Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block Research Articles

Bilateral infraclavicular brachial plexus nerve blocks in an ambulatory surgery center

The approach for upper extremity surgery brachial plexus blocks depends on the specific nature of the surgery. Interscalene and supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks can cause phrenic nerve palsy. Our aim was to explore the safety of bilateral parasagittal infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks (BPBBs) in an outpatient surgery center. Identical BPBBs were performed in two patients with 20 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine. Neither patient developed respiratory or cardiovascular distress. Brachial plexus blocks on multiple locations are infrequently employed for fear of phrenic nerve paresis. However, given both patients’ success, bilateral parasagittal infraclavicular brachial plexus blocks may provide a safe approach. Keywords: Nerve block, brachial plexus blocks, phrenic nerve, anesthesia, pain

Ultrasound-guided and Peripheral Nerve Stimulator-guided Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block in a Patient with Neurofibromatosis during the COVID-19 Pandemic

An 18-year-old female with neurofibromatosis presented for enucleation biopsy of a slow-growing soft tissue masson her right anteromedial arm during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultrasonography was used in the mapping of thebrachial plexus and the identification of possible neurofibroma along peripheral nerves. An interscalene brachialplexus nerve block was successfully and safely achieved with ultrasonographic and peripheral nerve stimulatorguidance. Ultrasound-guided and nerve stimulator-guided peripheral nerve blocks are safe and viable anestheticmanagement options for patients with neurofibromatosis, especially in this time of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Regional Anesthetic and Analgesic Techniques for Clavicle Fractures and Clavicle Surgeries: Part 2-A Retrospective Study.

Objective. Clavicle fracture fixation is commonly performed under general anesthesia due to the complex sensory innervation in this region which poses a challenge for anesthesiologists applying regional anesthetic (RA) techniques. In part 1 of this two-part study, we summarized the current literature describing various RA approaches in clavicle fractures and surgery. In our earlier scoping review, we surmised that a superficial or intermediate cervical plexus block (CPB) may provide analgesia for this procedure and, when combined with an interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB), can provide anesthesia to the clavicular region for surgical fixation. We performed a retrospective study, consolidating assumptions that were based on the results of our earlier scoping review. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted on 168 consecutive patients who underwent clavicle fixation surgery at a tertiary healthcare system in Singapore. We used a standardized pro forma to collate perioperative data from the electronic health records of both hospitals, including anesthetic technique, analgesic requirements, pain scores, and adverse events, up to the second postoperative day or up until discharge. Results. In our study, patients who received RA had significantly reduced pain scores and opioid requirements, compared to general anesthesia (GA) alone. Through subgroup analysis, differences were found in postoperative pain scores and opioid requirements in the following order: GA alone > GA with local infiltration analgesia > CPB > CPB plus ISB. All patients who received combined CPB and ISB had upper limb weakness in recovery, compared to none with CPB alone (p < 0.001). Of those who received an ISB either in isolation or combined with a CPB, four (9.3%) were reported to have dyspnea (within 24 h) and motor weakness that persisted beyond 12 h, compared to none for patients that received CPB alone. Conclusions. Addition of a CPB to GA for clavicle fracture fixation surgery is associated with reduced pain scores in the early postoperative period, with a lower opioid requirement compared to GA alone. In patients undergoing GA, the combination of a CPB with an ISB was associated with a small, although statistically significant, reduction in pain scores and opioid requirements compared to a CPB alone.

Evaluation of the Effect of Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block on Intracranial Pressure Using Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter and Internal Jugular vein Collapsibility Index.

