Wide Awake Open Carpal Tunnel Release: The Effect of Local Anesthetics in the Postoperative Outcome

Introduction  Wide awake open carpal tunnel decompression is a procedure performed under local anesthesia. This study aimed to present the effect of various local anesthetics in peri and postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing this procedure. Materials and Methods  A total of 140 patients, with 150 hands involved, underwent carpal tunnel release under local anesthesia. Patients were divided in five groups according to local anesthetic administered: lidocaine 2%, ropivacaine 0.75%, ropivacaine 0.375%, chirocaine 0.5%, and chirocaine 0.25%. Total 400 mg of gabapentin were administered to a subgroup of 10 cases from each group (50 cases totally), 12 hours before surgery. Patients were evaluated immediately, 2 weeks and 2 months after surgery according to VAS pain score, grip strength, and two-point discrimination. Results  In all patients, pain and paresthesia improved significantly postoperatively, while the use of gabapentin did not affect outcomes. Grip strength recovered and exceeded the preoperative value 2 months after surgery, without any difference between the groups. No case of infection, hematoma, or revision surgery was reported. Conclusion  Recovery after open carpal tunnel release appears to be irrelevant of the type of local anesthetic used during the procedure. Solutions of low local anesthetic concentration (lidocaine 2%, ropivacaine 0.375%, and chirocaine 0.25%) provide adequate intraoperative analgesia without affecting the postoperative course.     

Intra-articular infiltration analgesia for arthroscopic shoulder surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Phrenic-sparing analgesic techniques for shoulder surgery are desirable. Intra-articular infiltration analgesia is one promising phrenic-sparing modality, but its role remains unclear because of conflicting evidence of analgesic efficacy and theoretical concerns regarding chondrotoxicity. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the benefits and risks of intra-articular infiltration in arthroscopic shoulder surgery compared with systemic analgesia or interscalene brachial plexus block. We sought randomised controlled trials comparing intra-articular infiltration with interscalene brachial plexus block or systemic analgesia (control). Cumulative 24-h postoperative oral morphine equivalent consumption was designated as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included visual analogue scale pain scores during the first 24 h postoperatively; time-to-first analgesic request; patient satisfaction; opioid-related side-effects; block-related adverse events; and any indicators of chondrotoxicity. Fifteen trials (863 patients) were included. Compared with control, intra-articular infiltration reduced 24-h postoperative analgesic consumption by a weighted mean difference (95%CI) of −30.9 ([−38.9 to −22.9]; p < 0.001). Intra-articular infiltration also reduced the weighted mean difference (95%CI) pain scores up to 12 h postoperatively, with the greatest reduction at 4 h (−2.2 cm [(−4.4 to −0.04]); p < 0.05). Compared with interscalene brachial plexus block, there was no difference in opioid consumption, but patients receiving interscalene brachial plexus block had better pain scores at 2, 4 and 24 h postoperatively. There was no difference in opioid- or block-related adverse events, and none of the trials reported chondrotoxic effects. Compared with systemic analgesia, intra-articular infiltration provides superior pain control, reduces opioid consumption and enhances patient satisfaction, but it may be inferior to interscalene brachial plexus block patients having arthroscopic shoulder surgery.     

A randomised trial of bilateral erector spinae plane block vs. no block for thoracolumbar decompressive spinal surgery

Major spinal surgery causes significant postoperative pain. We tested the efficacy and safety of bilateral erector spinae block on quality of recovery and pain after thoracolumbar decompression. We randomly allocated 60 adults to standard care or erector spinae block. Erector spinae block improved the mean (SD) quality of recovery-15 score at 24 postoperative hours, from 119 (20) to 132 (14), an increase (95%CI) of 13 (4–22), p = 0.0044. Median (IQR [range]) comprehensive complication index was 1 (0–3 [0–5]) in the control group vs. 1 (0–1 [0–4]) after block, p = 0.4. Erector spinae block reduced mean (SD) area under the curve pain during the first 24 postoperative hours: at rest, from 78 (49) to 50 (39), p = 0.018; and on sitting, from 125 (51) to 91 (50), p = 0.009. The cumulative mean (SD) oxycodone consumption to 24 h was 27 (18) mg in the control group and 19 (26) mg after block, p = 0.20. In conclusion, erector spinae block improved recovery and reduced pain for 24 h after thoracolumbar decompression surgery.     

