A comparison of injection at the ulnar and the radial nerve in axillary block using triple stimulation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A triple-stimulation technique for axillary block consists of the localization and injection of 2 nerves, median and musculocutaneous, which lie superior to the axillary artery, and of 1 nerve, the radial, which lies inferior. However, in some patients, the ulnar nerve is located first during the search for the radial nerve. The aim of this study was to verify if an ulnar motor response could be considered a satisfactory endpoint as a radial motor response. METHODS: This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. Ninety patients received a triple-injection axillary brachial plexus block in which the radial nerve (group RAD) or the ulnar nerve (group ULN) was located and injected inferior to the axillary artery. Patients were assessed for sensory and motor block by a blinded investigator at 5-minute intervals over 30 minutes. RESULTS: A statistically significant higher overall block success rate was recorded in group RAD (91% vs. 73%), and this result was related to a larger success rate for anesthetizing the radial nerve (95% vs. 77%). A statistically significant shorter onset time of sensory block for the radial nerve was recorded in group RAD versus group ULN (9 +/- 5 min vs. 16 +/- 7 min), whereas the reverse was true for the ulnar nerve (13 +/- 7 min for group RAD vs. 10 +/- 3 min for group ULN). The time to perform the block was slightly but statistically significantly shorter in group ULN (6.5 +/- 1.7 min vs. 7.8 +/- 1.8 min). CONCLUSIONS: Local anesthetic injection at the ulnar nerve significantly reduces the efficacy and prolongs the onset time of the radial-nerve block when triple-stimulation axillary block is performed.     

Quality of axillary brachial plexus block

A perivascular catheter technique (PVT) and a nerve stimulator technique (NST) for axillary brachial plexus block were compared in terms of quality: complete, incomplete or failed blocks. In a randomised series, 30 PVT blocks and 30 NST blocks were performed by three staff anaesthetists. In the NST group, surgical anaesthesia was always achieved, whereas in the PVT group, four blocks required supplementation with general anaesthesia. In both groups eight patients needed supplementation with additional conduction blocks of 1-3 peripheral nerves. It is concluded that a nerve stimulator technique may increase the success rate of axillary brachial plexus block to some extent.     

Axillary arterial entrapment and brachial plexus injury due to proximal humeral fracture

Proximal humeral fractures are an exceedingly rare cause of axillary arterial and brachial plexus injury. Neurovascular damage due to these injuries may threaten limb loss. Clinical presentation of these injuries may vary, therefore, a high index of suspicion is essential. The following case report describes a patient involved in a motor vehicle crash with an occult presentation of axillary arterial entrapment and associated brachial plexus trauma due to a proximal humeral fracture. The patient underwent prompt surgical intervention.     

不同浓度罗哌卡因用于腋路臂丛神经阻滞的研究

目的探讨0.25%、0.3%、0.375%罗哌卡因用于臂丛神经阻滞的有效性和安全性,并与0.25%布比卡因对照.方法选择ASAⅠ-Ⅱ级准备行上肢手术的病人80例,随机分为4组,每组20例,分别用0.25%、0.3%、0.375%罗哌卡因和0.25%布比卡因40ml行臂丛神经阻滞,观察病人有无不适症状,并分别对感觉和运动进行评价.结果随着浓度增加罗哌卡因麻醉强度依次增加,40m10.25%罗哌卡因麻醉强度明显低于0.25%布比卡因,且满意率低,仅为85%;将罗哌卡因浓度提高到0.375%,显示出与0.25%布比卡因相当的麻醉强度,满意率则提高到100%.结论 0.25%罗哌卡因用于臂丛神经阻滞起效慢、满意率低,不是临床使用的适宜浓度;0.3%、0.375%罗哌卡因起效快,作用完善,副作用少,可推荐用于长时间臂丛神经阻滞,而以0.375%罗哌卡因最为适宜.     

喙突入路锁骨下臂丛神经阻滞——改良法与经典法的比较

目的 探讨改良(或修正)喙突入路和经典喙突入路定位对锁骨下臂丛神经阻滞的影响.方法 对80例择期行臂丛神经阻滞手术的患者,随机分为2组,采用神经刺激器定位臂丛神经:A组以喙突内下2 cm为穿刺点(经典组);B组穿刺点参考喙突内下2 cm,并用臂丛神经体表的 投影对该穿刺点进行修正(改良组).记录两组患者操作时间、穿刺次数、阻滞成功率、并发症及患者的满意度.结果 改良组的操作时间明显少于经典组(P＜0.01),且改良组无需调整阻滞针即可定位到臂丛神经的比例明显高于经典组(P＜0.05).结论 改良喙突入路可以明显提高单次穿刺定位到神经的概率,且可减少操作时间,提高了穿刺点体表定位的准确性.     

