Fluoroscopy guided chemical lumbar sympathectomy for lower limb ischaemic ulcers.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of chemical lumbar sympathectomy in relieving pain and healing ischaemic ulcers in patients with peripheral vascular diseases. Thirty-one consecutive patients with ischaemic/ gangrenous lower limb ulcers, referred to the BPKIHS, Pain Clinic were observed prospectively after chemical lumbar sympathectomy using modified Reid Technique with 3 ml of 70% alcohol each at L2 and L3 level under fluoroscopic guidance. Pain relief and ulcer healing were noted in the follow up. Moreover, patients' abilities to resume at least part of their day to day work were also noted at three months follow up. Of the total 31 patients, 16 had Buerger's disease and the remaining 15 had non-Buerger's ischaemic ulcers of which 7 were diabetic. There was significant decrease in the pain score from mean+/-SD of 8.3+/-0.9 (pre-block) to 4.2+/-2.5 (post-block after 3 days) in zero to 10 Numerical Analogue Scale (NAS). By 3 months, 6 patients declined for follow up; 19(76%) of the remaining 25 patients reported pain relief, 18(72%) reported healing or decrease in the size of ulcers and 11(44%) were able to resume at least part of their usual work. Minor complications occurred in 5 patients and amputation was needed in 6 patients. Fluoroscopy- guided chemical lumbar sympathectomy is feasible, safe and effective in relieving pain and promoting ulcer healing in patients with ischaemic lower limb ulcers due both to Buerger's disease and non-Buerger's peripheral vascular diseases.

Analgesia after inguinal herniotomy in children: combination of simplified (Single Puncture) ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve blocks and wound infiltration vs. caudal block with 0.25% bupivacaine.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether simplified ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block in combination with minimal wound infiltration with local anaesthetic is better than caudal block with local anaesthetic alone in children undergoing inguinal herniotomy for easy transition to safe oral analgesia. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Sixty children of both sexes undergoing herniotomy were allocated randomly to receive either simplified (single puncture) ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve block described by Dalens in combination with small volume wound infiltration with 0.1 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine (Group I) or caudal block with 1 ml/kg of 0.25% bupivacaine (Group II) at the end of surgery under general anaesthesia using halothane in oxygen and nitrous oxide mixture. Duration of analgesia, complication associated, parents and children's satisfaction were compared. RESULTS: The mean duration of analgesia was 253+/-102.6 minutes in group I as compared to 219.6+/-48.4 minutes in group II. Six (20%) patients in group I and two (6.67%) patients in group II required parenteral analgesic. Complications and parents and children's satisfaction were comparable in both the groups. CONCLUSION: Simplified ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric nerve blocks described by Dalens in combination with small volume local anaesthetic wound infiltration with its longer mean duration of analgesia offers better safety margin to start oral analgesics than caudal block with local anaesthetic alone in children undergoing herniotomy. Larger studies may further confirm the findings.