Susceptibility of the genitofemoral and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves to complications from lumbar sympathetic blocks: is there a morphological reason?

BACKGROUND: Interference with the function of the genitofemoral nerve (GFN) and lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) represents a significant complication of lumbar sympathetic blocks (LSBs). The nerve topography of the lumbar sympathetic trunk (LST) was investigated to find a possible morphological reason for this. METHODS: A total of 118 cadavers embalmed by Thiel's method were investigated. The nerves were dissected from their innervation area to their paravertebral origins. Distances of the GFN and the LFCN to the LST were measured at levels L2/3, L3/4, and L4/5, which are the most common levels for LSB. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirteen sides were assessable for the GFN and 151 sides for the LFCN. In 186 cases, the whole GFN (in 20 cases, its femoral branch only) approached the medial margin of the psoas major (PM) and passed the LST laterally at the level of L3/4 and a distance of 0-28 mm (mean distance 8.5 mm; sd 6.7 mm) and ran dorsally between the PM and the vertebral body of L3, reaching the intervertebral foramen L2/3. In three cases, the GFN fused with the LFCN. In 55 cases, the GFN-LST distance was 0-13 mm at L4/5 and in 19 cases, 9-19 mm at L2/3. The LFCN approached the lateral margin of the PM and entered the intervertebral foramen at L2/3 in 141 cases. CONCLUSIONS: There is a higher risk of LSB affecting the GFN at L3/4 or L4/5 during neurolysis of the LST due to its topography. The LFCN rarely shows a strong relation to the LST and only when fused with the GFN.

[Austrian interdisciplinary recommendations on pediatric perioperative pain management: background, aims, methods and key messages]. / Österreichische interdisziplinäre Handlungsempfehlungen zum perioperativen Schmerzmanagement bei Kindern : Hintergrund, Ziel, Methodik und Kernaussagen.

These recommendations were originally commissioned by the"Österreichische Gesellschaft für Anästhesiologie, Reanimation und Intensivmedizin" (ÖGARI, Austrian Society for Anesthesiology, Resuscitation and Intensive Care Medicine). Against this background, Austrian experts from the disciplines anesthesiology, pain management, pediatrics and the "Berufsverband Kinderkrankenpflege" (Professional Association of Pediatric Nursing) have with legal support developed evidence-based and consensus recommendations for the clinical practice. The recommendations include key messages which cover the most important recommendations for the individual topics. The complete recommendations on pediatric perioperative pain management consist of seven separate articles which each deal with special sub-topics with comments on and explanations of the key messages. The target groups of the recommendations are all medical personnel of the individual disciplines involved in the treatment of perioperative and posttraumatic pain for neonates, infants and children up to 18 years old.

Topography of the lumbar sympathetic trunk in normal lumbar spines and spines with spondylophytes.

BACKGROUND: Degenerative processes of the lumbar spine may change the position of the sympathetic trunk which might cause failure of sympathetic blocks owing to inadequate distribution of local anaesthetic. METHODS: The retroperitoneal spaces of 56 cadavers [24 males and 32 females; 79 (10) yr] embalmed with Thiel's method were investigated by dissection. The course of the lumbar sympathetic trunk (LST) was documented from the diaphragmatic level to the linea terminalis. Topography of the large vessels and the psoas muscle was documented. In the case of spondylophytes, the location or direction of displacement of the trunk was regarded with special interest. RESULTS: The LST entered the retroperitoneal space at the level of the vertebral body of L2 in 70 of the 112 sides and showed the most consistent relationship with the medial margin of the psoas muscle at intervertebral disc level L2/3. On 11 spines with spondylophytes, the sympathetic trunk was dislocated to the most ventrolateral point of the spondylophyte in 12 cases, in six cases dorsolaterally, and in one case ventromedially. The more the sympathetic chain departed at the vertebral body level, the more the body developed a concavity by loss of height. CONCLUSIONS: Spondylophytes influenced the location of the LST and the distribution of the local anaesthetic. The local anaesthetic should wash around the spondylophyte to reach all possible locations of the chain. The medial margin of the psoas muscle was confirmed to be a consistent reference point at intervertebral disc level L2/3.

Consecutive, prospective case series of a new method for ultrasound-guided supraclavicular approach to the brachiocephalic vein in children.

