Regional anaesthesia

2020 ◽  
pp. 247-269
Author(s):  
Dr. Owen Davies
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Local Anaesthetic ◽  
Regional Anaesthesia ◽  
Epidural Haematoma ◽  
Nerve Injuries ◽  
Nerve Blocks ◽  
Ischaemic Injury ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Blocks ◽  
Surgical Emergencies ◽  
Life Threatening

There are a number of important emergencies associated with regional anaesthesia that the anaesthetist should be aware of. Life-threatening emergencies, such as local anaesthetic systemic toxicity leading to cardiorespiratory arrest can occur irrespective of the site of local anaesthetic infiltration. Specific procedures including epidural and spinal anaesthesia, eye blocks, and peripheral nerve blocks cause a range of surgical emergencies and severe complications. Neuraxial anaesthesia carries the risk of epidural haematoma and abscess while infiltration or local anaesthetic around the globe carries the risk of both retro-orbital haematoma and globe perforation, all of which may require urgent surgical intervention. Although literature supports the safety of low concentration (1 in 200 000) adrenaline as an additive to digital blocks, inadvertent injection of higher concentrations may have the potential for ischaemic injury. Finally, the assessment and diagnosis of perioperative nerve injuries when associated with a peripheral nerve block present a formidable clinical challenge.

Regional anaesthesia of the lower limb

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pawan Gupta ◽  
Anurag Vats
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Local Anaesthetic ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Peripheral Nerves ◽  
Femoral Nerve ◽  
Epidural Haematoma ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Nerve Blocks ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Stimulator

Lower limb nerve blocks gained popularity with the introduction of better nerve localization techniques such as peripheral nerve stimulation and ultrasound. A combination of lower limb peripheral nerve blocks can provide anaesthesia and analgesia of the entire lower limb. Lower limb blocks, as compared to central neuraxial blocks, do not affect blood pressure, can be used in sick patients, provide longer-lasting analgesia, avoid the risk of epidural haematoma or urinary retention, provide better patient satisfaction, and have acceptable success rates in experienced hands. Detailed knowledge of the relevant anatomy is essential before performing any nerve blocks in the lower limb as the nerve plexuses and the peripheral nerves are deep and obscured by bony structures and large muscles. The lumbosacral plexus provides sensory and motor innervation to the superficial tissues, muscles, and bones of the lower limb. This chapter covers different approaches and techniques for lower limb blocks, that is, the lumbar plexus, femoral nerve, fascia iliaca, saphenous nerve, sciatic nerve, popliteal nerve, ankle block, forefoot block, and the intra-articular infusion of local anaesthetics. Both peripheral nerve stimulator- and ultrasound-guided approaches are discussed. The use of ultrasound guidance is suggested as it helps in reducing the dose of local anaesthetic required and can ensure circumferential spread of local anaesthetic around peripheral nerves, which hastens the onset of block and improves success rate.

Regional anaesthesia of the upper limb

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin J. L. McCartney ◽  
Alan J. R. Macfarlane
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Regional Anaesthesia ◽  
Ultrasound Guidance ◽  
Nerve Supply ◽  
Ultrasound Guided ◽  
Nerve Blocks ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Blocks ◽  
Traditional Approaches ◽  
Indications And Complications

Peripheral nerve blocks of the upper limb can provide excellent anaesthesia and postoperative analgesia. A variety of well-established traditional approaches to the brachial plexus exist, namely interscalene, supraclavicular, infraclavicular, and axillary techniques. Individual terminal nerves such as the median, radial, ulnar, and other smaller nerves can also be blocked more distally. The traditional and ultrasound-guided approach to each of these nerve blocks is discussed in turn in this chapter, along with specific indications and complications. The introduction of ultrasound guidance has generated significant excitement in this field in the last 10 years and has been demonstrated to improve efficacy and reduce complications. However, a sound knowledge of anatomy of the nerve supply to the upper limb remains essential during any upper limb regional anaesthesia technique.

scholarly journals Effect of Anaesthesiologists’ Experience on Preferred Technique and Volume of Local Anaesthetic Administered for Brachial Plexus Nerve Block: A Retrospective Observational Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Depinder Kaur ◽  
Reena Mahajan ◽  
Shiv Kumar Singh ◽  
Suchitra Malhotra
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Brachial Plexus ◽  
Failure Rate ◽  
Nerve Block ◽  
Local Anaesthetic ◽  
Block Group ◽  
Nerve Blocks ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Blocks ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B

Introduction: Faculty and Residents are trained in peripheral nerve blocks guided by blind technique, Peripheral Neuro Stimulator (PNS) or Ultrasound (USG) guided technique. But due to unavailability of USG machine in all institutes and requiring special training, techniques used for peripheral nerve blocks vary from institute to institute. Aim: To analyse the effect of anaesthesiologists’ experience on preferred technique and Local Anaesthetic (LA) volume used for brachial plexus nerve block retrospectively. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 129 adults American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade I and II patients requiring brachial plexus nerve block for upper limb orthopaedic surgical anaesthesia for both elective and emergency surgery were divided into three groups for each year depending on technique for nerve block used. Group A: Received USG guided (Micromaxx Sonosite Inc, USA) brachial plexus nerve block. Group B: Received peripheral nerve stimulator (Inmed) guided brachial plexus nerve block. Group C: Received brachial plexus nerve block by traditional anatomical landmark based paraesthesia elicitation blind technique. Patients with inadequate surgical analgesia were given general anaesthesia and were categorised as failure rate. Year wise demographic data, type of technique used for giving brachial plexus nerve block, volume of drug used, failure rate, complications observed were collected and analysed by Student’s t-test and Chi-square test. Results: USG guided technique was the most prefered technique in both years (57.6%, n=38 in year 2018 and 49.2%, n=31 in year 2019). In remaining nearly half of the patients PNS and blind technique was used (PNS 24.2%, n=16 in year 2018 and 20.6%, n=13 in year 2019; blind technique 18.2%, n=12 in year 2018 and 30.2%, n=19 in year 2019). Significantly, less volume of LA drug (mL) was used in group A in year 2019 (16.43±6.07) than in year 2018 (22.34±4.75) (p<0.001). Failure rate in group A in year 2019 (3.2%) was significantly less than in year 2018 (5.2%), but the difference was insignificant in all three groups. In group A, no complications were observed in year 2019 while one incidence of hemidiaphragm paralysis was observed in year 2018, while in group B and C, complications were observed in both years. Conclusion: USG guided nerve block was the most preferred technique for nerve block in the study institute. In 24 months observation period, with increasing experience with USG there was significant increase in success rate and decrease in the volume of LA administered and complications.

scholarly journals Investigation of a New Echogenic Needle for use with Ultrasound Peripheral Nerve Blocks

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 582-586 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. K. Deam ◽  
R. Kluger ◽  
J. Barrington ◽  
C.A. McCutcheon
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Nerve Block ◽  
Regional Anaesthesia ◽  
Ultrasound Guided ◽  
Nerve Blocks ◽  
Peripheral Nerve Blocks ◽  
Ultrasonic Image

A new ‘texturing method’ has been developed for nerve block needles in an attempt to improve the ultrasonic image of the needles. Using a synthetic phantom, these textured needles were compared to currently available needles. The textured needle had improved visibility under ultrasound. This type of needle may assist the anaesthetist perform ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia.

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