Bloody Tap Research Articles

Ultrasound-assisted Upper Thoracic Epidural Anaesthesia in Awake Breast Surgeries: A Case Series

Carcinoma of the breast is a leading cause of hospitalisation in elderly women and the most common surgery performed in Surgical Oncology and General Surgery Departments. Traditionally, General Anaesthesia (GA) was used for patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy. However, GA is not an ideal choice for patients with restrictive pulmonary diseases, obesity, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), as it is associated with increased intraoperative and postoperative complications. Regional anaesthesia is a suitable alternative, as it has the advantages of reduced sympathetic stimulation, no airway manipulation, and avoids polypharmacy, thereby reducing the hospital stay. A series of 10 female patients were presented, who were scheduled for modified radical mastectomy surgery under ultrasound-assisted thoracic epidural anaesthesia, and the patients were awake and conscious throughout the surgery. The ultrasound-assisted upper thoracic epidural was performed with a 100% success rate, and the mean procedure time taken was 238.5 seconds (ultrasound examination plus needle placement). Out of the 10 patients, one patient had two needle punctures. The needle redirections were absent in three patients, two times in three patients, and one time in four patients. Except for one patient, the epidural was successfully placed on the first attempt. Patient comfort was assessed based on the Modified Comfort Scale, with Grade-1 in five patients, Grade-2 in four patients and Grade-3 in one patient. No complications such as dural puncture or bloody tap were reported. In patients scheduled for modified radical mastectomy, performing an upper thoracic epidural using a landmark-guided technique is challenging, as the thoracic spines are very acutely angulated (T3-T6). Therefore, the ultrasound-assisted thoracic epidural technique is a safe and effective bedside tool that can be used to identify the epidural space without any side effects for the patients.

Non-polio enterovirus aseptic meningitis in infants up to three months of age, the bacterial mask of viral disease: A retrospective cohort study.

Non-polio enterovirus aseptic meningitis (NPE-AM) is a self-limiting illness that can mimic serious bacterial infection (SBI) in infants during their first months of life. To compare the clinical features of febrile infants diagnosed with NPE-AM with those of infants who had SBI or non-bacterial infection (NBI). A systematic series of febrile infants < 3-months-old hospitalized between 2010 and 2019 with febrile illness in a tertiary hospital. Clinical and laboratory data were compared between the three groups. Overall 1278 infants were included; 207 (16.2%) had NPE-AM, 210 (16.4%) SBI and 861 (67.4%) NBI. The median age was 34 (IQR: 21.5-51.7) days. NPE-AM was documented in 25% of infants < 29 days and 9.9% of infants aged 29-90 days. Infants with NPE-AM or SBI had fever >39°C more frequently, 24.2% and 17.1% compared with 10% in infants with NBI (p<0.001). Fever duration ≥ 2 days was reported in 3.4% of infants with NPE-AM vs 18.6% in SBI and 26.3% in NBI (p<0001); rash occurred in 37.7% in NPE-AM compared to 4.6% in NBI and 5.7% in SBI (p<0.001). The mean white blood count, C-reactive protein and absolute neutrophil count were significantly lower in infants with NPE-AM compared to infants with the SBI (p<0.001) and similar to the means in infants with NBI (p=0.848, 0.098 and 0.764 respectively). A high proportion of bloody tap 346/784 (53.1%) was detected. Infants with NPE-AM were more likely to be treated with antibiotics than infants with NBIs (88.9% vs 50.7%, p<0.001), similarly to infants with SBIs (p=0.571). The clinical presentation of infants with NPE-AM that could mimic bacterial infection and the high rate of bloody taps may lead to more hospital admissions and antibiotic prescriptions. Rapid molecular testing for detection of NPE may be of additional value in the evaluation of febrile infants.

Antithrombotic drugs and the risk of bloody punctures in regional anesthesia - a retrospective registry analysis

IntroductionThe risk of bleeding during regional anesthesia implementation in patients on antithrombotic therapy remains poorly characterized. We; therefore, analyzed bloody tap rates and adjusted ORs comparing patients who take antithrombotic...