To determine the effect of single-shot interscalene brachial plexus (ISBP) block on intracranial pressure (ICP) by evaluating the extravascular volume effect of the medicine on the internal jugular vein (IJV). Interventional study. Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey, from January to June 2022. Thirty-four patients were included in this prospective clinical study. All patients had single-shot ISBP block with 25 ml of local anaesthetic. Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD), maximum (Dmax) and minimum (Dmin) diameters of IJV and IJV collapsibility index (IJV-CI) were recorded before the block (basal), 20 minutes, and 60 minutes after the block. Twenty-nine patients had higher ONSD values at 60th minute compared to their basal values. There were negative correlations between the changes of ONSD and IJVCI (r=0.616, p<0.001) and ONSD and Dmax (r=0.581, p<0.001) in time period between basal and 20th minute. There were negative correlations between the changes of ONSD and IJVCI (r=0.518, p=0.002), ONSD and Dmax (r=0.664, p<0.001) in time period between basal and 60th minute. Single-shot ISBP block with 25 ml of local anaesthetic may be a factor that increases ICP. Repeated intraoperative ONSD measurements are recommended in patients operated with ISBP block. Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block, Intracranial pressure, Optic nerve sheath diameter, Internal jugular vein collapsibility index.

Regional Anesthesia for Clavicle Fracture Surgery- What is the Current Evidence: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The sensory innervation of the clavicle remains controversial. It might come from both the cervical plexus and brachial plexus. Peripheral nerve blocks used to anesthetize the clavicle include cervical plexus blocks, brachial plexus blocks, and combined cervical and brachial plexus blocks. Objectives: The review was to determine whether there is a difference in pain scores and pain medication consumption intraoperatively and postoperatively among these blocks. Secondary endpoints were block success and serious adverse events. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed and Web of Science was performed. Only English-written randomized controlled studies were included. Results: Compared with patients with general anesthesia, patients with combined ultrasound-guided superficial cervical and interscalene brachial plexus block spent a shorter time in PACU (35.60 ± 5.59 min vs. 53.13 ± 6.95 min, P &lt; 0.001), had a more extended pain-free period (324.67 ± 41.82 min vs. 185.27 ± 40.04 min, P &lt; 0.001), and received less opioid consumption (Tramadol 213.33 ± 57.13 mg vs. 386.67 ± 34.57 mg, P &lt; 0.001) in first 24 h postoperatively. Compared with patients with ultrasound-guided superficial cervical and interscalene brachial plexus block, patients with ultrasound-guided intermediate cervical and interscalene brachial plexus block had a higher success rate (100% vs. 80%) and longer duration of post-operative analgesia (7.5±0.8 h vs. 5.7± 0.4 h, P&lt;0.001). Without ultrasound guidance, patients with combined superficial, deep cervical, and interscalene brachial plexus block had a higher success rate (96% vs. 60%), lower pain score at two h postoperatively (1.96±0.17 vs. 3.22±0.88, p=0.000), and a more extended pain-free period (1h vs 6h) compared to combined superficial cervical and interscalene brachial plexus block. There were no regional anesthesia-related complications reported in all studies. Conclusion: Patients with regional anesthesia have a more significant pain-free period and less intraoperative and postoperative opioid consumption than patients with general anesthesia. Combined intermediate or deep cervical plexus and Interscalene brachial plexus blocks provide better analgesia than combined superficial cervical plexus and Interscalene brachial plexus blocks. Ultrasound guidance improved the success rate of regional anesthesia. Combined cervical plexus and brachial plexus block can be used as sole anesthesia for clavicle fracture surgery.

The median effective analgesic concentration of ropivacaine in ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.