重复腋路臂丛麻醉不同穿刺定位法的效果比较

目的：观察应用不同穿刺定位法施行重复腋路臂丛阻滞麻醉效果。方法：３２４例随机分为两组，在局麻药浓度、容量相同的情况下，Ａ组采用一针穿刺单次给药逐次移位定向挤压法，１６２例中，臂丛阻滞７３０次；Ｂ组采用一针穿刺单次给药法，１６２例中，臂丛阻滞６７０次。结果：在诱导时间、维持时间和阻滞完全方面，Ａ组均明显优于Ｂ组。结论：臂丛神经处于椎前筋膜及其延续的筋膜间隙中，因此，一针穿刺单次给药能获得有效的阻滞。     

超声引导肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞的临床应用

目的 比较超声引导联合神经刺激器(US)定位与单纯神经刺激器(NS)定位行肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞的效果及安全性.方法 选择拟行上肢手术的患者40例,ASA Ⅰ或Ⅱ级,随机均分为US组和NS组.两组均给予0.5%的罗哌卡因30ml.记录寻找目标神经所需时间和完成操作所需时间、感觉神经阻滞起效和持续时间;评价各神经支配区域的感觉阻滞程度、手术区域麻醉效果(优、良、失败);观察并记录并发症.结果 US组完成操作所需时间(3.7±1.1)min,明显短于NS组的(7.2±3.5)min(P<0.01).US组感觉阻滞起效时间(12.0±2.4)min,明显快于NS组(15.2±3.0)min(P<0.05).麻醉效果优等率US组为85%,NS组为70%,差异无统计学意义.US组未出现并发症;NS组有3例患者出现与神经阻滞相关的并发症.结论 超声引导下行肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞操作时间短,阻滞起效快,效果好,并发症少.     

超声引导锁骨上与锁骨下入路臂丛阻滞效果的比较

目的 比较超声引导锁骨上入路和锁骨下入路臂丛阻滞的效果.方法 择期上肢手术患者120例,性别不限,年龄18～80岁,ASA分级Ⅰ-Ⅲ级,采用随机数字表法,将患者随机分为2组(n=60):锁骨上入路组(SCB组)和锁骨下入路组(ICB组).局麻药采用0.375％罗哌卡因与1％利多卡因混合液(含1∶200000肾上腺素)分别行锁骨上或锁骨下臂丛阻滞,0.5 ml/kgo分别记录阻滞操作时间、麻醉维持时间及麻醉成功情况,注药完毕后每5 min测定腋神经、桡神经、正中神经、尺神经、肌皮神经、前臂内侧和臂内侧皮神经的阻滞情况及不良反应、并发症的发生情况,直至30 min.结果 与SCB组比较,ICB组麻醉成功率、尺神经、前臂内侧皮神经和臂内侧皮神经阻滞有效率升高,穿刺过程中异感发生率降低,阻滞操作时间延长(P＜0.05).两组均无严重并发症发生.结论 超声引导锁骨下入路臂丛阻滞的效果优于锁骨上入路.     

Ultrasound-guided brachial plexus block in a patient with multiple glomangiomatosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Glomangiomas are rare, vascular tumors consisting of an afferent artery, arteriovenous canal, neuro-reticular elements, collagen, and efferent veins, and are most often located in the soft tissue of the upper extremities. We describe how the use of ultrasound-guided nerve blockade altered the anesthetic management of a patient with multiple glomangiomatosis undergoing elective forearm surgery. ULTRASOUND FINDINGS: A 32-year-old man was scheduled for excision of painful glomangiomas from the ulnar aspect of his right wrist, with exploration of his ulnar nerve. The anesthetic concerns included (1) morbid obesity, (2) chronic pain syndrome and opioid intolerance, (3) a potentially difficult airway, and (4) obstructive sleep apnea. Ultrasound-guided supraclavicular blockade was the proposed anesthetic of choice. Ultrasound scan of the supraclavicular fossa revealed numerous vascular lesions surrounding the divisions of the brachial plexus. Color Doppler imaging confirmed these pulsatile lesions to be vascular in origin. Even under two-dimensional ultrasound guidance, we believed that the risk of vascular puncture and unintentional intravascular injection of local anesthetic was high, and therefore we abandoned the supraclavicular approach. A successful ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus blockade was performed uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: Although multiple glomangiomatosis is a rare disease, this case illustrates the invaluable contribution that ultrasound has made to modern, regional anesthetic practice, especially for patients with aberrant anatomy in whom traditional nerve-localization techniques could result in serious complications.     

