Axillary local anesthetic spread after the thoracic interfacial ultrasound block - a cadaveric and radiological evaluation / Dispersão axilar de anestésico local após bloqueio interfascial torácico guiado por ultrassom - estudo radiológico e em cadáver

Abstract Background Oral opioid analgesics have been used for management of peri- and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing axillary dissection. The axillary region is a difficult zone to block and does not have a specific regional anesthesia technique published that offers its adequate blockade. Methods After institutional review board approval, anatomic and radiological studies were conducted to determine the deposition and spread of methylene blue and local anesthetic injected respectively into the axilla via the thoracic inter-fascial plane. Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies were then conducted in 15 of 34 patients scheduled for unilateral breast surgery that entailed any of the following: axillary clearance, sentinel node biopsy, axillary node biopsy, or supernumerary breasts, to ascertain the deposition and time course of spread of solution within the thoracic interfascial plane in vivo. Results Radiological and cadaveric studies showed that the injection of local anesthetic and methylene blue via the thoracic inter-fascial plane, using ultrasound guide technique, results in reliable deposition into the axilla. In patients, the injection of the local anesthetic produced a reliable axillary sensory block. This finding was supported by Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies that showed hyper-intense signals in the axillary region. Conclusions These findings define the anatomic characteristics of the thoracic interfascial plane nerve block in the axillary region, and underline the clinical potential of this novel nerve block.

Resumo Justificativa Os analgésicos orais à base de opioides têm sido usados para o manejo da analgesia nos períodos peri e pós-operatório de pacientes submetidos à linfadenectomia axilar. A região axilar é uma zona difícil de bloquear e não há registro de uma técnica de anestesia regional específica que ofereça o seu bloqueio adequado. Métodos Após a aprovação do Conselho de Ética institucional, estudos anatômicos e radiológicos foram feitos para determinar a deposição e disseminação de azul de metileno e anestésico local, respectivamente injetados na axila via plano interfascial torácico. Exames de ressonância magnética foram então feitos em 15 de 34 pacientes programados para cirurgia de mama unilateral que envolveria qualquer um dos seguintes procedimentos: esvaziamento axilar, biópsia de linfonodo sentinela, biópsia de linfonodo axilar ou mamas supranumerárias, para verificar a deposição e o tempo de propagação da solução dentro do plano interfascial torácico in vivo. Resultados Estudos radiológicos e em cadáveres mostraram que a injeção de anestésico local e azul de metileno via plano interfascial torácico com a técnica guiada por ultrassom resulta em deposição confiável na axila. Nos pacientes, a injeção de anestésico local produziu um bloqueio sensitivo axilar confiável. Esse achado foi corroborado por estudos de ressonância magnética que mostraram sinais hiperintensos na região axilar. Conclusões Esses achados definem as características anatômicas do bloqueio da região axilar e destacam o potencial clínico desses novos bloqueios.

[Axillary local anesthetic spread after the thoracic interfacial ultrasound block - a cadaveric and radiological evaluation]. / Dispersão axilar de anestésico local após bloqueio interfascial torácico guiado por ultrassom - estudo radiológico e em cadáver.

BACKGROUND: Oral opioid analgesics have been used for management of peri- and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing axillary dissection. The axillary region is a difficult zone to block and does not have a specific regional anesthesia technique published that offers its adequate blockade. METHODS: After institutional review board approval, anatomic and radiological studies were conducted to determine the deposition and spread of methylene blue and local anesthetic injected respectively into the axilla via the thoracic inter-fascial plane. Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies were then conducted in 15 of 34 patients scheduled for unilateral breast surgery that entailed any of the following: axillary clearance, sentinel node biopsy, axillary node biopsy, or supernumerary breasts, to ascertain the deposition and time course of spread of solution within the thoracic interfascial plane in vivo. RESULTS: Radiological and cadaveric studies showed that the injection of local anesthetic and methylene blue via the thoracic inter-fascial plane, using ultrasound guide technique, results in reliable deposition into the axilla. In patients, the injection of the local anesthetic produced a reliable axillary sensory block. This finding was supported by Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies that showed hyper-intense signals in the axillary region. CONCLUSIONS: These findings define the anatomic characteristics of the thoracic interfascial plane nerve block in the axillary region, and underline the clinical potential of this novel nerve block.

