Influence of Different Sevoflurane Concentrations on Postoperative Cognitive Function in Aged Rats.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction may be associated with neuroinflammation, and sevoflurane suppresses surgery-induced inflammation. We hypothesized that low concentrations of sevoflurane would result in more impaired postoperative cognitive function compared to high concentrations. METHODS: Aged male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 21, 17-22 months) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: control (C), sevoflurane 2% (S2), and sevoflurane 4% (S4). Rats in the S2 and S4 groups underwent open femoral fracture and intramedullary fixation of the left hind limb under 2 hours of sevoflurane anesthesia. Neurological outcomes were evaluated using the Morris water maze (MWM) test, and histopathological outcomes were assessed 28 days after surgery. RESULTS: The S2 group showed prolonged swimming latency compared to S4 on day 7 (difference of means, 34.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.57-66.3; P = .031) and compared to the C group on day 9 (difference of means, -33.4; 95% CI, -65.3 to -1.55; P = .037). The intact CA1 cells in the S2 group were significantly less than those in the C and S4 groups (H statistic, 10.87; P = .006 versus C; P = .033 versus S4). CONCLUSIONS: We found that low concentrations of sevoflurane prolonged the swimming latency of the MWM compared to high concentrations and reduced intact CA1 hippocampal neurons in aged rats. These results suggest that low-concentration sevoflurane anesthesia may be more detrimental than high concentration for spatial cognitive function and postoperative impairment of hippocampal CA1 cells in aged rats.

Low Skeletal Muscle Mass Is Associated With Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder Due To Decreased Neurogenesis in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND) is a postsurgical complication associated with neuroinflammation and impaired hippocampal neurogenesis, in which brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a key role. Sarcopenia refers to age-related muscle loss that causes cognitive decline, muscle atrophy, and postoperative delirium. Rats with tail suspension (TS) were used to represent a low-activity model, which involves decreased hind limb function by TS. This hind limb unloading by TS can induce sarcopenia in 2 weeks. However, the relationship between PND and muscle atrophy is unclear. In this experiment, we investigated whether preoperative muscle atrophy induced by TS would affect neurogenesis and accelerate PND in rats. METHODS: Sixty 21-week-old rats were assigned to 4 groups: the TS group, the TS with surgery (TS + S) group, the control group, and the control with surgery (control + S) group. After the abdominal manipulation under 3% sevoflurane anesthesia, cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze test and a fear-conditioning test. Neurogenesis was evaluated by checking BDNF secretion and immunohistochemical staining in the hippocampus. RESULTS: The TS + S group showed impaired swimming latency (difference of means = 12.4 versus control + S; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-22.7; P = .016) (difference of means = 15.2 versus TS; 95% CI, 0.4-30.1; P = .043) and path length (difference of means = 147.8 versus control + S; 95% CI, 20.7-274.9; P = .020) in the maze test and cued fear memory (difference of means = -26.0 versus TS; 95% CI, -46.4 to -5.6; P = .006) (difference of means = -22.3 versus control + S; 95% CI, -42.7 to -1.9; P = .026) in the fear-conditioning test. The postoperative levels of BDNF in the TS + S and TS groups were reduced compared with the other groups (P = .002). The number of neural precursors in the dentate gyrus was significantly lower in the TS + S group (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: We observed that preoperative hind limb muscle atrophy, indicated by TS, was associated with an increased occurrence of PND through the reduction in BDNF and neurogenesis after abdominal surgery in young adult rats. Therefore, we concluded that preoperative low skeletal muscle mass can induce PND due to impaired postoperative neurogenesis. Our findings might indicate that low-cost perioperative interventions, such as preoperative exercise, is beneficial to preventing PND.

Esophageal achalasia detected by vomiting during induction of general anesthesia: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal achalasia is a rare disease with a high risk of aspiration during anesthesia induction. Here, we describe our experience involving a case of undiagnosed esophageal achalasia with profuse vomiting during anesthesia induction. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old woman was scheduled for orthopedic surgery under general anesthesia. She vomited a large amount of watery contents during anesthesia induction, and planned surgery was postponed. After recovery from anesthesia, she informed us that she usually had to drink a large amount of water to get food into her stomach and purged watery vomit every night before sleep. However, she attributed it to her constitutional problem, not to a specific disease. She was subsequently diagnosed with esophageal achalasia and underwent Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication before her re-scheduled orthopedic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A detailed history of dysphagia and regurgitation should be taken in preoperative examinations to prevent unexpected aspiration due to undiagnosed achalasia.

Rho/ROCK Pathway and Noncoding RNAs: Implications in Ischemic Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury.

Ischemic strokes (IS) and spinal cord injuries (SCI) are major causes of disability. RhoA is a small GTPase protein that activates a downstream effector, ROCK. The up-regulation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway contributes to neuronal apoptosis, neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, astrogliosis, and axon growth inhibition in IS and SCI. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), were previously considered to be non-functional. However, they have attracted much attention because they play an essential role in regulating gene expression in physiological and pathological conditions. There is growing evidence that ROCK inhibitors, such as fasudil and VX-210, can reduce injury in IS and SCI in animal models and clinical trials. Recently, it has been reported that miRNAs are decreased in IS and SCI, while lncRNAs are increased. Inhibiting the Rho/ROCK pathway with miRNAs alleviates apoptosis, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and axon growth inhibition in IS and SCI. Further studies are required to explore the significance of ncRNAs in IS and SCI and to establish new strategies for preventing and treating these devastating diseases.

