The Structure of the Brachial Plexus of the Djungarian Hamster (Phodopus sungorus)

Hamsters are often chosen as companion animals but are also a group of animals frequently subjected to laboratory tests. As there are no scientific publications providing information on the anatomical architecture of the brachial plexus of the Djungarian hamster, this study analyses the structure of this part of the nervous system of this species. It is important to know the details of this structure not only for cognitive reasons, but also due to the increasing clinical significance of rodents, which are often used in scientific research. The study was conducted on 55 specimens. Like in humans, the brachial plexus of the Djungarian hamster has three trunks. The following individual nerves innervating the thoracic limb of the Djungarian hamster: the radial nerve, median nerve, ulnar nerve, musculocutaneous nerve, axillary nerve, suprascapular nerve, thoracodorsal nerve, cranial pectoral nerves, caudal pectoral nerve, lateral thoracic nerve, long thoracic nerve, and subscapular nerves. Similarly to other mammals of this order, the brachial plexus of the Djungarian hamster ranges widely (C5-T1). However, its nerves are formed from different ventral branches of the spinal nerves than in other mammals.

COMPARISON OF ULTRASOUND GUIDED MODIFIED PECTORAL NERVE BLOCK WITH LOCAL ANAESTHESTIC INFILTRATION FOR ANALGESIA IN BREAST CANCER SURGERY

Objective: To compare the frequency of pain and mean analgesia requirement after breast surgery under general anaesthesia when comparing pectoral nerve block with local anaesthesia infiltration. Study Design: Comparative prospective study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi from Mar 2018 to Sep 2019. Methodology: A total of 60 patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy were included in the study. Group A (n=30) received pectoral nerve blocks while Group B (n=30) received local anaesthetic infiltration. Outcome was assessed at 12 hours after injection of local anaesthetic. Results: Pain in 7 (23.33%) patients in Group A (Pectoral nerve blocks) and in 20 (66.67%) patients in Group B (Local anaesthetic infiltration), p-value of 0.001 which was considered statistically significant. Mean analgesic requirement was found to be 80 ± 33.73 mg in the Group A (pectoral nerve blocks) compared with 141.67 ± 47.50 mg in Group B (Local anaesthesia infiltration) patients with a p-value of <0.001 which was statistically significant. Conclusion: Pectoral nerve block significantly reduces early postoperative pain and analgesia requirement when compared with Local anaesthesia infiltration after breast surgery.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Modified Pectoral Nerve Blocks Type II (PECS II) for Vascular Access Port Implantation Using Cephalic Vein Venesection

The vascular access port implantation procedure can be performed using the venesection method by inserting a catheter into the cephalic vein in the region of the deltopectoral groove. This method eliminates the need for catheter tunneling. An alternative method to infiltration anaesthesia for port implantation may be a modified pectoral nerve block type II (PECS II). This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of modified PECS II for vascular access port implantation using cephalic vein venesection. This retrospective observational study was conducted at the 4th Military Clinical Hospital in Wroclaw, Poland. A group of 114 patients underwent the modified PECS II block and additional cutaneous infiltration anesthesia at the incision line. Pain intensity was assessed on the NRS scale measured intraoperatively at four points. The QoR-15 questionnaire was used to assess patient satisfaction during the first 24 h after surgery. The operator’s condition assessment score was used to assess surgical conditions and operator comfort. The analysis showed that the median pain intensity during vascular port implantation was 0. A statistically significant difference in pain intensity was demonstrated between the specialist’s group and the resident’s group at the second and third measurement points (p < 0.008; p < 0.012). The mean value on the QoR-15 scale was 132. There was a significant difference between the pain scores of the groups. The mean score in the pain position in the specialist’s group was 18 points and in the resident’s group, it was 19 points (p < 0.029). In conclusion, the present study revealed that the modified PECS II block is an effective and safe method of anesthesia for Port-A-Cath implantation.

A COMPARISON OF POST-OPERATIVE ANALGESIA WITH INTRAOPERATIVE PECTORAL NERVE BLOCK VERSUS CONVENTIONAL TECHNIQUE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING MODIFIED RADICAL MASTECTOMY: A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMIZED, AND DOUBLE-BLINDED STUDY

Objective: We administered intraoperative pectoral nerve block after tissue resection was over and assessed its analgesic efficacy with conventional post-operative intravenous opioids in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy. Methods: Sixty patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy surgery were enrolled in this prospective, randomized, and doubleblinded study. After general anesthesia and surgical resection in both groups, Group P received pectoralis (PECS) block under vision with ropivacaine at two points: 20 ml in the fascia over serratus anterior and 10 ml in the fascia between pectoral major and minor at the level of the third rib and Group T received tramadol (75 mg) in thrice daily frequency and 2% lignocaine infiltration at suture site. Primary objectives were to assess visual analog scale (VAS) scores over 24 h, time to first request for rescue analgesia (ketorolac) and total dose of analgesics needed, and secondary outcome was adverse effects and patient satisfaction score. “Mann–Whitney U test” and “Chi-square/Fischer exact test” were used for quantitative and categorical variables, respectively. Results: The mean time to the first rescue analgesia was 1175±120.21 and 1175±77.35 min and total analgesia requirement was equal (30.00±0.00 mg) in Group P and Group T, respectively. The mean VAS score over 24 h was comparable in both the groups. PECS block group had significantly less adverse effects and better satisfaction score. Conclusion: PECS block has similar analgesic efficacy as opioids but with better ability to mobilize the respective arm, better patient satisfaction score, and lesser adverse effects.