Background: The median effective analgesic concentration (MEAC) of ropivacaine in interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) for postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) has not been determined. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the MEAC after ARCR using 10 ml ropivacaine. Method: This study was conducted on 40 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I or II who had selective ARCR. The 10 ml ropivacaine was administered for determined, with an initial concentration of 0.3% using up-and-down sequential allocation. After successful or unsuccessful postoperative analgesia, the concentration of ropivacaine was decreased or increased by 0.05% in the next patient. We defined successful postoperative analgesia as a visual analog scale score of <4 at rest within the initial 8 h after ISBPB. The analytic techniques of linear, linear-logarithmic, exponential regressions and centered isotonic regression were used for calculating MEAC. The secondary outcomes was sufentanil consumption, time to 1st rescue analgesic, onset time of sensory block and motor block. Results: The concentration of ropivacaine administered ranged from 0.1% to 0.35%. The MEAC from the four different methods (linear, linear-logarithmic, exponential regressions and centered isotonic regression) were 0.207% (95% CI, 0.168–0.355%), 0.182% (95% CI, 0.165–0.353%), 0.196% (95% CI, 0.154–0.356%), and 0.163%, respectively. Of the four models, exponential regression had the least residual standard error (0.0990). Conclusion: The MEAC derived from the four statistical models for 10 ml ropivacaine in ultrasound-guided ISBPB for postoperative analgesia was distributed within a narrow range of 0.163%–0.207%. The exponential regression model calculated by the goodness-of-fit test at a concentration of 0.196% best fits the study data. Clinical Trial Registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=127449, identifier ChiCTR2100047978

A randomised controlled trial in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery comparing interscalene block with either 10 ml or 20 ml levobupivacaine 0.25.

The interscalene brachial plexus block is recommended for analgesia after shoulder surgery but it may cause hemidiaphragmatic dysfunction. We tested whether ipsilateral hemidiaphragmatic contraction was better after a smaller dose of local anaesthetic without impairing analgesic effect. We randomly allocated 48 adults to 10 ml or 20 ml levobupivacaine 0.25% before arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The primary outcome was hemidiaphragmatic paralysis, defined as inspiratory thickness < 1.2 times expiratory thickness, measured by ultrasound 4 h after block. Hemidiaphragmatic paralysis was recorded for 6/24 vs. 23/24 supine participants after 10 ml vs. 20 ml levobupivacaine 0.25%, respectively, and for 4/24 vs. 23/24 sitting participants, respectively, p < 0.001 for both. Pain scores after 10 ml injectate were not worse than after 20 ml injectate. Median (IQR [range]) morphine doses in the first 24 postoperative hours after 10 ml and 20 ml levobupivacaine 0.25% were 2 (0-6 [0-23]) mg vs. 1 (0-2 [0-11]) mg, respectively, p = 0.12. No participant had a complication after 10 ml interscalene levobupivacaine, whereas seven had complications after 20 ml levobupivacaine, p = 0.009. Hemidiaphragmatic function was better after 10 ml vs. 20 ml interscalene levobupivacaine 0.25% without impairing analgesia for 24 postoperative hours.

EFFECT OF DEXAMETHASONE AS AN ADJUVANT TO BUPIVACAINE IN ULTRASOUND GUIDED INTERSCALENE BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK IN UPPER ARM SURGERIES

Background:Ultrasound (US) in regional anaesthesia offers a new standard in nerve location and identification, allows real-time imaging of nerves and direct needle guidance.In present study we have access efficacy and safety of Dexamethasone as adjuvant to US guided Interscalene block for Upper arm surgeries. Aims:The study was conducted to compare the efficacy of Dexamethasone as an adjuvant to Bupivacaine in ultrasound guided interscalene brachial plexus block to provide intraoperative anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing upper arm surgeries and to evaluate Hemodynamic Stability Methods:Present study was conducted at tertiary care hospital on 60 patients posted for elective upper arm surgeries, with ASA grade I and II, in age group of 18-70 years. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups – Group A and Group B. All patients were given ultrasound guided interscalene block with 15 ml of 0.5% Plain Bupivacaine. Inj. Dexamethasone 8mg was added to local anaesthetic drug in Group A and 0.9% normal saline 2ml was added in Group B. All patients received 17 ml of volume of study drug perineurally. All blocks were successful to provide surgical anaesthesia and analgesia.Both the groups were evaluated for onset and duration of sensory and motor blockade, duration of analgesia, perioperative haemodynamic stability, total number of analgesic requests in 24 hours and any adverse reactions/complications. Results: Both the groups were comparable with respect to patient characteristics. In our study, Onset of sensory block was faster in Group A (3.866 ± 1.33 mins)compared to Group B (7.566 ± 1.67 mins) (p value &lt;0.0001). Onset of motor block was faster in Group A (7.933mins) compared to Group B (11.733 mins) (p &lt;0.0001). Duration of mean sensory block was longer in Group A (904 mins) compared to Group B (305.33mins)(p&lt;0.0001).Duration of mean motor block was longer in Group A (861 mins) compared to Group B (264.33mins) (p&lt; 0.0001). Mean Duration of analgesia was longer in Group A (1455.86 mins)compared to Group B (806.16 mins) (p&lt;0.0001). Total number of analgesic requests was less in Group A (1.2 ) compared to Group B (2.37 ) (p &lt;0.0001).Both groups showed perioperative haemodynamic stability. And no adverse reactions or complications were observed in any patient in Group A, whereas 2 patients (6.67%) in Group B had Postoperative Nausea Vomiting.

