Can Ultrasound?Guided Erector Spinae Plane Block Replace Thoracic Epidural Analgesia for Postoperative Analgesia in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Thoracotomy? A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Background:Many analgesic modalities have been investigated in pediatrics for thoracotomy. We studied the analgesic efficacy of unilateral continuous ultrasound?guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) compared to a thoracic epidural in pediatric patients undergoing thoracotomy. Materials and Methods: A prospective, randomized, observer?blinded, controlled study. Pediatric patients (2–7 years) scheduled for right or left thoracotomy under general anesthesia (GA) were enrolled in the study. We randomly assigned patients into two groups: The thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) group received GA with an epidural catheter. The ESPB group received GA with a unilateral ultrasound?guided erector spinae plane catheter. The primary outcome was postoperative cumulative opioid consumption for 24 h. Results: The total intraoperative fentanyl requirement was 35.4 ± 11.44 µg in the TEA group and 30.4 ± 9.08 µg in the ESPB group (t?value 1.53013, P value: 0.134). The total postoperative fentanyl requirement was comparable in both the groups and clinically nonsignificant (44 ± 2.82 in the TEA group vs. 44.25 ± 13.72 in the ESPB group, t?value = ?0.02412, P = 0.981). The median (IQR) Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) score at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h time points in the ESPB was equivalent to the TEA group. At 6 h time point, the TEA group had a significantly lower FLACC score than the ESPB group (1[1.75, 1] in the TEA group and 2 [2, 1] in the ESPB group, P value = .02, U = 117.5, z?score = ?2.218). The complications were higher in the TEA group (urine retention 20% and hypotension 40%) than in the ESPB group (0 and 0%). Conclusions: This study shows that the ESPB provides similar postoperative analgesia to the TEA in pediatric patients undergoing thoracotomy. The ESPB is simpler, faster, and has a lower complication rate

A Comparative Study between Thoracic Epidural and Conventional Methods of Pain Management in Post Thoracotomy Patients

Background: Postoperative discomfort has a negative impact on the outcome of thoracic surgical procedures, which are among the most painful operations. Controlling pain after a thoracotomy enhances patient satisfaction while lowering postoperative morbidity. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of thoracic epidural and conventional pain management methods in post-thoracotomy patients.Material & Methods:A randomized cross-sectional comparative study was conducted among 260 patients of post thoracotomy between January 2018 and December 2020 in a single tertiary-care hospital of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Outcomes of surgery were evaluated using the visual analogue score (VAS) at resting and coughing time.Results:We divided all 260 patients into two groups (group A: thoracic epidural 130; group B: conventional/control 130). The mean age of the patients was 49.74�.46 years in group A and 50.48�.23 in group B. There were 61% male patients and 39% female patients, and the male: female ratio was 81:48 in group A, and 78:53 in group B. Mean duration of surgeries was 2.95� 67.92 hours and 2.84� 57.31 hours in group A and B respectively and mean follow up was 1.9 years and 1.4 years in group A and B respectively. The maximum number (36.9%%) of patients were in the age group of 50 to 54 years, and the minimum number (4.61%) of patients were in the age group of 35 to 39 years. In group A, the maximum number (31) of patients had gone through open window formation, and a minimum number of patients (4) had gone through segmentectomy. And in group B, the maximum number (33) of patients had gone through open window formation, and a minimum number (4) had gone through hydatid cyst removal surgery. The change between comparative values of postoperative mean VAS scores at resting time and coughing time of both groups of patients was significant in this study.Conclusions:In thoracotomy surgery, the efficacy of thoracic epidural anesthesia is more evident than in other types of surgery. Although managing thoracotomy pain might be challenging, the advantages of proper pain management are substantial.

