Peripheral and local anaesthetic techniques for paediatric surgery

Peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) in paediatric patients are usually used as an adjunct to general anaesthesia, providing intra- and postoperative analgesia. These blocks provide good-quality analgesia preventing morbidity related to pain and reducing adverse effects from systemic analgesics. PNBs aid early patient recovery and discharge, which is essential in day-case surgery. Like all invasive techniques, PNBs are associated with complications and adverse effects. They should therefore be performed only after careful analysis of the risk:benefit ratio for each child. This article discusses a general approach to PNBs in children. It covers a small selection of limb and trunk blocks, and discusses the benefit of ultrasound guidance.     

The role of regional anaesthesia and multimodal analgesia in the prevention of chronic postoperative pain: a narrative review

Effective prevention of chronic postoperative pain is an important clinical goal, informed by a growing body of studies. Peri-operative regional anaesthesia remains one of the most important tools in the multimodal analgesic toolbox, blocking injury-induced activation and sensitisation of both the peripheral and central nervous system. We review the definition and taxonomy of chronic postoperative pain, its mechanistic basis and the most recent evidence for the preventative potential of multimodal analgesia, with a special focus on regional anaesthesia. While regional anaesthesia targets several important aspects of the mechanistic pathway leading to chronic postoperative pain, evidence for its efficacy is still mixed, possibly owing to the heterogeneity of risk profiles within the surgical patient, but also to variation in techniques and medications reported in the literature.     

不同模式正压面罩通气在腹腔镜胆囊切除术患者麻醉诱导中的比较

目的 比较腹腔镜胆囊切除术患者麻醉诱导中三种不同正压面罩通气模式对胃肠胀气的影响以及通气变量的变化,从而选择良好的通气模式,减少面罩通气的不良影响.方法 选择择期行腹腔镜胆囊切除术患者60例,ASA分级为Ⅰ～Ⅱ级,根据麻醉诱导过程中采用不同通气方式分为3组,每组20例,分别为压力控制模式(PVC)组,容量控制模式(VCV)组,手动控制模式(MCV)组,呼吸及血流动力学参数采用麻醉机及其监护仪监测,胃内气体监测采用建立气腹后腹腔镜直视下由有经验麻醉医师判断是否有胃肠胀气,麻醉诱导及其判断是否胀气者为不同麻醉医生,并采用双盲法.结果 3组血流动力学参数差异无统计学意义,而PVC组气道压力明显低于VCV及MCV组,PVC组发生胃肠胀气百分比明显低于VCV及MCV组.结论 压力控制模式是良好的通气模式.     

Efficacy of epinephrine‐free articaine compared to articaine with epinephrine (1:100 000) for maxillary infiltration,a randomised clinical trial

The selection of local anaesthetic in dental practice is essential to the patient′s comfort and the success of the treatment. Many patients prefer anaesthesia even for short treatments. Articaine is a local anaesthetic commonly used for dental practice. The duration of the effect of articaine on the nerve fibres is not yet precisely reported. This study was aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of 4% articaine with and without epinephrine in treatment of occlusal caries. Thirty healthy patients were included in this randomised double‐blind study. Each subject received 4% articaine with and without epinephrine (1:100 000). Maxillary infiltration was used for occlusal caries of the maxillary premolars on right and left sides. Quantitative sensory testing (QST) was performed in the innervation area of the infraorbital nerve, and pulp vitality test was performed on restoration‐free canines. Duration of anaesthesia was longer when articaine with epinephrine was used. Articaine without epinephrine showed faster recovery of sensory blockade compared to articaine with epinephrine. The epinephrine‐containing agent, when compared to the plain articaine solution, showed significantly stronger and longer anaesthetic efficacy on the soft tissue by all parameters of QST. Articaine with epinephrine caused a more reliable pulpal analgesia. A pain‐free treatment of the soft tissue up to 15 minutes can be performed under the vasoconstrictor‐free anaesthetic without causing long‐lasting numbness. Epinephrine‐containing articaine delivers a longer, more effective anaesthesia and is preferable for caries treatments and longer invasive treatments of the soft tissue.     

Anaesthesia for joint replacement surgery

Joint replacement surgery, especially hip and knee, demand is increasing globally. Many patients are elderly, frail and have significant comorbidity requiring careful perioperative management. Patient prehabilitation and enhanced recovery protocols have been successfully introduced. Multimodal analgesia including regional nerve blocks, deep venous thromboembolism prophylaxis, blood management and bone cement implantation syndrome are some important perioperative aspects to be considered.     

