Pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block for hip fracture in the emergency department: a case series.

Guidelines for the management of hip fractures recommend timely identification, analgesia and optimisation, in order to facilitate prompt surgical repair. In achieving these aims, multidisciplinary care is essential. In this case series, we present five patients who received bedside pericapsular nerve group (PENG) blocks by emergency physicians in collaboration with the anaesthesia team for pain management following hip fracture. The PENG block is a novel motor- and opioid-sparing technique, which offers long-lasting analgesia and requires less volume than other blocks. In all of the cases in this series, the blocks were performed successfully in a short period of time, without complication. All patients reported a clinically important reduction in pain scores. Patients with hip fracture are often medically complex, and while early surgery is not always possible, pain management should be addressed from an early point in their hospital admission. Multidisciplinary input into peri-operative pathways can enhance the provision of analgesia in the emergency department, by allowing anaesthetists and emergency physicians to work together for the benefit of these often-frail patients.

The erector spinae plane block for obstetric analgesia: a case series of a novel technique.

The management of pain during labour is central to obstetric anaesthetic practice. While epidural analgesia has long been considered the gold standard for intrapartum analgesia, neuraxial techniques can be challenging to perform, are contra-indicated in circumstances such as coagulopathy. The erector spinae plane block is an interfascial plane block that has generated interest because of a needle tip position away from the neuraxis. This has the potential to mitigate the risks of nerve injury and epidural haematoma formation. The mechanism of action is linked to both paravertebral and epidural distribution of local anaesthetic, providing both somatic and visceral analgesia, with potential utility in obstetric settings. Four women in active labour received either unilateral or bilateral erector spinae plane blocks. All experienced a reduction in pain, ranging from 3 to 6 points measured on a 10-point numerical rating scale. The duration of analgesia ranged from 60 to 120 min. In this report, we discuss potential for using the erector spinae plane block in the management of obstetric pain.

Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension: A Systematic Imaging Approach for CSF Leak Localization and Management Based on MRI and Digital Subtraction Myelography.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Localization of the culprit CSF leak in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension can be difficult and is inconsistently achieved. We present a high yield systematic imaging strategy using brain and spine MRI combined with digital subtraction myelography for CSF leak localization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 2-year period, patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension at our institution underwent MR imaging to determine the presence or absence of a spinal longitudinal extradural collection. Digital subtraction myelography was then performed in patients positive for spinal longitudinal extradural CSF collection primarily in the prone position and in patients negative for spinal longitudinal extradural CSF collection in the lateral decubitus positions. RESULTS: Thirty-one consecutive patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension were included. The site of CSF leakage was definitively located in 27 (87%). Of these, 21 were positive for spinal longitudinal extradural CSF collection and categorized as having a ventral (type 1, fifteen [48%]) or lateral dural tear (type 2; four [13%]). Ten patients were negative for spinal longitudinal extradural CSF collection and were categorized as having a CSF-venous fistula (type 3, seven [23%]) or distal nerve root sleeve leak (type 4, one [3%]). The locations of leakage of 2 patients positive for spinal longitudinal extradural CSF collection remain undefined due to resolution of spontaneous intracranial hypotension before repeat digital subtraction myelography. In 2 (7%) patients negative for spinal longitudinal extradural CSF collection, the site of leakage could not be localized. Nine of 21 (43%) patients positive for spinal longitudinal extradural CSF collection were treated successfully with an epidural blood patch, and 12 required an operation. Of the 10 patients negative for spinal longitudinal extradural CSF collection (8 localized), none were effectively treated with an epidural blood patch, and all have undergone (n = 7) or are awaiting (n = 1) an operation. CONCLUSIONS: Patients positive for spinal longitudinal extradural CSF collection are best positioned prone for digital subtraction myelography and may warrant additional attempts at a directed epidural blood patch. Patients negative for spinal longitudinal extradural CSF collection are best evaluated in the decubitus positions to reveal a CSF-venous fistula, common in this population. Patients with CSF-venous fistula may forgo further epidural blood patch treatment and go on to surgical repair.

Stress analysis during jaw movement based on vivo computed tomography images from patients with temporomandibular disorders.

