Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular vs infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks in children.

BACKGROUND: Supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks are not common in children because of risk of pneumothorax. However, infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks have been described in paediatric patients both with nerve stimulation and ultrasound (US)-guidance. US-guidance reduces the risk of complications in supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks in adults. OBJECTIVE: To compare the success rate, complications and time of performance of US-guided supraclavicular vs infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty children, 5-15 years old, scheduled for upper limb surgery were divided into two randomized groups: group S (supraclavicular), n = 40, and group I (infraclavicular), n = 40. All blocks performed were exclusively US-guided, by a senior anaesthesiologist with at least 6 months of experience in US-guided blocks. For supraclavicular blocks the probe was placed in coronal-oblique-plane in the supraclavicular fossa and the puncture was in-plane (IP) from lateral to medial. For infraclavicular blocks the probe was placed parallel and below the clavicle and the puncture was out-of-plane. Ropivacaine 0.5% was administered up to a maximum of 0.5 ml x kg(-1) until appropriate US-guided-spread was achieved. Block duration and volumes of ropivacaine used (mean+/-1SD) in the supraclavicular approach were recorded. Success rate (mean +/- 1 SD, 95%confidence interval), complications rate and time to perform the block (two-tailed Student's test) were recorded both for supraclavicular and infraclavicular approaches. RESULTS: In the US-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks, the duration of the sensory block was 6.5 +/- 2 h and of the motor block was 4 +/- 1 h. The volume of ropivacaine used in this group was 6 +/- 2 ml. In group I, 88% of blocks achieved surgical anaesthesia without any supplemental analgesia compared with 95% in group S (P = 0.39; difference=7%; 95% CI: -10% to 24%). Failures in group I were because of arterial puncture and insufficient ulnar or radial sensory block. Failures in group S were because of insufficient ulnar sensory block. No pneumothorax or Horner's syndrome was recorded in either group. The mean time (SD) to perform the block was in group I: 13 min (range 5-16) and in group S: 9 min (range 7-12); the 95% CI for this difference was 2-6 min and was statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: (i) Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular and infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks are effective in children. (ii) There has been no pneumothorax in 40 US-guided supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks performed by anaesthesiologists already trained in US-guided regional anaesthesia using an IP technique in children > or =5 years old. (iii) In this study, the supraclavicular approach of the brachial plexus was faster to perform than the infraclavicular one.

Ultrasound-guided umbilical nerve block in children: a brief description of a new approach.

BACKGROUND: The most popular peripheral nerve blocks used in umbilical hernia repair are rectus sheath block and paraumbilical block. However, multiple anatomic variations have been described and some complications may occur. Ultrasonographic guidance of peripheral nerve blocks has reduced the number of complications and improved the quality of blocks. This case series describes a new ultrasound-guided puncture technique of the 10th intercostal nerve in pediatric umbilical surgery. METHODS: Ten children (age range: 2-5 years) scheduled for umbilical hernia repair were included. Following the induction of general anesthesia, the ultrasonographic anatomy of the umbilical region was studied with a 10-MHz linear probe. An ultrasound-guided peripheral block of the 10th intercostal nerve in the lateral edge of both rectus abdominis muscles (RMs) was performed (total of 20 punctures). Surgical conditions, intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, and postoperative analgesia by means of the modified CHEOPS scale were evaluated. RESULTS: Umbilical anatomy was clearly identified by ultrasound in all cases. The epigastric vessels were identified--above the umbilicus--within the depth of the muscular mass of the RM. The spread of local anesthetic was ultrasound-controlled in all cases. However, the intercostal nerve could not be visualized. All blocks were effective during the surgery. Postoperative analgesia was only required in two children in the second postoperative hour. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guidance enables performance of an effective umbilical block in the lateral edge of RM. Further studies should be carried on to visualize the intercostal nerve and to compare this technique with the classical ones.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of an incessant supraventricular tachycardia in a premature neonate.

A 32-week, premature neonate with incessant supraventricular tachycardia and hemodynamic compromise who failed to respond to antenatal and postnatal antiarrhythmic therapy underwent successful radiofrequency catheter ablation (RCA) of a concealed left free-wall accessory pathway when the infant was 4-days-old and weighed only 1,840 grams. At follow-up performed 60 days after the procedure, the infant remained free of any drug, in sinus rhythm, and in normal hemodynamic condition.