A report on 107 cases of obturator nerve block

The obturator nerve passes in close proximity to the inferolateral bladder wall. Transurethral resection of bladder tumors close to these areas may stimulate the obturator nerve, causing violent adductor contraction and possible inadvertent bladder perforation. To avoid this reaction, local anesthetic blockade of the obturator nerve as it passes through the obturator canal is effective to stop adductor spasm during spinal anesthesia. We performed obturator nerve block in 107 cases by use of insulated needle and nerve stimulator, and measured the depth of the obturator nerve and that of the pubic tubercle. Obesity index was positively correlated with the depth of the obturator nerve as well as the pubic tubercle. However, no correlation was found between the obesity index and the difference of the depth of the obturator nerve and the depth of the pubic tubercle. It is suggested that if the needle is advanced in the direction of the obturator canal about 40mm further after reaching the pubic tubercle, the needle reaches the obturator nerve.     

经闭孔行闭孔神经阻滞对预防膀胱侧壁肿瘤电切时闭孔神经反射的作用

目的探讨经闭孔行闭孔神经阻滞对预防膀胱侧壁肿瘤电切时闭孔神经反射的作用。方法回顾性分析67例膀胱侧壁浅表性肿瘤行经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术的患者资料,根据术中是否行闭孔神经阻滞分为闭孔神经阻滞组（35例）和对照组（32例）,其中闭孔神经阻滞组术中辅以经闭孔法闭孔神经阻滞,而对照组未行闭孔神经阻滞。比较两组术中闭孔神经反射发生率、膀胱穿孔率、手术时间、及出血量,并术后随访观察肿瘤的复发情况。结果两组术中电切时间、出血量、术后1年肿瘤复发率均无统计学差异,但闭孔神经阻滞组闭孔神经反射率及膀胱穿孔率较对照组明显降低。结论经闭孔行闭孔神经阻滞能有效预防膀胱侧壁肿瘤电切时闭孔神经反射,可降低膀胱穿孔率,其操作要点是选择准确的穿刺点、掌握好穿刺方向和深度。     

Blockade of the obturator nerve in transurethral electroresection of urinary bladder tumors

Stimulation of obturator nerve during transurethral electroresection causes violent adductor muscle contraction, and is a major cause of inadvertent bladder perforation. General anesthesia with muscle relaxants is often required when the bladder tumor is in the area where the obturator nerve passes in close proximity to the inferolateral bladder wall. Recently obturator nerve block under spinal anesthesia during transurethral surgery have been reported in several papers, but the blockade is not completely reliable. Obturator nerve block using electrostimulator (neutracer) and insulated electroneedle (pole needle) was performed in 25 patients with bladder tumors during transurethral electroresection from October 1980 to December 1981. We herein describe the technique and results of local obturator nerve blockade. Use of neutracer and pole needle makes the obturator nerve block a completely reliable, safe and easy procedure.     

超声引导下闭孔神经阻滞在经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术中预防闭孔神经反射的效果

目的通过对比不同麻醉方式下闭孔神经反射的发生情况,探讨经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术中预防闭孔神经反射的有效方式。方法选取需行经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术的膀胱侧壁肿瘤患者160例,男134例,女26例,ASAⅠ~Ⅲ级,随机分为四组:全凭静脉麻醉组(G组),腰-硬联合麻醉组(C组),腰-硬联合麻醉复合静脉麻醉组(V组),腰-硬联合麻醉复合闭孔神经阻滞(obturator nerve block,ONB)组(O组),每组40例。记录不同麻醉方式下闭孔神经反射的发生情况。结果O组闭孔神经反射发生率(7.5%)明显低于C组(32.5%,P=0.005)和V组(40.0%,P=0.001),与G组闭孔神经反射发生率(5.0%)差异无统计学意义(P=0.644)。结论腰-硬联合麻醉复合闭孔神经阻滞与全凭静脉麻醉均可有效预防闭孔神经反射的发生。     

An alternative technique to prevent obturator nerve stimulation during lateral bladder tumours transurethral resection

ObjetivesWe presents an alternative to prevent the obturator nerve stimulation during TUBR.Material and MethodWe revise 400 bladder tumours corresponding to 218 patients, 46,8% of them localized in lateral bladder wall. An alternative technique is used for that blockade.ResultsThere have been no adductor contractions in more than 95% of TUBR.ConclusionsThe alternative technique may reduce the stimulation of the obturador nerve and the risk of bladder perforation.     

