Effectiveness of aromatherapy with lavender compared to progressive muscle relaxation on anxiety and vital signs in patients under spinal anesthesia:A randomized clinical trial

Objective:This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of aromatherapy with lavender essential oil compared to progressive muscle relaxation(PMR)on anxiety and vital signs of patients under spinal anesthesia.Materials and Methods:This clinical trial was conducted on 120 spinal anesthesia candidates who were randomly assigned into three groups of 40 including control,PMR(Jacobsen group),and aromatherapy.The state-trait anxiety inventory was completed on surgery day and 15 min after the end of the intervention by the samples of all three groups,and at the same time as completing the questionnaire,vital signs were also measured and recorded.Results:The mean score of anxiety after intervention was lower than that before the intervention in the aromatherapy group(P<0.001).The mean score of anxiety in the aromatherapy group was significantly lower than that in the Jacobsen group(P<0.001).Moreover,data analysis showed a significant decrease in the mean arterial blood pressure scores of the PMR(P=008)and aromatherapy(P<0.001)groups and a statistically significant increase in the mean heart rate scores in the control group(P=0.002).Conclusion:The use of aromatherapy with lavender is more effective than PMR therapy in reducing the anxiety level of patients undergoing spinal anesthesia.Due to the high level of anxiety and its serious effects on the patient’s hemodynamics,aromatherapy with lavender can be used as an easy and cheap method to reduce anxiety in operation rooms.

Analgesic Effect of Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia and its Effect on TNF-α and CRP Levels in Elderly Patients with Hip Fracture During Surgical Treatment

Objective:To observe the analgesic effect of combined spinal and epidural anesthesia on older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.Method:One hundred and twenty elderly hip fracture surgery patients treated in our hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected and randomly divided into two groups,with 60 cases in the experimental group and 60 in the control group.The experimental group was given combined spinal-epidural anesthesia intervention measures,while the control group was given epidural anesthesia intervention measures.The analgesic effect,tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),C-reactive protein(CRP)levels,and other observation indicators were analyzed after anesthesia intervention.Result:After the intervention,the analgesic effect and the evaluation results of the subjects in the experimental group were better than those in the control group(P<0.05);the obtained values of TNF-αand CRP levels in the experimental group were higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The combined spinal-epidural anesthesia intervention demonstrated positive outcomes.The analgesic effect of patients during surgery and their inflammatory factor levels improved,which makes this intervention worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Pneumocephalus Following Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia: A Case Report Analysis

Background: Combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) is widely used in clinical anesthesia due to its rapid onset, reliable anesthetic effect, and strong controllability. Although advancements in technique have reduced the frequency and severity of common complications, reports of rare and serious complications such as pneumocephalus, remain scarce. Case Report: This article presents a case of pneumocephalus following CSEA in a middle-aged female patient undergoing surgery for an intrauterine space-occupying lesion. The patient experienced severe headache postoperatively, and imaging confirmed the presence of intracranial air. After receiving active symptomatic treatment, the patient recovered and was discharged. Conclusion: This case underscores the importance of adhering to standard anesthesia protocols and increasing awareness of rare CSEA complications, particularly the risk of pneumocephalus. Early recognition and timely management are crucial. There is a need to further enhance training and research in anesthetic procedures to improve clinical anesthesia quality and ensure patient safety.

Practice of Pediatric Spinal Anesthesia in a Country with Limited Means: Example of Togo

Introduction: The practice of spinal anesthesia in pediatric surgery is declining, especially in countries with limited means. What about in our context? Objective: To evaluate the practice of spinal anesthesia in pediatric surgery in Togo. Framework and method of study: This was a prospective study from November 2017 to May 2018 in pediatric surgery at CHU SO de Lomé, in the operating room and hospital ward of CHU Kara. The surgical, anesthesiological and evolutionary aspects of the patients were analyzed. Results: Sixty children were selected for the study who had an indication for sub-umbilical surgery. The male sex was predominant (73.3%). 47 (78.30%) patients were operated on for scheduled surgery. Hernia repair was the most performed surgical intervention (43.30%). The mean duration of the surgery was 78 ± 35.9 minutes. Most of the patients were ASA 1 (98.30%). The local anesthetic used was 0.5% isobaric Bupivacaine. Fentanyl was the predominant adjuvant (55%). The most widely used lumbar puncture needle was 25 Gauge with 75 millimeters in length (63.30%). Diazepam was the most widely used sedative (50%). The predominant spinal anesthesia protocol was spinal anesthesia alone (60%). Only one patient had hypotension (1.70%). Conclusion: The fairly satisfactory pediatric spinal anesthesia in Togo remains poorly performed. Its promotion involves the training of anesthesia practitioners and the strengthening of the technical platform.

