Sacrococcygeal Local Anesthesia for Complicated Versus Uncomplicated Pilonidal Sinus Surgery: A Single Center Study.

BACKGROUND: Several anesthetic techniques have been used for pilonidal sinus surgery such as general, spinal, and local anesthesia infiltration. However, the most effective technique remains controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of sacrococcygeal local anesthesia for complicated pilonidal cysts in terms of postoperative analgesic consumption. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted by collecting data from medical records for male patients who underwent pilonidal surgery using sacrococcygeal local anesthesia from 2008 to 2018. Patients' demographics, operative data, and postoperative outcomes such as pain, nausea, as well as analgesic consumption at 0 and 3 hours were analyzed. Pain scores at rest and upon pressure were recorded using the Visual Analogue Scale. The length of complicated pilonidal sinus was considered to be greater than or equal to 7 cm with multiple openings. RESULTS: A total of 394 patients were included in the study, 173 patients (43.9%) had complicated cysts while 221 patients (56.1%) had uncomplicated cysts. The majority of patients were males (85.5% vs. 76.9% in the complicated and uncomplicated groups respectively). Patients' weight was significantly higher in the complicated cyst group (87.12 ± 17.07 vs. 82.43 ± 20.30 kg, P value = 0.02). Around 41% of the patients in the complicated group were obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m^2) compared to 32.0% of the patients in the uncomplicated group. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate at baseline, intraoperatively and at the end of the operation were similar between the two groups. Pain scores at rest and upon pressure were low in both groups. Analgesic consumption was similar between the two groups. Eight patients (4.6%) in the complicated group required acetaminophen at 0 hour compared to 6 patients (2.7%) in the uncomplicated group. Three patients (1.7%) received ketoprofen at 0 hour in the complicated group and 3 patients (1.4%) in the other group. Three patients, 2 (1.2%) in the complicated group and 1 (0.5%) in the second group required tramadol hydrochloride. CONCLUSIONS: Sacrococcygeal local anesthetic technique for complex pilonidal sinus surgery provided intra-operative hemodynamic stability as well as low post-operative pain and analgesic consumption.

Comparison of clinical effects of meperidine and sufentanil added to 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing cesarean delivery: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the effect of adding meperidine or sufentanil to hyperbaric bupivacaine in patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery (CD) under spinal anesthesia. The primary outcome was the first analgesic request time, and secondary outcomes included an analgesic requirement in the first 24 h and intraoperative and postoperative side effects. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial in which patients were allocated into two groups. One group received preservative-free meperidine 12.5 mg (1 mL) in addition to 0.5% 10 mg (2 mL) of hyperbaric bupivacaine for spinal anesthesia. The other group received sufentanil 5 µg (1 mL) added to 0.5% 10 mg (2 mL) of hyperbaric bupivacaine. RESULTS: A total of 60 parturients were included in the study, 30 patients in each group. Time to first analgesic request was significantly longer in the meperidine group (400.0 ± 142.1 min) compared to (274.0 ± 104.1 min) in the sufentanil group (P < 0.0001). Around 73% of the parturients in the sufentanil group required analgesics at 4 h compared to 13% in the meperidine group (P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in postoperative pruritus, nausea and vomiting, in addition to shivering. As for surgeon satisfaction, 56.7% reported excellent abdominal muscle relaxation during the surgery in the meperidine group compared to 10% in the sufentanil group (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Meperidine was superior to sufentanil in terms of improved analgesia, intraoperative postoperative pruritus, and shivering, as well as increased surgeon satisfaction in women undergoing spinal anesthesia for elective cesarean delivery. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER AND REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04446715).

Ondansetron versus ondansetron with dexamethasone to prevent intrathecal-morphine pruritus for caesarean patients: randomised double-blind trial.

