Color Doppler ultrasonography of an agitated solution is predictive of accurate catheter placement for a continuous popliteal sciatic nerve block

Background Continuous peripheral nerve catheters (PNCs) have been shown to provide superior postoperative analgesia, decrease opioid consumption, and improve patient satisfaction compared with single injection techniques. In order to achieve success and reliability, accurate catheter positioning is an essential element of PNC placement. An agitated solution of normal saline, D5W, or a local anesthetic solution can be produced by the introduction of air to the injectate, creating air bubbles that can enhance ultrasonographic visualization and possibly improve block success. Methods Eighty-three patients were enrolled. Ultrasound-guided continuous popliteal sciatic nerve blocks were performed by positioning the tip of a Tuohy needle between the tibial and common peroneal branches of the sciatic nerve and threading a catheter. An agitated local anesthetic solution was injected through the catheter, viewed with color Doppler ultrasound and video recorded. A peripheral block score (lower score = greater blockade, range 0-14) was calculated based upon the motor and sensory testing at 10, 20, and 30 min after block completion. The color Doppler agitation coverage pattern for the branches of the sciatic nerve was graded as follows: complete (> 50%), partial (> 0%, ≤ 50%), or none (0%). Results The degree of nerve blockade at 30 min as judged by median (10th, 90th percentile) peripheral block score was significant for partial or complete color Doppler coverage of the sciatic nerve injectate compared to no coverage [3 (0, 7) vs 8 (4, 14); p < 0.01] and block onset was faster (p = 0.03). The block success was higher in groups with partial or complete coverage of the branches of the sciatic nerve vs no coverage (96% vs 70%; p = 0.02). Conclusions Injection of an agitated solution through a popliteal sciatic perineural catheter is predictive of accurate catheter placement when partial or complete coverage of the sciatic nerve branches is visualized with color Doppler ultrasound. Trial registration NCT01591603

Accidental Injection of EDTA Instead of Anesthesia Solution during Root Canal Treatment: Case Report

Summary Background/Aim: Many irrigation solutions are used during root canal treatment. It is unacceptable to confuse irrigation solutions with anesthetic solution and inadvertently inject the patient. After such an error, local and systemic serious complications can be seen in the patient. The purpose of this case report is to show how careless use of etilendiamin tetraacedic acid (EDTA) can result in important complications, and offer some treatment methods for curing symptoms resulting from such complications. Case Report: A 17% EDTA solution, was inadvertently injected in the buccal mucosa of a 20-year-old male during routine root canal treatment. Severe pain, bleeding and mucosal swelling occurred shortly after the injection. Irrigation with saline was performed by sliding the mucoperiosteal flap at the injection site. Then the flap was sutured primary. At the control one week later, there were no areas of necrosis in the patient, but ecchymosis occurred. Decalcified areas were not detected in dental volumetric tomography examination. Conclusions: The dentists must apply the precautions of EDTA irrigation solution during the root canal treatment and manage the treatment of this clinical complication.