Continuous Spinal Anesthesia in Precarious Patients: An Experience in Lubumbashi DR Congo

Background: Continuous spinal anesthesia (CSA) is an underused technique in modern anesthesia practice. Compared with other techniques of neuraxial anesthesia, CSA allows incremental dosing of an intrathecal local anesthetic for an indefinite duration, whereas traditional single-shot spinal anesthesia (SSA) usually involves larger doses, a finite, unpredictable duration, and greater potential for detrimental hemodynamic effects including hypotension, and epidural anesthesia via a catheter may produce lesser motor block and suboptimal anesthesia in sacral nerve root distributions. It is indicated in elderly patients undergoing lower limbs and sub umbilical surgery. Aim: This work aims to highlight the advantages of CSA on hemodynamic stability and as an alternative to heavy anesthetic procedures in already fragile patients. Case presentation: Our cases were two elderly patients, both of them with past stories of cardiac diseases. Both of them were undergoing amputation indicated for wet gangrene on lower limbs. They had unstable hemodynamics states due to inflammatory state. They were all rated ASA 3. CSA was performed with low doses of local anesthetics and maintenance by reinjections of mixture with the same doses. The interventions took place without major incidents and all patients survived. Conclusion: CSA is an underused technique in modern anesthesia. However, there is renewed interest due to the quality of the blocs and the hemodynamics stability. We report a case series of 2 elderly patients with past stories of cardiac diseases undergoing amputation for dry gangrene that had been operated under CSA.

Anesthetic Management of a Patient with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type III Undergoing Emergent Caesarean Section: A Case Report

In this case report, we describe the anesthetic management for a 36-year-old G2P0010 at 36 weeks gestation with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type III who underwent an emergent caesarean section due to fetal footling breech position. The patient is a wheelchair-bound quadriplegic with kyphoscoliosis and a lack of cough reflex who required nasal continuous noninvasive ventilatory support (CNVS) for chronic hypercapnic respiratory failure. Surgery was done under general anesthesia due to its emergent nature, and the patient was successfully extubated and transitioned to nasal CNVS in the operating room at the end of the case. Postoperative care was provided in the medical intensive care unit for three days without complication and the patient was discharged home uneventfully.

Crystalloid and colloid preload for maintaining cardiac output in elderly patients undergoing total hip replacement under spinal anesthesia

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of colloid and crystalloid preload on cardiac output （CO） and incidence of hypotension in elderly patients under spinal anesthesia （SA）. A randomized, double-blinded study was conducted including 47 elderly patients undergoing scheduled total hip replacement （THR）, who were randomized to three groups： the control group （C group, n = 15）, crystalloid （RS group, n =16） and colloid group （HES group, n = 16）. An intravenous preload of 8 mL/kg of either lactated Ringer’s solution in the RS group or 6% hydroxyethyl starch in the HES group was infused within 20 min before SA induction, while no intravenous preload was given in the C group. There was a trend of decrease in CO and systolic blood pressure after SA with time in the C group. In the RS and HES groups, CO increased significantly after fluid preloading as compared with baseline （P 0.01）. Thereafter, CO remained higher than baseline until 30 min after SA in the HES group. The change of systolic blood pressure was similar to CO, but no significant difference from baseline was observed in each group. Hypotension occurred in 3 patients in the C group and one each in the RS and HES group, respec-tively （P = 0.362）. Intravascular volume preload with colloid is more effective than crystalloid solution in main-taining CO, which may be improved the hemodynamic stability in elderly patients during SA.

Real-time Ultrasound-guided Spinal Anesthesia Using a New Paramedian Transverse Approach

Ultrasound-guided spinal anesthesia is an attracting and advanced technique. We developed a new paramedian transverse approach for real-time ultrasound-guided spinal anesthesia.Using this approach,the block can be performed with the dominant hand whether in right or left lateral decubitus or sitting position.Our preliminary experience in 42 orthopedic and obstetric patients showed it could achieve high first pass success rate with acceptable procedure time.The effectiveness and safety of this approach need further investigation by comparing it with blind technique and other ultrasound-guided techniques with well-designed randomized controlled trials.