Transurethral resection in saline (TURis): a newly developed TUR system preventing obturator nerve reflex

PURPOSE: We developed an innovative transurethral resection system (TURis) consisting of a uniquely-designed generator and a resectoscope. The obturator nerve is protected from troublesome reflexes during TURis because the high frequency current delivery route is via the resection loop to the sheath of the resectscope and not via a patient plate. After extensive preclinical evaluation and verification of the system using an animal model to ensure efficacy as well as operational safety, TURis was conducted for treatment of superficial bladder cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In preclinical experiments swine bladder wall was transurethrally resected using the system in a saline environment. The results were compared with data obtained from an identical resection using the conventional system using sorbitol solution irrigation. Electrolytic contents were measured after TUR for comparative evaluation vis-a-vis corresponding pre-TUR data. Also, the depth of heat degeneration was measured in the resected tissue. From December, 2000 to June, 2002, TURis was performed in 25 cases of superficial bladder cancer and 30 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), using saline irrigation. All 55 cases were performed under spinal anesthesia without an obturator nerve block. The output power was set at 280 W for cut and 120 W for coagulation. A smaller electrode than those used in conventional TUR was used to improve the cutting efficacy. Occurrence of obturator nerve reflexes, difference of hematocrit and electrolytic contents before and after TURis, operation time and total volume of irrigated saline were evaluated. RESULTS: TURis in animal model: No adductor contraction of a lower limb was observable except for minimal creeping during the resection of a site close to the urethra. There were no apparent anomalies relative to the blood electrolyte content after TURis. No difference was observed in the mean depth of heat-degeneration tissue change compared with the conventional system. TURis for bladder cancer and BPH: No additional skills were required for TURis compared to conventional TUR. No obturator nerve reflex was observed except for a clinically insignificant thigh movement in one case of bladder cancer. The post-TURis blood tests manifested no significant anomalies in blood electrolyte content. Mean operation time for bladder cancer and BPH were 32 and 42 minutes respectively. Mean volumes of saline consumed during TURis were 6,083 ml for bladder cancer and 16,100 ml for BPH. CONCLUSIONS: TURis worked effectively in a saline-irrigated environment. It does not need a patient plate and obturator nerve block even in cases of bladder cancer on the lateral wall. In addition, saline was both safe and cost-effective compared to non-electrolytic solution as irrigant for TUR of BPH. This suggests that TURis may have more applications than conventional TUR.     

Transurethral resection of bladder cancer on the lateral bladder wall without obturator nerve block: extent of adductor spasms using the monopolar versus bipolar technique—a prospective randomised study

Purpose

To establish whether bipolar transurethral resection of tumours (bTURB) on the lateral bladder wall is superior to monopolar transurethral resection (mTURB) of such tumours. To our knowledge, this is the first prospective randomised study, which defines complete resection depending on obturator jerk as primary endpoint.

Methods

In a prospective, randomised, single centre study, 52 patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent bladder tumour on the lateral bladder wall were enrolled and randomised to undergo mTURB or bTURB; 44 patients were eligible for analysis, of whom 21 underwent mTURB and 23 bTURB. Any differences between the two techniques related to the incidence of unwanted stimulation of the obturator nerve and subsequent adductor spasms were evaluated. All procedures were carried out under laryngeal mask anaesthesia without obturator nerve block (ONB) and without drug-induced relaxation.

Results

Baseline characteristics of the two study groups did not differ statistically significantly. The success rate defined as complete resection of the bladder tumour without any clinically relevant adductor spasm was 61.9% in the monopolar group and 82.6% in the bipolar group (p = 0.18).

Conclusions

Complete, undisturbed resection of tumours of the lateral bladder wall is feasible with mTURB and bTURB. Adductor spasms due to obturator jerk can occur suddenly with the risk of bladder perforation. We therefore support ONB when using spinal anaesthesia and drug-induced relaxation when using general anaesthesia when performing TURB on the lateral bladder wall.

     

膀胱肿瘤电切术中行闭孔神经阻滞防止闭孔神经反射的效果分析

目的 探讨经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术中采用闭孔神经阻滞防止闭孔神经反射的临床效果.方法 对214例膀胱癌患者行经尿道电切术,治疗组113例在腰-硬联合麻醉基础上进行闭孔神经阻滞,而对照组101例仅行单纯腰-硬联合麻醉.结果 治疗组闭孔神经反射发生率（9.7%）明显低于对照组（22.8%）（P〈0.05）,两组复发率差异无统计学意义（21.2% vs 25.7%,P＆gt;0.05）.结论 在经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术中采取闭孔神经阻滞能明显减少闭孔神经反射的发生,提高手术的安全性和有效性,临床效果良好.     