The Impact of Air Transport for Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients.

OBJECTIVE: For patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 120 minutes from onset is recommended. A helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) is useful for transporting ACS patients. The purposes of this study were to investigate whether patients with ACS in the eastern part of Hokkaido could be transported to a PCI hospital by HEMS and undergo PCI within 120 minutes and to clarify the factors most related to delayed access to PCI. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study that analyzed 513 patients diagnosed with ACS at our institution, an HEMS base/PCI hospital. We investigated transport modes for each patient and identified the processes by which access to PCI was delayed. RESULTS: HEMS reduced transport time compared with ground emergency medical services but did not contribute to access to PCI within 120 minutes. The most important factor was transport directly to a PCI hospital (P < .01). CONCLUSION: HEMS did not achieve a total transport time of patients to a PCI hospital within 120 minutes from onset. Transport using HEMS is insufficient to access early PCI; patient condition must also be considered to determine whether to go through a non-PCI hospital.

Less postoperative sore throat after nasotracheal intubation using a fiberoptic bronchoscope than using a Macintosh laryngoscope: A double-blind, randomized, controlled study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether nasotracheal intubation using a fiberoptic bronchoscope reduces postoperative sore throat. DESIGN: Prospective, double-blinded, randomized, and controlled study. SETTING: Postoperative areas and surgical ward of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Seventy-four patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I-II who were scheduled for elective general anesthesia requiring nasotracheal intubation. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to one of two intubation groups, F (fiberoptic bronchoscope-guided) and M (Macintosh laryngoscope-guided), and after induction of general anesthesia, the patients' tracheas were intubated via the nose. MEASUREMENTS: The intensity of postoperative sore throat was evaluated using a numerical rating score (0=none, 10=severe) at 24 hours postoperatively, and the incidence of nasal mucosal trauma, time to completion of intubation, and hemodynamic responses were recorded and compared between groups. MAIN RESULTS: The numerical rating score value was significantly lower in group F than in group M (P=.0047), but the incidence of nasal mucosal trauma was comparable between the two groups. The median time to completion of intubation was shorter for group F than group M (P<.0001). Hemodynamic responses were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: Fiberoptic bronchoscope-guided intubation is associated with less sore throat after nasotracheal intubation than M intubation. The time to completion of intubation was significantly shorter using the fiberoptic bronchoscope than that using the Macintosh laryngoscope.

[Efficacy of Ultrasound-guided Caudal Epidural Block for Transrectal Ultrasound-guided Prostate Biopsy].

BACKGROUND: We investigated the efficacy of ultrasound (US)-guided caudal epidural block for transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsy. METHODS: Sixty adult patients (ASA I or II) were enrolled in this study and randomized into two groups: group S receiving spinal block (n = 30) and group C receiving US-guided caudal epidural block (n = 30). We measured systolic blood pressure (SBP), heart rate (HR), and degrees of sensory and motor blockade. Procedural time for regional anesthesia was recorded. RESULTS: Six patients in group C were excluded from analysis because of insufficient block effect. Spinal block caused a significant decrease in SBP compared to that with US-guided caudal epidural block (P < 0.05). Degrees of sensory and motor blockade were significantly greater in group S than in group C (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: US-guided caudal epidural block provided hemodynamic stability during TRUS-guided prostate biopsy. Furthermore, US-guided caudal epidural block effectively produced appropriate sensory blockade for TRUS-guided prostate biopsy with minimum motor blockade.

[Anesthetic Management for Non-cardiac Surgery in a Patient with Severe Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension].

Severe pulmonary arterial hypertension is a significant risk factor for anesthetic management in patients undergoing even non-cardiac surgery. A 64-year-old female patient with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension was scheduled to undergo inguinal hernioplasty. Preoperative systolic pulmonary arterial pressure was 115 mmHg. We selected monitored anesthesia care with 0.2-0.5 µg x kg(-1) x hr(-1) dexmedetomidine and ultrasound-guided iliohypogastric block. Thereafter, LiDCOrapid was used to acquire the hemodynamic responses during surgery. Continuous iliohypogastric block produced postoperative pain relief and the supplemental analgesic was not needed. The monitored anesthesia care by dexmedetomidine and ultrasound guided continuous iliohypogastric block would be a safe procedure for patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension undergoing non-cardiac surgery. LiDCO rapid could be low invasive and useful as a hemodaynamic monitor in such a case.