The objective of this randomised, double blinded clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic administration of 4 mg ondansetron as monotherapy versus combination therapy of 4 mg ondansetron plus 8 mg dexamethasone for the prevention of intrathecal morphine-associated pruritus in caesarean section within 24 h. A total of 194 patients were included, 96 patients in the monotherapy group and 98 in the combination group. One hour after the operation, 11.5% of patients in ondansetron group had failure of prophylaxis for pruritus compared to 13.5% of patients in the combination group (p = .66). This decreased throughout the follow-up to reach 0.0% and 1.0% at 24 h in the ondansetron vs. the combination groups respectively. There was no superiority of combining ondansetron with dexamethasone over the use of ondansetron as prophylactic antipruritic in parturients receiving intrathecal morphine for caesarean section.IMPACT STATEMENTWhat is already known on this subject? The incidence of pruritus has been reported to be between 36% and 60% in patients undergoing caesarean section with intrathecal morphine. Ondansetron has been identified as possible antipruritic agent while the antipruritic effect of dexamethasone is inconclusive.What do the results of this study add? The study demonstrated that there was no superiority of combining ondansetron with dexamethasone over the use of ondansetron as prophylactic antipruritic in parturients receiving intrathecal morphine for caesarean section. Moreover, it seems that there is no effect of combining ondansetron with dexamethasone over ondansetron alone on antiemetic consequences.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Ondansetron could be an effective antipruritic if used solely for patients undergoing caesarean section.

Deep Cervical Plexus Block for Neck and Shoulder Pain Due to Myofascial Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVES: Myofascial pain is one of the most common causes of regional pain with no definitive treatment. This randomized clinical trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of deep cervical plexus block versus placebo injection (sham block) for the treatment of myofascial neck and shoulder pain in terms of analgesic consumption and pain during a follow-up period of 2 weeks after the block. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group I (block) received deep cervical plexus block and group II (placebo) received normal saline. A total of 66 patients were included in the study, 34 patients in the block group and 32 patients in the placebo group. RESULTS: Two weeks after the intervention, the average pain duration was significantly lower in the block group: 1.38±1.39 versus 5.25±1.72 for the block and placebo groups, respectively (P<0.0001). Pain intensity was significantly less in the block group such that 2.9% of patients in the block group had severe pain compared with 53.1% of patients in the placebo group (P<0.0001). Two weeks after receiving the block, the mean opioid consumption calculated as tramadol equivalent was 21.1±44.2 mg compared with 166.1±118.8 mg for the block and placebo groups, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that patients with a longer history of pain had a higher pain score after 2 weeks. The possibility of recovery is affected by pain duration as patients with a history of chronic pain were least affected by the block. DISCUSSION: This technique could be an alternative to pharmacological and other nonpharmacological treatments for myofascial pain.

The effect of regional anaesthesia versus general anaesthesia on behavioural functions in children.

PURPOSE: The primary objective was to assess the effect of general anaesthesia versus regional anaesthesia in a single exposure before the age of 2 years on the development of long-term behavioural changes in children. METHODS: The study was conducted between January 2014 and March 2015. Medical records of eligible children were reviewed. Then, parents of children who were included in the study were contacted and asked to visit the Outpatient Department to fill the Eyberg Child Behaviour Inventory questionnaire to measure behavioural changes in children. Children who were exposed to regional or general anaesthesia for surgery between January 2002 and December 2006 were included. Data collected were age and weight at the time of the first anaesthesia exposure and surgery duration. Chi-square test, t-test and multivariate analysis were used. RESULTS: In total, 394 children were exposed to anaesthesia before the age of 2 years. Among the 168 patients who were exposed to general anaesthesia, 44 children (26.2%) developed behavioural abnormalities compared to 12 out of 226 patients (5.3%) who were exposed to regional anaesthesia (P-value<0.0001). Exposure to anaesthesia before age of 2 years increases the risk of developing behavioural disorder when surgery is accompanied by general anaesthesia, younger age at time of exposure, and longer surgery duration (P-value<0.0001, 0.001, 0.038 respectively). CONCLUSION: Regional anaesthesia showed much lesser effect on children's behaviour compared to general anaesthesia. The incidence of behavioural disorder is increased with the use of general anaesthesia, younger age of the patient at time of exposure, and longer surgery duration.

Three versus five lumbar paravertebral injections for inguinal hernia repair in the elderly: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The objective of the study was to compare three nerve stimulator-guided paravertebral injections versus five injections for elderly patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair in terms of the amount of intraoperative fentanyl and propofol consumption and conversion to general anesthesia. The secondary objective was postoperative pain. METHODS: A prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial was performed. 200 elderly patients undergoing unilateral herniorrhaphy were randomized into two groups. Group III received three PVB injections from T12 to L2 and placebo at T11 and L3. Group V received five PVB injections from T11 to L3. RESULTS: The mean intraoperative fentanyl and propofol consumption were significantly lower in group V (4.9 ± 7.2 µg versus 20.0 ± 12.9 µg and 5.7 ± 11.6 mg versus 34.6 ± 22.9 mg, respectively, p value < 0.0001). Five patients (5.0%) in group III had failed block and were converted to general anesthesia (p value = 0.024). Group V had significantly lower pain scores compared to group III during the first three postoperative days (p value < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The five PVB injection technique is more suitable as a sole anesthetic technique for elderly patients undergoing herniorrhaphy, since it required less intraoperative supplemental analgesia and provided lower postoperative pain scores compared to the three PVB injection technique. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02537860.