经尿道电切镜下电凝+含切法切除侧壁膀胱肿瘤的疗效分析

目的 探讨经尿道电切镜下电凝+含切法切除侧壁膀胱肿瘤在应对闭孔神经反射的作用. 方法 对我院2010年3月至2016年6月收治的114例侧壁膀胱肿瘤行经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术(transurethral resection of bladder tumor, TURBT)患者的资料进行回顾性分析,按照不同的手术方式将患者分成两组:A组应用常规的TURBT方法切除膀胱肿瘤(56例),B组采用电凝+含切的方法切除肿瘤(58例).对闭孔神经反射发生率、手术时间、留置导尿管时间、术后膀胱冲洗时间、住院时间、膀胱破裂穿孔发生率及术后半年复发等进行统计学分析. 结果 A组术中发生闭孔神经反射48例(严重闭孔神经反射发生34例),其中13例出现膀胱穿孔,中转全麻14例,中转开放手术5例;B组术中发生闭孔神经反射42例(严重闭孔神经反射发生11例),其中2例出现膀胱穿孔,中转全麻1例,中转开放手术1例.A、B组间在严重闭孔神经反射发生例数、膀胱穿孔例数、中转全麻例数、中转开放手术例数方面比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);A、B组在术后膀胱冲洗时间、留置导尿管时间、住院时间、术后半年肿瘤复发等方面差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05). 结论 经尿道电切镜下电凝+含切法切除侧壁膀胱肿瘤可以有效减少严重闭孔神经反射导致的膀胱破裂发生率.     

膀胱肿瘤电切术中应用周围神经刺激器监测下行闭孔神经阻滞的体会

目的：观察周围神经阻滞器在闭孔神经阻滞麻醉下膀胱肿瘤电切术中使用的可行性和临床效果。方法：15例在骶丛麻醉下行经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术（TURBt），术中出现闭孔神经反射时，加用周围神经刺激器在监测下行闭孔神经阻滞麻醉。结果：14例闭孔神经反射消失，1例仍有轻微的内收肌痉挛。加用副闭孔神经阻滞麻醉后，肌肉痉挛消失，继续行TURBt，再无一例发生闭孔神经反射。结论：利用神经刺激器辅助定位行闭孔神经阻滞，可以提高闭孔神经阻滞的成功率和质量，有效地避免在TURBt中因闭孔神经反射导致的膀胱穿孔和神经血管损伤。     

Pubic tubercle side approach to the obturator nerve block

BACKGROUND: The authors describe the pubic tubercle side approach of the obturator nerve block for the management of adductor muscle constriction associated with the transurethral resection of the lateral wall bladder tumor. METHODS: The pubic tubercle side approach of the obturator nerve block was performed by a inserting needle at the midpoint of the femoral artery and the pubic tubercle. After the needle encountered the superior ramus of pubis, the needle was redirected vertical or slightly caudal, passeing the vicinity of the inferior margin of the superior ramus of pubis, and then advanced to the trunk of the obturator nerve. The obturator nerve was identified by its response to nerve stimulation. The pubic tubercle side approach using more than 5 ml of 1.0% lidocaine was performed by a single injection until there was no response to nerve stimulation. On the other hand, by the traditional approach to the obturator nerve block, after the initial local anesthetic injection the needle was redirected lateral and slightly caudal. If the response to nerve stimulation was still elicited, more local anesthetic was administered. RESULTS: Evaluation of the efficacy of the pubic tubercle side approach was performed in-terms of quantity of the local anesthetic used and the success rate. In comparison with the traditional approach, a smaller dose of local anesthetic was used in spite of the higher success rate. CONCLUSIONS: The pubic tubercle side approach of the obturator nerve was useful and without complications in comparison with the traditional approach.     

气管插管全麻预防经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术闭孔神经反射的作用

目的 探讨气管插管全麻预防经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术(transurethral resection of bladder tumor,TURBT)中闭孔神经反射的效果.方法 回顾性分析本院2013年10月至2016年10月收治的148例膀胱侧壁浅表性肿瘤患者在腰硬联合麻醉和气管插管全麻下行经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术的临床资料,比较两种麻醉下闭孔反射发生率的差异.结果 气管插管全麻下闭孔反射的发生率明显低于腰硬联合麻醉,差异具有显著性(P=0.02).结论 气管插管全麻在预防闭孔反射、避免严重并发症方面优于腰硬联合麻醉,术者可更精准完成手术.     