Comparison of Epidural Analgesia with Ultrasound?Guided Bilateral Erector Spinae Plane Block in Aorto?Femoral Arterial Bypass Surgery

Objective:Thoracic Epidural Analgesia (TEA) was compared with ultrasound?guided bilateral erector spinae plane (ESP) block in aorto?femoral arterial bypass surgery for analgesic efficacy, hemodynamic effects, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Design: Prospective randomized. Setting: Tertiary care centre. Participants: Adult patients, who were scheduled for elective aorto?femoral arterial bypass surgery. Interventions: It was a prospective pilot study enrolling 20 adult patients who were randomized to group A (ESP block = 10) and group B (TEA = 10). Monitoring of heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pain assessment at rest and deep breathing using visual analog scale (VAS) were done till 48?h post?extubation. Rescue analgesic requirement, Incentive spirometry, oxygenation, duration of ventilation and stay in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were reported as outcome measures. Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student T?test or Mann?Whitney U test. A value of P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: HR was lower in group B than group A at 1 and 2 h post? surgery and at 0.5, 16, 20, and 32 h post?extubation (P < 0.05). MAP were lower in group B than A at 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270 minutes and at 0 hour post?surgery and at 4 hours, every 4 hours till 32 hours post?extubation (P < 0.05). Intraoperative midazolam and fentanyl consumption, ventilatory hours, VAS at rest, incentive spirometry, oxygenation, and ICU stay were comparable between the two groups. VAS during deep breathing was more in group A than B at 0.5, 4 hours and every 4 hours till 44 hours post?extubation. The time to receive the first rescue analgesia was shorter in group A than B (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Both ESP block and TEA provided comparable analgesia at rest. Further studies with larger sample size are required to evaluate whether ESP block could be an alternative to TEA in aorto?femoral arterial bypass surgery

Thoracic epidural for modified radical mastectomy in an asthmatic patient

Thoracic epidural anaesthesia is one of the safe and good alternative to general anaesthesia in high risk patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma where general anaesthesia is contraindicated. A 55 years old female patient was scheduled for modified radical mastectomy on account of advanced carcinoma of right breast. The patient was known case of bronchial asthma since 5 years with frequent attacks per week for which she was taking nebulisation with salbutamol and budesonide two times per day. In the pre-operative evaluation, her vitals were within normal limit but on auscultation air entry was reduced all over the chest with bilateral crepts and rhochi present. We did this patient in plaine thoracic epidural anaesthesia without haemodynamic instability. Thoracic epidural anaesthesia and analgesia for mastectomy is feasible, and it offers additional benefits in high-risk patients.

Effectiveness of pre-emptive thoracic epidural analgesia for acute post thoracotomy pain relief: a randomised blinded study

Background: Thoracotomy is one of the most damaging surgical insults on respiratory mechanics and management of post-thoracotomy pain is a challenge. This study was conducted to compare intensity of postoperative pain, measured by VAS, in patients receiving Pre-emptive TEA compared to patients receiving epidural analgesia during surgical closure.Method: Group A comprised of patients receiving Pre-emptive TEA with 0.1%Ropivacaine and 2 μg/ml fentanyl, 20 minutes before incision. Group B comprised of patients receiving the same drug, during surgical closure.Results: Demographic profile was comparable between both groups. Both groups offered good analgesia, but pre-emptive group took an upper hand upto4th postoperative hour (p<0.05), both at rest and coughing. Beyond 4thhour, analgesic efficacy of both groups was comparable.Conclusion: Pre-emptive technique offered better analgesia over the postoperative technique up to 4th postoperative hour, both at rest and coughing.

High vs mid thoracic epidural analgesia – A comparative study on the ease of insertion and effects on pain, hemodynamics, and oxygenation in patients undergoing thoracotomies

Background: Thoracic epidural analgesia offers effective perioperative pain relief in patients undergoing thoracotomies apart from attenuating stress responses. It helps in fast tracking by facilitating early mobilization and improving respiratory function. Literature on high (T1–T2 level) thoracic segmental analgesia for thoracotomy is less. Aim: The aim of present study was to compare the ease of insertion, effect on pain relief in high (T1–T2 level) vs mid (T5–T6) approach of thoracic epidural. Setting and Design: The present study was a randomized control trial conducted at our institute. Materials and Methods: About 52 patients aged between 18–65 years scheduled for elective thoracotomies under general and thoracic epidural anesthesia were randomized into two groups. Intraoperatively ease of epidural insertion, extent of blockade, and postoperatively pain relief were assessed. Ropivacaine with fentanyl was used for epidural analgesia. Statistical Analysis: Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation and analyzed by the Student's t test, Chi-square test, and non-parametric test whereever applicable. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We observed that high thoracic epidural anesthesia was easier to place (time taken 123.42 vs 303.08 s) P < 0.05, with less number of attempts (1.27 vs 1.92) P < 0.05. Extent of blockade, postoperative pain scores, rescue analgesia requirement, hemodynamics, and oxygenation were comparable. Conclusion: We conclude that high thoracic epidural is easier to insert, provides adequate pain relief, and stable hemodynamics with the advantage of patient comfort and safety.