BACKGROUND: During ultrasound (US)-guided cannulation of the subclavian vein (SCV) via an infraclavicular route, the view of the needle behind the clavicle may be obscured. This study describes the US-guided supraclavicular cannulation of the brachiocephalic vein (BCV). METHODS: The 25 mm broadband linear array US probe was placed in the supraclavicular region to obtain a longitudinal view of the BCV beginning at the junction of the internal jugular vein and SCV. Using the in-plane technique, the needle was directed under US guidance into the BCV. RESULTS: Forty-two cannulations in 35 patients (aged 26 months-8 yr, weight range 0.96-21 kg) were included. Central venous catheter placement was successful in all children. In 31 patients (73.8%), the BCV was successfully punctured on the first attempt, in six patients (14.2%) after two attempts, and in five patients (11.9%) after three attempts. Significantly more puncture attempts were needed in the smaller weight and younger children, whereas the time course of the study had no significant impact on the success rate. CONCLUSIONS: This US-guided method offers a new possibility for central venous line placement in small children. It provides good needle guidance without any disturbing US shadow caused by bony structures.

[Tonsillotomy and adenotonsillectomy in childhood. Study on postoperative pain therapy]. / Tonsillotomien und Adenotomien im Kindesalter. Studie zu postoperativen Schmerztherapie.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this study was to determine whether the combination of i.v. ketoprofen and i.v. paracetamol provides superior postoperative analgesia in children undergoing adenoidectomy or tonsillotomy compared to either drug alone. The secondary goal was to assess the time until rescue analgesia was needed, propofol requirements and the incidence of vomiting and time of discharge from the postanaesthesia recovery unit (PARU). METHODS: This double-blinded study included 120 children (aged 3-13 years) scheduled for elective tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy. The children were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups of 40 children each, using the sealed envelope method. The children received i.v. ketoprofen 2 mg/kgBW (group 1) or paracetamol 15 mg/kgBW (group 2) or the combination of these 2 drugs (group 3) after induction of anaesthesia. Standardized general anaesthesia consisted of sevoflurane and fentanyl at a dose of 2-3 µg/kgBW. Pain was assessed using a 5-point scoring system based on the Smiley scale. The Smiley scale shows various faces from a laughing face which corresponds to the state of no pain to a very unhappy face which corresponds to the situation of worst pain (1: no pain, 2: mild pain, 3: moderate pain, 4: severe pain, 5: worst pain). Pain was assessed at 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h and 4 h after arriving in the PACU. If the pain score exceeded 2 an i.v. dose of 0.1 mg/kgBW morphine was administered as rescue analgesia. RESULTS: During the stay in the PACU the children in the combination group required significantly less supplementary rescue analgesia than children in the ketoprofen and paracetamol groups (17.5% versus 30.8% versus 45%, respectively, χ(2) analysis <0.05). Pain scoring was highest after paracetamol, however, this difference was only significant when compared to the group receiving the combination of paracetamol and ketoprofen (U-test p<0.05). Rescue analgesia was administered earliest in group 2 (paracetamol) reaching statistical significance, however, only when compared to group 3 (logrank test p<0.05). Propofol requirements and time to discharge from the PACU did not differ significantly between the 3 groups (χ(2) analysis; U-test; p>0.05). The overall incidence of vomiting was very low in this study with 6.4% (9/139). Significantly more children in the paracetamol group compared to ketoprofen group and combination group suffered from vomiting (17.5% versus 2.6% versus 2.5%; χ(2) analysis; p<0.05). The time to discharge from PACU did not differ significantly between the 3 groups (U-test: p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The combination of i.v. paracetamol and i.v. ketoprofen provides superior postoperative analgesia compared to the single use of paracetamol.

Size of internal jugular vs subclavian vein in small infants: an observational, anatomical evaluation with ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: The primary goal of this study was to compare the size and depth of the internal jugular vein (IJV) and the subclavian vein (SCV) in infants under general anaesthesia. A secondary goal was to determine the correlation of weight, height, head circumference, and age to the size and depth of these veins. METHODS: Sixty small infants weighing from 1.4 to 4.5 kg were included. Using ultrasound, the diameters via short-axis (SAX) and long-axis (LAX) views, cross-sectional area (CSA), and depth of the left and right IJV and SCV were measured. RESULTS: The diameter of the IJV was 7.9% larger on average than that of the SCV as measured via the SAX and LAX views (mean: 3.1 vs 2.9 mm; Wilcoxon's signed-rank test: P<0.01). The CSA of the IJV was 27% larger on average than that of the SCV (mean: 10.2 vs 8.0 mm(2); Wilcoxon's signed-rank test: P<0.01). Seventy-five per cent of the neonates showed a larger CSA of the IJV. The SCV was 8.4% deeper on average from the skin surface than the IJV (mean: 6.4 vs 5.9 mm; Wilcoxon's signed-rank test: P<0.01). There was a significant positive correlation between weight, height, head circumference, and age to the size and depth of the veins (Spearman's rank correlation: P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Because of its most likely larger size, the IJV can be recommended as the better choice for cannulation in comparison with the SCV. However, other factors should also be considered.