Controlled obturator nerve block using electrostimulation: prevention of the stimulation of the obturator nerve during resection of the lateral walls of the bladder

An adductor contraction secondary to obturator nerve stimulation can occur during transurethral resection of a lateral bladder lesion and then can induce bladder perforation or hamper complete resection. Many technique have been advocated but they are ineffective or unreliable. Obturator nerve blockade in the obturator canal by local anesthesia with control by nerve stimulator can prevent these complications. The technique described, has been used in 12 patients it is reliable, fast and easy to perform.     

超声引导下腹股沟径路闭孔神经阻滞的应用

目的观察超声引导下腹股沟径路闭孔神经阻滞在经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术中预防闭孔神经反射的临床效果和并发症。方法行经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术患者50例,随机分为2组：超声引导腹股沟径路闭孔神经阻滞组（UONB组,25例）和传统闭孔神经阻滞组（TONB组,25例）。闭孔神经阻滞前后分别测定阻滞侧大腿内收肌力量。记录两种闭孔神经阻滞方法成功率及副作用发生情况等。结果 UONB组和TONB组患者阻滞侧大腿内收肌力量闭孔神经阻滞后分别为52±7mmHg和66±19mmHg,UONB组显著小于TONB组（P=0.001）。UONB组阻滞成功率为97.4%,显著高于TONB组（74.2%）（P=0.01）。结论超声引导闭孔神经阻滞成功率高,可以安全、有效的预防膀胱肿瘤电切术闭孔神经反射。     

Anatomical feasibility of the anterior obturator nerve transfer to restore bowel and bladder function

Total sacrectomies are radical procedures required to treat tumorigenic processes involving the sacrum. The purpose of our anatomical study was to assess the feasibility of a novel nerve transfer involving the anterior obturator nerve to the pudendal and pelvic nerves to the rectum and bladder. Anterior dissection of the obturator nerve was performed in eight hemipelvis cadaver specimens. The common obturator nerve branched into the anterior and posterior at the level of the obturator foramen. The anterior branch then divided into two separate branches (adductor longus and gracilis). The branch to the gracilis was on average longer and also larger than the branch to the adductor longus (8.7 ± 2.1 cm vs. 6.7 ± 2.6 cm in length and 2.6 ± 0.2 mm vs 1.8 ± 0.4 mm in diameter). Each branch of the anterior obturator was long enough to reach the pelvic nerves. The novel transfer of the anterior branch of the obturator nerve to reinnervate the bladder and bowel is anatomically feasible. This represents a promising option with minimal donor site deficit. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 34:459–463, 2014.     

经尿道滚球电极膀胱肿瘤切除术(附68例报告)

目的:评价滚球电极在经尿道膀胱肿瘤切除术中的应用及疗效。方法:选取2009年10月～2011年5月收治68例膀胱肿瘤患者,应用滚球电极行经尿道膀胱肿瘤切除术。68例患者中男48例,女20例,年龄52～71岁,平均61.4岁。肿瘤初发54例,复发14例。肿瘤单发41例,多发27例。肿瘤大小0.5～4.6cm,平均2.6cm。肿瘤位于侧后壁闭孔神经反射区29例。结果:68例患者均成功经尿道切除肿瘤,手术时间29～55min,平均42.3min。无一例发生膀胱穿孔。术后标本均满足临床病理分期要求。结论:应用滚球电极行经尿道膀胱肿瘤电切术可以有效避免由于闭孔神经反射引起的膀胱穿孔等严重并发症,切除标本满足病理分期要求,是一种安全有效的治疗膀胱肿瘤的方法。     

Treatment of Bladder Tumors and Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with a New TUR System Using Physiological Saline as Perfusate

This article presents a new transurethral resection (TUR) system for use in endoscopic surgery. By using an electroconductive solution (physiological saline) as the perfusate in lieu of conventional non-electroconductive solution (Uromatic), additional anesthesia (e.g., obturator nerve blocking) is not required. The new TUR is carried out in an electroconductive solution such as saline, and because radiofrequency current flows from the resecting electrode through the perfusate to the outer sheath, no counter-electrode is needed. We have treated both bladder tumor and benign prostatic hyperplasia cases with this new system. Surgery was safely performed in all TUR-bt cases without requiring obturator nerve blocking. During both TUR-bt and transurethral resection of the prostate (TUR-P) using this system, tissue resection and coagulation equivalents were similar to the conventional TUR system. In previous TUR, preoperative obturator nerve blocking was necessary, and in some cases, incomplete blocking or complications occurred. When physiological saline is used as the perfusate, blood electrolyte levels are not greatly changed, even after extensive resection of the bladder wall; as a result, this new system is also cost effective because physiological saline is less expensive than non-electroconductive solutions and requires no counter-electrode. Thus, in comparison with conventional TUR, this new system is both significantly safer and more cost effective.     

