Background: Continuous interscalene catheters extend analgesia beyond 24 hours but are resource-intensive, while the efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine for single-injection interscalene blocks remains uncertain. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the analgesic efficacy, quality of recovery, and treatment costs between interscalene nerve block using either an indwelling catheter or single shot block using liposomal bupivacaine, in patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty.
Methods: In this single-center, parallel, unblinded, randomized clinical trial, 83 patients undergoing primary shoulder arthroplasty were assigned to either a continuous interscalene catheter group (n=44) or a single-injection liposomal bupivacaine interscalene block group (n=39).
Propofol "frenzy" is considered a severe propofol-induced neuroexcitatory reaction involving nonepileptic spells of extremity thrashing, marked agitation, irregular eye movements, and impaired consciousness. Patients with propofol neuroexcitation present unique challenges for anesthesia providers due to underrecognition, lack of diagnostic tests, and differentiating from other comparable disorders that require medications that can exacerbate symptoms. We present a case of a healthy young patient whose postoperative course was complicated by propofol frenzy and functional limb paralysis following hip surgery with a spinal anesthetic and propofol sedation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease primarily affecting the upper and lower motor neurons. Patients present with a variety of clinical manifestations inevitably resulting in death secondary to respiratory insufficiency from muscle weakness and consequential pulmonary complications. Despite the lack of universal consensus on the ideal anesthetic approach to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients undergoing lower extremity total joint surgery, there are few noteworthy anesthetic considerations in this cohort.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: The ideal analgesic modality for total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) remains controversial. We hypothesized that a multimodal analgesic pathway incorporating continuous interscalene blockade (ISB) provides better analgesic efficacy than both single-injection ISB and local infiltration analgesia.
Methods: This single-center, parallel, unblinded, randomized clinical trial evaluated 129 adults undergoing primary TSA.
Demand for low-cost, high-quality health care has forced the total joint replacement (TJR) industry to evaluate and mitigate high variable costs. Minimizing hospital stay can significantly reduce total cost of care. A shortened hospital stay does not compromise patient safety or satisfaction, and may reduce perioperative complications compared with multiple-day hospitalizations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSystemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS) is an idiopathic vascular hyperpermeability that leads to profound hypotension, hypoalbuminemia, and hemoconcentration. Sixty years since its inauguration into literature, SCLS is still elusive, underdiagnosed, and profoundly dangerous. Few authors have documented anesthetic implications of classical acute SCLS, a form with complete recovery between exacerbations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCase Rep Anesthesiol
December 2017
Background: Ipsilateral phrenic nerve blockade is a common adverse event after an interscalene brachial plexus block, which can result in respiratory deterioration in patients with preexisting pulmonary conditions. Diaphragm-sparing nerve block techniques are continuing to evolve, with the intention of providing satisfactory postoperative analgesia while minimizing hemidiaphragmatic paralysis after shoulder surgery.
Case Report: We report the successful application of a combined ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block and suprascapular nerve block in a patient with a complicated pulmonary history undergoing a total shoulder replacement.
Interscalene brachial plexus block is considered the most complete postoperative analgesia after total shoulder arthroplasty. Interscalene brachial plexus block-induced ipsilateral hemidiaphragmatic paralysis may not be tolerated in patients with preexisting pulmonary disease. Selective distal nerve blocks avoid the risk of phrenic nerve block; however, they may provide incomplete analgesia to the glenohumeral joint.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Multimodal analgesia is standard practice for total knee arthroplasty; however, the role of regional techniques in improved perioperative outcomes remains unknown. The authors hypothesized that peripheral nerve blockade would result in lower pain scores and opioid consumption than two competing periarticular injection solutions.
Methods: This three-arm, nonblinded trial randomized 165 adults undergoing unilateral primary total knee arthroplasty to receive (1) femoral catheter plus sciatic nerve blocks, (2) ropivacaine-based periarticular injection, or (3) liposomal bupivacaine-based periarticular injection.