Continuous erector spinae plane block for analgesia and better pulmonary functions in patients with multiple rib fractures: a prospective descriptive study

Abstract Background: The present study explored the role of continuous erector spinae plane (ESP) block for analgesia as well as its impact on pulmonary functions in patients with multiple rib fractures. Methods: Ten patients with multiple rib fractures were enrolled after getting informed and written consent. Ultrasound-guided ESP block was performed at the level midway between the fractured ribs followed by the insertion of the catheter. Pre- and post-block VAS score, hemodynamics, respiratory rate (RR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), inspiratory capacity (IC), blood gases (PaO2 and PCO2), and complications were compared. Results: Pain scores at rest as well as on movement showed a significant reduction from 5.9 and 7.5 pre block to 1.6 and 2.5 respectively at 96 hours (p < 0.0001). Similarly, RR, SpO2, IC, and PaO2 were significantly better after the block placement (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Continuous ESP block provide adequate analgesia with better respiratory functions in patients with multiple rib fractures.

Comparison of Clinical Performance of C-MAC Video Laryngoscope Guided vs Blind Placement of I-Gel® in Paediatric Patients: A Randomized Controlled Open-Label Trial.

Objective: Placement of the supraglottic airway devices under direct vision has been shown to decrease the incidence of malposition in adults. This study was designed to compare the clinical performance of C-MAC guided and blind placement of i-gel® in paediatric patients. Methods: The present prospective, randomized controlled study was conducted on 102 paediatric patients scheduled to undergo elective infraumbilical surgeries under general anaesthesia. Patients were randomly divided into group "B" (blind) and group "C" (C-MAC) based on the technique used for placement of i-gel®. The primary objective of the study was to compare the incidence of malposition based on the fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB) score of the glottic view. Oropharyngeal leak pressure (OPLP), hemodynamic parameters, and insertion characteristics (time taken to insert and the number of attempts) were secondary objectives. Categorical data were presented as ratio or percentage and continuous data were presented as mean ± standard deviation or median [95% confidence interval (CI)]. Results: The incidence of malposition (Brimacombe score 1 or 2) was significantly lower in group C compared to group B (7.8% vs 49% respectively) (P < 0.001); implying a relative risk reduction of 2.42 (95% CI 1.72 to 3.40) with C-MAC. On FOB assessment, the median (interquartile range) Brimacombe score was significantly better in group C [4 (4-4)] compared to group B [3 (2-3)] (P < 0.001). The OPLP was significantly higher in group C compared to group B. Other insertion characteristics were comparable in both the study groups. Conclusion: Compared to blind placement, C-MAC guided placement ensures proper alignment of i-gel® with periglottic structures and proper functioning of i-gel®.

The midpoint transverse process to pleura (MTP) block for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy: A case series.

Among the various regional anesthesia techniques used for postoperative analgesia in the modified radical mastectomy (MRM), thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) is presently considered the technique of choice. Nevertheless, TPVB may lead to complications like inadvertent vascular puncture, hypotension, epidural or intrathecal spread, pleural puncture, or pneumothorax. Recently, a newer technique "midpoint transverse process to pleura" (MTP) block has been described in which the tip of the needle is placed at the midpoint between the transverse process and pleura. In this case series, we included ten patients of American Society of Anesthesiologist status I/II scheduled for MRM. Ultrasound-guided MTP block was performed and the catheter was inserted on the side of the surgery at the level of T4 level. The block was successful in the all patients as their median visual analogue score at rest and movement was 2 and 3, respectively, in first 24 h postoperatively. Only three patients required rescue analgesia in the first 24 h. No procedural-related complications were noticed in any patient. We concluded that MTP block provided effective perioperative analgesia with minimal rescue analgesia requirement and satisfactory safety profile.

Prediction of post-induction hypotension in young adults using ultrasound-derived inferior vena cava parameters: An observational study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter and its respiratory variability have been shown to predict post-induction hypotension with high specificity in a mixed population of patients. We assessed whether these parameters could be as reliable in healthy adult patients as in a mixed patient population. METHODS: In the present prospective observational study, 110 patients of either sex, aged between 18 and 50 years, belonging to American Society of Anesthesiologists class I and II, fasted as per the institutional protocol and scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia were enroled. Prior to induction, ultrasound examination of IVC was done and variation in IVC diameter with respiration was assessed. Maximum and minimum IVC diameters [(dIVCmax) and (dIVCmin), respectively] over a single respiratory cycle were measured and collapsibility index (CI) was calculated. Vitals were recorded just before induction and at every minute after induction for 10 min. Episodes of hypotension (mean arterial pressure [MAP] <65 mmHg or fall in MAP >30% from baseline) during the observation period were recorded. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed for determining optimum cut-off with sensitivity and specificity of IVC diameters and CI for development of hypotension. RESULTS: IVC was not visualised in 22 patients. Out of the remaining 88 patients, 17 (19.3%) patients developed hypotension after induction. The dIVCmax, dIVCmin and CI were comparable between patients who developed and who did not develop hypotension. The area under curve of ROC for CI, dIVCmax and dIVCmin was 0.51, 0.55 and 0.52, respectively, with optimum cut-off value of 0.46, 1.42 and 0.73, respectively. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-derived IVC parameters demonstrate poor diagnostic accuracy for prediction of hypotension after induction in healthy adult patients.