Metabolic Syndrome and Perioperative Complications during Scheduled Surgeries with Spinal Anesthesia

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a constellation of factors associated with increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and Diabetes Mellitus. Despite of the many studies related to MS, little is known about its impact on scenarios such as surgical anesthesia. Objective: To examine the correlation between demographic and metabolic variables with the occurrence of perioperative complications in patients with MS undergoing scheduled surgeries using a spinal anesthesia technique in the surgery department at the University Clinic San Juan de Dios in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Methods: Observational, analytical, cross-sectional, single-center study of 150 subjects with MS and 150 control subjects. Perioperative complications, socio-demographic, hemodynamic and respiratory variables were registered. Groups were compared using t test, Fisher’s exact test or Chi-square, as appropriate. We applied a logistic multiple regression model, adjusted by backward stepwise at 0.25 and forward at 0.05, to find possible incompatible associations. p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There were significant differences between groups in age, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, frequency of diseases associated to MS and perioperative complications. There were no cases of mortality among patients. There was statistically significant difference between the two groups for intraoperative hypotension and hypertension with p values of <0.0001 and 0.034. Among postoperative complications there was statistically significant difference in pain (13.3% vs 5.3% in patients without MS) and nausea and/or postoperative vomiting (8% vs 2% in patients without MS) with a p value of 0.027 and 0.015 (by Fisher) respectively. Conclusions: Metabolic abnormalities in MS are a risk factor for developing complications in the perioperative period of patients scheduled for surgeries using the subarachnoid anesthesia technique. Accordingly, it is appropriate to implement health intervention strategies by the surgical team, aiming at their prevention and management.

Hemodynamic characteristics in preeclampsia women during cesarean delivery after spinal anesthesia with ropivacaine

BACKGROUND Very few studies have been published on the hemodynamic changes associated with spinal anesthesia induced with ropivacaine during cesarean deliveries in preeclamptic women.AIM To record and analyze hemodynamic data in women with preeclampsia undergoing cesarean delivery after spinal anesthesia induced with ropivacaine.METHODS Ten eligible women with preeclampsia were enrolled in this prospective observational study.Spinal anesthesia was performed with 2.4 mL of 0.5%ropivacaine.Hemodynamic changes were then analyzed at multiple time points.The hemodynamic responses to vasopressor interventions and uterotonic agents,as well as maternal and neonatal outcomes were also recorded.RESULTS Stable hemodynamic trends were observed in this study.Cardiac output(CO)and stroke volume increased mildly during surgery.In contrast,mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance showed a moderate decrease from induction until the end of surgery.Central venous pressure dramatically increased after delivery.Oxytocin administration was associated with the most significant hemodynamic fluctuations during surgery,namely,an increase in CO and heart rate.Phenylephrine intervention was only required in three patients,and caused an increase in mean arterial pressure and systemic vascular resistance along with a decrease in heart rate,stroke volume,and CO.No maternal and neonatal complications were observed during this study,except transient episodes of hypotension.CONCLUSION Spinal anesthesia for caesarian delivery with ropivacaine in women with preeclampsia is linked to modest hemodynamic changes of no clinical significance in this study.Careful cardiovascular monitoring is still recommended,particularly after the delivery of the fetus or the use of oxytocin.

Effect of Body Mass Index on Anesthesia Characteristics and Vasopressor Requirements during Spinal Anesthesia for Elective Cesarean Section

Background: There is a debate about the dose of hyperbaric bupivacine for spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery in obese parturients. While it is concessive that the dose of spinal bupivacine is reduced in pregnant compared with non-pregnant parturient due to many factors. But it is still controversial whether local anesthetic should further reduce in obese patients or not. In this perspective, observation study, we tested the influence of BMI on vasopressor requirements and block height. Methods: Three groups of 40 parturients, group A (Body mass index (BMI) 2), group B (BMI 30 - 45 Kg/m2) and group C (BMI > 45 kg/m2) requiring elective cesarean section were recruited all patients received 12.5 mg subarachnoid hyperbaric bupivacine combined with 20 ug fentanyl. Dermatomal levels were assessed after subarachnoid injection using touch sensation at 2 minutes interval for first 10 minutes then every 5 minutes. Vasopressor requirements in the first 45 minutes after subarachnoid injection, and maximum block heights using touch sensation were assessed as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes were extent of motor block (peak flow rate), technique difficulty (number of attempts), maternal side effects and neonatal outcomes. Results: There was no significant difference in mean blood pressure (MBP) between group A and B but the difference was significant in group C in relation to other two groups, mean number of hypotensive episodes was significantly higher in group C than group A, B with no significant difference in incidence between group A and B (P Conclusion: Sensory testing using touch modality to detect extent of anesthesia, showed at 25 minutes after spinal anesthesia induction, significantly higher level in group C than the other two groups. Vasopressor requirements during the first 45 minutes of spinal anesthesia were not different between group A, B but significantly higher in group C. Time for regression of anesthesia was longer in group C, which may be helpful regarding longer surgical time. Single shots spinal anesthesia of 12.5 mg hyperbaric bupivacine produce clinically equivalent effect in parturients with BMI 2 with no need for dose reduction but caution and dose adjustment recommended in parturients with BMI > 45 Kg/m2.

