric neuraxial anesthesia claims involving death or brain damage. Eye blocks accounted for 5% of regional anesthesia claims. CONCLUSION: Obstetric claims were predominately associated with minor injuries. Permanent injury from eye blocks increased in the 1990s. Neuraxial cardiac arrest and neuraxial hematomas associated with coagulopathy remain sources of high-severity injury.

Adult↗