The purpose of this study is to develop three-dimensional (3D) finite element models of temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and to investigate stress distributions. To determine the causes of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), the magnitude and location of the maximum stresses under physiological loading must be considered. Stress analysis TMD models were reconstructed from computed tomography (CT) data. Several studies have investigated finite element TMJ models, but few have used a bilateral mandible model that includes jaw closing and maximum opening. In this study, the authors defined an asymmetry index for the different stress values on each side joint; this index has not yet been investigated. According to clinical observation, one joint affects the other side joint during mastication. Three symptom-free volunteers and three symptomatic patients were selected as the control group (CG) and TMD group (TG), respectively. For the TG, data analysis indicated that the condyle was asymmetrical during jaw closing, while both the condyle and disc were slightly asymmetrical during jaw opening. The maximum stresses did not significantly differ between the CG and TG for either closing or opening of the jaw. The results of this study have a potential clinical benefit in terms of proving superior biomechanical behaviour.

Use of low-dose pregabalin in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of low-dose pregabalin on the analgesic efficacy, side-effects, and recovery profile in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-two patients aged 18-65 yr, of ASA physical status I-III, undergoing elective outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy were recruited and randomized in this prospective, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to receive one of the following study medications orally: pregabalin 50 mg, pregabalin 75 mg, or placebo, 1 h before surgery and then every 12 h after operation for a total of three doses. Postoperative numeric pain scores, analgesic consumption, recovery score (QoR-40), and side-effects (opioid-related symptom distress scale) were assessed in the early postoperative period (every 15 min during the first hour, at 90, 120 min, 6, and 12 h) and at days 1, 2, and 7. Data were analysed using an intention-to-treat method. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, the pain scores were lower in the pregabalin 75 mg group in the first 90 min after surgery (P<0.05). Pregabalin 50 mg resulted in pain reduction at 30 and 45 min (P<0.05) relative to placebo. The analgesic consumption, side-effects, and recovery scores were similar among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative administration of pregabalin 75 mg provided limited analgesic benefit in the postoperative period. An updated meta-analysis confirms this finding (see Supplementary material).

Use of gabapentin for perioperative pain control -- a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gabapentin, an anticonvulsant, has recently been suggested as an effective postoperative 'analgesic' agent. The objective of the present study was to examine the analgesic effectiveness, opioid-sparing effects and side effects associated with the use of gabapentin in a perioperative setting. METHODS: Following the Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses recommendations, nine electronic databases until February 2006 were searched, without language restriction, for randomized controlled trials comparing gabapentin with control for postoperative pain control. Outcome measures, namely, 24 h cumulative opioid consumption, visual analogue scale pain scores and adverse effects, were expressed as odds ratios, ratio of means or weighted mean differences (as appropriate), which were aggregated under the fixed or random effects models. RESULTS: Gabapentin caused a 35% reduction in total opioid consumption over the first 24 h following surgery (ratio of means 0.65, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.72), a significant reduction in postoperative pain at rest (in the first 24 h) and with movement (at 2 h, 4 h and 12 h), regardless of whether treatment effects were expressed as ratios of means or weighted mean differences, and a reduction of vomiting (relative risk [RR] 0.73, 95% CI 0.56 to 0.95) and pruritus (RR 0.30, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.70). It was associated with a significant increase in dizziness (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.84) and an increase in sedation of borderline significance (RR 1.65, 95% CI 1.00 to 2.74). CONCLUSION: Gabapentin improves the analgesic efficacy of opioids both at rest and with movement, reduces analgesic consumption and opioid-related adverse effects, but is associated with an increased incidence of sedation and dizziness.

A comparative study of general anesthesia, intravenous regional anesthesia, and axillary block for outpatient hand surgery: clinical outcome and cost analysis.

IV regional anesthesia can offer a more favorable patient recovery profile and shorter postoperative nursing care time and hospital discharge time than an isoflurane-based general anesthetic or brachial plexus block technique for hand surgery.

Litigation in Canada against anesthesiologists practicing regional anesthesia. A review of closed claims.

