ABSTRACT
Lightning injuries have a high morbidity and mortality because of the electrical effects on the circulatory, respiratory, and central nervous systems. Most lightning-related deaths occur immediately after injury due to fatal arrhythmias or respiratory failure. We describe the case of a patient who experienced a seizure and respiratory distress secondary to a lightning strike and how our team was able to stabilize and transport the patient. Ultimately, in this particular case study, the patient survived with minimal residual neurologic and hemodynamic effects. Based on this clinical vignette, we review the pathophysiology of lightning injuries and the predictive factors of positive outcomes in such unusual accidents.
Subject(s)
Lightning Injuries , Humans , Lightning Injuries/complications , Lightning Injuries/therapy , Seizures/etiology , AccidentsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: emergency surgery for pertrochanteric femoral fractures (PFF) in patients at high risk of anaesthetic complications is a real challenge for surgeons due to the increased intraoperative risk. We report our experience with combined lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block as an alternative anesthetic technique for these fractures. METHODS: we conducted a three-year descriptive, single-center, cross-sectional study including patients with a history of recent pertrochanteric femoral fractures (PFF) at high risk anaesthetic complications. Combined lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block was performed using the common neurostimulation technique. A mixture of 20ml of lidocaine 2% and bupivacaine 0.5% (50/50) was injected into each block. The primary endpoint was the effectiveness of lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block assessed through the rates from anesthesia-related failures defined as need for conversion into general anaesthesia (GA). The secondary endpoints were: 1) anesthetic technique, 2) intraoperative hemodynamic, respiratory and neurological impairment, and 3) outcomes and potential postoperative complications. RESULTS: the study included 30 patients. The average age of patients was 74 ± 10 years. The average admission time in the Department of Emergency Surgery was 12(5-36) hours. The average duration of the procedure was 15.20 ± 3.45 minutes. No conversion into GA was necessary. There were no statistically significant differences between the various recorded intraoperative hemodynamic and respiratory parameters (MAP, HR, SpO2) (p > 0,05). Surgical procedure duration was 46 ± 5 minutes. Surgical satisfaction was 9.7 ± 0.1. The first post-operative analgesic treatment was started after 8(1-24) hours. All patients had complete sensorimotor recovery. CONCLUSION: combined lumbar plexus-sciatic nerve block is an anesthetic alternative for urgent PFF surgery in patients at high risk of anaesthetic complications: reduced operative delays, anesthetic efficiency, hemodynamic and intraoperative respiratory stability, absence of complications due to other anesthetic techniques, rapid admission to recovery room, and good postoperative analgesia.
Subject(s)
Anesthetics, Local/administration & dosage , Femoral Fractures/surgery , Nerve Block/methods , Pain, Postoperative/prevention & control , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Bupivacaine/administration & dosage , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Lidocaine/administration & dosage , Lumbosacral Plexus , Male , Middle Aged , Sciatic NerveABSTRACT
The number and the overall survival rate of heart transplant patients are increasing. Some of these patients undergo general surgery other than heart transplant on a regular basis. Anesthesia may be difficult in these patients because of the physiological characteristics of the denervated heart and of the management of immunosuppressive therapy on the basis of the risk of rejection and infection. Our study aims to discuss the anesthetic management of a 60-year-old heart-transplant patient undergoing abdominal hernia repair surgery and to write a literature review.
