Regional anesthesia
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Regional anesthesia · Sep 1997
Case ReportsContinuous parasacral sciatic nerve block: two case reports.
This study investigated the use of a continuous parasacral sciatic nerve block for anesthesia and postoperative analgesia for lower extremity surgery. ⋯ We conclude that continuous parasacral sciatic nerve block can provide anesthesia and long-term analgesia for operative procedures of the foot and leg.
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Regional anesthesia · Sep 1997
Case ReportsTwo cases of cauda equina syndrome following spinal-epidural anesthesia.
Cauda equina syndrome (CES) is a well-known complication of spinal and epidural anesthesia. Previous reports have implicated lidocaine, chloroprocaine, and procaine in its etiology, but not bupivacaine. ⋯ This case report describes two cases of CES following the use of bupivacaine. The first patient had spinal stenosis which could explain this complication; however the explanation for CES in the second patient is uncertain and consequently speculative. We have discussed the possible contributing factors but believe that the etiology of CES in the second patient remains unknown.
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Regional anesthesia · Sep 1997
Case ReportsUnexplained neurologic deficit after uneventful combined spinal and epidural anesthesia for cesarean delivery.
Neurologic deficits after spinal and epidural anesthesia are uncommon and have a variety of pathophysiologic mechanisms. Local anesthetic neurotoxicity may occur, although subarachnoid bupivacaine has an unblemished clinical record. ⋯ Drug-induced neurotoxicity is a possible explanation, although the exact etiology is uncertain.
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Regional anesthesia · Sep 1997
Case ReportsAdrenocorticotropic hormone infusion as a novel treatment for postdural puncture headache.
In two patients, one scheduled for epidural anesthesia and the other for placement of a spinal catheter for operative procedures, severe postdural puncture headache developed and was refractory to conservative therapy. ⋯ A single treatment with ACTH may offer an alternative therapy in the treatment of postdural puncture headache.