Ultrasound Guidance and Nerve Stimulation Combined Versus Nerve Stimulation alone for Lumbar Plexus Block:A Randomized Controlled Trial

A nerve stimulation-guided lumbar plexus block is a well-established technique.It is not clear whether ultrasound guidance has additional value for this deep block technique.This study aimed to examine whether ultrasound guidance using a paramedian transverse scan through the intertransverse space(PMTS-ITS)approach in combination with nerve stimulation reduces the onset time of a complete sensory block.Forty-four patients who were scheduled to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery with an ultrasound visibility score(UVS)of≥10 for the lumbar plexus were enrolled and randomly allocated to the ultrasound guidance with nerve stimulation group(group U-N)or nerve stimulation group(group N)in this prospective,randomized,parallel-group,active-controlled study.The primary outcome was the onset time of a complete sensory block.The results showed that the onset time of a complete sensory block to pinprick and cold was 10(10–40)min and 10(10–40)min in group U-N,respectively,and 30(10–40)min and 20(10–40)min in group N(P=0.005,P=0.004),respectively.The performance time was 658±87 s in group U-N and 528±97 s in group N(P<0.001).There was no(0%)patient who required 5 or more needle passes in group U-N and 6(27.3%)in group N(P=0.028).The block failure rate was 9.1%in group U-N and 31.8%in group N(P>0.05).In conclusion,ultrasound guidance using the PMTS-ITS approach in combination with nerve stimulation led to a faster onset of a complete sensory block than nerve stimulation alone for a lumbar plexus block in patients with a UVS≥10.Ultrasound guidance with nerve stimulation significantly decreased the number of patients who required 5 or more needle passes.

Lumbar-Sacral Plexus Block Anesthesia versus General Anesthesia for Total Hip Arthroplasty: Case Control Study

Background: Peripheral block techniques for total hip arthroplasty have been used as an analgesic strategy, only a few studies described it as an anesthetic technique, so the perioperative performance and safety are poorly studied. Methods: 78 total hip arthroplasties were prospectively observed in our hospital. Divided into 2 groups: 1) General anesthesia;and 2) Lumbar sacral plexus block anesthesia. Variables measured in both groups were: demographics, conversion to general anesthesia, total opioid doses, surgical time, blood loss, postoperative pain, use and total dose of vasopressors drugs, transfusion and ICU transfer needs, postoperative ambulation time, and length of hospital stay. T student and chi-square tests were used upon the case. A significant difference was considered when a value of p < 0.05 was obtained. Descriptive statistics were performed in frequency, percentages, variance and standard deviation. Results: 3 patients (7.3%) anesthetized with combined lumbar sacral plexus block were converted to general anesthesia. When comparing peripheral nerve block and general anesthesia, less intraoperative (p = 0.000) and postoperative (p = 0.002) opioid consumption were noted, less postoperative pain in PACU (p = 0.002) and in the first 24 hours (p = 0.005), as well as earlier onset of ambulation (p = 0.008) and shorter hospital stay (p = 0.031). Conclusions: In our study, the lumbar and sacral plexus block anesthesia technique provided anesthetic conditions to perform hip joint arthroplasty and it was proved to be advantageous in comparison to general anesthesia.

Regional anesthesia for orthopedic procedures:What orthopedic surgeons need to know

Regional anesthesia is an integral component of successful orthopedic surgery.Neuraxial anesthesia is commonly used for surgical anesthesia while peripheral nerve blocks are often used for postoperative analgesia.Patient evaluation for regional anesthesia should include neurological,pulmonary,cardiovascular,and hematological assessments.Neuraxial blocks include spinal,epidural,and combined spinal epidural.Upper extremity peripheral nerve blocks include interscalene,supraclavicular,infraclavicular,and axillary.Lower extremity peripheral nerve blocks include femoral nerve block,saphenous nerve block,sciatic nerve block,iPACK block,ankle block and lumbar plexus block.The choice of regional anesthesia is a unanimous decision made by the surgeon,the anesthesiologist,and the patient based on a risk-benefit assessment.The choice of the regional block depends on patient cooperation,patient positing,operative structures,operative manipulation,tourniquet use and the impact of postoperative motor blockade on initiation of physical therapy.Regional anesthesia is safe but has an inherent risk of failure and a relatively low incidence of complications such as local anesthetic systemic toxicity(LAST),nerve injury,falls,hematoma,infection and allergic reactions.Ultrasound should be used for regional anesthesia procedures to improve the efficacy and minimize complications.LAST treatment guidelines and rescue medications(intralipid)should be readily available during the regional anesthesia administration.