Articles: nerve-block.
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Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim · Aug 1997
Case Reports[Intracranial diffusion. A complication of retrobulbar anesthesia].
Retrobulbar anesthesia is considered a safe, effective local-regional technique for ocular surgery. However, local complications that can arise from needle trauma during injection, include retrobulbar hemorrhage, perforation of the ocular globe and occlusion of the artery and/or the central vein of the retina. Systemic complications, such as respiratory arrest, convulsions and cardiovascular collapse, have also been reported, and although they only occur in less than 1% of cases, they are potentially life threatening. We report two cases of intracranial diffusion after retrobulbar anesthesia and describe possible mechanisms that may contribute to its development.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Aug 1997
Continuous extrapleural intercostal nerve block for post thoracotomy analgesia in children.
The safety and efficacy of continuous extrapleural intercostal nerve block has been well established in adults. This review of our initial paediatric experience suggests a role for this technique in children and discusses risks and benefits relative to other forms of regional analgesia for thoracotomy. Nine children aged one to twelve years received extrapleural infusions of bupivacaine 0.1-0.2% following lateral thoracotomy for lung resection. ⋯ Postoperative nausea and vomiting and respiratory depression were not observed in any patient and all were able to comply with physiotherapy. There were no complications of catheter placement or bupivacaine administration. Our initial experience suggests that this is a safe technique which minimizes complementary opioid administration and provides adequate analgesia for children postthoracotomy for lung resection.
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Regional anesthesia · Jul 1997
Distribution of local anesthetic solution in retromediastinal block. Preliminary experimental results.
Interpleural anesthesia blocks pain perception from the thoracoabdominal wall without impairment of leg function. Bilateral interpleural anesthesia is not recommended because of possible bilateral impairment of respiratory function. Infiltration of the retromediastinum with local anesthetic might cause bilateral thoracoabdominal somatic block and block of sympathetic afferents from the abdominal cavity without impairing respiration. ⋯ Block of pain perception from the abdominal wall and cavity is possible by injection of local anesthetic into the retromediastinum via a catheter introduced through the esophageal diaphragm hiatus. The block would not be expected to impair respiratory or leg function. Its efficacy and safety have yet to be established.