The preoperative analgesic effect of 3-in-1 block on postoperative pain and tramadol consumption in total hip arthroplasty.

We studied the effect of preoperative 3-in-1 block for total hip replacement surgery on postoperative pain and tramadol consumption during patient-controlled analgesia. Thirty ASA I-II patients undergoing elective total hip arthroplasty (THA) were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups; Group I: Patients who received 3-in-1 block with 40 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine 30-minutes before surgery and later received general anesthesia, Group II: Patients who received only a simple needle puncture at the operation site 30-minutes before surgery and later received general anesthesia. All patients received intravenous tramadol at the end of surgery via a PCA device. Pain was evaluated at 0,1/2,1,4,8,12,24 and 48 h at rest and on movement of the hip, using a 10 cm VAS. The average intraoperative fentanyl consumption was lower in Group I than in Group II. VAS scores were significantly lower in group I, both at rest and during movement at all timepoints over in the first postoperative 12 h and also during movement 24 h postoperatively. However differences in VAS scores weren't clinically significant after 4 hours. In the recovery room, Group I VAS scores were only a third of Group II, both at rest and movement (p=0.0001). Total tramadol consumption was lower in Group I (633.0+/-119.3 mg) than in Group II (991.1+/-41.0 mg). Patient satisfaction scores were higher in Group I than in Group II. We concluded that preoperative 3-in-1 block with 40 ml-0,25% bupivacaine provides effective postoperative pain relief for elective THA, reducing intra-and postoperative analgesic consumption without increase in side effects.

Results of intravenous regional anaesthesia with distal forearm application.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of distal forearm intravenous regional anaesthesia (IVRA) with the tourniquet applied 3 cm above the wrist. One hundred and twenty patients undergoing out-patient hand surgery were operated for 13 different hand problems under distal forearm IVRA, using 10 ml of a solution containing 1.5 mg/kg prilocaine. Sensory block onset time was 4.5 minutes (3.5-6.5 min.). Mean tourniquet time was 17.6 minutes (range, 7-27.5 min). Mean tourniquet pressure was 240 mmHg (range, 220-270 mm Hg). The mean VAS score for tourniquet pain was 3.8 (range, 2-10). No local or systemic side effects related to the IVRA were observed. The study showed that distal forearm IVRA using 10 ml of a solution containing 1.5 mg/kg prilocaine provides safe, rapid and effective anaesthesia for patients undergoing outpatient hand surgery.

Hair-thread tourniquet syndrome. A case report.

The authors report the case of a 3-month-old boy with hair-thread tourniquet syndrome, seen just distal to the MP joint on the right fourth toe. The patient was brought to the hospital with a history of irritability and weeping. On examination there was swelling, ecchymosis and a hair fibre was found wrapped around his right fourth toe. After the hair fibre was removed there was a fast healing period and no signs of tissue necrosis were seen.

Coccygectomy in the treatment of coccygodynia.

Fourteen patients, all female, who underwent coccygectomy for coccygodynia resistant to conservative treatment, were reviewed after a mean follow-up period of 30 months; 5 had a very good result and 7 had a good result. No re-operations were performed. Coccygodynia can be a real problem in women and total coccygectomy is an acceptable operation for coccygodynia not responding to conservative treatment.