Articles: nerve-block.
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Regional anesthesia · Nov 1995
The incidence of neurovascular complications following axillary brachial plexus block using a transarterial approach. A prospective study of 1,000 consecutive patients.
The present study was performed at the Crystal Clinic Surgery Center, an outpatient free-standing surgicenter specializing in orthopedic surgery, to determine the incidence of both neurologic and vascular sequelae associated with exclusive use of a transarterial approach to axillary brachial plexus block in order to assess the technique's safety and efficacy. ⋯ This study demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the transarterial technique in achieving brachial plexus block.
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Regional anesthesia · Nov 1995
Letter Clinical TrialDiaphragmatic motion during continuous interscalene brachial plexus block.
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Thoracic paravertebral nerve blockade, although once widely practised, has now only a few centres which contribute to the literature. Data production has, however, continued and this review correlates this new information with existing knowledge. Its history, taxonomy, anatomy, indications, techniques, mechanisms of analgesia, efficacy, contraindications, toxicity, side effects and complications are reviewed. ⋯ For unilateral surgery of the chest or truck, thoracic paravertebral analgesia should be considered as the afferent block of choice. For bilateral surgery, its efficacy may be limited by the doses of local anaesthetic which could safely be used and further study in this area in particular is required. This form of afferent blockade deserves greater consideration and investigation.
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Regional anesthesia · Nov 1995
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA double-blind comparison of the abdominal wall relaxation produced by epidural 0.75% ropivacaine and 0.75% bupivacaine in gynecologic surgery.
Ropivacaine is a long-acting local anesthetic agent with similar potency to that of bupivacaine when administered for epidural anesthesia. Ropivacaine, however, may be less cardiotoxic than bupivacaine. Epidural bupivacaine and ropivacaine have been shown to be equally effective in providing sensory block for lower extremity surgery, but they have not been compared for their ability to produce abdominal wall relaxation. ⋯ Both 0.75% ropivacaine and 0.75% bupivacaine provide adequate surgical anesthesia for lower abdominal surgery when administered epidurally. However, lower extremity motor block with ropivacaine is significantly shorter and of slower onset and sensory block shorter at these concentrations.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Intrathecal fentanyl prolongs sensory bupivacaine spinal block.
The purpose of investigation was to study the effect of intrathecal fentanyl on the onset and duration of hyperbaric bupivacaine-induced spinal block in adult male patients. Forty-three patients undergoing lower extremity or genitourinary surgery were enrolled to receive either 13.5 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.75% + 0.5 ml CSF it, (Group I) or 13.5 mg hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.75% + 25 micrograms fentanyl it, (Group II) according to a randomized assessor-blind protocol. The onset and duration of sensory block were assessed by pinching the skin with forceps in the midclavicular line bilaterally every two minutes for first twenty minutes and then every five to ten minutes. ⋯ Fewer patients demanded pain relief in the fentanyl-treated group than in the control group in the early postoperative period (19% vs 59%; P < 0.05). Episodes of hypotension were more frequent in the fentanyl-treated group than in the control group (43% vs 14%; P < 0.05). We conclude that fentanyl, 25 micrograms it, prolonged the duration of bupivacaine-induced sensory block (sensory regression to L1 dermatone) by 28% and reduced the analgesic requirement in the early postoperative period following bupivacaine spinal block.