Spinal Drain Complications for Advanced Aortic Surgery at a University Hospital Center in Montreal, Canada

Spinal drains (SD) are an important component of spinal cord protection for patients undergoing complex aortic surgery. However, SDs are not benign and can lead to important complications such as intracranial hemorrhage and spinal hematomas. We sought to evaluate the outcomes of SD placement, including drain-related complications and spinal cord ischemia at a university hospital center in Montreal, Canada. Patients who underwent SD placement between 2014 and 2020 were identified using procedure codes. A retrospective chart review was then performed to identify patient demographics, comorbidities, characteristics of the index surgery, postoperative outcomes, and SD-related complications. Seventy-nine patients underwent preoperative SD placement. Sixty-six percent of patients were male and the mean age at the time of procedure was 66 years. Fifty-seven percent of patients presented with isolated thoracic aortic aneurysms and 43% presented with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms. Thirty-eight patients (48.1%) underwent advanced endovascular repair. Intraoperative drain placement was obtained with an average of 1.3 attempts, however this increased to 1.8 attempts in patients who experienced SD-related events (P = .032). Multiple attempts at placement was associated with an increase in SD events (P = .004). Ten patients (12.7%) experienced intraoperative SD events, including 6 patients (7.6%) who reported transient paresthesia requiring drain removal and new drain placement, 3 patients (3.8%) who had a bloody spinal tap, causing 1 drain placement to be aborted, and 1 patient who developed a hematoma at the drain insertion site and subsequently had their drain removed. Of the patients who experienced intraoperative SD events, three (3.8%) developed postoperative SD complications in addition to seven patients (8.9%) who developed new drain-related complications. Four patients (5.1%) had bloody drain output, two patients (2.5%) had a cerebrospinal fluid leak, two patients (2.5%) experienced intracerebral hemorrhages without long-term sequelae, one of the placed drains malfunctioned, and one patient had prolonged bleeding around the drain site. Spinal cord ischemia occurred in five patients (6.3%) total, two of whom experienced permanent disability. Of the five cases of SCI, three (3.8%) occurred in patients who had experienced SD complications. Postoperative SD-related complications occurred in 12.7% of patients undergoing aortic surgery, were more likely to occur when multiple attempts at SD placement occurred, and were associated with an increased risk of spinal cord ischemia. Lack of vascular-specialized anesthesiologists, participation of residents in SD placement and difficult patient anatomy may all have contributed to increasing the number of attempts required for SD placement.

PERIPHERAL NERVE BLOCKS IN PATIENTS ON ANTITHROMBOTIC DRUGS - A RESCUE OR AN UNNECESSARY RISK?

Bleeding complications after peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) in patients treated with an antiplatelet agent and/or an anticoagulant drug are rare, with estimated incidence of 0.67% (0.51-0.83%). However, they can result in significant patient morbidity and may require follow-up investigations and interventions. The evidence for bleeding risks and complications after PNB is very low or nonexistent, therefore, recommendations and guidelines are based on retrospective analyses, case reports, expert opinions and expert panel consensus. In the manuscript, an expert panel consensus on classification of PNBs according to the potential risk of serious bleeding complications is presented. The risks of bleeding depend on the location (vicinity of the vessels and critical structures at risk from the mass effect of a hematoma), block depth (which influences needle visibility), associated comorbidities and anticoagulation status, body habitus, site compressibility, whether the bleeding or hematoma are easy or not to assess and how easy or not an intervention may be applied to prevent or treat bleeding. Also, technical factors are considered: type and size of the used needle, technical difficulties, multiple attempts, needle passes and bloody tap, use of catheters and type of nerve location technique (USG versus blind techniques) and operator experience. In all patients on antithrombotic drugs, benefits vs. risks should be weighted. A bleeding risk should be minimized with the optimization of patient's coagulation: appropriate antithrombotic drug timing before PNB, dose of antithrombotic drug, indication for the drug and risk factors that may influence drug pharmacokinetics (bodyweight, age, renal and hepatic function). Superficial PNBs may be performed in the presence of antithrombotic drug. For deep PNBs, a recommendations for neuraxial procedures should be considered.

Preprocedural ultrasound for neuraxial blockade in nonobstetric patients. Should it be considered as a standard of care?

Preprocedural ultrasound for neuraxial blockade in nonobstetric patients. Should it be considered as a standard of care?