Life-threatening haemorrhage following obturator artery injury during transurethral bladder surgery: a sequel of an unsuccessful obturator nerve block

In spite of prior blockade of the obturator nerve with 1% mepivacaine (8 ml) utilizing a nerve stimulator, violent leg jerking was evoked during transurethral electroresection of a bladder tumour approximately 1 h after the blockade in a 68-year-old man. The patient became severely hypotensive immediately following the jerking, and a large lower abdominal swelling concurrently developed. The urgent laparotomy indicated that the left obturator artery was severely injured by the resectoscope associated with the bladder perforation, causing acute massive haemorrhage. The patient recovered uneventfully after adequate surgery. Investigation of the literature suggested that both our nerve stimulation technique and anatomical approach were appropriate. It was therefore unlikely that our block resulted in failure because of an inappropriate site for deposition of the anaesthetic. However, consensus does not appear to have been obtained as to the concentration and volume of the anaesthetic necessary for prevention of the obturator nerve stimulation during the transurethral procedures. The concentration and volume of mepivacaine we used might have been too low and/or small, respectively, to profoundly block all the motor neuron fibres of the nerve. Alternatively, stimulation of the obturator nerve might occur because of the presence of some anatomical variant, such as the accessory obturator nerve or its abnormal branching. In conclusion, some uncertainty appears to exist in the effectiveness of the local anaesthetic blockade of the obturator nerve. In order to attain profound blockade of the motor neuron fibres of the obturator nerve and thereby prevent the thigh-adductor muscle contraction which can lead to life-threatening situations, we recommend, even with a nerve stimulator, to use a larger volume of a higher concentration of local anaesthetic with a longer duration in the obturator nerve block for the transurethral procedures.     

膀胱肿瘤基底部不同层面阻滞麻醉预防闭孔神经反射的比较

目的探讨膀胱肿瘤基底部黏膜下阻滞与肌层及黏膜下同时阻滞预防电切术中闭孔神经反射的效果差异。方法 2000年1月至2009年5月对收治的膀胱侧壁肿瘤患者,在电切术前用滚珠状电极电灼刺激肿瘤基底部进行测试,证实存在闭孔神经反射的76例被随机分为A、B两组,用2%利多卡因行肿瘤基底部浸润注射,其中A组38例行肿瘤基底部黏膜下注射,B组38例则行肌层及黏膜下同时注射。结果 A组有28.95%(11例)患者在电切时发生不同程度的闭孔神经反射,B组发生轻微反射5.26%(2例),差异有统计学意义。对仍出现闭孔神经反射的13例,用电切环切除瘤体,而肿瘤基底部及其周围组织改用滚珠状或汽化电极进行汽化,防止了膀胱穿孔的发生。结论术前应用滚珠状电极电灼刺激肿瘤基底部,不仅能帮助识别是否存在闭孔神经反射,而且操作直观安全;用利多卡因浸润注射肿瘤基底部肌层及黏膜下,能有效降低闭孔神经反射发生率,肌层和黏膜下同时注射效果明显优于单纯黏膜下注射。     

A new ultrasound‐guided pubic approach for proximal obturator nerve block: clinical study and cadaver evaluation

We evaluated an alternative technique for ultrasound‐guided proximal level obturator nerve block that might facilitate needle visualisation using in‐plane ultrasound guidance. Twenty patients undergoing transurethral bladder tumour resection requiring an obturator nerve block were enrolled into a prospective observational study. With the patient in the lithotomy position, the transducer was placed on the medial thigh along the extended line of the inguinal crease, and aimed cephalad to view a thick fascia between the pectineus and obturator externus muscles that contains the obturator nerve. A stimulating nerve block needle was inserted at the pubic region and advanced in‐plane with the transducer in an anterior‐to‐posterior direction. Eight ml levobupivacaine 0.75% was injected within the fascia. The median (IQR [range]) duration for ultrasound identification of the target and injection were 8.5 (7–12 [5–24]) s and 62 (44.5–78.25 [39–383]) s, respectively. All blocks were successful. A cadaver evaluation demonstrated that the dye injected into the target fascia using our technique travelled retrogradely through the obturator canal, and surrounded the anterior and posterior branches of the obturator nerve both proximally and distally to the obturator canal. We believe that this is a promising new technique for ultrasound‐guided proximal level obturator nerve block.