Effect of remifentanil on post-operative analgesic consumption in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty after interscalene brachial plexus block: a randomized controlled trial

Remifentanil is useful in balanced anesthesia; however, there is concern regarding opioid-induced hyperalgesia. The effect of remifentanil on rebound pain, characterized by hyperalgesia after peripheral nerve block has rarely been studied. This study evaluated whether intraoperative remifentanil infusion may increase postoperative analgesic requirement in patients receiving preoperative interscalene brachial plexus block (IBP). Sixty-eight patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated to remifentanil (R) or control (C) group. Preoperative IBP with 0.5% ropivacaine 15mL was performed in all patients. Intraoperative remifentanil was administered only in the R group. Postoperative pain was controlled using intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) and rescue analgesics. The primary outcome was the dosage of fentanyl-nefopam IV-PCA infused over 24h postoperatively. The secondary outcomes included the numeric rating scale (NRS) score recorded at 4-h intervals over 24h, amount of rescue analgesics and total postoperative analgesics used over 24h, occurrence of intraoperative hypotension, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and delirium. The dosage of fentanyl-nefopam IV-PCA was significantly less in C group than R group for postoperative 24h. Fentanyl 101 [63-158] (median [interquartile range]) µg was used in the C group, while fentanyl 161 [103-285] µg was used in the R group (median difference 64µg, 95% CI 10-121µg, P = 0.02). Nefopam 8.1 [5.0-12.6] mg was used in the C group, while nefopam 12.9 [8.2-22.8] mg was used in the R group (median difference 5.1mg, 95% CI 0.8-9.7mg, P = 0.02). The total analgesic consumption: the sum of PCA consumption and administered rescue analgesic dose, converted to morphine milligram equivalents, was higher in the R group than C group (median difference 10.9mg, 95% CI 3.0-19.0mg, P = 0.01). The average NRS score, the incidence of PONV and delirium, were similar in both groups. The incidence of intraoperative hypotension was higher in R group than C group (47.1% vs. 20.6%, P = 0.005). Remifentanil administration during arthroscopic shoulder surgery in patients undergoing preoperative IBP increased postoperative analgesic consumption.

Erector spinae plane block vs interscalene brachial plexus block for postoperative analgesia management in patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy

BackgroundInterscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) is the gold standard method used for postoperative analgesia after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Ultrasound guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an interfascial plane block. The aim of this study is to compare the analgesic efficacy of ESPB and ISB after shoulder arthroscopy. The primary outcome is the comparison of the perioperative and postoperative opioid consumptions.MethodsSixty patients with ASA score I-II planned for arthroscopic shoulder surgery were included in the study. ESPB was planned in Group ESPB (n = 30), and ISB was planned in Group ISB (n = 30). Intravenous fentanyl patient-controlled analgesia was administered to both groups in the postoperative period. Intraoperative and postoperative opioid and analgesic consumption of both groups, side effects and complications related to opioid use, postoperative pain scores and rescue analgesic use were recorded in the first 48 h postoperatively.ResultsPain scores were significantly higher in the ESPB group in the first 4 h postoperatively than in the ISB group (p < 0.05). The total fentanyl consumption and number of patients using rescue analgesics in the postoperative period were significantly higher in the ESPB group (p < 0.05). The incidence of nausea in the postoperative period was significantly higher in the ESPB group (p < 0.05).ConclusionsIn our study, it was seen that ISB provided more effective analgesia management compared to ESPB in patients underwent shoulder arthroscopy surgery.

Median Effective Analgesic Concentration of Ropivacaine in Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block as a Postoperative Analgesia for Proximal Humerus Fracture: A Prospective Double-Blind Up-Down Concentration-Finding Study.

BackgroundThe innervation of the proximal humerus fracture is complicated and unclear. The use of interscalene nerve block has been effective as postoperative analgesia for patients, but the optimal concentration of usage is unknown.MethodThis study was conducted on 30 patients with ASA I or II, who were planning to undergo a proximal humerus fracture operation. A dosage of 10 ml Ropivacaine was administered for the interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) as determined using the up-and-down sequential method. The initial concentration of Ropivacaine in the first patient to receive ISBPB was 0.3%. After a successful or unsuccessful postoperative analgesia, the concentration of local anesthetic was decreased or increased, respectively, by 0.05% in the next patient. We defined successful postoperative analgesia as a visual analog scale (VAS) score of < 4 at rest, within the initial 8 h after ISBPB. The analytic techniques of linear, linear-logarithmic, exponential regressions, and centered isotonic regression were used to determine the EC50 of Ropivacaine, and the residual standard errors were calculated for the comparison of “goodness of fit.”ResultsThe concentration of Ropivacaine ranged from 0.1 to 0.35%. The EC50 (95% confidence interval) from 4 different statistical approaches (linear, linear-logarithmic, exponential regressions, and centered isotonic regression) were 0.222% (0.198%, 0.335%), 0.233% (0.215%, 0.453%), 0.223% (0.202%, 0.436%), and 0.232%, respectively. Among all the 4 models, the linear regression had the least residual standard error (0.1676).ConclusionThe EC50 from the four statistical models for 10 ml Ropivacaine in ultrasound-guided ISBPB for postoperative analgesia was distributed in a narrow range of 0.222–0.233%.Trial Registrationwww.chictr.org.cn/; registration number: ChiCTR2100047231.

Effects of Different 0.2% Ropivacaine Infusion Regimens for Continuous Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block on Postoperative Analgesia and Respiratory Function After Shoulder Arthroscopic Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

ObjectiveContinuous interscalene brachial plexus block (cIBPB) is an effective perioperative analgesic therapy for shoulder arthroscopic surgery (SAS) patients. This trial aimed to compare the effect of different cIBPB infusion methods on postoperative analgesia and respiratory function in patients undergoing SAS.MethodsAfter SAS, 88 patients were randomly assigned to four groups. Through interscalene catheter, all the patients received an initial dose of 10 mL 0.2% ropivacaine. The CI group received 0.2% ropivacaine 4 mL/h, and the PIBI1, PIBI2, and PIBI3 groups received intermittent 0.2% ropivacaine boluses at 4 mL/h, 8 mL/2 h, and 12 mL/3 h, respectively. The patients could also use a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump to self-inject a tramadol bolus each time he/she felt pain. The primary outcome was the cumulative tramadol consumption over the 48 h after surgery. Secondary outcome measures included PCA frequency, pain (visual analogue scale, VAS) score, patient satisfaction, diaphragmatic excursion, pulmonary function, and adverse events.ResultsThe cumulative tramadol consumption and PCA frequency over the 48 h after surgery in groups PIBI2 and PIBI3 were lower than in both the CI and PIBI1 groups (p<0.001). The VAS scores (at rest and on movement) in groups PIBI2 and PIBI3 were lower than those in the CI and PIBI1 groups at 8 and 12 h after surgery (all p<0.001). Patient satisfaction scores were significantly higher in the PIBI2 group than in the other three groups (all p<0.001). Diaphragmatic excursion was significantly decreased in the PIBI3 group compared to the other three groups (p<0.05). The incidence of adverse events over the 48 h after surgery was significantly higher in the PIBI3 group compared to the other three groups (p<0.001).ConclusionProgrammed intermittent bolus infusion with 0.2% ropivacaine 8 mL/2 h for cIBPB can achieve lower tramadol consumption, along with better analgesia after surgery, lower reduction in diaphragmatic excursion, lower incidence of adverse events, and higher patient satisfaction.