超声引导下肌间沟联合腋路臂丛神经阻滞用于患儿上肢手术

目的评估超声引导下肌间沟联合腋路臂丛神经阻滞用于患儿上肢手术的麻醉效果。方法 52例ASAⅠ或Ⅱ级拟行单侧上肢手术患儿,随机均分为超声引导下肌间沟联合腋路臂丛神经阻滞组(U组)和传统体表定位肌间沟联合腋路臂丛神经阻滞组(N组)。局麻药为0.2%盐酸罗哌卡因,总量为1ml/kg。肌间沟入路和腋路分别给予局麻药总量的一半。观察两组注入局麻药后5、10、15min的桡神经、尺神经、正中神经和肌皮神经的阻滞情况、阻滞效果及不良反应。结果注入局麻药后5、10、15min时U组桡神经阻滞有效率明显高于N组,注入局麻药后10、15min时U组尺神经和正中神经阻滞有效率明显高于N组(P0.01或P0.05)。U组麻醉优良率为26例(100%),明显高于N组20例(76.9%)(P0.05)。结论超声引导下肌间沟联合腋路臂丛神经阻滞用于患儿上肢手术安全可行。     

实时B超定位垂直锁骨下喙突入路臂丛阻滞麻醉

目的介绍在超声定位下行锁骨下喙突入路臂丛麻醉的安全性和阻滞范围。方法对40例手术的患者，应用B超在患侧喙突内下处探到腋动脉第2段，将超声探头置于腋动脉的正上方（前胸壁的点），测量该点与喙突的距离、腋动脉的深度及其同胸膜的位置关系。其中20例上肢手术患者在B超引导下进行锁骨下臂丛神经阻滞。结果B超不能清楚地显示锁骨下臂丛的结构，但选择喙突内下2cm作为锁骨下臂丛阻滞的穿刺点是合理的。在该点腋动脉第2段的深度，左侧是2．84cm，右侧是2．78cm。穿刺点到胸膜的水平距离，左侧为8．1mm，右侧为7．7mm。腋动脉的深度和穿刺点到胸膜的距离均同病人的体重呈正相关。20例B超实时定位下行锁骨下臂丛神经阻滞的麻醉效果达95％，臂丛发出7根神经的阻滞率为40％，但其中5根神经（肌皮、正中、尺、桡、前臂内侧皮神经）的阻滞率为85％。结论在B超定位的帮助下，锁骨下入路臂丛阻滞麻醉可以达到上肢广泛区域的阻滞并可避免气胸的并发症。     

全身麻醉下小儿皮肤温度变化对臂丛神经阻滞效果的评估

目的 通过观察小儿全身麻醉复合超声引导腋路臂丛神经阻滞下的阻滞区域内皮肤温度变化与阻滞效果之间的关系,探讨温度变化对阻滞效果评估的准确性. 方法 选择小儿手部手术30例,全身麻醉喉罩通气,行超声引导下腋路臂丛神经阻滞,在靠近肌皮神经、桡神经、尺神经和正中神经周围各注入1 ml/kg总量1/4的0.25％罗哌卡因.随机在阻滞的各个神经分支支配的皮肤区域内取一个测量点,记录神经阻滞前、阻滞后15 min皮肤温度的变化值.以阻滞效果作为评判的标准,通过受试者工作特征(receiver operator characteristic,ROC)曲线分析阻滞区域内温度变化对阻滞效果反应的敏感度和特异性,寻找诊断临界值(cutoff值);Spearman相关分析两者的相关性. 结果 阻滞区域内温度变化对阻滞效果反应的ROC曲线下面积(area under roc curve,AUC)为0.886[95％置信区间(confidence interval,CI):0.815～0.957];阻滞区域内温度变化幅度为0.65℃时,敏感度与特异性之和值最大,其敏感度为86.4％,特异性为94.1％;Spearman相关系数:r=0.773(95％CI:0.656-0.840). 结论 皮肤温度变化对评估阻滞效果有较高的准确性,可以用于全身麻醉下小儿腋路臂丛神经阻滞后阻滞效果的评价.     