Conventional landmark palpation versus preprocedural ultrasound for neuraxial procedures in nonobstetric patients: A systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Central neuraxial modalities can occasionally be challenging to perform, particularly if the underlying anatomy is altered or obscured. To compare the efficacy, efficiency and the safety of preprocedural ultrasound to landmark palpation in the nonobstetric adult population. Systematic review of randomised controlled trials with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis. Systematic search of Central, CINAHL, Embase, Global Health, MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science to 13th February 2020. Randomised controlled trials of nonobstetric adult patients having diagnostic and/or therapeutic neuraxial procedures using standard preprocedural ultrasound interpreted by the operator as the intervention and conventional landmark palpation as the comparator. A skin puncture was defined as the insertion or reinsertion of the needle through the skin; needle redirection was the backward followed by the forward movement of the needle without its removal from the skin; first skin puncture referred to a single skin puncture with or without needle redirections; and first pass was a single skin puncture with no needle redirection. In all, 18 randomised controlled trials with 1800 patients were included. The first pass success rate was not different between landmark and ultrasound methods [risk ratio 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.99 to 2.16; P = 0.06, I2 = 76%; moderate quality of evidence] and the trial sequential analysis demonstrated the futility of further randomisation of patients in modifying this finding. Preprocedural ultrasound increased the total time taken (mean difference 110.8 s; 95% CI, 31.01 to 190.65; P = 0.006; I2 = 96%; moderate quality of evidence). Subgroup analyses revealed no influence of the predicted difficulty of the neuraxial procedure on outcomes. Compared with the landmark method, ultrasound increased the first skin puncture success rate (risk ratio 1.36; 95% CI, 1.18 to 1.57; P < 0.001; I2 = 70%), and decreased the need for three or more skin punctures (risk ratio 0.46; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.64; P < 0.001; I2 = 29%) and the number of needle redirections (mean difference -1.24; 95% CI, -2.32 to -0.17; P = 0.020; I2 = 83). The incidence of bloody tap was reduced with the use of ultrasound (risk ratio 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.93; P = 0.020; I2 = 42%). The use of preprocedural ultrasound for neuraxial procedures in the nonobstetric adult population did not enhance the first pass success rate and increased the total time taken to a clinically insignificant extent. Improvement in secondary outcomes, including other markers of efficacy, should be interpreted with caution.

Commentary: The aggregation of marginal gains for spinal cord protection

Commentary: The aggregation of marginal gains for spinal cord protection

Complications associated with lumbar drain placement for endovascular aortic repair

ObjectiveWe reviewed the complications associated with perioperative lumbar drain (LD) placement for endovascular aortic repair. MethodsPatients who had undergone perioperative LD placement for endovascular repair of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic pathologies from 2010 to 2019 were reviewed. The primary endpoints were major and minor LD-associated complications. Complications that had resulted in neurological sequelae or had required an intervention or a delay in operation were defined as major. These included intracranial hemorrhage, symptomatic spinal hematoma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak requiring intervention, meningitis, retained catheter tip, arachnoiditis, and traumatic (or bloody) tap resulting in delayed operation. Minor complications were defined as a bloody tap without a delay in surgery, asymptomatic epidural hematoma, and CSF leak with no intervention required. Isolated headaches were recorded separately owing to the minimal clinical impact. ResultsA total of 309 LDs had been placed in 268 consecutive patients for 222 thoracic endovascular aortic repairs, 85 complex endovascular aortic repairs (EVARs; fenestrated branched EVAR/parallel grafting), and 2 EVARs (age, 65 ± 13 years; 71% male) for aortic pathology, including aneurysm (47%), dissection (49%), penetrating aortic ulcer (3%), and traumatic injury (0.6%). A dedicated neurosurgical team performed all LD procedures; most were performed by the same individual, with a technical success rate of 98%. Radiologic guidance was required in 3%. The reasons for unsuccessful placement were body habitus (n = 2) and severe spinal disease (n = 3). Most were placed prophylactically (96%). The overall complication rate was 8.1% (4.2% major and 3.9% minor). Major complications included spinal hematoma with paraplegia in 1 patient, intracranial hemorrhage in 2, meningitis in 2, arachnoiditis in 3, CSF leak requiring a blood patch in 3, bloody tap delaying the operation in 1, and a retained catheter tip in 1 patient. Patients who had undergone previous LD placement had experienced significantly more major LD-related complications (12.2% vs 3%; P = .019). The rate of total LD-associated complications did not differ between prophylactic and emergent therapeutic placements (8.1% vs 7.7%; P = 1.00) nor between major or minor complications. On multivariate analysis, previous LD placement and an overweight body mass index were the only independent predictors of major LD-related complications. ConclusionsThe complications associated with LD placement can be severe even when performed by a dedicated team. Previous LD placement and overweight body mass index were associated with a significantly greater risk of complications; however, emergent therapeutic placement was not. Although these risks are justified for therapeutic LD placement, the benefit of prophylactic LD placement to prevent paraplegia should be weighed against these serious complications.