Initiation Timing of Continuous Interscalene Brachial Plexus Blocks in Patients Undergoing Shoulder Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Before-and-After Study.

A continuous interscalene brachial plexus block (CIBPB) is usually administered before surgery in awake patients. However, the use of CIBPB before surgery could hinder the identification of nerve injuries after total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). This study aimed to compare the analgesic effects of preoperatively and postoperatively initiated CIBPBs in patients undergoing TSA. The medical records of patients who underwent TSA between January 2016 and August 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. The following analgesic phases were used: intravenous (IV) patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) phase (IV PCA group, n = 40), preoperative block phase (PreBlock group, n = 44), and postoperative block phase (PostBlock group, n = 33). The postoperative initiation of CIBPB after a neurologic exam provided better analgesia than IV PCA and had no differences with the preoperative initiation of CIBPB, except for the worst pain at the postanesthetic care unit. Opioid consumption was significantly greater in the IV PCA group, but there were no differences between the PreBlock and PostBlock groups on operation day after the transfer to the general ward. The initiation of CIBPB after a patient’s emergence from general anesthesia had comparable analgesic efficacy with preoperative CIBPB but offered the chance of a postoperative neurologic exam.

Evaluation of Magnesium as an Adjuvant in Ropivacaine Induced Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block: A Prospective, Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Study

Background: Interscalene block is a commonly performed procedure for surgery of shoulder and upper arm, however very few studies have studied the effect of magnesium sulphate when added in interscalene block.&#x0D; Aims: The primary aim was to compare block characteristics along with postoperative analgesia and the secondary aim was to study the side effect profile and postoperative analgesic requirements.&#x0D; Methods: We randomly recruited 60 American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I and II patients, undergoing surgeries of the shoulder to receive ultrasound-guided interscalene block with 1 mL normal saline or 150 mg Magnesium sulphate added to 20ml of 0.5% ropivacaine.&#x0D; Statistical analysis used: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21.0) was used for analysing the data. Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact probability test were used for categorical variables; while the continuous variables were compared by unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney U test.&#x0D; Results: With the addition of magnesium sulphate, onset of sensory (10.03 ± 1.03 vs 12.73 ± 1.14 min) and motor block (15.17 ± 2.02 min vs 17.87 ± 1.41) was hastened. The duration (sensory 528.00 ± 14.98 min vs 376.83 ± 13.16 min, motor 429.83 ± 11.57 min vs 319.97 ± 6.800 min) and postoperative analgesia (527.77 ± 21.96 min vs 402.97 ± 12.83 min) (p &lt; 0.001) were all prolonged by magnesium sulphate, with resultant decrease in requirement of postoperative analgesic dosage.&#x0D; Conclusion: Magnesium when added to local anaesthetics in interscalene block, effectively improves all characteristics of block and provides better postoperative analgesia.

Low volume proximal suprascapular nerve block after arthroscopic shoulder surgery - A randomised, controlled trial.