Randomized Trial of Quantitative Correlation of Thoracic Epidural Tramadol with Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Thoracotomy

Early postoperative pain in patients undergoing thoracotomy may be intense, and can delay the rehabilitationand mobilization unless appropriately treated. General, Epidural and combination of these have separaterisks and benefits which vary according to patient's comorbidity and medications. Intravenous drugs foranalgesia like morphine sulphate need close monitoring as they cause respiratory depression.. Tramadolhydrochloride has been used both intravenously and epidurally and results have been found to be comparablewith morphine. Sixty three ASA I and II patients scheduled for elective thoracotomy were divided intothree equal groups in a randomized, double blinded fashion. Group I, II, III received 1, 2 and 3 mg/kg bodyweight Thoracic epidural Tramadol respectively. Onset time, duration and side effects of analgesia werestudied in all the groups.Duration of pain relief in group I, II, III was 6, 10, 20 hrs respectively which wasstatistically significant. Incidence of post operative nausea and vomiting was significant in group III comparedto other groups. It is concluded that 2 mg/kg body weight thoracic epidural Tramadol is optimum dose forpostoperative analgesia without significant side effects and in dose 3 mg/kg body weight, can be used withappropriate anti-emetics to reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting.

Post-thoracotomy ipsilateral shoulder pain: What should be preferred to optimize it - phrenic nerve infiltration or paracetamol infusion?

Background: Post thoracotomy ipsilateral shoulder pain (PTISP) is a distressing and highly prevalent problem after thoracic surgery and has not received much attention despite the incidence as high as 85%. Objectives: To study the effect of phrenic nerve infiltration with Ropivacaine compared to paracetamol infusion on PTISP in thoracotomy patients with epidural analgesia as standard mode of incisional analgesia in both the groups. Study Design: Prospective Randomised and Double Blind Study. Methods: 126 adult patients were divided randomly into 2 groups, “Group A (Phrenic Nerve Infiltration Group) received 10 mL of 0.2% Ropivacaine close to the diaphragm into the periphrenic fat pad” and “Group B (Paracetamol Infusion Group) received 20mg/kg paracetamol infusion” 30 minutes prior to chest closure respectively. A blinded observer assessed the patients PTISP using the VAS score at 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours (h) postoperatively. The time and number of any rescue analgesic medication were recorded. Results: PTISP was relieved significantly in Group A (25.4℅) as compared to Group B (61.9℅), with significantly higher mean duration of analgesia in Group A. The mean time for first rescue analgesia was significantly higher in Group A (11.1 ± 7.47 hours) than in Group B (7.40 ± 5.30 hours). The number of rescue analgesic required was less in Group A 1.6 ± 1.16 as compared to Group B 2.9 ± 1.37 (P value <0.5). Conclusions: Phrenic Nerve Infiltration significantly reduced the incidence and delayed the onset of PTISP as compared to paracetamol infusion and was not associated with any adverse effects.

Evaluation the Anesthesia Techniques for Reduction of Intraoperative and Postoperative Complications and Post-Operative Morbidity and Mortality Of Stroke Patients in ICU

Objective: In this study our main objective is to evaluateanesthesia techniques for reductions in intraoperative andpostoperative complications and post-operative morbidity andmortality of stroke patients in ICU.Method: This Retrospective study was carried out at theDepartment of Surgery, tertiary care hospital, Dhaka from June2017 to June 2018 where 120 patients who underwent differenttypes of surgery were randomized to receive thoracic epiduralanalgesia along with general anaesthesia in Group-A (60patients) and only GA in Group-B (60 patients) were includedthe study.Results: During the study, most of the patients belong to 41-50years age group for both Group A (47.78%) and group B(43.34%). Most of the patients in group A faced cardiac surgeryand in group most of the patients faced neurologic surgerybefore stroke. Also, 89% of Group-A patients stay in ICU for39-4 hours whereas Group B it was 11%.Conclusion: From our results; we can say that, TEA incombination with general anesthesia for surgery iscomparatively safe rather than general anesthesia whichreduces stroke development in patients. Further study isneeded for better outcome.