Continuous erector spinae plane block for analgesia and better pulmonary functions in patients with multiple rib fractures: a prospective descriptive study.

BACKGROUND: The present study explored the role of continuous erector spinae plane (ESP) block for analgesia as well as its impact on pulmonary functions in patients with multiple rib fractures. METHODS: Ten patients with multiple rib fractures were enrolled after getting informed and written consent. Ultrasound-guided ESP block was performed at the level midway between the fractured ribs followed by the insertion of the catheter. Pre- and post-block VAS score, hemodynamics, respiratory rate (RR), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), inspiratory capacity (IC), blood gases (PaO2 and PCO2), and complications were compared. RESULTS: Pain scores at rest as well as on movement showed a significant reduction from 5.9 and 7.5 pre block to 1.6 and 2.5 respectively at 96 hours (p < 0.0001). Similarly, RR, SpO2, IC, and PaO2 were significantly better after the block placement (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Continuous ESP block provide adequate analgesia with better respiratory functions in patients with multiple rib fractures.

Comparison of Conventional Technique versus Modified Tube First Technique of Awake Nasotracheal Fiber-optic Intubation: A Randomized Control Open-Label Trial.

BACKGROUND: Although the conventional awake fiber-optic nasal intubation is most commonly used in anticipated difficult tracheal intubation, it has several potential difficulties. AIMS: The aim of this study is to compare another technique modified tube first (MTF) technique with the conventional one in terms of time taken, ease of glottis visualization, number of attempts needed, and complications. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective, randomized, open-label trial conducted on 60 patients with an anticipated difficult airway undergoing oromaxillofacial surgery at a tertiary care center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients were randomized into the MTF and conventional technique groups. Times from insertion of the fiber-optic scope into nares till vocal cord visualization (T1) and from T1 to complete intubation (T2) were measured and compared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 21. RESULTS: Time taken to visualize glottis was significantly less in the MTF technique as compared to the conventional method (mean ± standard deviation = 108.6 ± 43.1 vs. 142 ± 49.2 s, respectively, P = 0.007). Similarly, the total time taken for nasotracheal intubation with modified technique is significantly less as compared to the conventional technique (P = 0.004). Furthermore, there is significantly better ease of glottis visualization (P = 0.001), higher success in minimal attempts (P = 0.02) with significantly lesser incidence of desaturation in MTF technique (P = 0.026). CONCLUSION: The alternative technique (MTF) is a quicker, easier approach with higher success rate and lesser complications for the placement of an endotracheal tube in a difficult airway scenario.

Parturient Controlled Epidural Analgesia with and without Basal Infusion of Ropivacaine and Fentanyl: A Randomized Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Parturient controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) is an established method of providing safe and effective labor analgesia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this single-blind, randomized controlled trial was to compare the efficacy of PCEA with or without basal infusion (BI) of ropivacaine and fentanyl for the effective management of labor pain associated with normal vaginal delivery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 78 nulliparous parturients with vertex presentation at term and with cervical dilatation of 3-5 cm demanding for epidural analgesia (EA) were enrolled in the study. EA was initiated and maintained with ropivacaine 0.125% and fentanyl 2 µg/mL. Following an initial epidural loading volume of 8-10 mL, parturients were randomly allocated in two groups of 39 each. PCEA group received bolus of 5 mL at 200 mL/h with lockout interval of 15 min and with maximum volume of local anaesthetic was 20 mL/h and PCEA + BI group - receiving added BI rate of 5 mL/h along with same programmed parameters of PCEA pump. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of demographic characteristics, duration of labor, delivery methods, maternal satisfaction as well as Apgar score. Mean demand bolus in group PCEA + BI was 0.39 ± 0.59, whereas in group PCEA was 3.31 ± 0.77 (P < 0.05). Mean volume of drug used in group PCEA + BI was 25.57 ± 2.75 mL, while in group PCEA was 22.42 ± 4.56 mL (P = 0.0005). In PCEA + BI group, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score was 0.07 ± 0.35 at 60 min and 0.06 ± 0.33 at 120 min, whereas in PCEA group, VAS was 0.32 ± 0.62 at 60 min and 0.26 ± 0.50 at 120 min (P = 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: BI when added to PCEA, it significantly reduces breakthrough labor pain and demand boluses without prolonging labor duration but at the cost of increased requirement of drug volume when compared to PCEA only group.