Impact of the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block on postoperative analgesia and functional recovery following total hip arthroplasty: a randomised,observer-masked,controlled trial

The pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block is a novel regional anaesthesia technique that aims to provide hip analgesia with preservation of motor function, although evidence is currently lacking. In this single-centre, observer-masked, randomised controlled trial, patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty received pericapsular nerve group block or no block (control group). Primary outcome measure was maximum pain scores (0–10 numeric rating scale) measured in the first 48 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes included postoperative opioid consumption; patient mobilisation assessments; and length of hospital stay. Sixty patients were randomly allocated equally between groups. The maximum pain score of patients receiving the pericapsular nerve group block was significantly lower than in the control group at all time-points, with a median (IQR [range]) of 2.5 (2.0–3.7 [0–7]) vs. 5.5 (5.0–7.0 [2–8]) at 12 h; 3 (2.0–4.0 [0–7]) vs. 6 (5.0–6.0 [2–8]) at 24 h; and 2.0 (2.0–4.0 [0–5]) vs. 3.0 (2.0–4.7 [0–6]) at 48 h; all p < 0.001. Moreover, the pericapsular nerve group showed a significant reduction in opioid consumption, better range of hip motion and shorter time to ambulation. Although no significant difference in hospital length of stay was detected, our results suggest improved postoperative functional recovery following total hip arthroplasty in patients who received pericapsular nerve group block.     

Efficacy and safety of intrathecal morphine for analgesia after lower joint arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression and trial sequential analysis

Widespread adoption of intrathecal morphine into clinical practice is hampered by concerns about its potential side-effects. We undertook a systematic review, meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis with the primary objective of determining the efficacy and safety of intrathecal morphine. Our secondary objective was to determine the dose associated with greatest efficacy and safety. We also assessed the impact of intrathecal morphine on respiratory depression. We systematically searched the literature for trials comparing intrathecal morphine with a control group in patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty under spinal anaesthesia. Our primary efficacy outcome was rest pain score (0–10) at 8–12 hours; our primary safety outcome was the rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 24 hours. Twenty-nine trials including 1814 patients were identified. Rest pain score at 8–12 hours was significantly reduced in the intrathecal morphine group, with a mean difference (95%CI) of −1.7 (−2.0 to −1.3), p < 0.0001 (19 trials; 1420 patients; high-quality evidence), without sub-group differences between doses (p = 0.35). Intrathecal morphine increased postoperative nausea and vomiting, with a risk ratio (95%CI) of 1.4 (1.3–1.6), p < 0.0001 (24 trials; 1603 patients; high-quality evidence). However, a sub-group analysis by dose revealed that rates of postoperative nausea and vomiting within 24 hours were similar between groups at a dose of 100 µg, while the risk significantly increased with larger doses (p value for sub-group difference = 0.02). Patients receiving intrathecal morphine were no more likely to have respiratory depression, the risk ratio (95%CI) being 0.9 (0.5–1.7), p = 0.78 (16 trials; 1173 patients; high-quality evidence). In conclusion, there is good evidence that intrathecal morphine provides effective analgesia after lower limb arthroplasty, without an increased risk of respiratory depression, but at the expense of an increased rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting. A dose of 100 µg is a ‘ceiling’ dose for analgesia and a threshold dose for increased rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting.     

Hematoma subdural intracraneal tras punción dural accidental: caso clínico

Intracranial subdural hematoma is a rare, but potentially lethal complication of neuraxial procedures. Considering the high frequency of neuraxial techniques in the obstetric population, parturients are more susceptible to this fearful complication. The diagnosis is often masked and delayed because it shares similar clinical characteristics with posdural puncture headache, with headache being the most common symptom. This case report describes a timely diagnosis and successful management of an intracranial subdural hematoma, after unintentional dural puncture during labour epidural analgesia. Postpartum headache following epidural analgesia, remains a clinical challenge for the caring team, requiring a close follow-up and awareness for non-benign causes that require prompt management, avoiding devastating consequences.     