Off-pump coronary bypass grafting in a post-pneumonectomy patient: Challenges and management

Pulmonary complications are common in cardiac surgical patients. Limited respiratory reserves along with the pain associated with sternotomy add to the morbidity. Patients undergoing cardiac surgery who have had a pneumonectomy done before can be even more challenging to manage perioperatively due to a single-functioning lung. We present a case of a postpneumonectomy patient who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Perioperative optimization of lung function tests was stressed upon including the chest physiotherapy and early mobilization. Preoperative thoracic epidural catheter was inserted for postoperative pain and other proven benefits of thoracic epidural in coronary artery disease patients. We could conclude from our experience that proper optimization of lung function tests and meticulous pain management along with fast-tracking are keys to the management of such patients.

Comparison of continuous thoracic epidural analgesia with bilateral erector spinae plane block for perioperative pain management in cardiac surgery

Objective: Continuous thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is compared with erector spinae plane (ESP) block for the perioperative pain management in patients undergoing cardiac surgery for the quality of analgesia, incentive spirometry, ventilator duration, and intensive care unit (ICU) duration. Methodology: A prospective, randomized comparative clinical study was conducted. A total of 50 patients were enrolled, who were randomized to either Group A: TEA (n = 25) or Group B: ESP block (n = 25). Visual analog scale (VAS) was recorded in both the groups during rest and cough at the various time intervals postextubation. Both the groups were also compared for incentive spirometry, ventilator, and ICU duration. Statistical analysis was performed using the independent Student's t-test. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: C omparable VAS scores were revealed at 0 h, 3 h, 6 h, and 12 h (P > 0.05) at rest and during cough in both the groups. Group A had a statistically significant VAS score than Group B (P ≤ 0.05) at 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h but mean VAS in either of the Group was ≤4 both at rest and during cough. Incentive spirometry, ventilator, and ICU duration were comparable between the groups. Conclusion: ESP block is easy to perform and can serve as a promising alternative to TEA in optimal perioperative pain management in cardiac surgery.

Non-intubated thoracoscopic surgery for decortication of empyema under thoracic epidural anesthesia: a case report / 대한마취과학회지

General anesthesia is the main strategy for almost all thoracic surgeries. However, a growing body of literature has reported successful cases of non-intubated thoracic surgery with regional anesthesia. This alternative strategy not only prevents complications related to general anesthesia, such as lung injury, incomplete re-expansion and intubation related problems, but also accords with trends of shorter hospital stay and lower overall costs. We experienced a successful case of non-intubated thoracoscopic decortication for a 68-year-old man who was diagnosed as empyema while the patient kept spontaneously breathing with moderate sedation under thoracic epidural anesthesia. The patient showed a fast recovery without concerns of general anesthesia related complications and effective postoperative analgesia through thoracic epidural patient-controlled analgesia device. This is the first report of non-intubated thoracoscopic surgery under thoracic epidural anesthesia in Korea, and we expect that various well designed prospective studies will warrant the improvement of outcomes in non-intubated thoracoscopic surgery.