Repetitive nerve block for neuropathic pain management: a case report.

Schwannoma is a common neoplasm in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Sciatic nerve schwanommas are rare. We report the case of a 50-year-old woman who was referred for treatment of persistent neuropathic pain in the left lower limb after resection of a schwannoma on the left S1 nerve root. The patient's history goes back when she was 27 years old and started to have electric-like pain in her lower left limb upon intercourse. Examination revealed a left ovarian cyst which was surgically removed. Her pain persisted despite taking nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Several years later a schwannoma on the left S1 nerve root was detected. The patient had surgical excision of the left S1 nerve root at the plexus along with the schwannoma. Following the surgery, she experienced pain upon sitting and touch, and had a limp in her left leg. She was prescribed NSAIDs, antidepressant and pregabalin. Despite the pharmacological treatment, the patient had persistent mild pain. Upon physical examination, the incision from her previous surgery was 4 cm away from the sacral midline and parallel to S1 and S2. The length of the incision was 3 cm. The patient had severe allodynia upon palpation at the area between S1 and L5 and the visual analog scale (VAS) score increased from 3 to 10. She had severe pain at rest and movement. Her neurologic exam revealed that the left lower extremity motor power showed mild weakness in the leg abduction, foot eversion, plantar and toes flexion, and in the hip extension. The sensory exam showed severe reduction in pinprick and temperature sensation in the lateral aspect of foot, lower leg and dorsolateral thigh and buttocks. Nerve stimulator guided injection was performed at the pain trigger point being 1 cm above the midline of the incision. Upon nerve stimulation the contraction of the gluteal muscle was observed. Then, 20 mL of the anesthetic mixture were injected. The patient had immediate pain relief after the block (VAS 1/10). She remained pain free for 15 days after which pain reappeared but with less severity (3/10). Repetitive sciatic nerve block was performed in a progressive manner and was shown to be effective in managing neuropathic pain.

The effect of IV dexamethasone versus local anesthetic infiltration technique in postoperative nausea and vomiting after tonsillectomy in children: A randomized double-blind clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Local anesthetic infiltration and corticosteroids had shown effectiveness in reducing post tonsillectomy nausea, vomiting and pain. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effect of intravenous dexamethasone versus pre-incision infiltration of local anesthesia in pediatric tonsillectomy on postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). The secondary objective was postoperative pain. METHODS: A randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Children admitted to undergo tonsillectomy aged between 4 and 13 years from January 2015 to August 2015 were enrolled and divided into two groups. Both groups had general anesthesia. Group I received intravenous dexamethasone 0.5 mg/kg (maximum dose 16 mg) with placebo pre-incision infiltration. Group II received pre-incision infiltration a total of 2-4 ml local anesthesia mixture with saline and an equivalent volume of intravenous saline. RESULTS: Group I consisted of 64 patients while group II had 65 patients. In the PACU, 15.6% of patients in group I experienced vomiting compared to 3.1% in group II (p-value = 0.032). After 24 h, the incidence of PONV was significantly higher in group I compared to group II (26.6% vs. 9.2% respectively, p-value = 0.019). At 48 h postoperatively, PONV was significantly higher in group I (p-value = 0.013). The incidence was similar in both groups after three, four and five postoperative days. Baseline pain and pain during swallowing were significantly different at 6, 12 and 24 h as well as days 1 through 5. Pain upon jaw opening was significantly different at 6, 12 and 24 h between the two groups. Pain while eating soft food was significantly different at 24 h and days 2 through 5. In the PACU, 20.3% of patients in group I received diclofenac compared to 3.1% in group II (p-value = 0.005). From day 1 till day 5, analgesic consumption was significantly higher in group I. CONCLUSION: Local anesthetic infiltration in addition to NSAIDS and paracetamol could serve as a multimodal analgesia and decrease PONV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02355678.