APPLICATION OF THE MODIFIED PECS BLOCKADE DURING RECONSTRUCTIVE AND AESTHETIC SURGERY ON THE MAMMARY GLANDS

Existing methods of anesthesia, drugs used in the field of breast plastic surgery have a number of features compared to anesthesia in the practice of general surgery. In particular, techniques of regional blockades, such as interfascial blocks PECS 1 and PECS 2 are taken into account. Their effectiveness in comparison with standard methods of anesthesia for different types of interventions on the breast is subject to further discussion. Thus, the article presents the results of efficiency in the implementation of the author's development - a modified PECS-block during reconstructive and aesthetic surgery on the mammary glands. Material and methods. During 2018-2020, 58 women (average age 36,8 ± 10,8 years) were included in the prospective study, who underwent low-flow inhalation anesthesia with sevoflurane during surgery, and in the postoperative period were divided into two subgroups: 1) subgroup 1, in whom regional anesthesia according to the author's method used; 2) subgroup 2 with nalbuphine analgesia. At the first visit, clinical and laboratory, instrumental ultrasound examination, completed informed consent cards of patients, as well as long-term observation cards were filled in. The method of postoperative analgesia developed by the author's method is, in essence, a combination of PECS 1 and PECS 2 blockades. The anesthetic solution was administered so as to effectively block the intercostal nerves that run along the posterior surface of the chest and extend outward into the parasternal region. For statistical analysis of the obtained results we used a package of general statistic data “Statistica for Windows” version 6.0 (Stat Soft inc., USA). At p<0, 05, the difference was considered statistically significant. Results. It was found that the use of modified PECS-block was characterized by a shortening of the verticalization time by 58,8%, compared with the introduction of nalbuphine and 2,16 times in the absence of postoperative anesthesia. The absolute efficiency (AE,%) of the modified PECS-block relative to the verticalization time was 68,0% higher compared to the use of nalbuphine, with a probable relative efficiency (RR, p<0,05) and the odds ratio (OR, p<0,05). 3 hours after the intervention of AE modified PECS-block relative to the intensity of pain less than 1 point was 89,0%, with a clinical efficiency of 60,0% relative to the use of nalbuphine, probable RR (p<0,05) and OR (p<0,05). The majority of patients who underwent modified PECS-block rated their physical and motor activity by more than 2 points (86,0%), while using nalbuphine the part was only 43.0% (p<0,05). The reversal, moderate regression relationship between pain self-esteem and physical activity (r=-0.46, p<0.05) persisted for 3 hours after the intervention. Against the background of the modified PECS block, there was no cases of postoperative nausea, in contrast to nalbuphine (AE – 18,0%, RR – 0,02 [0,003-0,97], p<0,05; HS – 0,02 [0,004-0,87], p<0,05). Regarding the parameters of cardio hemodynamics, it was found that against the background of nalbuphine there was an increase in heart rate to 29,3% after 1 hour, by 48,6 and 39,7% after 3 and 8 hours, compared with the modified PECS-block. The tendency to high (greater than 140 mm Hg) and high normal (greater than 130 mm Hg) blood pressure on the background of nalbuphine, in contrast to the modified PECS-block, where the CAT values during the 1st day stayed in the range of optimal pressure (110-130 mm Hg).

Color Doppler Ultrasonography of an Agitated Solution is Predictive of Accurate Catheter Placement for a Continuous Popliteal Sciatic Nerve Block

Background: Continuous peripheral nerve catheters (PNCs) have been shown to provide superior postoperative analgesia, decrease opioid consumption, and improve patient satisfaction compared with single injection techniques. In order to achieve success and reliability, accurate catheter positioning is an essential element of PNC placement. An agitated solution of normal saline, D5W, or a local anesthetic solution can be produced by the introduction of air to the injectate, creating air bubbles that can enhance ultrasonographic visualization and possibly improve block success.Methods: Eighty-three patients were enrolled. Ultrasound-guided continuous popliteal sciatic nerve blocks were performed by positioning the tip of a Tuohy needle between the tibial and common peroneal branches of the sciatic nerve and threading a catheter. An agitated local anesthetic solution was injected through the catheter, viewed with color Doppler ultrasound and video recorded. A peripheral block score (lower score = greater blockade, range 0-14) was calculated based upon the motor and sensory testing at 10, 20, and 30 minutes after block completion. The color Doppler agitation coverage pattern for the branches of the sciatic nerve was graded as follows: complete (> 50%), partial (> 0%, ≤ 50%), or none (0%).Results: The degree of nerve blockade at 30 minutes as judged by median (10 th, 90 th percentile) peripheral block score was significant for partial or complete color Doppler coverage of the sciatic nerve injectate compared to no coverage [3 (0, 7) vs 8 (4, 14); p < 0.01] and block onset was faster (p = 0.03). The block success was higher in groups with partial or complete coverage of the branches of the sciatic nerve vs no coverage (96% vs 70%; p = 0.02).Conclusions: Injection of an agitated solution through a popliteal sciatic perineural catheter is predictive of accurate catheter placement when partial or complete coverage of the sciatic nerve branches is visualized with color Doppler ultrasound.Trial Registration: NCT01591603

New method of epidural anesthesia in closed blunt chest injury

The thoracic epidural anesthesia is the most suitable method for the treatment of the closed blunt chest injury but there is probability of the spinal cord injuiry. The original method combining the efficiency of classic thoracic epidural anesthesia with safety and simplicity of lumbar epidural anesthesia is suggested. This method is based on the postulates of the molecular hydrokinetic theory. Two catheters ends are disposed in lumbar epidural space in distance about two inches between them. Through one catheters end the anesthetic solution and through others end the 0,9% saline are injected synchronously in equal volumes. Hydroplunger phenomenon provides the upward anesthetic solution spreading

Single Dose of N-Acetylcysteine in Local Anesthesia Increases Expression of HIF1α, MAPK1, TGFβ1 and Growth Factors in Rat Wound Healing