Pain Control After Mastectomy in Transgender Patients: Ultrasound-guided Pectoral Nerve Block II Versus Conventional Intercostal Nerve Block: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Mastectomy is sometimes performed in transgender patients, which may damage the regional nerves such as the pectoral and intercostobrachial nerves, leading to postoperative pain. An ultrasound-guided nerve block can be used to track and block the nerves properly. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the ultrasound-guided type-II pectoral nerve block with the blind (conventional) intercostal nerve block (ICNB) for pain control after breast tissue reconstruction surgery in transgender patients. Methods: In the present single-blind randomized clinical trial, 47 patients were randomly divided into two groups: (A) Ultrasound-guided type-II pectoral nerve block (n = 23) and (B) blind intercostal nerve block (n = 24). After nerve block in both groups, pain intensity at 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery, upper limb paresthesia, frequency of nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, hematoma, and the length of hospital stay were assessed. Results: Patients who received the ultrasound-guided type-II pectoral nerve block had a greater reduction in pain intensity (24 h after surgery), opioid use (24 h after surgery), nausea, vomiting, and hospital stay than those who received ICNB, whereas the recovery time did not differ between the study groups. Conclusions: The pectoral nerve block under ultrasound guidance, compared to the intercostal nerve block, in transgender patients can reduce the required dosage of opioids within 24 hours, pain intensity within 24 hours after surgery, the incidence of postoperative nausea, and vomiting, and the hospital stay of patients.

Innervation of the clavicle: a cadaveric investigation

BackgroundThis cadaveric study investigated the innervations of the clavicle and clavicular joints (ie, sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints).MethodsTwenty cadavers (40 clavicles) were dissected. A skin incision was made to permit exposure of the posterior cervical triangle and infraclavicular fossa. The platysma, sternocleidomastoid, and trapezius muscles were cleaned in order to identify the supraclavicular nerves. Subsequently, the suprascapular and subclavian nerves were localized after removal of the prevertebral layer of the deep cervical fascia. In the infraclavicular region, the pectoralis major and minor muscles were retracted laterally in order to visualize the lateral pectoral nerve. The contribution of all these nerves to the clavicular bone and joints were recorded.ResultsAlong their entire length, all clavicular specimens received contributions from the supraclavicular nerves. The latter innervated the cephalad and ventral aspects of the clavicular bone. The caudal and dorsal aspects of the clavicle were innervated by the subclavian nerve (middle and medial thirds). The lateral pectoral nerve supplied the caudad aspect of the clavicle (middle and lateral thirds). The sternoclavicular joint derived its innervation solely from the supraclavicular nerves whereas the acromioclavicular joint was supplied by the supraclavicular and lateral pectoral nerves.ConclusionThe clavicle and clavicular joints are innervated by the subclavian, lateral pectoral, and supraclavicular nerves. Clinical trials are required to determine the relative importance and functional contribution of each nerve.

Ultrasound-Guided Transversus Thoracic Muscle Plane-Pectoral Nerve Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Modified Radical Mastectomy: A Comparison with the Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Block

Background: Modified radical mastectomy (MRM) is a most effective and common type of invasive surgery for breast cancer. However, it causes moderate to severe acute pain even last for a long postoperative period. Transversus thoracic muscle plane-pectoral nerve block (TTP-PECS) is a novel and promising interfacial plane block which can provide analgesia for MRM while thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) is also widely used for this purpose. This study compared the postoperative analgesia between the ultrasound-guided TTP-PECS and TPVB in patients undergoing MRM.Methods: In this randomized controlled pilot trial, eighty female breast cancer patients were randomized to receive either ultrasound-guided TTP-PECS (TTP-PECS group, n=40) or TPVB (TPVB group, n=40). The primary outcome was 24 h postoperative fentanyl consumption. Secondary outcome measures included intraoperative fentanyl and postoperative flurbiprofen axetil consumption, duration of analgesia, pain intensity at rest and during activity, inflammatory response, and the quality of recovery 40 (QoR-40) score.Results: Intraoperative fentanyl requirement was similar between the two groups; Postoperative fentanyl consumption was decreased in the TTP-PECS group copmared with the TPVB group, as well as the rate of postoperative flurbiprofen axetil consumption, but the duration of analgesia was longer; Pain scores at rest and during activity were dramatically decreased at postoperative 12 h; Moreover, the levels of IL-6, MCP-1 and TNF-α, as well as the levels of PGE2, NPY and β-endorphins were decreased at 12 h after surgery; Finally, the total QoR-40 score, especially for the scores of pain, emotional state and patient support were increased.Conclusion: Both TTP-PECS and TPVB are effective for analgesia after MRM. However, TTP-PECS reduced postoperative fentanyl and flurbiprofen axetil consumption in the first 24 h after MRM, and prolonged the duration of analgesia. Furthermore, TTP-PECS reduced postoperative pain intensity at rest and during activity, and inflammatory response at 12 h postoperation. Finally, TTP-PECS improved QoR-40 scores on the postoperative day. Thus, TTP-PECS is an attractive alternative to TPVB for postoperative analgesia after MRM.

Interclavicularis anticus digastricus muscle in a female body donor: a case report

Background and objectives Muscular variations of the ventral thoracic wall are generally common and of great clinical interest. Materials and methods An unusual muscular variation of the ventral thoracic wall was observed and dissected in a West-European female body donor. Results An interclavicularis anticus digastricus muscle was observed and studied. It originated from the manubrium sterni and inserted bilaterally to the clavicles. Both muscle bellies were interconnected by a tendon on the ventral surface of the manubrium sterni. The muscle was innervated by branches of the lateral pectoral nerve. Conclusions The interclavicularis anticus digastricus muscle is a muscular variation of the ventral thoracic wall of unknown prevalence. This variation might be of clinical interest in orthopaedics and thoracic surgery. It is also a vulnerable structure during infraclavicular insertion of a subclavian vein catheter or fractures of the clavicle.