Effects of High Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia on Cerebral Blood Flow and Hippocampal Apoptosis during Global Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion in Rats / 现代生物医学进展

Objective:To investigate the effects of high thoracic epidural anesthesia (HTEA) on the cerebral blood flow (CBF) and hippocampal apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax during global cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (GCI) in rats.Methods:Fifteen-minute global ischemia was established by 4-vessel occlusion and epidural catheterization was performed through T4-5 intervertebral spaces in adult male Wistar rats.According to the different drugs infused into the epidural space,the rats were randomly divided into four groups:Sham group (0.9 ％ NaC1),Sham-HTEA group (0.25 ％ bupivacaine),GCI group (global cerebral ischemia,0.9 ％ NaC1) and HTEA group (global cerebral ischemia,0.25 ％ bupivacaine).And 0.25 ％bupivacaine or 0.9 ％ saline (20 μL·h-1) was infused continuously to the thoracic epidural space from 15 minutes before ischemia to 24 hours after reperfusion.Mean arterial pressure (MAP),heart rate (HR) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were determined until 2 hours after reperfusion,and the hippocampal Bcl-2 and Bax proteins at 24 hours after reperfusion were examined by Western-blot.Results:Compared with the GCI group,HTEA group has no significant difference on MAP and HR during ischemia and 2 hours after reperfusion,andcompared with the Sham group,MAP in GCI group increased in ischemia 0 min and decreased in reperfusion 0 min.The CBF in HTEA group was significantly lower than that in GCI group (123.1％± 35.2％ vs 177.5％± 32.4％,P＜0.01) in reperfusion 10 min,and higher than that in GCI group during the hypoperfusion of 60 to 120 minutes after reperfusion (P＜0.05),and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in hippocampus was significantly decreased in HTEA group 24 hours after reperfusion (P＜0.01).Conclusions:Continuous HTEA infusion of 0.25 ％ bupivacaine 20 μL ·h-1 could maintain the hemodynamic stability,and improve the CBF of hypoperfusion period in rats,as well as reduce the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 at 24 hours after reperfusion.

Thoracic epidural versus general anaesthesia for MRM surgeries.

Background: General anaesthesia is still the preferred technique amongst many practitioners for oncologic breast surgeries. However the TEA technique has a lot of advantages over the conventional GA technique. Objective: We attempted to evaluate the two techniques of anaesthesia for MRM surgeries. Materials and method: Sixty ASA I-II patients undergoing MRM were randomly assigned to two study groups of 30 patients each. In the TEA group( group T), an epidural catheter was inserted at T7-T8 level, and 8-10 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine was titrated and administered.GA (group G) was induced with 2mg/kg of propofol and was maintained with Isoflurane ,intermittent inj. Vecuronium and 70% N2O in oxygen. The authors evaluated the adequacy of anesthesia, surgical condition, post anesthetic recovery, post anesthetic analgesia and patients’ satisfaction. Results: The intra operative haemodynamics was comparable in between the two groups. The incidence of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in the TEA group ( 16.5% in group T and 39.6% in group G , P = 0.02).The mean immediate VAS score was also lower in TEA group ( group T =2.4 , group G =5.8,P = 0.001).Aldrete recovery score was 9/10 in 1st hr in a significant proportion in the TEA group (89.1% in group T v/s 59.4% in group G , P = 0.003).Patient satisfaction was significantly higher. The surgeons were however satisfied with both the methods. Conclusion: Use of thoracic epidural technique as a sole anaesthetic technique for MRM surgeries provides adequate operating conditions, better side effect profile, better pain management and patient satisfaction.

Is there any benefit in associating neuraxial anesthesia to general anesthesia for coronary artery bypass graft surgery? / Existe algum benefício em associar a anestesia neuroaxial à anestesia geral para revascularização miocárdica?

