Regional anesthesia
-
Interpleural analgesia is an effective method for pain relief after upper abdominal surgery. To examine whether the analgesic effect is obtained by block of the intercostal nerves, we assessed the analgesic efficacy of the block, the skin sensitivity, and indices of sympathetic outflow over the trunk. ⋯ The incomplete cutaneous sensory and sympathetic block indicates that the analgesic effect of interpleural analgesia cannot be explained by retrograde diffusion of the local anesthetic solution into the intercostal nerves alone.
-
Regional anesthesia · Jul 1997
Local anesthetic infusion through nerve sheath catheters for analgesia following upper extremity amputation. Clinical report.
Reports about the efficacy of local anesthetic perfusion of nerve stumps following lower extremity amputation are conflicting. We report our experience with this technique following amputation of the upper extremity. ⋯ Continuous local anesthetic perfusion of amputated nerves via a catheter placed under direct vision provided excellent postoperative analgesia. The incidence of phantom limb pain for cancer patients did not differ from that previously reported but was easily managed pharmacologically. The technique may also be efficacious for traumatic amputations.
-
Regional anesthesia · Jul 1997
Fetal bradycardia and uterine hyperactivity following subarachnoid administration of fentanyl during labor.
Changes in uterine tone have been postulated as the cause of fetal bradycardia following subarachnoid administration of fentanyl for labor analgesia. Such a case occurred in a 20-year-old parturient with an intrauterine pressure catheter in place. ⋯ This case supports the view that changes in uterine tone, producing a hyperdynamic contractile state and a resulting decrease in uteroplacental perfusion, may explain the fetal bradycardia following subarachnoid opioid administration. Cases that do not resolve spontaneously may respond to intravenous terbutaline.
-
Regional anesthesia · Jul 1997
Case ReportsBilateral fascia iliaca catheters for postoperative pain control after bilateral total knee arthroplasty: a case report and description of a catheter technique.
The pain following total knee arthroplasty can be associated with significant morbidity, especially in the elderly. Regional anesthetic techniques attenuate or eliminate postoperative pain, which may reduce this morbidity. ⋯ Lumbar plexus blockade with continuous local anesthetic infusion via the fascia iliaca compartment is an effective means of providing postoperative analgesia after total knee arthroplasty when epidural analgesia is contraindicated.
-
Regional anesthesia · Jul 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialKetorolac as an adjunct to patient-controlled morphine in postoperative spine surgery patients.
This randomized double-blind study was designed to determine whether administration of ketorolac either on schedule or as a component of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to patients who have undergone spinal stabilization would decrease PCA morphine use, decrease side effects, and/or enhance analgesia. ⋯ Ketorolac should be as a component of the PCA morphine in patients undergoing spine stabilization surgery. This results in decreased morphine consumption, decreased somnolence, and enhanced analgesia in comparison with patients who do not receive ketorolac.