Ultrasound‐Guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Spinal Infusion and Neurostimulation Implantation in Two Patients with Chronic Pain

Objective: This case report describes an ultrasound approach to the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) local anesthetic block. This block induces sensory blockade in the lower half of the abdomen where the pulse generator or the infusion pump is to be housed in a subcutaneous pocket, and therefore provides an alternate to general anesthesia or administration of high‐dose local anesthetics. Case Report: We report two cases of neuromodulation procedures—implantation of an internal morphine pump for severe somatic pain refractory to other therapies and placement of a double‐stimulator generator for dorsal column stimulation in a patient diagnosed with postoperative failed‐back syndrome. We successfully used ultrasound‐guided TAP block to achieve ipsilateral sensory block of dermatomes T9‐L1 in the context of a monitored anesthesia care multimodal approach. Conclusion: TAP block can be a potentially useful substitute to general anesthesia or local anesthesia for the pocket formation in neuromodulation techniques, and it provides adequate anesthesia of the abdominal wall. This block is potentially an important addition to the monitored anesthesia care protocol.     

Improving Pain Management After Cesarean Birth Using Transversus Abdominis Plane Block With Liposomal Bupivacaine as Part of a Multimodal Regimen

As educators, advocates, and champions for women’s health, nurses play pivotal roles throughout a woman’s pregnancy and childbirth journey. Most women experience postsurgical pain after cesarean birth and are prescribed opioids. Caution around opioid use warrants opioid-reducing strategies, particularly because exposure to opioids exacerbates risk for developing persistent postsurgical opioid use. Multimodal approaches can help address this concern. Regional anesthesia using transversus abdominis plane blocks with aqueous formulations of local anesthetics can reduce opioid consumption and pain but has a short duration of action. Liposomal formulation of bupivacaine prolongs its release, overcoming this obstacle. Transversus abdominis plane blocks with liposomal bupivacaine can reduce opioid use and pain after cesarean birth, improving recovery. These findings represent numerous implications for nursing practice to improve postcesarean pain management.     

The Role of Preoperative and Postoperative Transversus Abdominis Plane and Rectus Sheath Block in Patients Undergoing Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy

PurposeThis study was performed to assess the efficacy of a preoperative and postoperative transversus abdominis plane (TAP) and rectus sheath (RS) block compared with no TAP and RS block in patients undergoing total laparoscopic hysterectomy (TLH).DesignProspective observational cohort study.MethodsFrom January 2014 to December 2017, 195 women undergoing TLH were categorized into three groups based on their perioperative analgesia: no TAP + RS block (n = 88), preoperative TAP + RS block + systemic analgesia (n = 68), and postoperative TAP + RS block + systemic analgesia (n = 39). We evaluated use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and NSAID consumption within the first 12 hours postoperatively and the numerical rating scale score at 0, 12, and 24 hours postoperatively.FindingsWomen with a preoperative TAP + RS block had a significantly lower utilization rate of NSAIDs within the first 12 hours postoperatively (54.4% vs 75.0%; P = .007), lower postoperative flurbiprofen dose (45.5 vs 62.0 mg; P = .048), and lower numerical rating scale score at 12 hours postoperatively (1.63 vs 2.20; P = .002) compared with women with no TAP + RS block.ConclusionsA preoperative TAP + RS block provided superior postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing TLH and reduced analgesic consumption during the first 12 hours postoperatively.     

Comparative Effectiveness of Two Ultrasound‐Guided Regional Block Techniques for Surgical Anesthesia in Open Unilateral Inguinal Hernia Repair

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) and ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric (II/IH) nerve blocks have been described as analgesic adjuncts for inguinal hernia repair, but the efficacy of these techniques in providing intraoperative anesthesia, either individually or together, is not known. We designed this retrospective cohort study to test the hypothesis that combining TAP and II/IH nerve blocks (“double TAP” technique) results in greater accordance between the preoperative anesthetic plan and actual anesthetic technique provided when compared to TAP alone. Based on this study, double TAP may be preferred for patients undergoing open inguinal hernia repair who wish to avoid general anesthesia.     

Ultrasound‐Guided Serratus Plane Block for Treatment of Postmastectomy Pain Syndromes in Breast Cancer Patients: A Case Series

Postmastectomy pain syndrome is common after surgical treatment for breast cancer and may be challenging to manage. Currently, there are a wide variety of approaches to treat this type of pain, including medications, physical therapy, and interventional procedures. However, because of the complexity of innervation of the breast, the serratus plane block may better target the web of nerves innervating the anterior chest wall including the breast. We present a case series of 8 patients who were successfully treated with serratus plane block for pain after treatment for breast cancer. We feel that this particular application for the serratus plane block deserves further investigation, as it is relatively easy to perform and has good clinical utility for this type of pain.     

