Anatomic barriers to paraspinal blocks: a cadaver case series

Abstract The paraspinal space is intriguing in nature. There are several needle tip placements described in compact anatomical spaces. This has led to an incertitude regarding the appropriate anatomic locations for needle tip positions. Through our cadaver models we try to resolve the issues surrounding needle tip positions clarifying anatomical spaces and barriers. Further we propose an anatomical classification based on our findings in cadaveric open dissections and cross and sagittal sections.

Ultrasound-guided continuous costoclavicular block through retrograde stimulating catheter technique for postoperative analgesia in shoulder surgery: a case series

Abstract In five patient undergoing surgery for proximal humerus fracture we investigated into postoperative analgesia provided by continuous costoclavicular block using continuous stimulating catheter. The postoperative pain scores were less than 4 in all patients except in two patients who required intravenous tramadol 50 mg as a rescue analgesic. The radiocontrast dye study executed in two patients revealed contiguous contrast spread through the brachial plexus sheath with the catheter tip in the interscalene space. We propose that a continuous costoclavicular block with a retrograde stimulating catheter is a feasible alternative regional anesthesia technique for postoperative analgesia in shoulder surgery.

Circumpsoas block - an anterior myofascial plane block for lumbar plexus elements: case report

Abstract In an attempt to improvise the analgesia in patients with femoral fractures, we aimed at depositing local anesthetic deep to anterior psoas fascia (APf) under ultrasound (US) guidance to block lumbar plexus elements which emerge lateral, anterior, and medial to the psoas major muscle. We termed this as circumpsoas block (CPB). Clinical and computed tomography contrast studies revealed that a continuous CPB infusion with a catheter provided a reliable block of the lumbar plexus elements. No adverse were events noted. We conclude that US guided CPB is a reliable technique for managing postoperative pain after surgery of femur fractures.

Anticancer properties of melatonin and its role as an adjuvant in cancer treatment

Melatonin is an important hormone secreted from the pineal gland that mediates several biological functions in humans through circadian rhythm. The multimodal properties of melatonin when administered systemically have generated a lot of interest among researchers. The anticancer properties of melatonin per se and its importance in cancer patients when used as an adjunct to ongoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy have led to tremendous research in animals and humans with encouraging results. The present write?up discusses the current evidence of using melatonin as an adjunct in hormone?dependent and hormone?independent cancers.

Pectoral?Intercostal Fascial Plane Block in Chronic Post?Sternotomy Pain

Persistent poststernotomy pain (PSP) is a well?known entity following cardiac surgery done with midline strenotomy. The severity of pain is usually mild to moderate in the majority of the patients. However, a small percentage of patients develop severe and persistent pain and need aggressive treatment. Our patient, a 63?year?old lady developed chronic severe parasternal pain following coronary artery bypass graft surgery. As multiple medications did not relieve her pain effectively, we did an ultrasound?guided pectoral?intercostal fascial plane block to which she responded with excellent and long?lasting pain relief. This is the first such case report of the use of this novel block technique for treating PSP.

Anatomic and radiological correlation of injectate spread from first thoracic costotransverse junction in cervical erector spinae plane

Introduction Cervical erector spinae plane block (ESPB) provides postoperative pain relief when administered at the level of first thoracic costotransverse junction (CTJ) for surgeries on the proximal shoulder and cervical spine. We propose to describe the spread of 20 ml radiocontrast - dye solution administered at this level from caudad to cephalad direction in a fresh frozen cadaveric model through imaging and cross-sections. Methods An observational study with four thoracic to cervical ESP blocks at the level of first thoracic CTJ level on two fresh cadavers (total 4 specimens) was conducted using 20 ml of radiocontrast- methylene blue combination (10 ml through the needle and 10 ml through the catheter). Both cadavers were subjected to computed tomography (CT) scan. An anatomist and radiologist, respectively, analyzed cross-sections of cadavers and CT contrasted images. Results The spread was assessed in axial, sagittal, and coronal at the levels of C4, C5, C6, C7and T1. The medial limit was articular processes in both cadavers. The lateral limits were the outer border of the middle scalene muscle in cadaver 1 and posterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle in cadaver 2. Contrast spread was visualized on the superior and anterior aspect of anterior scalene muscle in cadaver 2. An epidural spread was observed at the level of C5-6 and C6-7 in axial and coronal planes in cadaver 1. Conclusions The cervical ESPB administered at the first thoracic CTJ with injections directed cephalad has a consistent action on the dorsal spinal nerves of thoracic and cervical area, and spreads in the paravertebral space dorsal to the ventral cervical roots.