Complications Associated With Lumbar Drain Placement for Endovascular Aortic Repair

The objective of this study was to review complications associated with lumbar drain (LD) placement perioperatively for endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Patients who had perioperative LD placement for thoracic endovascular aortic repair or complex and staged abdominal EVAR from 2010 to 2019 were reviewed. The primary end points were major and minor LD-associated complications. Major complications were defined as those that required intervention or resulted in neurologic sequelae or delay in operation, including intracranial hemorrhage, spinal hematoma with symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak requiring intervention, meningitis, retained catheter tip, and bloody tap resulting in delayed operation. Minor complications were defined as bloody tap without delay, spinal hematoma without symptoms, and CSF leak or headache with no intervention required. In 253 consecutive patients, 291 LDs were placed for 214 thoracic endovascular aortic repairs, 74 complex EVARs, and 3 EVARs (65 ± 13 years; 69% male) for aortic disease including 47% aneurysm, 34% dissection, 15% aneurysmal degeneration of dissection, 3% penetrating aortic ulcer, and 0.7% traumatic injury. A dedicated neurosurgical team performed all procedures; the majority were performed by the same individual. The technical success rate was 98%. Radiologic guidance was required in 4%, and 2% were aborted. Reasons for unsuccessful placement were body habitus and severe spinal disease. Most were placed prophylactically (96%). Total complication rate was 12% (8% minor, 4% major). Major complications included spinal hematoma with paraparesis (one), intracranial hemorrhage (two), meningitis (two), arachnoiditis (three; Fig 1), CSF leak requiring a blood patch (three), bloody tap delaying operation (one), and a retained catheter tip (one). No complications required neurosurgical decompression. Paralysis from spinal cord ischemia due to aortic repair was documented in 23 (8%) with improvement in 8 and resolution in 2. Complications associated with LD placement can be severe even when it is performed by a dedicated team. The potential benefit of prophylactic LD placement to prevent paraplegia needs to be weighed against these serious complications.

A Case Report and Literature Review to Aid in the Management of Trunnion Failure in Hip Arthroplasty Patients: Can Trunnionosis and Prosthetic Joint Infection Co-Exist?

Trunnionosis is a type of corrosion and wear at the head-neck taper junction of the femoral implant, and it can be a slow and silent catastrophe. Simultaneous prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is occasionally possible based on the fulfillment of a few of the minor criteria from the Musculoskeletal Infection Society (MSIS), but the existing literature lacks adequate evidence to support that the infection actually exists. We are presenting a case of an 82-year-old man with right total hip arthroplasty performed over a decade prior to presenting to the emergency room with a sudden-onset pop followed by groin pain and difficulty in walking. Radiographs showed a dissociated femoral implant at the level of trunnion with malalignment and heterotopic ossification. Metal Artifact Reduction Sequence MRI of the right hip showed mixed type-two and type-three pseudotumors, and atrophy of surrounding abductor muscles. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was within normal limits, C-reactive protein was borderline raised, and serum cobalt-chromium levels were elevated without any signs of systemic metal toxicity. Hip joint aspirate revealed blood-stained fluid flooded with red blood cells, leukocytes and neutrophils, and a positive alpha-defensin assay. These findings were interpreted as positive for prosthetic joint infection. Intraoperatively, there was severe wear of the inferomedial aspect of the femoral head-neck junction and extensive metallosis throughout the right hip. Tissue and fluid specimens were sent for cultures, sensitivities, and histopathology for pseudotumor and infection evaluation. An articulating antibiotic spacer was then placed with the intent to perform a staged reconstruction of the femur and right acetabulum. Final synovial, bone, and soft tissue cultures, as well as histopathological photomicrograph of the tissue slides, were negative for infection. This case demonstrates the striking features of metallosis associated with trunnion failure of a metal-on-polyethylene total hip joint prosthesis that was simultaneously showing signs of prosthetic infection by satisfying the minor criteria according to the latest guidelines by the MSIS with a strikingly high cell count of red blood cells in the synovial fluid exam, indicating inflamed hyper-vascular pseudotumors vs. hemarthrosis vs. bloody tap. Diagnostic dilemma led by positive synovial fluid alpha defensin, high synovial neutrophil and white cell count results with negative final cultures or infection on histological slides raises concern that infection was not present and two-stage revision arthroplasty with six weeks of antibiotics was not necessary along with increased risk of morbidity, mortality as well as cost of care.