Effect of clonidine on the cutaneous silent period during spinal anesthesia

AIM To investigate the effect of clonidine on the cutaneous silent period(CSP) during spinal anesthesia. METHODS A total of 67 adult patients were included in this randomized, prospective, single-center, double-blind trial. They did not have neurological disorders and were scheduled for inguinal hernia repair surgery. This trial was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov(NTC03121261). The patients were randomized into two groups with regards to the intrathecally administered solution:(1) 15 mg of 0.5% levobupivacaine with 50 μg of 0.015% clonidine, or(2) 15 mg of 0.5% levobupivacaine alone. There were 34 patients in the levobupivacaine-clonidine(LC) group and 33 patients in the levobupivacaine(L) group. CSP and its latency were measured four times: prior to the subarachnoid block(SAB), after motor block regression to the 0 level of the Bromage scale, with ongoing sensory blockade, and both 6 and 24 h after SAB.RESULTS Only data from 30 patients in each group were analyzed. There were no significant differences between the groups investigated preoperatively and after 24 h. The CSP of the L group at the time point when the Bromage scale was 0 was 44.8 ± 8.1 ms, while in the LC group it measured 40.2 ± 3.8 ms(P = 0.007). The latency in the L group at the time point when the Bromage scale was 0 was 130.3 ± 10.2 ms, and in the LC group it was 144.7 ± 8.3 ms(P < 0.001). The CSP of the L group after 6 h was 59.6 ± 9.8 ms, while in the LC group it was 44.5 ± 5.0 ms(P < 0.001). The latency in the L group after 6 h was 110.4 ± 10.6 ms, while in LC group it was 132.3 ± 9.7 ms(P < 0.001).CONCLUSION Intrathecal addition of clonidine to levobupivacaine for SAB in comparison with levobupivacaine alone resultsin a diminished inhibitory tonus and shortened CSP.

Comparison of a Standard Dose with a Low Dose of Levobupivacaine in Spinal Anesthesia for Caesarean Section

Obstetric anesthesia carries great responsibilities because there are two patients, the mother and the fetus. The purpose of the present study is to compare two doses of Levobupivacaine for spinal anesthesia at elective cesarean section, to determine the best dose that can give mother and fetal hemodynamic stability and a fast anesthesia recovery after the surgery. Method: We conducted a prospective randomized comparative study in 56 patients undergoing cesarean section with spinal dose of Levobupivacaine 6 mg (22 patients) and 10 mg (34 patients), both groups combined with 25 μg of fentanyl. The two doses of local anesthetic were compared with regard to sensory and motor blockade, the need for supplementation epidural, the severity of hypotension and other complications. Result: The 6 mg of levobupivacaine group presents no difference in the incidence of hypotension, bradycardia, nauseas or vomiting compared with the 10 mg of levobupivacaine group, but presents higher incidence of supplementary analgesia and lower mother satisfaction. Conclusions: The combination of 6 mg of levobupivacaine with 25 μg of fentanyl on spinal anesthesia can be an option for short time cesarean section, buy doesn’t present a superior profile in side effects over the 10 mg of levobupivacaine with 25 μg of fentanyl combination with worst maternal satisfaction.