[Central venous catheter for newborns, infants and children]. / Zentrale Venenkatheter bei Neugeborenen, Säuglingen und Kindern.

In neonates, infants and young children central venous catheters are of vital importance during surgery as well as postoperative care. The benefit of ultrasonography seems to be very important for vascular access of the internal jugular (IJV), subclavian (SCV), femoral and even peripheral veins. Ultrasound-guided cannulation of the IJV increases the success rate, reduces the time to the successful puncture and decreases the inadvertent puncture of the carotid artery in children in comparison to the landmark-guided technique. Due to compression of the vessel by the approaching needle in neonates transfixing the vein and aspirating blood on withdrawal of the needle may be the preferred technique. The lack of space may prevent ultrasound-guided puncture of the SCV in very low birth weight infants. However, the location of the vein and its patency should always be determined via ultrasound prior to cannulation. After catheterization of the SCV the homolateral IJV is screened by the use of ultrasound to detect wrong guide wire migration. A clear and rapid visualization of visceral pleura movement against the parietal pleura during respiration via ultrasound indicates the absence of pneumothorax after cannulation. In the case of haemodynamic instability, ultrasound should be used to exclude pericardial effusion.

Peripheral morphine analgesia in dental surgery.

The recent identification of opioid receptors on peripheral nerve endings of primary afferent neurons and the expression of their mRNA in dorsal root ganglia support earlier experimental data about peripheral analgesic effects of locally applied opioids. These effects are most prominent under localized inflammatory conditions. The clinical use of such peripheral analgesic effects of opioids was soon investigated in numerous controlled clinical trials. The majority of these have tested the local, intraarticular administration of morphine in knee surgery and have demonstrated potent and long-lasting postoperative analgesia. As the direct application of morphine into the pain-generating site of injury and inflammation appears most promising, we examined direct morphine infiltration of the surgical site in a unique clinical model of inflammatory tooth pain. Forty-four patients undergoing dental surgery entered into this prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Before surgery they received, together with a standard local anesthetic solution (articaine plus epinephrine) a submucous injection of either 1 mg of morphine (group A) or saline (group B). Postoperative pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and numeric rating scale (NRS) at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20 and 24 h after surgery. In addition, patients recorded the occurrence of side effects and the supplemental consumption of diclofenac tablets. Results of 27 patients were analyzed (group A: n=14, group B: n=13). Pain scores which were moderate to severe preoperatively were reduced to a similar extent in both groups up to 8 h postoperatively. Thereafter, pain scores in group A were significantly lower than those in group B for up to 24 h, demonstrating the analgesic efficacy of additional morphine. The time to first analgesic intake and the total amount of supplemental diclofenac were less in group A than in group B. No serious side effects were reported. Our results show that 1 mg of morphine added to a local anesthetic for dental surgery results in significant improvement of postoperative analgesia. Since the majority of dental surgeries is accompanied with an inflammatory reaction, supplemental morphine may be of benefit for the relief of postoperative dental pain.

[Cardiopulmonary resuscitation after heroin intoxication and hypothermia]. / Kardiopulmonale Reanimation nach Heroinintoxikation und Hypothermie.

We present the case of a 21-year-old female drug addict with severe accidental hypothermia (core body temperature 27.5 degrees C) and cardiorespiratory arrest. After successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation the patient was actively internally rewarmed without the use of extracorporal circulation. Although at the first clinical presentation the patient appeared to be dead, an excellent neurological outcome was achieved. This case report reviews the epidemiology, pathophysiology, prognostic markers and the therapeutic approaches of severe hypothermia.

