Comparison of vertical infraclavicular brachial plexus block with 0.5% levobupivacaine and 0.5% ropivacaine for upper limb surgery / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: We performed a prospective, double blind study to compare the clinical effect of vertical infraclavicular brachial plexus block produced by 0.5% levobupivacaine and 0.5% ropivacaine for upper limb surgery. METHODS: We included 60 patients receiving upper limb surgery under infraclavicular brachial plexus block. The infraclavicular brachial plexus block was performed via the vertical technique with 30 ml of 0.5% levobupivacaine or 0.5% ropivacaine. We observed which nerve type was stimulated and scored the sensory and motor block. The quality of block was assessed intraoperatively. The duration of sensory and motor block and complications were assessed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in frequencies of stimulated nerve type, evolution of sensory and motor block quality, or success of block. There were no significant difference in duration of sensory block, but duration of motor block was prolonged after 0.5% levobupivacaine. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Both 0.5% levobupivacaine and 0.5% ropivacaine had similar effects in the vertical infraclavicular brachial plexus block.

Stress Induced Cardiomyopathy after Local Epinephrine Use: A case report / 대한마취과학회지

Epinephrine is frequently used to control local bleeding during surgery. However, it may be associated with complications, such as pulmonary edema, reversible cardiomyopathy, and cardiac arrest. We encountered a case of stress induced cardiomyopathy (SIC) after local epinephrine instillation. The SIC is manifested with typical left ventricular apical ballooning and clinical symptoms of a myocardial infarction without coronary stenosis. Although its prognosis is more favorable than a myocardial infarction, anesthesiologists need to be aware of the possible adverse effects of local epinephrine infiltration.