Continuous Interscalene Brachial Plexus Blocks: An Anatomical Challenge between Scylla and Charybdis?

Brachial plexus blocks at the interscalene level are frequently chosen by physicians and recommended by textbooks for providing regional anesthesia and analgesia to patients scheduled for shoulder surgery. Published data concerning interscalene single-injection or continuous brachial plexus blocks report good analgesic effects. The principle of interscalene catheters is to extend analgesia beyond the duration of the local anesthetic's effect through continuous infusion, as opposed to a single injection.

[Ultrasound-guided low-volume continuous cervical sympathetic nerve block for treatment of an electrical storm].

In addition to the treatment for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the stellate ganglion block is a treatment option for refractory intermittent ventricular tachycardia (VT). Despite the use of imaging techniques, such as fluoroscopy and ultrasound, numerous side effects and complications have been reported. These are a result of the complex anatomical site and the volume of injected local anesthetics.

[Ultrasound-guided peripheral venepuncture under poor venous conditions].

Placement of a peripheral indwelling venous catheter is a routinely performed invasive procedure, in which complications are often underestimated. In difficult venous conditions multiple puncture attempts are often required, which are time consuming, unnecessarily painful for the patients and nevertheless not always successful. Due to the close anatomical relationship between superficial veins and peripheral nerves in the arm, puncture-related nerve injury is not uncommon.

Anterior Suprascapular Nerve Block Versus Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block for Shoulder Surgery in the Outpatient Setting: A Randomized Controlled Patient- and Assessor-Blinded Trial.

Background And Objectives: The interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB), a potent option to control pain after shoulder surgery, has notable adverse effects. The anterior suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) might provide comparable analgesia and cause less grip-strength impairment. These characteristics were studied in this randomized controlled patient- and assessor-blinded trial.

Image reconstruction affects computer tomographic assessment of lung hyperinflation.

Objectives: Lung hyperinflation may be assessed by computed tomography (CT). As shown for patients with emphysema, however, CT image reconstruction affects quantification of hyperinflation. We studied the impact of reconstruction parameters on hyperinflation measurements in mechanically ventilated (MV) patients.

Platelet function in variable platelet split products intended for neonatal transfusion.

Background: Only a few systematic studies have examined the effect of variable produced small platelet (PLT) aliquots on PLT function before transfusion to neonates. Although neonatal transfusion could be critical, no standardization of production or systematic quality controls have been introduced so far.

Study Design And Methods: PLT split products were prepared in three different ways (30- or 60-mL bag, syringe aliquot) at different times from the parent unit (Days 1-4) and stored for 2 or 4 hours.