Axillary brachial plexus block: smaller volume; higher level

Fifty patients were scheduled for upper limb surgery above the elbow. Axillary brachial plexus block, using a catheter inserted high in the axilla with arm abducted and a firm digital pressure at the residual side of the arm, enable a high insertion of the catheter and a more central spread of the injected local anesthetic. Radiological and clinical evaluation of the technique was done. The small volume of the injected drug and a high block level obtained were discussed

Combinations between aminoglycosides and antibiotics and non depolarizing neuromuscular blockers: do they differ?

One hundred and fifty patients were divided into 3 equal groups according to the non-depolarizing muscle relaxant used. [atracurium, vecuronium and pancuronium]. Each group was further subdivided into subgroups: group A [reference one], B and c subgroups received gentamicin and amikacin respectively at complete block and at 0.08 to 0.15 twitch recovery. Duration of the action of the muscle relaxant, recovery time [after reversal] and percentage of twitch depression after injection of antibiotics were determined using myograph 2000. The recorded data have been discussed denoting that both gentamicin and amikacin potentiate the neuromuscular blockade by atracurium, vecuronium or pancuronium with prolongation of recovery time. However atracurium may be preferred in patients treated with these antibiotics and amikacin is preferred to gentamicin in patients perceiving pancuronium