Total spinal anesthesia caused by lidocaine during unilateral percutaneous vertebroplasty performed under local anesthesia:A case report

BACKGROUND Intradural anesthesia caused by anesthetic drug leakage during percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)has rarely been reported.We here report a 71-year-old woman who suffered this rare and life-threatening complication during PVP.CASE SUMMARY A 71-year-old woman,who suffered from 2 wk of severe back pain with a visual analog score of 8,came to our outpatient clinic.She was later diagnosed with a newly compressed L1 fracture and was then admitted in our department.PVP was initially attempted again under local anesthesia.However,serendipitous intradural anesthesia leading to total spinal anesthesia happened.Fortunately,after successful resuscitation of the patient,PVP was safely and smoothly performed.Great pain relief was achieved postoperatively,and she was safely discharged on postoperative day 4.The patient recovered normally at 3-mo follow-up.CONCLUSION Total spinal anesthesia secondary to PVP by anesthetic drug leakage rarely occurs.In cases of inadvertent wrong puncture leading to drug leakage when performing it under local anesthesia,surgeons should be highly vigilant during the whole procedure.Electrocardiogram monitoring,oxygen inhalation,intravenous cannula set prior to surgery,regular checking of motor activity and a meticulous imaging monitoring with slower pushing of anesthetic drugs,etc.should be highly recommended.

Comparison the effect of ephedrine and phenylephrine in treatment of hypotension after spinal anesthesia during cesarean section

Background and Objective: The effectiveness of ephedrine and/or phenylephrine, in treatment of hypotension secondary to spinal anesthesia for cesarean section and their effects on fetal/neonatal outcome were studied. Methods and Materials: Sixty healthy parturients were randomly assigned to two groups;group E (n = 33) received boluses 5 mg/ml increments ephedrine and group P (n = 27) received a boluses of phnylephrine 100 μg/ml increments for treatment of hypotension after spinal block during cesarean section. Changes in maternal blood pressure and heart rate, and incidence of nausea-vomiting, neonatal Apgar score at 1 and 5 minutes of delivery, and umbilical arterial blood gas values were recorded. Results: There were no differences in treatment of hypotension following sympathectomy after spinal block with two drugs. Neonatal outcome was similar in two groups. There were not significant differences in umbilical arterial values in two groups. Conclusion: Ephedrine and phenylephrine are both effective vasopressores for treatment of hypotension associated to spinal block during cesarean section without adverse effects on infants/neonates.

Spinal anesthesia alleviates dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis by modulating the gut microbiota

BACKGROUND Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD)is a chronic disease with recurrent intestinal inflammation.Although the exact etiology of IBD remains unknown,the accepted hypothesis of the pathogenesis to date is that abnormal immune responses to the gut microbiota are caused by environmental factors.The role of the gut microbiota,particularly the bidirectional interaction between the brain and gut microbiota,has gradually attracted more attention.AIM To investigate the potential effect of spinal anesthesia on dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced colitis mice and to detect whether alterations in the gut microbiota would be crucial for IBD.METHODS A DSS-induced colitis mice model was established.Spinal anesthesia was administered on colitis mice in combination with the methods of cohousing and fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)to explore the role of spinal anesthesia in IBD and identify the potential mechanisms involved.RESULTS We demonstrated that spinal anesthesia had protective effects against DSS-induced colitis by alleviating clinical symptoms,including reduced body weight loss,decreased disease activity index score,improved intestinal permeability and colonic morphology,decreased inflammatory response,and enhanced intestinal barrier functions.Moreover,spinal anesthesia significantly increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes,which was suppressed in the gut microbiota of colitis mice.Interestingly,cohousing with spinal anesthetic mice and FMT from spinal anesthetic mice can also alleviate DSS-induced colitis by upregulating the abundance of Bacteroidetes.We further showed that spinal anesthesia can reduce the increase in noradrenaline levels induced by DSS,which might affect the gut microbiota.CONCLUSION These data suggest that microbiota dysbiosis may contribute to IBD and provide evidence supporting the protective effects of spinal anesthesia on IBD by modulating the gut microbiota,which highlights a novel approach for the treatment of IBD.

Bacterial Meningitis Following Spinal Anesthesia for Caesarean Section

Bacterial meningitis has a potentially devastating outcome if there is any delay in diagnosis and treatment. There are multiple routes at which bacteria could migrate into the subarachnoid space. Lumbar puncture bypasses the natural defense barrier of central nervous system and therefore carries a risk of transmitting infection to the meninges. We report a case of post spinal bacterial meningitis in a post partum lady who underwent spinal anaesthesia for emergency lower segment caesarean section. She developed signs and symptoms of meningitis twenty-eight hours post procedure. Her cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis was suggestive of bacterial meningitis and she made a full recovery.

Is There a Relationship between Endotheline-1, Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 and the Arterial Hypotension Observed during Spinal Anesthesia?

