Continuous lumbar epidural infusion of levobupivacaine: effects of small-or large-volume regimen of infusion.

Background: The question of whether the dose, concentration or volume of a local anesthetic solution is the relevant determinant of the spread and quality of post-operative epidural analgesia is still open. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study, we compared the effects of a large volume-low concentration with a small-volume-high-concentration lumbar epidural infusion of levobupivacaine.

Methods: Seventy patients scheduled for total hip replacement were enrolled.

Composition of the blood sampled from surgical drainage after joint arthroplasty: quality of return.

Background: The quality of blood obtained with a device for postoperative blood drainage and autotransfusion (Bellovac-ABT, Astra Tech AB) was investigated in 50 patients who underwent total hip replacement (THR) or total knee replacement (TKR) surgeries.

Study Design And Methods: The Bellovac-ABT drainage set was inserted and blood collection began after skin closure (THR) or 15 minutes after tourniquet deflation (TKR). A collecting bag stayed in place for less than 6 hours.

Sciatic nerve block with lateral popliteal approach for hallux vagus correction. Comparison between 0.5% bupivacaine and 0.75% ropivacaine.

Aim: In this study the authors compared the clinical profile of 2 local anesthetic drugs in the sciatic nerve block used during hallux valgus correction, a surgical procedure known to be post-operatively extremely painful. Since hallux valgus correction is painful post-operatively, many attempts have been tried to ensure a long-lasting analgesia. Block of the sciatic nerve appears to be the right choice balancing ease to performance, satisfaction of the patient and duration of action.

The use of remifentanil for bloodless surgical field during vertebral disc resection.

Background: A short hospital stay is nowadays desirable and affordable for a wide range of surgical pathology, respecting safety of care and home discharge. In the present study, the Authors investigated the use of TIVA with propofol/remifentanil during microsurgical vertebral disc resection to maintain a controlled vascular hypotension for bloodless surgical field aiming to reduce the operating time and consequently recovery room length of stay and morbility related to anaesthesia.

Methods: The study took place in a 300 bed Orthopaedics hospital over a period of 3 months and 50 ASA I-II patients were enrolled in this trial; further data are presented for comparison of 50 ASA I-II patients homogeneous for age and sex to the studied population, operated under a standard TIVA with propofol and boluses of fentanyl.

0.25% levo-bupivacaine for interscalene block during shoulder surgery. A survey on 20 patients.

Background: Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) is an alternative procedure to general anaesthesia for shoulder surgery, and consents the anaesthetist to easily control postoperative pain that, indeed, is known to be intense and often requires strong analgesic administration. The introduction of regional anaesthesia for this type of surgery, contributed to the relief of acute postoperative pain occurring in the recovery room since the analgesic effects of block persist for several hours after surgery depending upon the selected drug. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 40 ml of 0.