痹祺胶囊治疗类风湿性关节炎的药效研究及网络机制预测

目的 基于Ⅱ型胶原诱导的类风湿性关节炎（rheumatoid arthritis,RA）大鼠模型和网络药理学方法探讨痹祺胶囊的药效作用及作用机制。方法 SD大鼠采用Ⅱ型胶原蛋白造模,造模成功大鼠随机分为模型组,痹祺胶囊（0.05、0.10、0.20、0.40 g/kg）组及泼尼松（10 mg/kg）组和雷公藤总苷（10 mg/kg）组,连续给药15 d。持续监测大鼠体质量、足趾肿胀度和关节炎评分,苏木素-伊红染色考察大鼠踝关节病理变化,ELISA法测定血清细胞因子含量,初步评价痹祺胶囊治疗效果。选择痹祺胶囊中39个化合物为研究对象,依据反向药效团匹配方法和TCMSP、Uniprot等数据库预测化合物作用靶点,与通过OMIM、Dis Ge Net等数据库收集的RA相关靶点相互交互,将交互靶点借助Omicsbean、STRING等数据库平台对获得靶点进行基因本体功能和京都基因与基因组百科全书（Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes,KEGG）通路富集分析,利用Cytoscape软件构建“药材-化合物-靶点-通路-功效-疾病”网络,预测其可能的作用机制...     

Regional anaesthesia in patients taking anticoagulant drugs

Many surgical patients are taking drugs that impair normal coagulation, and this causes concern about the risk of perioperative bleeding events. The anaesthetist is particularly concerned about compressive vertebral canal haematomas, which may occur after spinal or epidural anaesthetic techniques. Fortunately, the risk of this complication is very low. The major risk factors are coagulopathy or technical difficulties with the block. There is also concern about perineural haematomas, which may be associated with peripheral nerve blocks. This article attempts to put the risks of these complications into context, with reference to different classes of anticoagulant drugs.     

Adjuvant agents in regional anaesthesia

The addition of adjuvant agents to intrathecal and epidural anaesthetic techniques is well established, in particular opioids and clonidine. These adjuvants are utilized to improve the quality of anaesthesia and analgesia. Several other adjuvants have been studied but ongoing concerns surrounding safety and efficacy may limit their use in clinical practice. Epinephrine has for many years been administered in combination with local anaesthetic although more recently a diverse range of adjuvants have been added to peripheral nerve block solutions, again with the aim of prolonging surgical anaesthesia. The evidence to support or refute the benefit of these agents is increasing, as is our understanding of which agents have demonstrable efficacy and safety at clinically appropriate doses. Clinicians must be aware that many adjuvants are not licensed for central neuraxial or perineural use and should be aware of the risks, in particular of neurotoxicity and unwanted side effects.     

Anatomical study of the human sacral hiatus and implications for successful caudal epidural injection

BackgroundCaudal epidural injection (CEI) is a commonly used procedure to treat back and leg pain secondary to nerve root irritation, predominantly in the context of spinal canal stenosis. Key to a successful outcome is correct needle placement. Although fluoroscopic guidance confirms accurate needle placement, it does not help in determining the starting point, which can lead to multiple needle insertions.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the variability in size and position of the sacral hiatus and to identify reproducible surface landmarks to locate its position.Methods and study design250 human sacral bones were examined, measuring morphology and structure. Vernier callipers accurate to 0.1 mm were used for measurements. Results were analysed using SPSS statistical software.ResultsTwo specimens were excluded due to agenesis of the hiatus (0.8%). Of the remaining 248 specimens, it was found that the mean internal diameter of the sacral hiatus was 5.12 mm (SD 1.61). The position of the hiatus was variable but was most commonly found at the level of the fourth sacral vertebrae (62.9%, n = 156). Mean distance between the two superolateral sacral prominences was 64.15 mm (SD 6.5) and between superolateral sacral prominences (left and right) and apex of the hiatus were 63.21 mm (SD 10.9) and 63.34 mm (SD 10.87) respectively.ConclusionAlthough there is a clear anatomical variance in the position and size of the sacral hiatus, this study suggests that surface anatomy landmarks can be used to form an equilateral triangle of which the inferior apex should correspond to the sacral hiatus. Knowledge of this surface anatomy may assist the correct location of the sacral hiatus and hence subsequently improve the efficacy of CEI.