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The use of neuraxial anesthesia in cardiac surgery is recent, but the hemodynamic effects of local anesthetics and anticoagulation can result in risk to patients. OBJECTIVE: To review the benefits of neuraxial anesthesia in cardiac surgery for CABG through a systematic review of systematic reviews. CONTENT: The search was performed in Pubmed (January 1966 to December 2012), Embase (1974 to December 2012), The Cochrane Library (volume 10, 2012) and Lilacs (1982 to December 2012) databases, in search of articles of systematic reviews. The following variables: mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, in-hospital length of stay, arrhythmias and epidural hematoma were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of neuraxial anesthesia in cardiac surgery remains controversial. The greatest benefit found by this review was the possibility of reducing postoperative arrhythmias, but this result was contradictory among the identified findings. The results of findings regarding mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke and in-hospital length of stay did not show greater efficacy of neuraxial anesthesia.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: O uso da anestesia neuroaxial em cirurgia cardíaca é recente, porém os efeitos hemodinâmicos dos anestésicos locais e a anticoagulação podem trazer riscos aos pacientes. OBJETIVO: Revisar os benefícios da anestesia neuroaxial em cirurgia cardíaca para revascularização miocárdica por meio de uma revisão sistemática de revisões sistemáticas. CONTEÚDO: Foi feita pesquisa nas bases de dados Pubmed (de janeiro de 1966 a dezembro de 2012), Embase (1974 a dezembro 2012), The Cochrane Library (volume 10, 2012) e Lilacs (1982 a dezembro de 2012) em busca de artigos de revisões sistemáticas. Foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis: mortalidade, infarto do miocárdio, acidente vascular cerebral, tempo de internação hospitalar, arritmias e hematoma peridural. CONCLUSÕES: O uso da anestesia neuroaxial para revascularização miocárdica permanece controverso. O maior benefício encontrado por meio desta revisão foi a possibilidade de redução das arritmias pós-operatórias, porém esse resultado foi contraditório entre as evidências identificadas. Os resultados das evidências encontradas referentes à mortalidade, ao infarto do miocárdio, ao acidente vascular cerebral e ao tempo de internação hospitalar não mostraram maior efetividade da anestesia neuroaxial.

Teaching practices of thoracic epidural catheterizations in different grade of anesthesia residents / Ensino da prática de cateterismo epidural torácico em diferentes anos de residência em anestesia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to clarify the importance of residency grade and other factors which influence the success of thoracic epidural catheterization in thoracotomy patients. METHODS: After the ethical committee approval, data were recorded retrospectively from the charts of 415 patients. All patients had given written informed consent. The thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were divided into two groups as second-third year (Group I) and fourth year (Group II) according to residency grade. We retrospectively collected demographic data, characteristics of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts, and all difficulties and complications during thoracic epidural catheterization. RESULTS: Overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization was similar between the groups. Levels of catheter placement, number and duration of thoracic epidural catheterization attempts were not different between the groups (p > 0.05). Change of needle insertion level was statistically higher in Group II (p = 0.008), whereas paresthesia was significantly higher in Group I (p = 0.007). Dural puncture and postdural puncture headache rates were higher in Group I. Higher body mass index and level of the insertion site were significant factors for thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate and those were independence from residents' experience (p < 0.001, 0.005). CONCLUSION: Body mass index and level of insertion site were significant on thoracic epidural catheterization failure and postoperative complication rate. We think that residents' grade is not a significant factor in terms overall success rate of thoracic epidural catheterization, but it is important for outcome of these procedures.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Esclarecer a importância do ano de residência e outros fatores que influenciam o sucesso do cateterismo epidural torácico (CET) em pacientes submetidos à toracotomia. MÉTODOS: Após a aprovação do Comitê de Ética, os dados foram retrospectivamente analisados a partir dos prontuários de 415 pacientes. Todos os pacientes assinaram os termos de consentimento informado. As tentativas de CET foram divididas em dois grupos: segundo-terceiro ano (Grupo I) e quarto ano (Grupo II), de acordo com o ano de residência. Dados demográficos, características das tentativas de CET e todas as dificuldades e complicações durante o CET foram registrados retrospectivamente. RESULTADOS: A taxa de sucesso global de CET foi semelhante entre os grupos. Os níveis de colocação do cateter, o número e a duração das tentativas não foram diferentes entre os grupos (p > 0,05). A alteração do nível de inserção da agulha foi estatisticamente maior no Grupo II (p = 0,008), enquanto que a parestesia foi significativamente maior no Grupo I (p = 0,007). As taxas de cefaleia durante e após punção dural foram maiores no Grupo I. Um índice de massa corporal (IMC) maior e o nível do local de inserção foram fatores significativos para o fracasso do CET e para as taxas de complicações no pós-operatório, mas independentes da experiência dos residentes (p < 0,001, 0,005). CONCLUSÃO: O IMC e o nível do local de inserção foram significativos para o fracasso do CET e para as taxas de complicações no pós-operatório. Pensamos que o ano de residência não é um fator significativo em termos de taxa de sucesso global para o CET, mas é importante para o resultado desses procedimentos.