Risk of Hematoma From Aspirin or Clopidogrel Owing to Lumbar Puncture

Neurologists are worried about bleeding and complications from lumbar punctures in patients who use antiplatelet agents, such as aspirin and clopidogrel. We evaluated the bleeding risks of performing lumbar punctures in patients who are using or have recently used antiplatelet agents by retrospective review of lumbar punctures performed at the Johns Hopkins Hospital between 2004 and 2018 in patients who were actively using or recently used aspirin or clopidogrel, or both. Patients were stratified into time groups based on when the lumbar puncture was done relative to the time the antiplatelet drug was discontinued: <1 week, 1-4 weeks, >4 weeks. We recorded red blood cell counts for the earliest and latest spinal fluid collections to determine the risk of traumatic bleeding; we also noted any complications. Antiplatelet medication use within 1 week of lumbar puncture was associated with a 3% incidence of bloody tap and 4% incidence of traumatic tap that cleared. In the group of patients who waited for a lumbar puncture at least 4 weeks after discontinuation of antiplatelet drug, there was a 5% incidence of bloody or traumatic tap. There was no difference in rates of bleeding between aspirin versus aspirin plus clopidogrel. The rate of hematoma complications was highest in the group of patients on aspirin at the time of the procedure (0.7%). Aspirin or clopidogrel, or both, did not meaningfully increase hemorrhagic complications in patients undergoing lumbar punctures, regardless of when the antiplatelet drug was discontinued relative to the time of the procedure.

Paravertebral blocks in immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy.

Postoperative pain remains a major challenge following immediate breast reconstruction with 40% of patients experiencing acute pain and up to 60% developing chronic pain. Paravertebral blocks (PVB's) have emerged as a promising adjunct to standard analgesic protocols. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of PVB's in immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy. A retrospective review of patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy was performed. The primary outcome was postoperative pain measured by total oral morphine equivalent usage and self reported pain scores and secondary outcomes were length of stay in the PACU, complications, and OR delay. Of 298 patients undergoing immediate breast reconstruction, 112(38%) underwent standard analgesic protocols and 186(62%) underwent PVB in addition to the standard protocol. PVB's were associated with reductions in average postoperative pain scores (2.8 vs 3.3, P=0.002), total opiate consumption (52 units vs 63 units, P=0.038) and time spent in the PACU 92 vs 142minutes, P=0.0228) compared to patients who had general anesthesia alone. The overall complication rate was 3.7% (7/186 patients), all which were minor complications such as headache, bloody tap, vasovagal episode and temporary weakness. The use of PVBs delayed the OR start time on average by 15minutes (34 vs 49minutes). The present study offers one of the largest retrospective cohort studies to date evaluating the utility of PVB's in immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy. We demonstrate that, PVB's in immediate breast reconstruction are associated with reductions in postoperative pain, narcotic usage and length of stay in PACU, but are associated with delays to the start time of the case. Anesthesiologists, plastic surgeons and hospital administrators must continue to work together to ensure this important and necessary service is administered in an efficient and cost effective manner.

Low dose spinal anaesthesia and transversus abdominis plane block in a parturient with peripartum cardiomyopathy for caesarean section following a bloody epidural tap

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a form of dilated cardiomyopathy which presents unique challenges for anaesthetic management. Here we present a case of PPCM who was given low dose spinal anaesthesia with TAP block for caesarean section which is rarely reported. A 33-year-old multigravida, 35 weeks gestation presented with PPCM with ejection fraction of 24%. Elective caesarean section was planned in view of worsening dyspnoea despite treatment. Graded epidural anaesthesia with invasive monitoring was planned but we encountered a bloody tap whilst securing the epidural catheter, hence switched to low dose spinal anaesthesia (6mg of 0.5% bupivacaine+10mcg of fentanyl). Ultrasound guided bilateral TAP block was given for post-operative analgesia. We observed that the patient had a comfortable and haemodynamically stable experience intra and post operatively. Hence a low dose spinal anaesthesia and TAP block with invasive monitoring can be opted as an anaesthetic technique in PPCM.

A cohort study of anatomical landmark-guided midline versus pre-procedure ultrasound-guided midline technique of spinal anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.