Nerve stimulator-guided pudendal nerve block vs general anesthesia for postoperative pain management after anterior and posterior vaginal wall repair: a prospective randomized trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Compare the effectiveness of nerve stimulator-guided pudendal nerve block (PNB) vs general anesthesia (GA) for anterior and posterior (AP) colporrhaphy in terms of pain relief and analgesic consumption within 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial. PATIENTS: Fifty-seven patients whose ages ranged between 20 and 53 years scheduled to undergo AP colporrhaphy due to the presence of cystorectocele. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups receiving either nerve stimulator-guided PNB (n = 28) or GA (n = 29). A total volume of 0.7 mL/kg of the local anesthetic mixture was injected at 4 sites. MAIN RESULTS: Both groups were similar with respect to age, weight, height, and surgery duration. There was a significant difference in average pain scores within the first and second postoperative days (P values = .005 and .004, respectively). Total analgesic consumption (ketoprofen and tramadol) was significantly lower in the PNB within the first (P values = .018 and .010) and second postoperative days (P values = .041 and .011), respectively. Return to normal daily activity was significantly (P< .0001) shorter in the PNB group compared with the GA group (3.6 days vs 12.2 days). A total of 71.4% of the patients in the PNB group were satisfied compared with 27.8% in the GA group (P< .0001). Surgeon satisfaction was significantly higher in the PNB group (82.1% vs 34.5%, P< .0001). CONCLUSION: This randomized controlled trial demonstrated that nerve stimulator-guided PNB could be used as an alternative to GA for AP repair of stages I and II prolapse because it is associated with less postoperative pain and analgesic consumption, in addition to shorter duration of recovery.

Effect of one anesthetic exposure on long-term behavioral changes in children.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between one anesthetic exposure and behavioral outcome at age 10 to 12 years. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative study. SETTING: University-affiliated pediatrics department. MEASUREMENTS: The medical records of children who underwent anesthesia between January 2004 and December 2005 at our institution were reviewed. The records of 292 children were included in the study group and 300 children in the control group. The study group involved children who had one anesthetic exposure before age of 4 years and the control group had children who were not exposed to anesthesia. The primary outcome was behavioral change as assessed by the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory (ECBI) questionnaire. MAIN RESULTS: The rate of behavioral abnormalities before the age of 11 years was 28.4% in the study group (P<0.001) and 5.7% in the control group. The risk of developing behavioral abnormalities was prominent in children being exposed to surgery versus those exposed during a diagnostic procedure (32.4% vs 4.8%; P<0.0001). Eighty-three point nine percent of the children who were exposed to longer duration anesthesia (more than 3 hrs) had behavioral abnormalities (P<0.0001), while 48.8% of children who received anesthesia at younger ages (0 - 6 mos) had behavioral abnormalities (P<0.0001). Exposure to multiple anesthetic agents versus one anesthetic agent was a significant risk factor for development of behavioral abnormalities (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: The incidence of behavioral abnormalities increased when anesthesia and surgery were accompanied by younger age, longer duration of surgery, and use of multiple anesthetic agents.

Effect of clonidine versus dexmedetomidine on pain control after laparoscopic gastric sleeve: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded study.

BACKGROUND: The use of opioids in surgeries for morbidly obese patients could cause respiratory depression. Therefore, alternative analgesics are needed to improve anesthetic management for obese patients. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of dexmedetomidine and clonidine on pain as well as analgesic consumption at 24 h postoperatively in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric sleeve. The secondary objective was to compare patients' and surgeons' satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 obese and morbidly obese patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic gastric sleeve were randomly assigned into two groups. 10 min after induction of general anesthesia, one group received 0.8-1.2 µg/kg/30 min intravenous (IV) clonidine through 500 mL lactated Ringer's solution and placebo (normal saline solution) through syringe pump. The second group received IV dexmedetomidine through syringe pump at a rate 0.5-0.8 µg/kg/h and placebo through 500 mL lactated Ringer's solution. Data on pain, analgesic consumption, and return to normal activity in addition to patients' and surgeons' satisfaction were collected. RESULTS: Both groups were similar with respect to demographic and intraoperative hemodynamic characteristics. Fentanyl consumption, surgery duration and hospital stay were similar for the two groups. Pain scores on walking were significantly lower in the clonidine group at 12 h postoperatively (P = 0.014) compared with dexmedetomidine group. The number of patients who consumed pethidine was significantly lower in the clonidine group at 12 h postoperatively (P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: This study concluded that clonidine and dexmedetomidine yielded similar outcomes with a difference in pain and analgesic consumption at 12 h postoperatively.

The effectiveness of pudendal nerve block versus caudal block anesthesia for hypospadias in children.