Acute effects of Expiratory Positive Airway Pressure (EPAP) on different levels in ventilation and electrical activity of sternocleidomastoid and parasternal muscles in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the acute effects of EPAP on the activity of sternocleidomastoid (SCM), parasternal muscles and ventilatory parameters in COPD patients. Method Twenty-four patients with COPD were studied using surface electromyography (sEMG) and a ventilometer. Patients were randomly assigned to EPAP 10 cmH2O-EPAP10 or 15 cmH2O-EPAP15 for 20 minutes. Results The parasternal muscle sEMG activity increased during EPAP10 and EPAP15; however, a greater and significant increase was observed with EPAP10 (mean between-group difference: 12.5% RMS, 95% CI: 9.5 to 15.4, p<0.001). In relation to the baseline, at 10 and 20 minutes and upon recovery, respectively parasternal activity increased by 23.9%, 28.9% and 19.1% during EPAP10 and by 10.7% at 10 and 20 minutes and upon recovery, respectively, 11.4% and 6.9% during EPAP15 at 10 and 20 minutes and upon recovery, respectively. The sEMG activity of SCM muscle showed an opposite pattern, increasing with EPAP15 and decreasing with EPAP10 (mean between-group difference: 15.5% RMS, 95% CI: 12.6 to 18.4, p<0.001). SCM muscle activity during EPAP15, increased by 4.8% and 6.1% at 10 and 20 minutes and decreased by -4.0% upon recovery compared to decreases of –5.6%, –20.6% and –21.3% during EPAP10 at 10, 20 minutes, and recovery. Ventilation at both EPAP intensities promoted significant reductions in respiratory rate (RR) and dyspnea, more pronounced in EPAP15: RR (mean between-group difference: –3,8bpm, 95%CI: –7,5 to –0,2, p=0,015) and dyspnea (mean between-group difference: –1.01, 95%CI: –1.4 to –0.53, p=0.028) . Conclusion In COPD patients, the use of EPAP10 was more effective in reducing accessory inspiratory activity and increasing parasternal activity, which was accompanied by an improvement in ventilation and a reduction in dyspnea.

Hernia pulmonar espontánea secundaria a acceso de tos: reparación por técnica asistida por video / Spontaneous lung hernia secondary to coughing fit: repair by video assisted technique

La hernia pulmonar es la protrusión del tejido pulmonar a través de una de las estructuras que lo contienen. Generalmente, son secundarias a traumatismos o a un procedimiento quirúrgico; con menos frecuencia, pueden ser espontáneas posteriores a accesos de tos. El diagnóstico se hace por el cuadro clínico y debe confirmarse con radiografía o tomografía, con las cuales se puede ver la protrusión del tejido pulmonar a través de los espacios intercostales. Pueden tratarse de manera conservadora si son asintomáticas, pero el tratamiento más común es el quirúrgico, con técnica abierta o asistida por video. Se presenta una revisión bibliográfica y el reporte de un caso manejado con técnica asistida por video.

Lung hernia is the protrusion of lung tissue through one of its bounding structures. Usually it develops as the result of thoracic trauma or after a surgical procedure; less frequently it can be spontaneous after a coughing fit. Diagnosis is made on the basis of the clinical findings and should be confirmed by X-ray imaging or computed tomography, which evidence the protrusion of the lung through the intercostal spaces. Treatment of lung hernia may be conservative when the patient is asymptomatic, but surgical intervention is most commonly performed, which can be by the open technique or by the video assisted technique. We present a literature review and report a case that was managed by the video assisted surgical technique.

[Spontaneous pulmonary hernia: report of a case]. / Hernia pulmonar espontánea: a propósito de un caso clínico.

Pulmonary hernia is a protrusion of lung tissue through a defect in the chest wall. Its origin can be congenital or acquired; spontaneous presentation is the least frequent. We report a case of spontaneous intercostal pulmonary hernia with a brief description of the disease. In this case, the patient developed a hematoma in the left hemithorax associated to pain at the base of the left hemithorax after a Valsalva's maneuver. The images obtained by thoracic CT scan revealed the existence of a left intercostal hernia. After radiological diagnosis, surgical treatment of the defect was performed with good results.

La hernia pulmonar es una protrusión del parénquima pulmonar a través de un defecto de la pared torácica. Puede ser congénita o adquirida, siendo la presentación espontánea la menos frecuente. Presentamos un caso de hernia pulmonar intercostal espontánea y realizamos una breve descripción de la enfermedad. La paciente presentó un hematoma en el hemitórax izquierdo, acompañado de dolor post maniobra de Valsalva en la base del hemitórax izquierdo. Las imágenes obtenidas por tomografía axial computarizada torácica evidenciaron la existencia de una hernia intercostal izquierda. Después del diagnóstico radiológico, se realizó tratamiento quirúrgico del defecto con buenos resultados.

Hérnia traumática do pulmão / Traumatic lung hernia

Traumatic lung herniation is an unusual clinical problem. We present a case of a large left post-traumatic lung hernia on the left, anterior, second intercostal space following blunt chest trauma. An important factor in the etiology of these lesions is the relative lack of muscular support of the anterior part of the chest. This report describes the diagnosis and management of a post-traumatic lung hernia.