Introduction: The involvement of the endothelial dysfunction (ED) in arterial hypotension (AHPT) post of spinal anesthesia (SA) has not been established. Objective: To determine if there is a relationship between ED and AHPT observed during the 1st 15 minutes after SA. Population and Methods: The study concerned 40 people who were to benefit from a programmed herniorrhaphy under SA and 40 controls (SA-). The correlations between mean plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 (CmET-1, pg/ml) and Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 (CmVCAM-1, pg/ml) taken from SA+ one hour before (H0), then 15 minutes after the SA (H15) and the mean arterial pression (AMP, mmHg) with heart rate (bpm) were analyzed (p < 5%). Results: CmET-1 and CmVCAM-1 of SA- were 1.07 and 3.34, respectively, compared to 1.12 (p = 0.735) and 3.57 (p = 0.862) in SA+ at H0 and H15. In SA+, at H15, CmET-1 was 1.13 (p = 0.823) and CmVCAM-1 was 3.57 (p = 0.257). In SA-, a negative correlation existed between CmET-1 and CmVCAM-1 (r = -0.438;p = 0.005). Conversely, in SA+, whether at H0 (r = -0.31;p = 0.051) or at H15 (r = 0.024;p = 0.883), no correlation existed between CmET-1 and CmVCAM-1, nor between MAP and ED markers (r = 0.111;p = 0.325). Conclusion: These results show that there is no relationship between the AHPT which occurs during the first fifteen minutes post SA, CmVCAM-1 and CmET-1. Moreover, these data suggest that ED is not involved in AHPT post SA.

Varicella-zoster virus meningitis after spinal anesthesia:A case report

BACKGROUND Headache is a common complication of regional anesthesia.The treatment of post spinal anesthesia headache varies depending on the cause.Although meningitis is rare,it can cause significant harm to the patient.Post dural puncture headache and septic meningitis are the most commonly suspected causes of post spinal anesthesia headache;however,other causes should also be considered.CASE SUMMARY A 69-year-old woman was scheduled for varicose vein stripping surgery under spinal anesthesia.The procedure was performed aseptically,and surgery was completed without any complications.After 4 d,the patient visited the emergency room with complaints of headache,nausea,and anorexia.Clinical examination revealed that the patient was afebrile.Considering the history of spinal anesthesia,post dural puncture headache and septic meningitis was initially suspected,and the patient was treated with empirical antibiotics.Subsequently,varicella-zoster virus PCR test result was positive,and all other test results were negative.The patient was diagnosed with meningitis caused by varicella-zoster virus and was treated with acyclovir for 5 d.The headache improved,and the patient was discharged without any problems.CONCLUSION Viral meningitis due to virus reactivation may cause headache after regional anesthesia.Therefore,clinicians should consider multiple etiologies of headache.

Addition of Capsaicin to Local Anesthetics for Spinal Anesthesia in Rats Shortens Motor Deficits and Prolongs Anti-Nociception

Background and Objectives: Sensory-selective anesthesia, greater or longer-lasting anti-nociception than motor or autonomic deficits, is often clinically desirable but traditional local anesthetics rarely have such selective actions. Addition of capsaicin to tertiary amine local anesthetics has recently been reported to affect a preferential prolongation of nociceptive over motor block in rat sciatic nerve. We hypothesized that this combination when used intrathecally will also prolong nociceptive block. Methods: Under sevoflurane inhalation anesthesia, rats were injected intrathecally either with local anesthetics (bupivacaine, lidocaine, and articaine) alone or simultaneously with capsaicin. Motor block was evaluated by the contractile function of foot muscles, from proximal to distal. Anti-nociception was assessed by reductions in nocifensive withdrawal and vocalization induced by pinching the skin fold over the lateral metatarsus. Durations and degrees of deficits were assessed, along with complete recovery times and compared between local anesthetics alone and in combination with capsaicin. Results: Addition of capsaicin to any of the local anesthetics shortened motor deficits. Bupivacaine, lidocaine and articaine motor blocks were reduced upon combination with capsaicin to 0.32, 0.32 ans 0.43 of the duration from the respective local anesthetic alone. Duration of anti-nociceptive action was increased by capsaicin only for articaine. The ratios of block nociceptive to sensory block durations were 3.5, 5.1 and 3.3 for the respective local anesthetics. Conclusions: Intrathecal injection of capsaicin combined with local anesthetics produced a preferentially longer anti-nociceptive deficit. These combinations have potential clinical applications, including peri-operative spinal anesthesia and pain management.