局麻与硬膜外麻醉下聚丙烯材料补片应用腹股沟疝修补术效果及慢性疼痛调查——基层医院经验

目的对比分析局麻与硬外麻醉下无张力修补术治疗腹股沟疝疗效,探讨基层医院在有限条件下治疗腹股沟疝更适宜的麻醉方式。方法采用前瞻性研究方法,纳入研究的患者为2016年7月至2017年1月半年来收治的102例腹股沟疝所有患者分成局麻组与硬外麻组,两组均采用疝囊高位结扎+平片无张力修补术,比较两组手术时间、术后伤口疼痛时间、术后不良反应和并发症的发生和差异;记录术后患者对麻醉效果的满意度;出院后嘱病人1周后回院复查1次,1个月、6个月、12个月、24个月电话随访1次。结果两组皮下血肿、术后伤口感染、阴囊肿胀、腹股沟神经与腹腔脏器损伤、术后伤口疼痛时间差异无统计学意义(P0.05),局麻组住院时间、住院费用、恶心/呕吐、头昏/头痛、尿潴留并发症发生率均比硬外麻组低或少,两组差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者在2年随访中各有2例出现腹股沟区疼痛,服用NSAIDs类药物好转。两组术后1月、6月、12月和24月VAS评分结果,其差异没有统计学意义(表3)。两组患者对手术中麻醉满意情况见表4,硬膜外组满意患者多于局麻组。结论基层医院实施局麻下开放式腹股沟疝平片无张力修补术可行,也不增加慢性疼痛的发生。     

腰麻术后患者去枕平卧和垫枕自由卧位效果比较

目的 探讨蛛网膜下腔麻醉(腰麻)患者术后垫枕自由卧位的可行性。 方法 将200例腰麻术后患者随机分为观察组和对照组,每组100例,观察组术后采取垫枕自由卧位,对照组术后采取常规去枕平卧位6h。结果 2组均未发生头痛;观察组不舒适率、皮肤受压及腰背酸痛发生率均低于对照组(χ²=67.307,P<0.001; χ²=7.446,P=0.006; χ²=42.017,P<0.001)。2组生命体征比较,差异无统计学意义。 结论 腰麻术后患者若无特殊医嘱或麻醉师交班时有明确要求,可予垫枕自由卧位,有利于提高患者舒适度,防止术后并发症的发生。     

Prognostic factors of single‐visit endodontic and restorative treatment under general anaesthesia for special needs patients

The aim of this study was to evaluate the longevity of teeth with single‐visit endodontic and restorative treatment under general anaesthesia (GA) for special needs patients and to investigate factors associated with survival and success. Data were collected from 381 teeth in 203 patients [mean (s.d.) age = 27·0 (14·1)]. All endodontic and restorative procedures were performed during a single GA session except for cementation of crowns in the cases requiring crown restoration (38%). A total of 267 teeth (70·6%) were followed‐up for 6–81 months [mean (s.d.): 32·7 (20·0)]. Patients and teeth with and without follow‐up were compared. Kaplan–Meier analysis with generalised Wilcoxon test was used to compare the mean survival and success period. Cox proportion hazard regression model was applied for multivariate analysis. At the end of the observation period, 10 teeth had a crown fracture (5‐year survival rate = 89·8%), and an additional 10 teeth had primary or secondary caries (5‐year success rate = 86·4%). Risk factors associated with survival were age (>40), non‐parental caregiver, cooperation level and periodontal disease. A soft diet was an additional risk factor against the success of teeth. Single‐visit endodontic and restorative treatment under GA showed favourable outcomes, suggesting a promising treatment option for special needs patients. Patient‐ and dental‐specific circumstances need to be carefully considered to enhance the longevity of reconstructed teeth.     

Pituitary disease and anaesthesia

Patients with pituitary gland tumours comprise a significant proportion of the neurosurgical population, making transsphenoidal pituitary surgery a relatively common procedure. Such patients present anaesthetists with unique challenges resulting from hormone hypersecretion, pituitary hypofunction or tumour mass effect. To understand this pathophysiology requires a good working knowledge of normal pituitary anatomy and physiology. An appreciation of the respiratory and cardiovascular comorbidities associated with pituitary tumours is also essential to the anaesthetist. We aim to review the key principles involved in the preoperative assessment, intraoperative management and postoperative care of these patients.