Comparison of Two Different Uses of Underbody Forced-air Warming Blankets for the Prevention of Hypothermia in Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: a Prospective Randomized Study

Background: Forced-air warming (FAW) is an effective method of preventing inadvertent perioperative hypothermia (IPH). However, its warming effects can be influenced by the style and position of the FAW blanket. This study aimed to compare the effects of underbody FAW blankets being placed under or over patients in preventing IPH.Methods: Patients (n=100) undergoing elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery in the lateral decubitus position were randomized into either under body (UB) group or the over body (OB) group (50 per group). The core body temperature (CBT) of the patients was recorded from baseline to the end of anesthesia. The incidences of postoperative hypothermia and shivering were also collected.Results: A steady decline in the CBT was observed in both groups up to 60 minutes after the start of FAW. After 60 minutes of warming, the OB group showed a gradual increase in the CBT. However, the CBT still decreased in UB group until 75 minutes, with a low of 35.7℃ ± 0.4℃. Then the CBT increased mildly and reached 35.8℃ ± 0.4℃ at 90 minutes. After 45 minutes of warming, the CBT was significantly different (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative hypothermia in the UB group was significantly higher than that in the OB group (P = 0.023).Conclusions: The CBT was significantly better when the underbody FAW blanket was placed over patients compared with under the patients. However, there was not a clinically significant difference in CBT. The incidence of postoperative hypothermia was much lower in the OB group. Therefore, placing underbody FAW blankets over patients is recommended for the prevention of IPH in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery.Trial registration: This single-center, prospective, RCT has completed the registration of the Chinese Clinical Trial Center at 13/1/2021 with the registration number ChiCTR2100042071. It was conducted from 14/1/2021 to 30/10/2021 as a single, blinded trial in Sichuan Provincial Orthopedic Hospital.

Effect of superior trunk block on diaphragm function and respiratory parameters after shoulder surgery

BackgroundThe interscalene brachial plexus block has been used effectively for intraoperative and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing shoulder surgery, but it is associated with high rates of diaphragmatic dysfunction. Performing the block more distally, at the level of the superior trunk, may reduce the incidence of phrenic nerve palsy. We hypothesized that superior trunk block would result in diaphragmatic paralysis rate of less than 20%.Methods30 patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery received superior trunk block under ultrasound guidance. Measurements of diaphragm excursion were determined with ultrasound prior to the block, 15 min after the block, and postoperatively in phase II of postanesthesia care unit, in conjunction with clinical parameters of respiratory function.Results10 patients (33.3%, 95% CI 17.3% to 52.8%) developed complete hemidiaphragmatic paralysis at the postoperative assessment. An additional eight patients (26.7%) developed paresis without paralysis. Of the 18 patients with diaphragm effects, seven (38.9%) reported dyspnea. 83.3% of patients with abnormal diaphragm motion (56.7% of the total sample) had audibly reduced breath sounds on auscultation. Oxygen saturation measurements did not correlate with diaphragm effect and were not significantly reduced by the postoperative assessment.ConclusionAlthough injection of local anesthetic at the superior trunk level is associated with less diaphragmatic paralysis compared with traditional interscalene block, a significant portion of patients will continue to have ultrasonographic and clinical evidence of diaphragmatic weakness or paralysis.

A new arthroscopic sliding locking knot: Banarji knot

Arthroscopic knot tying is a crucial component for a successful arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Knot tying should not be difficult to master or time consuming to perform. This study describes a new sliding locking knot for arthroscopic shoulder surgery and we named it Banarji knot, in the name of the author. It is a low profile, non-bulky, and double locking knot, which makes it a more secure knot.

Perineural versus Systemic Dexamethasone to Prolong Analgesia after ultrasound guided Inter-Scalene Brachial Plexsus Block in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgeries

Background Poorly controlled acute pain after surgery is associated with a variety of unwanted postoperative consequences, including patient suffering, distress, myocardial ischemia, prolonged hospital stay and increase of chronic pain. Neuraxial block is used for postoperative pain management and decrease analgesic use. Objective To compare the analgesic duration of intravenous and perineural administration of Dexamethasone in interscalene block during arthroscopic shoulder surgery. Patients and Methods Interventional randomized Double-Blind Study. This study was conducted in Ain Shams University Hospitals’ operating rooms throughout six months. In our study, 60 patients were randomly divided into two equal groups: Group A (30 patients) Block with 20 ml Bupivacaine 0.5% (+ 2 ml Dexamethasone ‘8 mg’) & 5 ml normal saline was injected IV. Group B (30 patients) Block with 20 ml Bupivacaine 0.5% (+ 2 ml normal saline) & 5 ml Dexamethasone ‘8 mg’ was injected IV. Results Our study showed that addition of 8 mg dexamethasone to bupivacaine in interscalene brachial plexus nerve block prolongs post-operative analgesia & reduced numbers of rescue analgesia doses more than injecting dexamethasone intravenously. Conclusion Addition of perineural dexamethasone to bupivacaine in interscalene brachial nerve block prolongs post-operative analgesia & reduced numbers of rescue analgesia doses more than injecting dexamethasone intravenously. Dexamethasone was seen to be a potent adjunct to local anaesthetic to prolong post-operative analgesia with negligible side effects.

Perineural dexamethasone reduces rebound pain after ropivacaine single injection interscalene block for arthroscopic shoulder surgery: a randomized controlled trial

Background and objectivesA single injection interscalene block (ISB) is a common regional analgesic technique in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery. However, rebound pain after ISB resolution may reduce its overall benefit. Our primary aim was to assess whether perineural dexamethasone reduces the intensity and incidence of rebound pain in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia combined with a preoperative single injection ISB.MethodsThe patients were randomly assigned to receive single injection ISB using either 0.5% ropivacaine (control) or 0.5% ropivacaine containing 5 mg of dexamethasone. The primary outcomes were the pain score difference before and after ISB resolution, and the incidence of rebound pain. The secondary outcomes were the onset and duration of rebound pain, the presence of sleep disturbances due to postoperative pain, the first time when an analgesic was requested, and pain scores at various predefined time points.ResultsPain increase following ISB resolution was lower in the dexamethasone group compared with the control group (4.5±2.4 and 6.9±2.2, respectively, p<0.001). The incidence of rebound pain was significantly lower in the dexamethasone group compared with the control group (37.1% and 82.9%, respectively, p<0.001). The controls experienced greater sleep disturbance during the postoperative period compared with those who received ISB with perineural dexamethasone.ConclusionsPerineural dexamethasone added to ISB using ropivacaine led to a much smoother resolution of ISB, reflected in a significantly smaller increase in pain after block resolution, a lower incidence of rebound pain and a lower sleep disturbance during the first postoperative week.Trial registration numberClinical Trial Registry of Korea (KCT0004418).