Assessment of main complications of regional anesthesia recorded in an acute pain unit in a tertiary care university hospital: a retrospective cohort

Abstract Background Regional anesthesia has been increasingly used. Despite its low number of complications, they are associated with relevant morbidity. This study aims to evaluate the incidence of complications after neuraxial block and peripheral nerve block. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted, and data related to patients submitted to neuraxial block and peripheral nerve block at a tertiary university hospital from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2017 were analyzed. Results From 10,838 patients referred to Acute Pain Unit, 1093(10.1%) had side effects or complications: 1039 (11.4%) submitted to neuraxial block and 54 (5.2%) to peripheral nerve block. The most common side effects after neuraxial block were sensory (48.5%) or motor deficits (11.8%), nausea or vomiting (17.5%) and pruritus (8.0%); The most common complications: 3 (0.03%) subcutaneous cell tissue hematoma, 3 (0.03%) epidural abscesses and 1 (0.01%) arachnoiditis. 204 of these patients presented sensory or motor deficits at hospital discharge and needed follow-up. Permanent peripheral nerve injury after neuraxial block had an incidence of 7.7:10,000 (0.08%). The most common side effects after peripheral nerve block were sensory deficits (52%) and 21 patients maintained follow-up due to symptoms persistence after hospital discharge. Conclusion Although we found similar incidences of side effects or even lower than those described, major complications after neuraxial block had a higher incidence, particularly epidural abscesses. Despite this, other serious complications, such as spinal hematoma and permanent peripheral nerve injury, are still rare.

Daño neurológico perioperatorio. Identificación de factores de riesgo, prevención y estudios relacionados / Perioperative nerve injury. Risk factor identification, prevention and work-up

BACKGROUND: Regional anesthesia techniques can have adverse effects, like peripheral nerve injuries. This can affect the practitioner on the choice of techniques when offering multimodal analgesia. CASE REPORT: We present the case of an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on a patient with no comorbidities who presented peripheral nerve injury during post-op. Initially thought to have occurred as a consequence of the anesthetic technique, further study of the patient revealed the injuries to have been produced by the arthroscopic surgery. CONCLUSION: There are multiple factors that influence the possibility of peripheral nerve injury associated with nerve blocks. They can be grouped as related to the patient, the anesthetic technique or the surgical technique, the latter being the most relevant. If a patient manifests signs of peripheral nerve injury high-resolution magnetic resonance of the neural tissue must be performed immediately. Sensory nerve conduction study and electromyography must be performed 4 weeks after by an expert neurologist.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La anestesia regional puede producir como efecto adverso lesiones de nervios periféricos, lo que puede hacer desistir al anestesiólogo de realizar técnicas que mejoran la analgesia multimodal. CASO CLÍNICO: Se presenta el caso de un paciente sin comorbilidades que se operó de reparación artroscópica del manguito rotador y presentó daño neurológico postoperatorio. Inicialmente se sospechó que el daño había sido producido durante la técnica anestésica, sin embargo, el estudio adecuado demostró que el daño se relacionaba con la técnica quirúrgica. CONCLUSIÓN: Existen factores que influyen en la posibilidad de daño neurológico asociado a bloqueos de nervios periféricos que pueden ser propios del paciente, de la técnica anestésica o quirúrgicos, siendo estos últimos los más relevantes. En un paciente con clínica compatible debe realizarse resonancia magnética del tejido neural de alta resolución de forma inmediata; estudio de conducción neural sensitiva y electromiografía a las 4 semanas de evolución por un neurólogo experto.

Anatomical study of pronator teres muscle innervation and clinical significance in nerve transfer / Estudio anatómico de la inervación del músculo pronador redondo y significado clínico en la transferencia nerviosa

The anatomical relationship of the median nerve and its innervation pattern are variable and may have direct implications in surgical procedures such as distal nerve transfers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anatomical variations of pronator teres muscle (PTM) innervation and its clinical significance in nerve transfers. Data were collected regarding the number of median nerve branches, site of their origin, contribution with branches of other muscles and the possibility of transferring expendable branches of PTM to the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) and radial nerve. The most common origin of the branches was proximal to the humeral intercondylar line. The presence of only one PTM branch was identified in 9 limbs, in which 6 was exclusive for this muscle. The majority of specimens presented more than one branch to the PTM, with two branches in 19, although only 6 of these did not share branches with other muscles. The proximal branch of the PTM was long enough to be transferred to the AIN in 23 limbs and branches of the radial nerve in all. These transfers were possible even during the forearm prone-supination and flexion-extension of the elbow. The use of the PTM branch may be considered for transfers in C7-T1 root injuries of the brachial plexus, with care regarding the availability of multiple PTM branches and tension to the AIN and radial nerve branches.