PURPOSE: To review the pattern of malpractice litigation related to regional anesthesia in Canada. SOURCE: The Canadian Medical Protective Association (CMPA) provided with information about all anesthesia claims that closed in the years 1990-1997. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In the period 1990-97 there were 7,909 closed legal actions involving all CMPA members (56,000). Of these, there were 310 cases involving anesthesiologists, of which 61 cases (approximately 20%) were related to regional anesthesia. Forty-two involved neuraxial blocks, and the legal outcome was favourable (dismissed or judgement in favour of the defendant doctor) in 37 claims. Nineteen claims involved peripheral nerve blocks. All these had favourable legal outcomes. Overall, 10% of regional anesthesia claims have unfavourable outcomes, compared with 28% of all anesthesia related claims and 30% of all CMPA members' claims. The degree of disability in the regional anesthesia claims were: none 10%; minor 49%; major 36%; catastrophic 5%. There were no deaths in the malpractice claims involving regional anesthesia, compared with 17% in the all anesthesia group and 11% in all members' claims. CONCLUSION: Twenty percent of all anesthesia claims in Canada are related to regional anesthesia. The legal outcome of these claims is favourable in 90%. Unfavourable clinical outcome is associated with catastrophic or major injury. There were no deaths in the regional anesthesia claims.

Quantitative comparison of leakage under the tourniquet in forearm versus conventional intravenous regional anesthesia.

UNLABELLED: We compared the quantitative leakage between forearm and conventional IV regional anesthesia (IVRA). Forearm IVRA remains unpopular because of the theoretical risk of local anesthetic leakage through the interosseous vessels. IVRA was simulated on the forearm or arm during two separate, randomized sessions using a double tourniquet in 14 volunteers. A radiolabeled substance, DISIDA (99m Tc-disofenin) with a structure similar to lidocaine, was injected instead of local anesthetic. Volumes of 0.4 mL/kg (maximum 25 mL), were used for forearm IVRA and 0.6 mL/kg (maximum 45 mL) for conventional IVRA. A gamma camera recorded radioactivity levels in the limb distal to the tourniquet every 30 s while the tourniquet was inflated (25 min) and for 20 min postdeflation. The leakage of radiolabeled substance during inflation was similar in both groups, 6%+/-12% (mean +/- SD) from the forearm and 10%+/-20% from the upper arm. After deflation, mean loss of radioactivity was higher in conventional IVRA, 70%+/-7% vs 57%+/-11% and 82%+/-5% vs 69%+/-11% at 3 and 20 min, respectively (P < 0.001). We conclude that forearm IVRA results in tourniquet leakage comparable to conventional IVRA and is potentially safer because the required dose of local anesthetic is smaller. IMPLICATIONS: Using a tourniquet on the forearm for IV regional anesthesia does not increase the risk of drug leakage. This is potentially a safer technique compared with conventional IV regional anesthesia because a much smaller dose of local anesthetic is required.

Local and regional block in postoperative pain control.

Local and regional block provides an effective means for the control of postoperative pain. In surgery involving the trunk, it serves as a useful alternative to epidural analgesia. With the increasing use of low molecular weight heparin, the use of peripheral nerve block is increasingly popular for patients undergoing lower limb surgery.

Minimum effective anaesthetic concentration of hyperbaric lidocaine for spinal anaesthesia.

PURPOSE: Minimum effective anaesthetic concentration (MEAC) of lidocaine for spinal anaesthesia, defined as the concentration at which a spinal anaesthetic agent produces surgical anaesthesia within 20 min of administration in 50% of patients, was determined in a randomised, double-blind study in young patients undergoing knee and ankle surgery. METHODS: Using the combined spinal-epidural technique, 48 or 72 mg hyperbaric lidocaine containing dextrose 7.5% was administered intrathecally to 43 patients at concentrations ranging from 0.2-0.9%. The choice of lidocaine concentration was determined by Dixon's up-and-down method. Complete anaesthesia was defined as: (1) pinprick anaesthesia at or higher than T12, (2) anaesthesia to transcutaneous tetanic electric stimulation (50 Hz at 60 mA for five seconds) in the knees and (3) complete leg paralysis; all occurring in both lower extremities within 20 min. Epidural anaesthesia was initiated if anaesthesia was incomplete. RESULTS: In the 48 mg group, MEAC was 0.54% (95% CI-0.21-0.87). Anaesthetic effect was variable with mean duration of anaesthesia of 29 min (range: 20-50 min) and maximum pinprick sensory level ranging from T2-T10. In the 72 mg group, successful anaesthesia was achieved consistently at a concentration of 0.3%, i.e., MEAC was < 0.3%. Mean duration of complete anaesthesia was 46 min (range: 30-60 min) with maximum sensory level from T3-T8. DISCUSSION: Spinal anaesthesia can be accomplished with very dilute lidocaine solutions (< 0.9%). The value of MEAC is dose-dependent, i.e., complete anaesthesia can be accomplished with lower concentrations by increasing the dose of spinal anaesthetic administered.