Brief report: identification of the great auricular nerve by ultrasound imaging and transcutaneous nerve stimulation.

Superficial cervical plexus neuropathy after interscalene brachial plexus block affects about 8% of patients postoperatively. One of the nerves involved in superficial cervical plexus neuropathy is the great auricular nerve. We report success in identification of the great auricular nerve with ultrasound and transcutaneous nerve stimulation in a clinical setting in the majority of cases (95% lower confidence limit 63%).

Superficial cervical plexus neuropathy after single-injection interscalene brachial plexus block.

Background: Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) using the modified lateral approach provides a well-established method of anesthesia and analgesia for patients undergoing shoulder surgery. Considering the neural anatomy at the site of injection, the superficial cervical plexus may be at risk of injury. We evaluated the incidence and characteristics of superficial cervical plexus neuropathy.

Anaesthesia for coronary artery bypass grafting: opioid-analgesia combined with either flunitrazepam, propofol or isoflurane.

This is a prospective, open, randomized study comparing three different anaesthetic regimens with respect to haemodynamic stability (cardiac index and pressure measurements), ischaemia (ECG), and loss of awareness (midlatency auditory evoked potentials in 58 patients undergoing coronary artery surgery. Anaesthesia was based on fentanyl 0.01 mg kg-1 bw for induction and 0.

[Acute obstruction of an anesthetic gas evacuation system. Ventilation with a Servo Ventilator 900D].

During aorto-coronary bypass surgery acute expiratory airway obstruction occurred in two patients during controlled ventilation with a Servo D ventilator (Siemens Elema) in combination with a Servo EVAC 180 gas evacuation system. In this system expiratory volume passes from the ventilator to the reservoir bag. Distension of the bag will open the valve to the receiving unit by vertical dislocation of the valve spring.