Articular and cutaneous nerve block at elbow: two cases report / Bloqueio do nervo articular e cutâneo no cotovelo: relato de dois casos

Abstract Background and objectives: In patients with elbow fractures, when there is suspected injury to underlying nerves, it is imperative for surgeons to elicit the function in the immediate postoperative period. Brachial plexus blocks like interscalene, supraclavicular and infraclavicular approaches can be a hurdle in such situations. The block planned should allow assessment of integrity of the nerves immediately in the postoperative period. Case report: We describe two cases in which we administered a block not yet described in literature. We blocked the cutaneous and articular branches innervating the elbow under ultrasound guidance. General anesthesia was administered in both cases. The block provided stable intraoperative hemodynamics, good postoperative analgesia and also allowed surgeons to test the viability of the nerve. Conclusion: In situations where nerves are injured during elbow fractures, selective articular cutaneous block at elbow can be used as it provides good perioperative analgesia, besides allowing evaluation of motor and sensory components in the postoperative period.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: Quando há suspeita de lesão nos nervos subjacentes em pacientes com fratura de cotovelo, é imperativo que o cirurgião estimule a função dos nervos no pós-operatório imediato. Bloqueios do plexo braquial com as técnicas interescalênica, supraclavicular e infraclavicular pode ser um obstáculo nessas situações. O bloqueio deve ser planejado de modo a permitir a avaliação da integridade dos nervos no pós-operatório imediato. Relato de caso: Descrevemos dois casos em que realizamos uma técnica de bloqueio ainda não descrito na literatura. Realizamos o bloqueio dos ramos cutâneo e articular de nervos que inervam o cotovelo com auxílio de ultrassonografia. Anestesia geral foi realizada nos dois casos. O bloqueio proporcionou estabilidade hemodinâmica intraoperatória, boa analgesia pós-operatória e também permitiu que os cirurgiões testassem a viabilidade do nervo. Conclusão: Em fraturas do cotovelo associadas à lesão de nervos, o bloqueio seletivo articular cutâneo do cotovelo pode ser utilizado, pois proporciona boa analgesia perioperatória, além de permitir a avaliação dos componentes motores e sensoriais no pós-operatório.

The supine coronal midaxillary approach to anterior quadratus lumborum block: case report / Abordagem supina axilar média coronal para realização de bloqueio do quadrado lombar anterior: relato de casos

Abstract Background: There are various approaches to perform an ultrasound guided Quadratus Lumborum Block (QLB). The lateral, posterior, anterior or trans muscular and subcostal paramedian are the various approaches described for performing a QLB. Each of these blocks are aimed to achieve a maximum spread with high volume and low concentration of local anesthetics. Case report: In this novel approach a curvilinear ultrasound probe was used with the patient lying in supine position. The probe was placed longitudinally in the mid axillary line to visualize Quadratus Lumborum Muscle (QLM) in the coronal plane. The needle was then introduced from cranial to caudal direction and catheters were inserted in the Anterior Thoracolumbar Fascia (ATLF) up to a distance of 4-5 cm in 24 patients for an anterior approach to acetabulum fractures. The needle tip and the Local Anesthetic (LA) spread was visible in all patients. All patients except 4 had excellent perioperative pain relief considering stable hemodynamics and VAS 2-3/10 for the first 48 hours. All patients received 1 g intravenous paracetamol each 8 hours. VAS in postoperative period was 2-3/10, in 20/24 patients. In the postoperative period, 4 patients complained of persistent pain, requiring intravenous fentanyl boluses and multimodal analgesia. Mean VAS score was 2.87 from 0-12 hours, 3.14 from 12-24 hours and 3.35 from 24-48 hours. There were no block-related complications in any patient. Conclusion: The supine midaxillary coronal approach to anterior QLB is an effective and feasible approach to QLB which can be performed in supine position.

Resumo Justificativa: Existem várias abordagens para a realização do Bloqueio do Quadrado Lombar (BQL) guiado por ultrassom. Diversas abordagens são descritas para a realização do BQL: paramediana lateral, posterior, anterior ou transmuscular e subcostal, todas com o objetivo de obter a máxima dispersão da solução injetada, usando-se alto volume e baixa concentração de anestésico local. Relato de caso: Nesta nova abordagem, a sonda de ultrassom curvilínea foi usada com o paciente em decúbito dorsal. A sonda foi posicionada longitudinalmente na linha axilar média para visualizar o Músculo Quadrado Lombar (MQL) no plano coronal. A agulha foi introduzida na direção cranial-caudal, e foram inseridos cateteres na Fáscia Toracolombar Anterior (FTLA) até uma distância de 4-5 cm, em 24 pacientes a serem submetidos à correção de fratura do acetábulo pela via anterior. O bisel da agulha e a dispersão do Anestésico Local (AL) eram visíveis em todos os pacientes. Os 24 pacientes, com exceção de quatro, apresentaram excelente analgesia perioperatória, baseando-se na estabilidade hemodinâmica e nos escores EVA de 2-3/10 nas primeiras 48 horas. Todos os pacientes receberam 1 g de paracetamol intravenoso a cada 8 horas. O escore EVA no período pós-operatório foi de 2-3/10, em 20 dos 24 pacientes. No período pós-operatório, quatro pacientes apresentaram queixa de dor persistente, necessitando de bolus de fentanil por via intravenosa e analgesia multimodal. O escore médio da EVA no pós-operatório foi 2,87 entre 0-12 horas; 3,14 entre 12-24 horas e 3,35 entre 24-48 horas pós-operatórias. Não houve complicações relacionadas ao bloqueio em nenhum paciente. Conclusão: A abordagem supina axilar média coronal para BQL anterior é eficaz e viável para BQL, e pode ser realizada com os pacientes em decúbito dorsal.