In this study, we aimed to investigate the influence of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the gene expression profile, neoangiogenesis, neutrophils and macrophages in a rat model of incisional wounds. Before creating wounds on the backs of 24 Sprague–Dawley rats, intradermal injections were made. Lidocaine–epinephrin solutions were supplemented with 0.015%, 0.03% or 0.045% solutions of NAC, or nothing (control group). Scars were harvested on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 60th day post-surgery. We performed immunohistochemical staining in order to visualize macrophages (anti-CD68), neutrophils (anti-MPO) and newly formed blood vessels (anti-CD31). Additionally, RT-qPCR was used to measure the relative expression of 88 genes involved in the wound healing process. On the 14th day, the number of cells stained with anti-CD68 and anti-CD31 antibodies was significantly larger in the tissues treated with 0.03% NAC compared with the control. Among the selected genes, 52 were upregulated and six were downregulated at different time points. Interestingly, NAC exerted a significant effect on the expression of 45 genes 60 days after its administration. In summation, a 0.03% NAC addition to the pre-incisional anesthetic solution improves neovasculature and increases the macrophages’ concentration at the wound site on the 14th day, as well as altering the expression of numerous genes that are responsible for the regenerative processes.

N-Acetylcysteine Added to Local Anesthesia Reduces Scar Area and Width in Early Wound Healing—An Animal Model Study

The aim of the study was to evaluate if a pre-incisional N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treatment altered the process of wound healing in a rat model. The dorsal skin of 24 Sprague-Dawley rats was incised in six locations. Before the incisions were made, skin was injected either with lidocaine and epinephrine (one side) or with these agents supplemented with 0.015%, 0.03%, or 0.045% NAC (contralaterally). Photographic documentation of the wound healing process was made at 11 time points. Rats were sacrificed 3, 7, 14, or 60 days after incision to excise scars for histological analysis. They included: Abramov scale scoring, histomorphometry analysis, and collagen fiber arrangement assessment. Skin pretreated with 0.03% NAC produced the shortest scars at all analyzed time points, though this result was statistically insignificant. At this NAC concentration the scars had smaller areas on the third day and were narrower on the day 4 compared with all the other groups (p < 0.05). On day 7, at the same concentration of NAC, the scars had a higher superficial concentration index (p = 0.03) and larger dermal proliferation area (p = 0.04). NAC addition to pre-incisional anesthetic solution decreased wound size and width at an early stage of scar formation at all concentrations; however, with optimal results at 0.03% concentration.

Resistance of Aspergillus niger Tiegh. to the effect of amide anesthetics

The wide distribution of Aspergillus in nature is determined by their ability to adapt in the conditions of development of anthropogenic biocoenoses. Micromycetes survive due to rapid growth, intensive reproduction and labile metabolism, causing various kinds of damage to the substrates on which they were due to certain circumstances. However, it is noted that in the process of adaptation, many Aspergillus change physiologically, i.e. without changing the genetic information and heredity of this organism. These features of Aspergillus make them indispensable in model experiments allowing to assess the effects of xenobiotics even in micro doses and the ability to adapt to them. In this regard, it is interesting to investigate anesthetics widely used in surgery. Some of them have shown antibacterial activity, but their antifungal activity remains unknown. The authors investigated the ability of Aspergillus niger Tiegh. to adapt to the effects of certain amide anesthetics: lidocaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine. Two series of experiments were carried out. In the first one the effect of anesthetics was investigated at concentrations of 0,001; 0,01 and 0,1 mg/ml per growth, number of colonies and sizes of spores and conidiophores; in the second one A. niger Tiegh. spores from a culture grown in a environment containing an anesthetic solution at a concentration of 0,001 mg/ml were germinated on nutrient medium with anesthetics at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. It was discovered that anesthetics affect differently the germination of spores and the formation of colonies of A. niger Tiegh. The maximum toxicity was shown by ropivacaine, significantly reducing the number of colonies, the minimum by bupivacaine. It was discovered that ropivacaine and bupivacaine inhibit mycelium growth more than lidocaine. All investigated anesthetics at selected concentrations do not affect reliably the size of spores and conidiophores. The study of preadaptation caused by a low dose of anesthetics showed that the number of colonies in preadapted cultures after exposure at a high dose of 1 mg/ml significantly increased compared to direct exposure at a dose of 1 mg/ml. It can be argued that the observed changes in the number of colonies are an adaptive response of A. niger Tiegh. to the action of anesthetics. The diameter of colonies after preadaptation was significantly less than with direct exposure at a dose of 1 mg/ml (p 0,05), that is we observe the effect of cumulation. Possible mechanisms of the observed effect, including hormesis, are discussed.