Transversus Abdominis Block: Clinical Uses,Side Effects,and Future Perspectives

Poorly controlled acute pain during the postoperative setting after abdominal surgery can be detrimental to the patient. Current pain management practices for the postoperative abdominal surgery patient rely heavily on opioids, which are associated with many unwanted side effects. Recently, interest surrounding regional anesthesia has been growing owing to its demonstrated efficacy and safety outcomes. More specifically, the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block procedure has attracted attention owing to its ability to successfully block peripheral pain signaling in the abdomen, its ease of use, few complications, and its greater acceptability. A majority of the studies published has demonstrated the successful reduction in pain in many abdominal surgical procedures using local anesthetics during the TAP block. However, the short duration of the pain block causes the patient to still rely on other analgesics throughout the additional postoperative days. Preliminary studies using continuous infusion catheters placed in the TAP has been one of the ways to prolong the nerve block in the abdomen; however, technical and operational issues currently limit the widespread adoption of this method. In this review, current studies will be presented and summarized to update the field on the potential benefits of the TAP block procedure, in addition to providing insight into the future direction of the drugs that could be used for TAP block.     

Comparative Echogenicity of an Epidural Catheter and 2 New Catheters Designed for Ultrasound‐Guided Continuous Peripheral Nerve Blocks

Visualization of the catheter during ultrasound‐guided continuous nerve block performance may be difficult but is an essential skill for regional anesthesiologists. The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate 2 newer catheters designed for enhanced echogenicity and compare them to a widely used catheter not purposely designed for ultrasound guidance. Outcomes were the numbers of first‐place rankings among all 3 catheters and scores on individual echogenicity criteria as assessed by 2 blinded reviewers. Catheters designed for echogenicity are not superior to an older regional anesthesia catheter, and results suggest that catheter preference for ultrasound‐guided placement may be subjective.     

运用压力生物反馈行腹横肌及多裂肌协同训练治疗下背痛

目的：研究运用压力生物反馈行腹横肌及多裂肌协同训练对下背痛的近远期疗效。方法：将符合诊断标准的60例下背痛患者随机分为研究组和对照组各30例,2组均按常规给予物理治疗。研究组在此基础上加用压力生物反馈行腹横肌及多裂肌协同训练;对照组配合五点支撑法及飞燕点水法等功能训练。治疗前后采用疼痛视觉模拟评分（VAS）和SF-36健康状况调查问卷评定疼痛程度及日常生活活动能力,1年后跟踪随访复发率。结果：与治疗前比较,治疗1、6个月及1年时2组VAS评分与治疗前比较逐步下降明显,SF-36逐渐上升（P〈0．05,0．01）;与对照组比较,研究组表现更明显（P〈0．05,0．01）。1年后跟踪随访,研究组复发率明显低于对照组（10．0％与33．3％,P〈0．01）。结论;配合运用压力生物反馈行腹横肌及多裂肌协同训练可有效减轻下背痛患者的疼痛程度,改善其功能障碍,并明显降低复发率,其远期疗效巩固。     

Ultrasound‐Guided Continuous Superficial Peroneal Nerve Block below the Knee for the Treatment of Nerve Injury

(CRPS) describes a constellation of symptoms including pain, trophic changes, hyperesthesia, allodynia, and dysregulation of local blood flow often following trauma. It is often confined to the extremities. Treatment of this disorder consists of a variety of modalities including systemic pharmacotherapy, local anesthetic injections or infusions, psychological nonpharmacotherapy, physical rehabilitation, and surgical intervention. Chronic pain not related to CRPS can also be treated with similar interventions. Despite the array of available therapies, it can still be difficult to manage. We report a case of a 19‐year‐old patient diagnosed by her surgeon as having CRPS Type II, secondary to foot trauma, which was treated with a continuous infusion of local anesthetic at the superficial peroneal nerve (SPN). While placement of peripheral nerve block catheters to augment chronic pain therapy is not novel, the application of a perineural catheter at the SPN has not been previously described.     

Application of Echogenic Technology for Catheters Used in Ultrasound‐Guided Continuous Peripheral Nerve Blocks

Limited data exist regarding the echogenicity of perineural catheters, but visualization is crucial to ensure accurate placement and efficacy of the subsequent local anesthetic infusion. The objective of this study was to determine the comparative echogenicity of various regional anesthesia catheters. In an in vitro porcine‐bovine model, we compared the echogenic qualities of 3 commercially available regional anesthesia catheters and 1 catheter under development to optimize echogenicity. Outcomes included visual echogenicity ranking, image quality, and scanning time, as assessed by 2 blinded investigators. The experimental catheter was found to be more echogenic than 2 of the 3 comparators.