[Electrical point stimulation (P-STIM) via ear acupuncture: a randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot study in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrctomyX]. / Elektrische Punktualstimulation (P-STIM) mittels Ohrakupunktur: Eine randomisierte, doppelblinde, kontrollierte Pilotstudie bei laparoskopischen Nephrektomien.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine whether P-STIM-verum in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomies resulted in a lower consumption of analgesics and an improvement of pain scores compared with P-STIM-placebo when administered for acute peri- and postperative pain. METHODS: The study was carried out in a double-blind, randomized, controlled manner. Forty-four patients were randomised into 2 groups. The P-STIM device was applied to each patient 30 minutes pro-operatively. The Stimulation was applied over 96 hours. The P-STIM-verum group received subthreshold stimulation. The P-STIM-placebo group received no stimulation. Premedication and anaesthesia were applied in a standardised fashion. The efficacy of treatment was evaluated using a postoperative visual analogue scale (at rest and on exertion) and by dermining postoperative analgesic consumption. RESULTS: The P-STIM-verum group demonstrated better visual analogue at rest and on exertion then the P-STIM-placebo group. The postoperative consumption of morphine-hydrochloride in the first 6 h significantly less in the P-STIM-verum group. The time of first analgesic request was significantly later in the P-STIM-verum group compared with the P-STIM-placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we were able to demonstrate, that pre- and postoperative P-STIM applied in patients undergoing laparoscopic nephrectomies seems to be an effective, simply applied method with few side-effects for reducing pain and postoperative analgesic consumption.

[Anesthetic management of surgery in term and preterm infants]. / Anästhesiologische Aspekte in der Neu- und Frühgeborenenchirurgie.

The physiology of the preterm and term neonate is characterized by a high metabolic rate, limited pulmonary, cardiac and thermoregulatory reserve and decreased renal function. Multisystem immaturity creates important developmental differences in drug administration and response when compared to older children. Specific monitoring techniques are required because the neonate is not physically accessible to the anesthetist during the operation. This contribution reviews the specific pathophysiological characteristics of the newborn with relevance to anesthesia and also provides robust guidelines for the anesthetic management of the most frequent non-cardiac procedures which need surgery during the neonatal period. Consideration will also be given to the anesthetic management of very low birth-weight infants with anesthetic key issues such as avoiding hyperoxia, keeping hemodynamic parameters as stable as possible and preventing hypothermia.

[Topical application of local anesthetics and opioids after elective tooth extraction]. / Topische Applikation von Lokalanästhetika und Opioiden nach elektiver Zahnextraktion.

The aim of this study was to provide evidence for the peripheral effect of opioids in oromaxillary procedures and to investigate whether postoperative morphine sulfate plus lidocaine administered as a local spray achieve better analgesic efficacy than lidocaine applied alone. The double-blind randomized study included 60 patients. The patients exhibited neither preoperative pain nor inflammation (tooth extractions) and when pain occurred received as alternative medication diclofenac retard 50 mg or tramadol. Side effects were documented. No differences between the two groups were observed in the demographic data, visual and numeric analog scale in the first 24 h, or in the consumption of analgesics. Since the patients presented in a pain-free state at the time of surgery, apparently no activation of the peripheral opioid receptors occurs. Thus, a peripheral effect of opioids could not be demonstrated in this model.

Intraspinal haematoma following lumbar epidural anaesthesia in a neonate.

A neonate with chromosomal 9 abnormality and omphalocele received a lumbar epidural catheter after laparotomy. Several attempts were needed to establish this catheter. Bleeding occurred from the operative wound after surgery. Using an epidural infusion with ropivacaine 0.1% for 48 h postoperative pain relief was sufficient. Four days after epidural catheter removal, dysfunction of the sacral parasympathetic nerves was noted. Motor and sensor function of the lower limbs were unaffected. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a localized intraspinal haematoma in the lower lumbar region.

[Early signs of toxicity and "subtoxic" conditions in infant monitoring. Bupivacaine plasma levels following caudal anesthesia]. / Toxizität und "subtoxische" Frühzeichen im Wachzustand bei Säuglingen. Bupivacainplasmaspiegel nach Kaudalanästhesien.

