Articles: nerve-block.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialExtended femoral nerve sheath block after total hip arthroplasty: continuous versus patient-controlled techniques.
We assessed the efficacy of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) techniques for extended femoral nerve sheath block after total hip arthroplasty. Forty-five patients were divided into three groups of 15. Over 48 h, all patients received 0.125% bupivacaine with clonidine 1 microg/mL and sufentanil 0.1 microg/mL via a femoral nerve sheath catheter as a continuous infusion at 10 mL/h in Group 1, as PCA boluses only of 10 mL/h in Group 2, or as PCA boluses of 5 mL per 30 min in Group 3. ⋯ Satisfaction scores were significantly higher in Group 3 than in the other groups (P < 0.01). We conclude that, to maintain extended femoral nerve sheath block after total hip arthroplasty, PCA techniques reduce the local anesthetic consumption without compromise in patient satisfaction or visual analog scale scores. Of the two PCA techniques tested, PCA boluses (5 mL per 30 min) of 0.125% bupivacaine with clonidine 1 microg/mL and sufentanil 0.1 microg/mL are associated with the smallest local anesthetic consumption and the most patient satisfaction.
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Plast. Reconstr. Surg. · Feb 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialDo not use epinephrine in digital blocks: myth or truth?
The purpose of this study was to examine the role for epinephrine augmentation of digital block anesthesia by safely prolonging its duration of action and providing a temporary hemostatic effect. After obtaining approval from the review board of the authors' institution, 60 digital block procedures were performed in a prospective randomized double-blinded study. The digital blocks were performed using the dorsal approach. ⋯ By prolonging lidocaine's duration of action, epinephrine may prevent the need for an additional injection and prolong post-procedure pain relief. This study demonstrated that the temporary hemostatic effect of epinephrine decreased the need for, and thus the potential risk of, using a digital tourniquet (p < 0.002). As the temporary vasoconstrictor effect is reversible, the threat of complication from vasoconstrictor-induced ischemia is theoretical.
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An association between intercostal nerve block and the development of a total spinal is rare. Usually, subarachnoid injection is considered to have followed intraneural placement or inadvertent entrance into a dural cuff extending beyond an intervertebral foramen. ⋯ This was a life-threatening event that occurred on two occasions before the definitive diagnosis was made. It is considered likely that the paravertebral catheter entered an intervertebral foramen and the tip perforated the dura.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 2001
Anterior approach to the sciatic nerve block: the effects of leg rotation.
In the anterior approach to the sciatic nerve block, the femur often obstructs the passage of the needle toward the sciatic nerve. In this study, by using a human cadaver model, we assessed how internal and external rotation of the leg influences the accessibility of the sciatic nerve with the anterior approach. Ten lower extremities from five adult cadavers were studied. ⋯ Medial redirection of the needle (10 degrees--15 degrees) allowed it to pass the lesser trochanter but brought the tip of the needle too medial to the sciatic nerve. Internal rotation of the leg facilitated passage of all needles inserted at the level of the lesser trochanter. We conclude that internal rotation of the leg may significantly facilitate needle insertion in the anterior approach to sciatic block.
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This study assessed the efficacy of a modified transthecal digital block. Three-hundred-and-sixty consecutive digits were anaesthetised with this technique for the treatment of fractures, infections and foreign bodies. Complete palmar and dorsal anaesthesia was achieved in 357 of the 360 digits (99%), including 52 of 53 thumbs (98%). The technique was extremely easy to perform and no complications occurred.