BACKGROUND: Caudal block (CB) has some disadvantages, one of which is its short duration of action after a single injection. For hypospadias repair, pudendal nerve block (PNB) might be a suitable alternative since it has been successfully used for analgesia for circumcision. We evaluated PNB compared with CB as measured by total analgesic consumption 24 hours postoperatively. METHODS: In this prospective, double-blinded study, patients were randomized into 2 groups, either receiving CB or nerve stimulator-guided PNB. In the PNB group, patients were injected with 0.3 mL/kg 0.25% bupivacaine and 1 µg/kg clonidine. In the CB group, patients were injected with 1 mL/kg 0.25% bupivacaine and 1 µg/kg clonidine. Analgesic consumption was assessed during the first 24 hours postoperatively. The "objective pain scale" developed by Hannalah and Broadman was used to assess postoperative pain. RESULTS: Eighty patients participated in the study, 40 in each group. The mean age in the PNB group was 3.1 (1.1) years and in the CB group was 3.2 (1.1) years. The mean weights in the PNB and CB groups were 15.3 (2.8) kg and 15.3 (2.2) kg, respectively. The percentage of patients who received analgesics during the first 24 hours were significantly higher in the CB (70%) compared with the PNB group (20%, P < 0.0001). The average amount of analgesics consumed per patient within 24 hours postoperatively was higher in the CB group (paracetamol P < 0.0001, Tramal P =0.003). CONCLUSION: Patients who received PNB had reduced analgesic consumption and pain within the first 24 hours postoperatively compared with CB.

Guided paravertebral blocks with versus without clonidine for women undergoing breast surgery: a prospective double-blinded randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Paravertebral blocks (PVBs) have been introduced as an alternative to general anesthesia for breast cancer surgeries. The addition of clonidine as an adjuvant in PVBs may enhance quality and duration of analgesia and significantly reduce the consumption of analgesics after breast surgery. In this prospective randomized double-blind study, we assessed the significance of adding clonidine to the anesthetic mixture for women undergoing mastectomy. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomized equally into 2 groups, both of which received PVB block, either with or without clonidine. Analgesic consumption was noted up to 2 weeks after the operation. A visual analog scale was used to assess pain postoperatively during the hospital stay, and a numeric rating scale was used when patients were discharged. RESULTS: Analgesic consumption was significantly lower in the clonidine group 48 hours postoperatively with 95% confidence interval (CI) for the difference (-69.5% to -6.6%). Pain scores at rest showed significant reduction in the clonidine group during the period from 24 to 72 hours postoperatively with 95% CI for the ratios of 2 means (1.09-3.61), (2.04-9.04), and (2.54-16.55), respectively, with shoulder movement at 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively 95% CI for the ratio of 2 means (1.10-3.15), (1.32-6.38), and (1.33-8.42), respectively. The time needed to resume daily activity was shorter in the clonidine group compared with the control group with 95% CI for the ratio of 2 means (1.14-1.62). CONCLUSION: The addition of clonidine enhanced the analgesic efficacy of PVB up to 3 days postoperatively for patients undergoing breast surgery.

Multilevel nerve stimulator-guided paravertebral block as a sole anesthetic technique for breast cancer surgery in morbidly obese patients.

In this case series, we present the effectiveness of multilevel nerve stimulator-guided paravertebral block (PVB) technique in obese women of body mass index ≥30 kg/m(2) undergoing breast cancer surgery with or without axillary dissection. Twenty-six obese women were included in this case series. Block classification, hemodynamics and complication rate, postoperative nausea and vomiting, postoperative analgesic consumption, post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, and hospital stay were recorded. All patients were hemodynamically stable during the operation, and no complications were noted. Patients stayed 69 min on average in the PACU and were discharged within 2 days. Confirmation of the landmark was established from the initial attempt in 61.5%. Surgical PVB was achieved in 76.9% of the patients; the failure rate of the technique was 11.5%. This case series suggested that the multilevel nerve stimulator-guided PVB may be an effective technique for obese patients undergoing breast cancer surgery, although further studies are needed to compare PVB and general anesthesia.