Background and Aims:The primary objective of the study was to compare the number of attempts and number of passes of spinal needle insertion and secondary objective was to compare complications, bloody tap, and patient discomfort in anatomical landmark-guided versus pre-procedure USG-guided midline technique of spinal anesthesia in elderly patients posted for orthopedic surgery.Material and Methods:In this a prospective observational cohort study, 60 patients of either sex, ASA grades I–III, and aged more than 65 years were randomly allocated to 2 groups of 30 patients each. In group AG (Anatomical landmark guided), standard landmark technique was used. In group UG (Ultrasound guided), pre-procedure ultrasound guided marking for insertion point of a spinal needle was done before giving spinal anesthesia. Patients in both the groups were compared on the basis of number of attempts, number of passes, vascular injury (bloody tap), pain score, complications, and procedure time.Results:Successful dural puncture on the first needle insertion attempt was achieved more in UG group (90%) than in AG group (50%) (P < 0.05). Dural puncture was not achieved in only 3.3% patients in the UG group even after three midline attempts at spinal needle insertion. Mean of the number of passes was more in AG group (1.90) than in UG group (1.07) (P < 0.05). VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) score was 0.4 in AG group and 0.3 in UG group (P > 0.05). Group UG had shorter procedure time (2.25 min) than AG group (4.35 min).Conclusion:Preprocedure ultrasound imaging is a very useful tool to facilitate the performance of central neuraxial blockade in patients with difficult anatomical landmarks, especially in elderly patients.

Preprocedural ultrasound assessment does not improve trainee performance of spinal anesthesia for obstetrical patients: a randomized controlled trial

Study objectiveThis randomized controlled trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of additional information from preprocedure ultrasound examination to aid anesthesiology trainees performing spinal anesthesia for obstetric patients. DesignTrainee residents were randomly allocated to landmark technique and anatomy demonstration via ultrasound examination or landmark technique only for spinal anesthetic placement. SettingObstetric delivery suite. PatientsEighty healthy obstetric patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery. InterventionUltrasound examination prior to spinal anesthetic placement. MeasurementsThe primary outcome was the number of attempts for the spinal anesthetic. Secondary outcomes included placement duration; block height; and the incidence of need for staff intervention, paresthesia, and bloody tap. Subjective ease of placement was rated on a 100-mm visual analog scale. Main resultsBaseline demographic data were similar between the patient groups. The median number of attempts with preprocedure ultrasound and landmark was 3 (interquartile range, 2-7). This was not significantly different from the number of attempts with landmark technique only of 3 (1-60) (P=.69). The median duration of spinal placement with ultrasound and landmark was 92 (51-140) seconds vs 75 (53-126) seconds with landmark only (P=.57). There was no statistical difference between the groups in spinal placement duration, need for staff intervention, paresthesia, bloody tap, lumbar interspace, or block height. There was no difference in subjective ease of spinal placement by the resident. ConclusionsIn this study of junior anesthesia trainees performing obstetrical spinal anesthesia with preprocedure ultrasound and landmark technique or landmark technique only, no significant difference was observed in the number of attempts, duration of spinal placement, subjective ease of spinal placement, or any other measured secondary outcome.

Awake, sedated or anaesthetised for regional anaesthesia block placements?: A retrospective registry analysis of acute complications and patient satisfaction in adults.

