Effect of local anaesthetic volume (20 vs 5 ml) on the efficacy and respiratory consequences of ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial plexus block.

Br J Anaesth

Department of Anesthesia, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, University of Toronto, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4N 3M5.

Published: October 2008

Background: Interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) is an effective nerve block for shoulder surgery. However, a 100% incidence of phrenic nerve palsy limits the application of ISBPB for patients with limited pulmonary reserve. We examined the incidence of phrenic nerve palsy with a low-volume ISBPB compared with a standard-volume technique both guided by ultrasound.

Methods: Forty patients undergoing shoulder surgery were randomized to receive an ultrasound-guided ISBPB of either 5 or 20 ml ropivacaine 0.5%. General anaesthesia was standardized. Both groups were assessed for respiratory function by sonographic diaphragmatic assessment and spirometry before and after receiving ISBPB, and after surgery. Motor and sensory block, pain, sleep quality, and analgesic consumption were additional outcomes. Statistical comparison of continuous variables was analysed using one-way analysis of variance and Student's t-test. Non-continuous variables were analysed using chi(2) tests. Statistical significance was assumed at P<0.05.

Results: The incidence of diaphragmatic paralysis was significantly lower in the low-volume group compared with the standard-volume group (45% vs 100%). Reduction in forced expiratory volume in 1 s, forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow at 30 min after the block was also significantly less in the low-volume group. In addition, there was a significantly greater decrease in postoperative oxygen saturation in the standard-volume group (-5.85 vs -1.50, P=0.004) after surgery. There were no significant differences in pain scores, sleep quality, and total morphine consumption up to 24 h after surgery.

Conclusions: The use of low-volume ultrasound-guided ISBPB is associated with fewer respiratory and other complications with no change in postoperative analgesia compared with the standard-volume technique.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/bja/aen229DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

interscalene brachial
8
brachial plexus
8
plexus block
8
shoulder surgery
8
incidence phrenic
8
phrenic nerve
8
nerve palsy
8
variables analysed
8
isbpb
5
local anaesthetic
4

Similar Publications

Background: We have previously demonstrated that an extrafascial injection of 20 ml of local anaesthetic for interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) reduces the rate of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis by 70% compared with an intrafascial injection, with similar efficacy. In this double-blind trial, we tested the hypothesis that a local anaesthetic volume of 10 ml injected extrafascially would reduce the rate of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis vs a volume of 20 ml, while providing similar analgesia.

Methods: Sixty ASA physical status 1-3 patients scheduled for elective shoulder surgery under general anaesthesia were randomised to receive ultrasound-guided extrafascial ISB using ropivacaine 0.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: When performing the Upper Limb Neurodynamic Test 1 (ULNT1), the order of joint movement can be varied to place more stress onto certain nerve segments. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are still unclear. This study aimed to analyze the differences in the stiffness of the median nerve (MN) and the brachial plexus (BP) using ultrasound shear wave elastography during three sequences of the ULNT1: standard (ULNT1-STD), distal-to-proximal (ULNT1-DIST), and proximal-to-distal (ULNT1-PROX).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Regional anesthesia is frequently used for upper limb surgeries and postoperative pain control. Different approaches to brachial plexus blocks are similarly effective but may differ in the frequency and severity of iatrogenesis. We, therefore, examined large-scale registry data to explore the risks of typical complications among different brachial plexus block sites for regional anesthesia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Overview and Comparison of Interscalene Block Techniques for Brachial Plexus Pain Management.

Curr Pain Headache Rep

December 2024

Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

Purpose Of Review: Peripheral nerve blocks are performed using local anesthetics that are commonly performed prior to surgery to either be the sole anesthetic and/or for postoperative pain management. Interscalene blocks are a specific type of nerve block that targets the superior and middle trunks of the brachial plexus inhibiting transmission of pain signals from the upper extremities to the central nervous system making them useful in mitigating pain following surgeries involving the shoulder, upper arm, and elbow.

Recent Findings: Previously, interscalene blocks were performed with a nerve stimulator, which is an instrument designed to generate a twitch in surrounding muscles to verify the anesthetic block was placed in the correct location.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!