UNLABELLED: In order to evaluate whether caudal bupivacaine 3.1 mg/kg is associated with early central nervous system toxicity in awake infants, a clinical trial was performed. METHODS: After obtaining Local Ethical Committee approval and informed parental consent, seven awake infants (postconceptual age: 36-52 wks; weight: 2.2-4.7 kg) received a caudal block with bupivacaine 3.1 mg/kg with epinephrine 5 ug/ml in the left lateral position. Before performance of the caudal block a five minute EEG registration was performed, immediately followed by an assessment of the patient's clinical status based on a scoring system of following parameters: level of consciousness; muscular tone in upper extremities, tested by flexion and extension of the elbows; and the quality of the patient's cry in response to a skin pinch. Twenty minutes after the caudal block another EEG was performed and another assessment of the clinical status of the patient. After completion of the clinical assessment blood samples were collected for determination of plasma bupivacaine, albumin and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein concentrations. RESULTS: In six of seven infants the EEG pattern from the first to the second recording showed a shift of the general frequency spectrum towards a lower range. In two of these patients (No. 3 and 4) signs of pharmacologically induced antiepileptic effects (disappearance of sharp waves) were observed. Patients No. 2 and 6 showed signs of increased muscular activity and of suspect epileptic activity. Bupivacaine plasma concentrations ranged from 0.56-1.62 ug/ml, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein levels from 0.33-0.76 g/l and albumin levels from 25-38 g/l. DISCUSSION: In a few patients this systemic effect was clinically also associated with what is usually classified as early central nervous system toxicity. As a result of these findings the study was stopped prematurely, due to safety reasons. The low plasma levels of bupivacaine associated with side effects in this study may have two possible explanations. First, our patients did not receive any sedative drugs or anaesthetics that could have masked symptoms or have increased the threshold for systemic effects. Second, as can be expected in this age group plasma levels of alpha-1 acidglycoprotein were low. Thus, the lower plasma concentrations of total bupivacaine observed in the present study might have been associated with a similar unbound, free concentration of bupivacaine as it is seen in older children and adults at total plasma levels of 2-4 ug/ml and at alpha-1 acidglycoprotein levels within the normal adult range. We conclude that Bupivacaine at 3 mg/kg is associated with systemic side effects in infants receiving awake caudal anaesthesia. Therefore we recommend to aim at a dose of not larger than 2 mg/kg in caudal blocks if no premedication or other sedative drugs are given simultaneously.

Anaesthetic management of liver haemorrhage during laparotomy in a premature infant with necrotizing enterocolitis.

The case of a 680 g premature baby who developed massive spontaneous liver haemorrhage during laparotomy for necrotizing enterocolitis is reported. The infant survived due to rapid and massive fluid administration, including transfusion of large volumes of blood and blood products, in combination with high dose inotropic support and the surgical use of packing with thrombostatic sponges. Good venous access, including two central venous lines, turned out to be very useful.

Can a dose of 2microg.kg(-1) caudal clonidine cause respiratory depression in neonates?

A case of multiple life-threatening postoperative apnoeas in a term neonate undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy and orchidopexy who received light inhalation anaesthesia combined with caudal block with 1 ml.kg-1 ropivacaine 0.2% plus 2 microg.kg-1 clonidine is reported. The patient showed no apparent risk factors for postanaesthetic apnoea. Oxycardiorespirography five days after surgery only showed minor abnormalities. Clonidine though administered caudally in the usual dose of 2 microg.kg-1 appeared to be the most likely cause for postanaesthetic apnoea in this neonate.

[The preemptive action of ketoprofen. Randomized, double-blind study with gynecologic operations]. / Zur präemptiven Wirkung von Ketoprofen. Randomisierte, doppelblinde Studie bei gynäkologischen Operationen.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Ketoprofen exerts its clinical effect by inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, but also acts as an NMDA-receptor antagonist by means of the kynurenic acid. Based on ketoprofen's supposed central mechanism of analgesia, we expected a preemptive effect, which was assessed by the present study. METHODS: In a prospective, randomised, double-blind investigation of 48 patients undergoing gynaecological procedures (laparotomy, pelvioscopy), the first group received ketoprofen 2 mg/kg body weight i.v. 20 min before the beginning of surgery and placebo i.v. at the end of surgery. In the second group, placebo was administered first and ketoprofen at the end of surgery. Premedication and anaesthesia were standardised by protocol. The postoperative analgesic patient-controlled analgesia consumption by was also standardised (piritramide). Efficacy was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) and total requirement of analgesics within the first 24 postoperative hours. The time to the first request for postoperative analgesics was also recorded. Safety was assessed by continuous monitoring of vital parameters such as respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. The incidence and severity of adverse events was documented. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups in demographic data or type or duration of surgery. The time to the first request for analgesic, VAS pain intensity, and analgesic consumption in the first 24 h post-surgery were not significantly different between the groups (t-test). CONCLUSION: Ketoprofen is an effective post-operative analgesic in combination with an opioid, but has no preemptive effect according to the results of this study.