Whether adults should be awake, sedated or anaesthetised during establishment of regional anaesthesia is still debated and there is little information on the relative safety of each. In paediatric practice, there is often little choice but to use sedation or anaesthesia as otherwise the procedures would be too distressing and patient movement would be hazardous. The objective of this study was to evaluate complications related to central and peripheral regional block and patient satisfaction in awake, sedated and anaesthetised adult patients. A retrospective registry analysis. The German Network of Regional Anaesthesia database was analysed between 2007 and 2012. We included data of 42 654 patients and defined three groups: group I awake (n = 25 004), group II sedated (n = 15 121) and group III anaesthetised (n = 2529) for block placement. Odds ratios [OR; 95% confidence interval (CI)] were calculated with logistic regression analysis and adjusted for relevant confounders to determine the risk of block-related complications in sedated or anaesthetised patients compared with awake patients. Rates of local anaesthetic systemic toxicity were comparable between the groups [awake 0.02% (95% CI: 0.002 to 0.0375), sedated 0.02% (0.003 to 0.042) and anaesthetised 0% (0 to 0.12%)], as were the rates of pneumothorax [awake 0.035% (0 to 0.074), sedated 0% (0 to 0.002) and anaesthetised 0.2% (0 to 0.56)]. Considering peripheral nerve blocks, sedated patients had a decreased risk for multiple skin puncture [adjusted OR: 0.78 (95% CI: 0.71 to 0.85), premature termination [0.45 (0.22 to 0.91)], primary failure [0.58 (0.40 to 0.83)] and postoperative paraesthesia [0.35 (0.28 to 0.45)], but an increased risk for a bloody tap [1.82 (1.50 to 2.21)]. General anaesthesia increased the risk of a bloody tap [adjusted OR: 1.33 (95% CI: 1.01 to 1.78)] and multiple skin puncture [1.28 (1.12 to 1.46)], but decreased the risk for postoperative paraesthesia [0.16 (0.06 to 0.38)]. In neuraxial sites, sedation increased the risk for multiple skin puncture [adjusted OR: 1.18 (95% CI: 1.09 to 1.29)], whereas block placement under general anaesthesia decreased the risk for multiple skin puncture [0.53 (0.39 to 0.72)] and bloody tap but significantly increased the risk for postoperative paraesthesia related to a catheter [2.45 (1.19 to 5.02)]. Sedation was associated with a significant improvement in patient satisfaction. Sedation may improve safety and success of peripheral nerve block placement. Block placement under general anaesthesia in adults should be reserved for experienced anaesthesiologists and special situations.

Lumbar punctures in thrombocytopenic children with cancer.

Lumbar punctures (LP) in patients presenting thrombocytopenia are linked to the possibility of bleeding and spinal hematomas. The minimum platelet count required for the safe performance of spinal procedures is still under discussion. Children with some oncology diseases require routinely lumbar punctures; such patients often present thrombocytopenia, making this group an ideal population to study the association between lumbar puncture in thrombocytopenic patients and complications. To determine the platelet count of oncology children undergone lumbar punctures and the occurrence of spinal hematomas. Observational longitudinal study. It included a retrospective analysis of electronic medical records of oncology patients submitted to LP for intrathecal chemotherapy between January 2004 and October 2011, carried out at the 'Instituto de Medicina Integral Prof. Fernando Figueira (IMIP)', Recife, Brazil. We evaluated 9088 lumbar punctures performed in 440 patients. The platelet count distribution before lumbar punctures was as follows: 25 punctures had zero to 10,000 platelets per mm(3), 67 punctures had between 10,000 and 20,000 platelets per mm(3), 88 had between 20,000 and 30,000 platelets per mm(3), 92 punctures had between 30,000 and 40,000 platelets per mm(3), 107 punctures had between 40,000 and 50,000 platelets per mm(3), and 729 punctures had between 50,000 and 100,000 platelets per mm(3). In this series, the incidence of bloody tap was 16.9% (1112 lumbar punctures of 6552 had more than ten erythrocytes). No complications were observed. Even in thrombocytopenic patient, an epidural hematoma would be a relatively rare complication following lumbar puncture. Despite the large number of punctures performed on patients with platelet counts below 100,000 mm(-3) (n = 1108), further studies are necessary in order to determine a lower safe platelet count threshold for the performance of lumbar punctures in healthy patients undergoing neuraxial anesthesia.

Regionalanästhesie und direkte orale Antikoagulanzien

New oral anticoagulants (NOAC) are increasingly applied after hip and knee replacement and in patients with non-vavular atrial fibrillation. Patients with cardiac disease benefit from regional anaesthesia, especially catheter-provided postoperative pain relief, but are at higher risk for puncture-related haematoma when NOAC are applied simultaneously. Therefore recommended time intervals between drug application and performance of RA including catheter removal of 22-34 h must be respected. The next dose of NOAC must not be given before 6 h have been elapsed; after bloody tap a delay of 24 h is recommended. The respective time intervals are prolonged in patients with renal insufficiency, especially when Dabigatran is applied, until 36 to 72 h. In general, high risk patients with NOAC undergoing surgery benefit from an interdicsciplinary approach and from less traumatic techniques such as spinal anaesthesia or superficial peripheral nerve blocks.

PM.45 Increased NT – a Retrospective Audit from a University Hospital

The Aimof this audit was to ensure that our teaching hospital was continuing to provide good quality care for women who were screened and presented with increased nuchal translucency (NT)...