La relación anatómica del nervio mediano y su patrón de inervación son variables y pueden tener implicaciones directas en los procedimientos quirúrgicos, como las transferencias de los nervios distales. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las variaciones anatómicas de la inervación del músculo pronador redondo (MPR) y su importancia clínica en las transferencias nerviosas. Se obtuvieron datos sobre el número de ramas del nervio mediano, el lugar de origen, la contribución con ramas de otros músculos y la posibilidad de transferir ramas prescindibles de la MPR al nervio interóseo anterior (NIA) y al nervio radial. El origen más común de las ramas fue proximal a la línea intercondilar humeral. Se identificó la presencia de una sola rama de MPR en 9 miembros superiores, de los cuales 6 fueron exclusivas para este músculo. La mayoría de los especímenes presentaron más de una rama al MPR, con dos ramas en 19 de ellos, aunque solamente 6 no compartían ramas con otros músculos. La rama proximal del MPR fue lo suficientemente larga como para ser transferida a la NIA en un total de 23 miembros superiores y ramas del nervio radial. Estas transferencias fueron posibles incluso en el antebrazo, durante la supinación y la flexiónextensión del codo. El uso de la rama MPR puede considerarse para transferencias en lesiones de raíz C7-T1 del plexo braquial, con cuidado en cuanto a la disponibilidad de múltiples ramas de MPR y tensión a la NIA y las ramas nerviosas radiales.

Lesão de nervo cutâneo antebraquial lateral relacionada à venipuntura: o que saber? / Venipuncture-related lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve injury: what to know? / Lesión del nervio cutáneo antebraquial lateral relacionada con la venopunción: ¿qué debemos saber?

Justificativa e objetivos: a venipuntura é um dos procedimentos mais comuns na prática anestésica cotidiana. Embora geralmente inócuas, lesões de nervos periféricos com sequelas graves foram descritas após venipuntura. Apresentamos um caso de lesão de nervo cutâneo antebraquial lateral relacionada à venipuntura, juntamente com as informações de diagnóstico e prognóstico essenciais para a prática cotidiana. Relato de caso: paciente do sexo masculino, 27 anos, submetido à venipuntura de fossa antecubital direita, com uma agulha de calibre 20, para avaliação metabólica de rotina. O paciente sofreu uma dor aguda, tipo choque elétrico, que percorreu a face lateral do antebraço desde a fossa antecubital proximal até o pulso lateral direito e a base do polegar direito. Após 24 horas, o paciente ainda sentia a dor semelhante a choque elétrico que foi classificada como 8/10 no braço distal lateral direito, no pulso lateral direito e na base do polegar, acompanhada de parestesia. Fizemos uma revisão da literatura e o paciente recebeu orientação sobre os resultados publicados a respeito desse tipo de lesão. Durante o acompanhamento, o paciente relatou que a disestesia diminuiu cerca de 3-4 semanas após a lesão inicial e que não restou déficit neurológico. Conclusões: lesões de nervos periféricos foram descritas pós-venipuntura, mas a literatura é limitada. Os nervos da fossa antecubital estão classicamente localizados em um plano logo abaixo - e muito próximos - das veias, o que os torna susceptíveis a lesões durante a flebotomia; além disso, sabe-se que existe uma extensa variação anatômica, o que sugere que mesmo uma venipuntura satisfatória não traumática pode danificar diretamente esses ...

Background and objectives: Venipuncture is one of the most common procedures performed in daily anesthetic practice. Though usually innocuous, peripheral nerve injuries with serious sequelae have been described following venipuncture. We present a case of venipuncture related lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve injury, alongside the essential diagnostic and prognostic information for day to day practice. Case: 27-Year old male who underwent venipuncture of the right antecubital fossa with a 20-gauge needle, for routine metabolic assessment. The patient suffered a shooting, electric-type pain traveling on the lateral side of the forearm, from the antecubital fossa proximally, to the right lateral wrist and base of the right thumb. After 24 h, the patient still experienced shooting, electric-type pain that was rated as 8/10 at the right distal lateral arm, right lateral wrist and base of the thumb, accompanied by paresthesia. The literature was reviewed and the patient was counseled regarding published outcomes of these type of injuries. At follow-up, the patient stated that the dysesthesia subsided approximately 3-4 weeks after initial injury, and reported no remaining neurologic deficits. Conclusions: Peripheral nerve injuries have been described after venipuncture, but the literature is limited. Nerves in the antecubital fossa classically lie on a plane just beneath, and in close proximity to, the veins, making them susceptible to injury during phlebotomy; also it has been shown that there is a large range of anatomic variation, suggesting that even a nontraumatic, satisfactory venipuncture can directly damage these nerves. Anesthesiologists must be aware of this possible complication, diagnosis and prognostication to adequately counsel patients in the event that this complication occurs. .