A proximal suprascapular nerve block has been suggested as an alternative to an interscalene brachial plexus block after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The aim of this randomised controlled trial was to compare the analgesic and opioid-sparing effect of a low volume proximal suprascapular nerve block with placebo in patients with moderate-to-severe pain after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Patients with a VAS score equal to or above 50 during the first postoperative hour after planned arthroscopic shoulder surgery were included in the study. They were randomised to an ultrasound-guided proximal suprascapular nerve block with either 5ml ropivacaine 7.5mg/ml or 5ml isotonic NaCl. Primary outcome was change in VAS score at rest from baseline to 30min after the block procedure (T30). Secondary outcomes included total morphine consumption from 0-6h after block procedure. There was a significant difference in mean VAS reductions at T30 between the two groups favouring the ropivacaine group (-50.2 vs -26.8, p<.001). Total intravenous morphine consumption from 0-6h after block procedure was significantly lower in the ropivacaine group compared to the placebo group (8.5mg vs 18.5mg, p<.01). In this study, a proximal suprascapular nerve block with only 5ml ropivacaine resulted in a substantial pain reduction and opioid-sparing effect in patients with VAS of 50 or more after arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Injection of local anesthetic lateral to vertebral transverse process instead of conventional method for interscalene block in difficult cases with poor view

Ultrasound guided (USG) peripheral nerve block techniques have become increasingly popular in regional anesthesia in the recent few years. USG interscalene brachial plexus block provides effective analgesia after a variety of of surgeries and have been shown to reduce opioid consumption, decrease postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), improve patient satisfaction, and decrease recovery room length of stay.1 Regardless of all of these advantages, there have been some complications associated with this technique. The most important complication is the phrenic nerve block. Therefore, impaired respiratory function is considered a relative contraindication to interscalene plexus block. It has been shown to cause ipsilateral hemidiaphragmatic paresis almost always due to phrenic nerve block.2, 3&#x0D; Key words: Nerve Block/methods; Anesthetics, Local; Peripheral Nerves / diagnostic imaging; Ultrasonography, Interventional / methods &#x0D; Citation: Heidarifar R, Amini SM, Lotfi S, Ahmadi A. Injection of local anesthetic lateral to vertebral transverse process instead of conventional method for interscalene block in difficult cases with poor view. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2021;26(1):126-127.&#x0D; DOI: 10.35975/apic.v26i1.1783

Abstract No. : ABS1071: Comparison of three different volumes of local anaesthetics in incidence of hemi-diaphragmatic paresis in ultrasound-guided interscalane brachial plexus block -A randomised controlled trial

Background and Aims:The incidence of diaphragmatic palsy following Interscalene brachial plexus block(IBPB) is almost 100% where the drug volume plays an indispensable role. This study compared the incidence of hemi-diaphragmatic paresis and success rate following IBPB using three different volumes of local anaesthetics(LA).Methods:Ninety patients undergoing shoulder and arm surgeries under IBPB using ultrasound were randomly allocated into three groups based on volume of LA: Group A(10ml), group B(15ml), and group C(20ml). The drug administered was 0.75% ropivacaine with 50 µg dexmedetomidine under ultrasound guidance. Diaphragm excursion was measured before and 30 minutes after the block on the side of surgery. The incidence of diaphragmatic palsy and its degree were noted. The success rate following block, the onset of sensory blockade, duration of postoperative analgesia and, adverse effects were observed in all three groups.Results:The demographic data, duration of surgery and success rate following block were statistically insignificant. Hemi-diaphragmatic paresis (<25%,25-75%,>75%) in group A(29,1,0), group B(17,13,0), and group C(15,8,7) was statistically significant (P-value<0.001)(figure 1). The difference in onset of sensory blockade in group A(7.06±0.73min), group B(6.23±0.72min) and group C(4.61±0.63min) was statistically significant with a P-value<0.001. The duration of postoperative analgesia in group A(440±48.42min) group B(429±44.48min), and group C(411±51.37min), was comparable (Pvalue-0.0719). Five patients in group C developed hoarseness of voice postoperatively which was managed conservatively.Figure 1Comparison of diaphragmatic paresis in the three groupsConclusion:Lower LA volumes in ultrasound guided interscalene block is associated with lower incidence of hemi-diaphragmatic paresis with a similar success rate and duration of postoperative analgesia. Higher volume of drug yields faster onset of the sensory blockade.