Preoperative vs. postoperative bilateral paravertebral blocks for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this clinical trial was to determine the potential analgesic effect of preoperative paravertebral blockade in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Sixty patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to one of two groups with 30 patients each: bilateral nerve stimulator guided paravertebral blockade at the T5 to T6 level either prior to induction of general anesthesia (Group 1) or blockade immediately postoperatively (Group 2). RESULTS: The preoperative paravertebral block group had significantly lower visual analog scale scores compared with the postoperative paravertebral block group both at rest 12 hours postoperatively (1.06 vs. 1.89; P < 0.05), on movement 12 hours postoperatively (1.89 vs. 3.00; P < 0.001) and on coughing 12 hours postoperatively (2.24 vs. 3.17; P < 0.01). The consumption of analgesics as well as the duration of hospital stay was significantly reduced in patients receiving preoperative paravertebral blocks (P < 0.05). [Correction added after online publication 27th May 2011: visual analog scores were amended] CONCLUSION: Bilateral paravertebral blockade performed prior to general anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy can provide early discharge and better postoperative pain management.

General anaesthesia combined with bilateral paravertebral blockade (T11-T12-L1) vs general anaesthesia for bilateral varicocelectomy. A randomized double-blind clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Varicocelectomy is a common operation in urology associated with considerable postoperative pain. The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to investigate whether a combination of general anesthesia and bilateral nerve stimulator guided paravertebral nerve blocks could provide better postoperative pain relief compared to general anesthesia in combination with placebo paravertebral nerve block. METHODS: Sixty patients scheduled for varicocelectomy were randomized prospectively. Thirty patients each in either the active group (general anaesthesia combined with nerve stimulator guided bilateral paravertebral block) or the control group (general anaesthesia combined with normal saline nerve stimulator guided bilateral paravertebral block). Postoperative pain was assessed by visual analogue scale scores at predetermined time intervals. RESULTS: The active group was found to have better postoperative pain-relief (p < 0.005), reduced need for analgesics (p < 0.05), and also a more rapid return to normal activities (p < 0.001) compared to control group. Higher surgeon and patient satisfaction (p < 0.001) were noted in the active group compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Preoperative paravertebral blockade combined with general anesthesia showed significantly reduced postoperative pain scores and analgesic consumption, earlier return to normal activity and was associated with better patient and surgeon satisfaction during varicocelectomy surgery.

The effectiveness of clonidine-bupivacaine repeated nerve stimulator-guided injection in piriformis syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Piriformis syndrome (PS) is often refractory to conventional therapies. Guided injection techniques generally necessitate a computed tomography or fluoroscopic guidance that may not be available in most pain management centers in addition to its relative high cost. The aim of this clinical trial is to investigate whether clonidine-bupivacaine nerve-stimulator guided injections are effective in achieving long-lasting pain relief in PS compared with bupivacaine guided injection. METHODS: A pilot study conducted on 18 patients (15 females, 3 males) diagnosed with PS showed the adequacy of nerve stimulator guided technique assessed via confirmatory visualized tomography scan demonstrating a worthy coverage of the piriformis muscle in about 84% of the cases. This randomized double-blind trial included 80 patients with PS who received a nerve stimulator-guided piriformis injection (group C received 9 mL bupivacaine 0.5% and 1 mL clonidine 150 mcg/mL; group B received 9 mL bupivacaine 0.5% and 1 mL saline). Pain characteristics and analgesics consumption were the primary end points assessed for 6 months. RESULTS: Group C showed significantly lower pain scores and analgesics consumption than group B (P<0.0001). Pain at 6 months was significantly greater in group B (78%) than in group C (8%) (P<0.01). For every 18 months of PS pain, the outcomes demonstrated that a patient needed 1 additional injection to the initial injection. DISCUSSION: Repeated clonidine-guided piriformis injection relieved PS symptoms and reduce analgesic consumption for a 6-month period. It is a cost-effective useful treatment for PS refractory to traditional therapeutic approaches.

Bilateral guided cervical block for Zenker diverticulum excision in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis.

Patients with severe ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have difficulties in tracheal intubation. An 87-year-old man with severe AS was scheduled for Zenker diverticulum (ZD) excision. It was decided to proceed with combined bilateral cervical plexus blockade using a nerve stimulator. The surgery lasted about 3 h, with stable hemodynamics, ECG, and oxygen saturation. The use of a nerve stimulator-guided cervical block minimizes the risk of severe respiratory and/or airway compromise secondary to phrenic nerve or recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, because it can elicit diaphragmatic muscle response, which helps to avoid the administration of local anesthetic directly to the area of the phrenic nerve, and guides correct needle placement. In conclusion, the nerve stimulatorguided bilateral cervical block in our ZD patient with AS was shown to be a safe and successful alternative anesthetic option.