Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Brachial Plexus Nerve Block With an Ultralow Volume of Local Anesthetic for Post-Thoracotomy Shoulder Girdle Pain.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided interscalene nerve block using an ultralow volume of local anesthetic (5 mL of ropivacaine, 0.75%) for the management of post-thoracotomy shoulder girdle pain. DESIGN: Open-cohort, prospective, single-center study. SETTING: University hospital. INTERVENTIONS: Patients with post-thoracotomy shoulder girdle pain (visual analog scale [VAS] ≥5) received an ultrasound-guided interscalene nerve block. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty minutes after block implementation, the VAS was used to quantify pain across the shoulder girdle. The index (I) was calculated to indicate improvement of pain as follows: [Formula: see text] Nerve bocks resulting in I ≥75% were considered excellent. Total tramadol consumption 36 hours after nerve blocks, patients' satisfaction, and complications related to the procedure also were assessed. Patients were segregated in the following 2 groups: group A, which comprised patients with pain in the shoulder area (glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joints) (n = 30), and group B, which comprised patients with pain in the scapula (n = 17). I was significantly greater in group A (88.3% ± 14%) than in group B (43.2% ± 22%). In groups A and B, 90% and 11% of patients, respectively, demonstrated excellent pain control. Total tramadol consumption in group A, 25 (0-100) mg, was significantly less that of group B, 250 (150-500) mg. Patients' satisfaction also was significantly higher in group A compared with group B. No complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided interscalene nerve block can substantially alleviate post-thoracotomy pain in the shoulder but not in the scapular area.

Holistic ultrasound in trauma: An update.

Holistic ultrasound is a total body examination using an ultrasound device aiming to achieve immediate patient care and decision making. In the setting of trauma, it is one of the most fundamental components of care of the injured patients. Ground-breaking imaging software allows physicians to examine various organs thoroughly, recognize imaging signs early, and potentially foresee the onset or the possible outcome of certain types of injuries. Holistic ultrasound can be performed on a routine basis at the bedside of the patients, at admission and during the perioperative period. Trauma care physicians should be aware of the diagnostic and guidance benefits of ultrasound and should receive appropriate training for the optimal management of their patients. In this paper, the findings of holistic ultrasound in trauma patients are presented, with emphasis on the lungs, heart, cerebral circulation, abdomen, and airway. Additionally, the benefits of ultrasound imaging in interventional anaesthesia techniques such as ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks and central vein catheterization are described.