Lesão complexa da traqueia: correção com retalho pediculado de músculo intercostal / Complex tracheal lesion: correction with an intercostal muscle pedicle flap

A reconstrução esofágica é uma das mais complexas cirurgias do aparelho digestivo, principalmente quando realizada por técnicas minimamente invasivas. Esse procedimento está associado a inúmeras complicações, como deiscência de anastomose, quilotórax, necrose do tubo gástrico e fistulas. Relatamos o caso de um paciente com o diagnóstico de carcinoma epidermoide no terço distal do esôfago que foi submetido à uma esofagectomia por videotoracoscopia e laparoscopia. Durante o ato operatório, houve lesão do brônquio principal esquerdo, sendo necessária a correção cirúrgica imediata da lesão. No pós-operatório, o paciente evoluiu com insuficiência respiratória aguda e grande escape aéreo pelos drenos de tórax e pela ferida operatória cervical. Foi submetido à nova intervenção cirúrgica, através da qual se observou uma grande lesão na parede membranosa da traqueia, que foi corrigida com um retalho de músculo intercostal.

Esophageal reconstruction is one of the most complex types of gastrointestinal surgery, principally when it is performed using minimally invasive techniques. The procedure is associated with various complications, such as anastomotic dehiscence, chylothorax, esophageal necrosis and fistulae. We report the case of a patient diagnosed with epidermoid carcinoma in the distal third of the esophagus. The patient was submitted to esophagectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopy and laparoscopy. During the operation, the left main bronchus was injured, and this required immediate surgical correction. In the postoperative period, the patient presented with acute respiratory failure and profuse air leak through the thoracic drains and through the cervical surgical wound. The patient underwent a second surgical procedure, during which a large lesion was discovered in the membranous wall of the trachea. The lesion was corrected with an intercostal muscle pedicle flap.

Padrão da atividade mioelétrica dos músculos da cintura escapular após linfadenectomia axilar no câncer de mama / Myoeletric activity pattern of scapular muscles after axillary lymphadenectomy in breast cancer

OBJETIVO: identificar o padrão da atividade mioelétrica dos músculos da cintura escapular após linfadenectomia axilar no câncer de mama. MÉTODOS: estudo de coorte prospectivo incluindo todas as mulheres submetidas à linfadenectomia axilar para tratamento cirúrgico de câncer de mama, em um centro de referência de câncer de mama, entre os meses de Junho a Agosto de 2006. As mulheres foram avaliadas no pré-operatório e após 3 e 12 meses da cirurgia, por exame físico e eletromiográfico dos músculos serrátil anterior, trapézio superior e deltoide médio. RESULTADOS: a média de idade foi de 60,3 anos (DP±14,1) e a incidência da escápula alada ao exame físico foi de 64,9%. Por meio do exame eletromiográfico na avaliação de três meses, foi observada uma redução de 28,3 µV na diferença da atividade mioelétrica do músculo serrátil anterior. Na avaliação de 12 meses e entre três e 12 meses, houve acréscimo de 23,3 e 43,6 µV, respectivamente. Para o músculo trapézio superior, o incremento foi de 23,1 µV na avaliação do terceiro mês, 90,8 µV e 52,3 µV entre o terceiro e o 12º meses. A avaliação do músculo deltoide médio não apresentou diferenças significantes em comparação com o pré-operatório. CONCLUSÕES: considerando o comportamento dos músculos avaliados pela eletromiografia de superfície, na avaliação pós-operatória imediata houve um decréscimo da atividade mioelétrica do músculo serrátil anterior pela lesão do nervo torácico longo (neuropraxia). O aumento da raiz quadrada da média do sinal eletromiográfico do músculo trapézio superior, a partir da avaliação pré-operatória, sugere uma consequente compensação muscular do mesmo em relação ao déficit do músculo serrátil anterior.

PURPOSE: to identify the pattern of myoelectrical activity of muscles from the scapular region, after axillary lymphadenectomy in breast cancer. METHODS: prospective cohort study including all the women submitted to axillary lymphadenectomy for surgical treatment of breast cancer, in a breast cancer reference center, from June to August 2006. The women were evaluated before, and after 3 and 12 months from the surgery, through physical and electromyographic examinations of the serratus anterior, upper trapezius and middle deltoid muscles. RESULTS: the patients' average age was 60.3 years old (DP±14.1), and the incidence of winged scapula at the physical examination was 64.9%. At the third-months evaluation, a reduction of 28.3 µV was observed in the myoelectrical activity of the serratus anterior muscle. At the twelveth-months evaluation and between the 3rd and the 12th month, there was an increment of 23.3 µV and 43.6 µV, respectively. For the upper trapezius, the increase was of 23.1 µV at the third-months evaluation, and 23.3 µV and 43.6 µV between the 3rd and the 12th months. As compared to before the surgery, the evaluation of the middle deltoid muscle did no present significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: considering muscle activity evaluated by surface electromyography, there was a decrease in the myoelectrical activity of the serratus anterior, due to lesion of the long thoracic nerve (neuropraxia), in the immediate postoperative evaluation. The increase of the mean square root of the electromyographic signal of the upper trapezius muscle, since the preoperative evaluation, suggests a muscular compensation related to the serratus anterior muscle's deficit.