Regional anesthesia as a safe anesthesia technique for clavicle surgery in a COVID-19 positive patient at rural setup: A case report.

IntroductionClavicle fractures are less commonly managed under regional anesthesia compared to general anesthesia. The study highlights the advantage of regional anesthesia in reducing the risk of aerosol generation and viral transmission during the times of COVID-19 and avoiding the complications associated with general anesthesia.Presentation of caseWe report a case of 42 years old COVID-19 positive male with a left clavicle fracture due to a fall from a tree, who was managed under regional anesthesia with open reduction and internal fixation. A combination of interscalene brachial plexus and superficial cervical plexus block was performed.DiscussionThe dual innervation of the clavicle makes combined interscalene brachial plexus and superficial cervical plexus block an effective method of anesthesia for clavicle surgery. It provides better analgesia, has fewer postoperative complications, less infection transmission via aerosol, and earlier hospital discharge as compared to general anesthesia.ConclusionUltrasound-guided combined interscalene brachial plexus and superficial cervical plexus block can be used as a safe anesthetic technique in clavicle surgery.

Comparing liposomal bupivacaine plus bupivacaine to bupivacaine alone in interscalene blocks for rotator cuff repair surgery: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundSingle-injection interscalene brachial plexus blocks are used for analgesia for rotator cuff repair (RCR) but have limited duration. The value of adding liposomal bupivacaine (LB) to prolong single-injection interscalene blocks...

Intra-articular injection versus interscalene brachial plexus block for acute-phase postoperative pain management after arthroscopic shoulder surgery

BackgroundThe minimally invasive approach of arthroscopic shoulder surgery is beneficial; however, for optimal outcomes, perioperative pain management is essential. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the analgesic effectiveness of intra-articular injection (IA) versus interscalene brachial plexus block (ISPB) among patients treated with arthroscopic shoulder surgeries. MethodsWe reviewed 100 consecutive patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopic surgery, of whom 50 each underwent IA (February 2019─January 2020; IA group) and ISPB (October 2018─July 2019; ISPB group). The primary outcome was the postoperative pain score measured using a Wong–Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale preoperatively and at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively. We performed multiple regression analysis to examine whether IA/ISPB selection is associated with acute-phase postoperative pain and adjusted for intra-articular injection, interscalene brachial plexus block, postoperative pain management, arthroscopic shoulder surgery, IA with 10 mg of morphine previously reported prognostic factors for postoperative pain (e.g., surgical procedures, operative time, older age, and preoperative pain). Furthermore, we examined induction time, total pentazocine dosage, and total postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) events. ResultsThere were no significant differences between the IA and ISPB groups in perioperative pain control during the acute-phase periods (p = 0.12, repeated analysis of variance). The difference in anesthesia method was not a prognostic factor for acute-phase postoperative pain (p = 0.11). The IA group (15.06 ± 4.00 min) had a significantly shorter mean anesthesia induction time than the ISPB group (29.23 ± 9.22 min) (p = 0.0001). There was no significant between-group difference in the total pentazocine dosage during the first 7 days (p = 0.3934) postoperatively. PONV was observed in eight (17.0%) and two (4.2%) patients in the IA and ISPB groups, respectively. There was no significant between-group difference in the PONV incidence (p = 0.1582). ConclusionsThere was no significant difference in acute-phase postoperative pain management between the IA and ISPB groups. The induction time was significantly shorter in IA. IRBApproval number: UOEHCRB20-078, IRB approval date: September 9th, 2020; study duration: October 2018 to January 2020.