Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome: A cross sectional survey of treatment outcomes.

Objective: Abdominal Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (ACNES) is a common but under recognised cause of chronic abdominal wall Pain. This survey was carried out to understand the clinical course of the condition following interventions such as nerve blocks and surgical release of entrapped nerve. Design: Retrospective, Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Pain Management clinic at University teaching hospital. Subjects: Adult patients who had interventions either nerve block or surgical release over a 6 year period. Methods: After written informed consent, participants completed a questionnaire including Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), quality of health measure (EQ-5D-5L), and global impression of change scale as well as open-ended question about the outcomes. Baseline demographics, details of pain condition, interventions received were collected from the health records. Results: The diagnosis of ACNES was established in 85.2% by ultrasound guided injections. The injection therapy with local anaesthetic and steroid was successful to 75.8% while the surgical release was successful in 90%. The cumulative duration of pain relief varied from 3 weeks to 5 years. A significant difference was noted in BPI (p = 0.001), EQ-5D-5L (p = 0.002) and health thermometer (p = 0.009) post interventions. Conclusions: Ultrasound guided injections aid the accurate diagnosis of ACNES. Appropriate treatment of ACNES improves both pain control and quality of life.

Sensory mapping of lumbar facet joint pain: a feasibility study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility of sensory mapping of lumbar facet joint pain in patients scheduled to undergo radiofrequency (RF) denervation. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. SUBJECTS: A total of 15 participants listed for RF denervation of lumbar facet joint. METHOD: After written informed consent, participants were recruited to the study. Participants completed a pain diagram prior to their procedure. After successful image-guided placement of RF cannulas, the sensory detection threshold using 50 Hz stimulation was obtained, followed by application of suprathreshold stimulation. Participants mapped their stimulated area in comparison to their pre-procedure pain diagram. RESULTS: All 15 participants had previously undergone diagnostic blocks. All participants were able to report either pain or paraesthesia during suprathreshold stimulation. In total, 14 out of 15 participants reported complete coverage of their usual painful area with suprathreshold stimulation of nerves scheduled for RF denervation. In one of the participants, an area of upper lumbar pain was not covered during suprathreshold stimulation. Nearly two-thirds of the participants (n = 9), reported either pain or paraesthesia, outside their normal painful area during suprathreshold stimulation. A total of 71 nerves were scheduled for RF denervation. Sensory electrical stimulation was successfully achieved in 68 out of 71 nerves (96%). The average sensory detection threshold was found to be 0.3 V while the suprathreshold stimulation was 0.6 V. CONCLUSION: Lumbar facet joint pain can be mapped using suprathreshold sensory stimulation, which has the potential to introduce objectivity during RF denervation.

BIS Targeted Propofol Sparing Effects of Dexmedetomidine Versus Ketamine in Outpatient ERCP: A Prospective Randomised Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography (ERCP) is routinely performed under propofol sedation. Adjuvant drugs have improved the quality of propofol sedation while minimizing complications. The aim of the study was to compare the propofol consumption, recovery and hemodynamic profiles of dexmedetomidine versus ketamine against a placebo control with BIS targeted in the sedative range for outpatient ERCP procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised of 72 patients undergoing ERCP, who were randomly allocated into one of the 3 groups: Group Dexmedetomidine (n =24) receiving a bolus and infusion of dexmedetomidine (1µg/kg and 0.5µg/kg/hr); Group Ketamine (n = 24) receiving a bolus and infusion of ketamine (0.25mg/kg and 5µg/kg/min) and Group Control (n =24) receiving saline placebo as a bolus and infusion with variable propofol boluses administered in all groups targeting BiSpectral Index between 60-70. RESULTS: The total propofol consumption was significantly lower in both Dexmedetomidine (162.5 ± 71.7 mg ) and Ketamine groups (158.3 ± 66.89 mg) when compared with Control group (255.83 ± 114.12 mg)(p=0.001) .Time taken (minutes) to achieve Modified Aldrette Score (MAS) >9 and Observer Assessment of Alertness and Sedation (OAAS) score >4 was significantly prolonged in Dexmedetomidine group (MAS 16.6 ± 3.18 and OAAS 16.67 ± 2.82) compared to Ketamine (MAS 10 ± 4.17 and OAAS 8.75 ± 3.68) and Control (MAS 7.5 ± 3.29 and OAAS 6.88 ± 2.47) (p<0.001). Hemodynamic profiles were comparable although patients in dexmedetomidine had a statistically significant lower heart rate (p<0.001) although without clinical significance. CONCLUSION: Low dose ketamine with background propofol boluses resulted in lesser propofol consumption, with earlier recovery and favourable hemodynamics when compared with Dexmedetomidine and control group in outpatient ERCP.

Foreign body removal with repair of iatrogenic tracheo-bronchial tear repair: An anesthetic challenge.

Foreign body aspiration into the airway is common in the pediatric age group and its anesthetic management is a challenge. Iatrogenic tracheo-bronchial injury further worsens the situation. Flexible pediatric fiberscope is the gold standard for securing the airway in cases of airway injury. We present a case of a 7-year-old girl who presented to the hospital with signs and symptoms of foreign body aspiration and suspected tracheo-bronchial tree injury. The impacted foreign body was removed by rigid bronchoscopy and the presence of a tracheo-bronchial tear was confirmed. To repair the airway tear, thoracotomy was planned necessitating one lung ventilation. A pediatric flexible fiberscope was not available, so left endobronchial intubation for one lung ventilation was done with the help of an airway exchange catheter using a rigid bronchoscope as a conduit. Subsequent intra-operative and post-operative period were uneventful.

Donepezil: A cause of inadequate muscle relaxation and delayed neuromuscular recovery.

A 74-year-old female with diabetes mellitus type II and Alzheimer's disease, taking donepezil for 4 months was operated for right modified radical mastectomy under general anesthesia. During the procedure a higher dose of non-depolarizing muscle relaxant was required than those recommended for her age yet the muscle relaxation was inadequate intra-operatively. Residual neuromuscular blockade persisted postoperatively, due to the cumulative effect of large doses of non-depolarizing muscle relaxant, needing post-operative ventilatory assistance. After ruling out other causes of resistance to non-depolarizing muscle relaxants, we concluded that acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil was primarily responsible for inadequate muscle relaxation and delayed post-operative neuromuscular recovery.