A comparison of coracoid and axillary approaches to the brachial plexus

BACKGROUND: Brachial plexus block by the coracoid approach does not require arm abduction and may be more effective than the axillary approach because of a more proximal injection of local anaesthetic. However, the clinical usefulness of the coracoid approach has not been tested in prospective controlled trials. The present randomized, observer-blinded study compared success rates, time to obtain a complete block, frequency of adverse effects and block discomfort in two groups of 30 patients, anaesthetized for hand surgery using either the coracoid or the axillary approach to the brachial plexus. METHODS: After subcutaneous infiltration with 5 ml of 1% mepivacaine/adrenaline the brachial plexus was located using a nerve stimulator and an insulated pencil-point needle. Ropivacaine 0.75%, 20-40 ml, depending on body weight, was used for the initial block. In the coracoid (C) group two plexus cords, and in the axillary (A) group four terminal nerves were electrolocated and the volume of ropivacaine was divided equally between them. Spread of analgesia to the arm was assessed every 5 min, by an anaesthetist unaware of the block technique. The block was defined as effective (complete) when analgesia was present in all five sensory nerve areas distal to the elbow. Incomplete blocks were supplemented 30 min after the initial block. RESULTS: In the C group a median 11 min was required for block performance as compared to 12 min in the A group (NS). Onset of block was shorter and the frequency of incomplete blocks lower in the A group (median 17 min and 17%) than in the C group (30 min and 47%, respectively). Lack of analgesia of the ulnar nerve was the main cause of incomplete initial blocks in the C group. All incomplete blocks were successfully supplemented. However, total time to obtain complete block was shorter in the A group than in the C group (29 min vs. 41 min, P<0.05). Accidental arterial puncture occurred in seven patients (five in C and two in A group), which resulted in two haematomas, both in the C group (NS). No permanent sequelae were observed. CONLCUSION: The axillary approach to the brachial plexus using four injections of ropivacaine results in a faster onset of block and a better spread of analgesia than the coracoid approach using two injections.     

臂丛神经阻滞时神经刺激器诱发患者不同运动反应与桡神经阻滞效果的关系

目的 评价臂丛神经阻滞时神经刺激器诱发患者不同运动反应与桡神经阻滞效果的关系.方法 择期拟行手、腕或前臂手术患者120例,性别不限,ASA I或Ⅱ级,年龄18～60岁,随机分为2组(n=60),三点腋路臂丛神经阻滞在周围神经刺激器引导下,采用1%利多卡因与0.33%罗哌卡因混合液注射于肌皮神经、正中神经,分别为5、10 ml,I组和Ⅱ组分别诱发前臂外展或腕及手指外展时,采用上述混合液20 ml注射于桡神经周围,于注射完毕后5、10、15、20、25和30 min时采用针刺法评价肌皮神经、正中神经的感觉阻滞情况,桡神经近端和远端的感觉及运动阻滞情况.记录神经阻滞操作时间,记录桡神经定位次数,评价桡神经定位的难易程度.结果 与I组相比,Ⅱ组感觉完全阻滞成功率高,桡神经远端感觉及运动阻滞成功率高,神经阻滞操作时间长,桡神经定位困难程度高(P<0.05或0.01).结论 臂丛神经阻滞时,当神经刺激器诱发患者腕及手指外展较诱发前臂外展应用1%利多卡因与0.33%罗哌卡因混合液20 ml阻滞桡神经的效果更完善.     

Ropivacaine-induced toxicity with overdose suspected after axillary brachial plexus block

Ropivacaine has a high threshold for systemic toxicity. We report and highlight a rare case in which an overdose of ropivacaine was suspected of leading to a generalized convulsion following the injection of this agent for axillary brachial plexus block (ABPB). A 25-year-old woman (height, 153 cm; weight, 48 kg; American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I) was scheduled for finger surgery with ABPB. The perivascular sheath was identified by fascial clicks. We administered 300 mg (6.25 mg·kg⁻¹) ropivacaine, while confirming that no blood flow was observed in the injection line by repeated negative aspiration tests. Ten minutes after the injection, most sensory and motor nerves were blocked effectively. Thirteen minutes after the administration, the patient lost consciousness and convulsed suddenly. No severe symptoms of cardiovascular toxicity occurred. The concentration of ropivacaine in a venous blood sample taken 28 min after the ropivacaine injection was 3.65 μg·ml⁻¹. She recovered with no sequelae. Limited cases have indicated high efficacy and sufficient safety for the use of 300 mg ropivacaine for ABPB. However, the toxic threshold of ropivacaine remains unclear, and the dose should be calculated in relation to the weight of the patient to prevent severe toxic complications.     

Schwannoma of brachial plexus

Brachial plexus tumours are a rare entity. Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumours and only about 5% arise from the brachial plexus. Due to its rarity and complex anatomical location they can pose a formidable challenge to surgeons. We present a case of a young patient who presented with an axillary swelling three months after a lymph node biopsy from the same axilla, which turned out to be a Schwannoma arising for the medial cord of the brachial plexus.     

A comparison of three methods of axillary brachial plexus anaesthesia

One hundred patients scheduled for elective outpatient hand surgery had blockade of the axillary brachial plexus by one of three techniques; insertion of a catheter into the brachial plexus sheath (n = 25), use of paraesthesia (n = 50) or use of the nerve stimulator (n = 25) to localise the plexus. Only two patients required general anaesthesia for the planned surgery. Assessment of the dermatomes blocked did not demonstrate a statistical difference between the success rates of the three groups. The more nerves detected in the paraesthesia and the nerve stimulator groups before injection of local anaesthetic the higher the success rate of the block. We advocate use of the nerve stimulator technique in view of the possible risk of neurological damage associated with paraesthesia and the technical difficulties with the catheter technique, for routine brachial plexus blockade.