Justificación y objetivos: la venopunción es uno de los procedimientos más comunes en la práctica anestésica cotidiana. Aunque en general es inocua, se han descrito lesiones de los nervios periféricos con secuelas graves después de la venopunción. Presentamos un caso de lesión de nervio cutáneo antebraquial lateral relacionada con la venopunción, conjuntamente con la información de diagnóstico y pronóstico que son esenciales para la práctica cotidiana. Caso: paciente del sexo masculino, de 27 años, sometido a venopunción de la fosa antecubital derecha con una aguja de calibre 20 para evaluación metabólica de rutina. El paciente sufrió un dolor agudo de tipo descarga eléctrica, recorriendo el lateral del antebrazo desde la fosa antecubital proximal hasta la muñeca derecha y la base del pulgar derecho. Después 24 h, el paciente todavía sentía un dolor parecido a una descarga eléctrica que fue clasificado como 8/10 en el brazo distal lateral derecho, en la muñeca derecha y en la base del pulgar, acompañado de parestesia. Hicimos una revisión de la literatura y el paciente recibió orientación sobre los resultados publicados respecto a ese tipo de lesión. Durante el seguimiento, el paciente relató que la disestesia disminuyó aproximadamente 3-4 semanas después de la lesión inicial y no informó déficit neurológico. Conclusiones: se han descrito lesiones de nervios periféricos tras venopunción, pero la literatura es limitada. Los nervios de la fosa antecubital están clásicamente localizados en un plano inmediatamente inferior (y muy cercanos) a las venas, lo que los hace susceptibles a lesiones durante la flebotomía. Además, se sabe que existe una extensa variación anatómica, sugiriendo que incluso una ...

Complications and Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Percutaneous Plating for Proximal Humeral Fractures

BACKGROUND: The minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique using periarticular locking plates may be a good option for the repair of displaced proximal humeral fractures. However, axillary nerve complications related to this technique may be underestimated. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of the minimally invasive plating, focusing on the complications. METHODS: The records of 21 consecutive patients treated for proximal humerus fractures using the MIPO technique with locking plates were retrospectively reviewed. These patients were treated between March 2009 and March 2011 with a minimum one-year follow-up. The clinical function, complications, and radiological bony union were evaluated. RESULTS: All of the patients, with one exception, showed at least 90 degrees of flexion and abduction at the shoulder joint six months postoperatively. The average Constant scores at three months, six months, and one year follow-ups were 74.0 (range, 62 to 90), 79.4 (range, 64 to 91), and 82.7 (range, 66 to 92), respectively. All of the patients achieved bony union within the average of 3.2 months (range, 2 to 6 months). There was one case of delayed union, one case of intra-articular screw penetration, and one case of axillary nerve paresis (incomplete injury), which did not completely recover during the one year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The MIPO technique using periarticular locking plates is a useful option for the treatment of selected cases of displaced proximal humeral fractures. However, nerve complications such as axillary nerve paresis should be considered along with implant-related complications when choosing patients for minimally invasive plating.

Various types of total laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomies and their effects on bladder function / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to ascertain the correlation between preserved pelvic nerve networks and bladder function after laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomy. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2011, 53 patients underwent total laparoscopic radical hysterectomies. They were categorized into groups A, B, and C based on the status of preserved pelvic nerve networks: complete preservation of the pelvic nerve plexus (group A, 27 cases); partial preservation (group B, 13 cases); and complete sacrifice (group C, 13 cases). To evaluate bladder function, urodynamic studies were conducted preoperatively and postoperatively at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: No significant difference in sensory function was found between groups A and B. However, the sensory function of group C was significantly lower than that of the other groups. Group A had significantly better motor function than groups B and C. No significant difference in motor function was found between groups B and C. Results showed that the sensory nerve is distributed predominantly at the dorsal half of the pelvic nerve networks, but the motor nerve is predominantly distributed at the ventral half. CONCLUSION: Various types of total laparoscopic nerve-sparing radical hysterectomies can be tailored to patients with cervical carcinomas.

Seguridad en anestesia loco-regional (ALR): complicaciones de los bloqueos nerviosos periféricos / Security loco-regional anesthesia (ALR): complications of peripheral nerve blocks

Las distintas técnicas de anestesia loco-regional (ALR) muestran una popularidad creciente, existiendo un amplio consenso acerca de sus ventajas sobre la anestesia general. Sin embargo, como en todo acto médico, pueden presentarse complicaciones, algunas de ellas potencialmente graves, que es importante conocer, detectar y tratar adecuadamente. Afortunadamente, la incidencia de complicaciones mayores asociada a estas técnicas, de acuerdo a los trabajos de distintos autores es baja. En el presente trabajo se describen algunas de ellas, aportando recomendaciones prácticas para disminuir su incidencia.