Thoracic Epidural- An Alternate to General Anaesthesia for Sick Laparotomy.

Choices of anaesthetic technique in patients with perforation peritonitis requiring emergency laparotomy vary drastically on the basis of anaesthetist preference and patient’s condition. We report a case of a geriatric male, with restricted mouth opening due to ludwig’s angina and renal derangement, posted for emergency laparotomy for gastric perforation. Thoracic epidural block was used as a sole anaesthetic technique because of above mentioned airway difficulty, instruments limitation in emergency setup and associated co- morbidity. Surgery was conducted successfully.

Analysis of thoracic epidurography and correlating factors affecting the extent of contrast medium spread

BACKGROUND: Thoracic epidural anesthesia is frequently used to maintain intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Frequently, 3 ml of local anesthetic is used as a test dose, or for intermittent epidural injection. We assessed the extent of the spread of 3 ml of contrast medium in the thoracic epidural space and attempted to identify any correlating factors affecting the epidurography. METHODS: A total of 70 patients were enrolled in the study, and thoracic epidural catheterizations were performed under fluoroscopic guidance. Using 3 ml of contrast medium, epidurography was evaluated to confirm the number of spinal segments covered by the contrast medium. Correlation analysis was performed between patient characteristics (sex, age, body mass index, weight, height, and location of catheter tip) and the extent of the contrast spread. RESULTS: The mean number of vertebral segments evaluated by contrast medium was 7.9 ± 2.2 using 3 ml of contrast medium. The contrast spread in the cranial direction showed more extensive distribution than that in the caudal direction, with statistical significance (P < 0.01). Patient height demonstrated a negative correlation with the extent of distribution of contrast medium (r = −0.311, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic epidurography using 3 ml of contrast medium results in coverage of a mean of 7.9 ± 2.2 spinal segments, with more extensive cranial spread, and patient height showed a weak negative correlation with the distribution of contrast medium.

Analysis of thoracic epidurography and correlating factors affecting the extent of contrast medium spread

BACKGROUND: Thoracic epidural anesthesia is frequently used to maintain intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. Frequently, 3 ml of local anesthetic is used as a test dose, or for intermittent epidural injection. We assessed the extent of the spread of 3 ml of contrast medium in the thoracic epidural space and attempted to identify any correlating factors affecting the epidurography. METHODS: A total of 70 patients were enrolled in the study, and thoracic epidural catheterizations were performed under fluoroscopic guidance. Using 3 ml of contrast medium, epidurography was evaluated to confirm the number of spinal segments covered by the contrast medium. Correlation analysis was performed between patient characteristics (sex, age, body mass index, weight, height, and location of catheter tip) and the extent of the contrast spread. RESULTS: The mean number of vertebral segments evaluated by contrast medium was 7.9 ± 2.2 using 3 ml of contrast medium. The contrast spread in the cranial direction showed more extensive distribution than that in the caudal direction, with statistical significance (P < 0.01). Patient height demonstrated a negative correlation with the extent of distribution of contrast medium (r = −0.311, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic epidurography using 3 ml of contrast medium results in coverage of a mean of 7.9 ± 2.2 spinal segments, with more extensive cranial spread, and patient height showed a weak negative correlation with the distribution of contrast medium.

Paraplegia Following Intercostal Nerve Neurolysis with Alcohol and Thoracic Epidural Injection in Lung Cancer Patient

The goal of cancer treatment is generally pain reduction and function recovery. However, drug therapy does not treat pain adequately in approximately 43% of patients, and the latter may have to undergo a nerve block or neurolysis. In the case reported here, a 42-year-old female patient with lung cancer (adenocarcinoma) developed paraplegia after receiving T8-10 and 11th intercostal nerve neurolysis and T9-10 interlaminar epidural steroid injections. An MRI results revealed extensive swelling of the spinal cord between the T4 spinal cord and conus medullaris, and T5, 7-11, and L1 bone metastasis. Although steroid therapy was administered, the paraplegia did not improve.