Continuous wound infiltration with 0.2% ropivacaine versus a single intercostal nerve block with 0.75% ropivacaine for postoperative pain management after reconstructive surgery for microtia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In reconstructive surgery for microtia during childhood, costal cartilage is used for pinna formation. Postoperative pain in the region from which the costal cartilage is taken is severe, which delays recovery after surgery. We evaluated prospectively whether continuous wound infiltration (CWI) of a local anesthetic (LA) reduces pain and enables rapid recovery compared with a single intercostal nerve block (ICNB). METHOD: Forty-eight patients were randomly divided into two groups. In Group I, a single ICNB with 10 ml of 0.75% ropivacaine was performed at the end of surgery. In Group C, a catheter was inserted into the space between the abdominal external oblique muscle and the rectus abdominis muscle. Then, a 0.4-ml/kg bolus of 0.2% ropivacaine was administered, followed by continuous infusion at 2-4 ml/h for 48 h. Postoperative pain intensity evaluated using the Face Scale, dose of supplemental analgesics, and time until mobilization were evaluated. In Group C, the plasma concentrations of ropivacaine were analyzed. RESULTS: The pain intensity at rest was significantly lower in Group C than in Group I, but the values during coughing were comparable. The number of patients receiving a supplemental analgesic and the median number of doses were significantly larger in Group I than in Group C (P = 0.029, P = 0.0007, respectively). The plasma concentrations of ropivacaine were within the safe range over 48 h. The times until mobilization were comparable. CONCLUSION: CWI of 0.2% ropivacaine is a better and safe technique for postoperative pain management after costal cartilage graft harvest in children.

[Successful Management of Cardiopulmonary Bypass Using Heparin in a Patient with Previous History of Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia].

Anti-coagulant management of cardiopulmonary bypass for the patient complicated with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is difficult. A woman of late 50's with a previous history of HIT was scheduled for mitral valve replacement, tricuspid valvuloplasty and coronary artery bypass graft. We knew that heparin antibody was negative by serologic and functional assay before the operation. According to the HIT guideline, we planned to use heparin only during cardiopulmonary bypass and to use argatroban for other catheters. Although the platelet count continued decreasing up to the 5th postoperative day unless the transfusion of platelets, heparin antibody was negative on the first postoperative day. But, it was thought that HIT would develop from 5 days to 10 days after using heparin. Therefore, we had to examine heparin antibody on the 5th postoperative day at least for the patients with a history of HIT. In the future, it is important to observe the patient carefully and examine heparin antibody.

Serum antimicrobial concentrations for surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis in radical nephrectomy and radical prostatectomy.

To evaluate the current methods of surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis from the viewpoint of pharmacokinetics for patients undergo urologic surgery, this study was designed to measure the serum concentrations of two different prophylactic antimicrobial agents in different types of urologic surgery. This prospective study included 39 patients with prostate cancer, renal pelvic cancer, ureteral cancer or renal cancer treated by radical surgery from August 2005 to March 2006. Blood samples were taken intraoperatively at 30 min and 180 min after the beginning of the first administration. The half-life of the beta phase of cefazolin is 2.46 h and that of piperacillin is 0.7 h according to their manufacturers. The average serum concentration of cefazolin at 30 min was 144 µg/mL in the prostatectomy group and 175 µg/mL in the nephrectomy group. At 180 min, the average concentration of cefazolin was 37 µg/mL in prostatectomy group and 59 µg/mL in the nephrectomy group. The average concentration of piperacillin at 30 min was 134 µg/mL in the prostatectomy group and 137 µg/mL in the nephrectomy group. At 180 min, the average concentration of piperacillin was 10 µg/mL in the prostatectomy group and 22 µg/mL in the nephrectomy group. Thus, the concentration at 180 min after the beginning of infusion was different according to the half-life of each antimicrobial agent. Therefore, up-to-date guidelines for surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis that deal with additional types of intraoperative prophylaxis should be consulted if the operation exceeds two half-lives of the prophylactic antimicrobial agents used in real-life clinical practice.

Incidence of cannot intubate-cannot ventilate (CICV): results of a 3-year retrospective multicenter clinical study in a network of university hospitals.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of cannot intubate-cannot ventilate (CICV) during general anesthesia during a 3-year period in a network of university hospitals and to evaluate the events related to it. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter questionnaire survey of CICV, based on medical record review, was conducted over a 3-year period (January 2010-December 2012) in Hokkaido, Japan. All cases were assessed in terms of the suspected risk factors of CICV, the clinical course during anesthesia, and the prognosis. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 20 of 21 institutions (95%) surveyed. The incidence of CICV was 3 of 97,854 cases conducted under general anesthesia (0.003%). All incidents occurred during induction of general anesthesia. In two of the three cases, difficult airway was predicted preoperatively. In all these three cases, mask ventilation became impossible after repeated intubation attempts with devices such as the Macintosh laryngoscope, the Airwayscope, or a fiberoptic bronchoscope. A laryngeal mask was inserted in one case, but the lungs could not be adequately ventilated. Emergency tracheotomy was eventually performed in all the CICV cases. Although two of the patients did not have postoperative neurological sequelae, severe and permanent brain damage occurred in one patient. CONCLUSION: In our survey, we found that the incidence of CICV during a 3-year period (2010-2012) was 0.003% or 1 in 32,000 cases. The three CICV situations occurred after repeated intubation attempts with multiple devices. The appropriate airway devices to be used in a particular difficult airway situation should be carefully considered before performing multiple attempts.

Evaluation of bias in predicted and measured propofol concentrations during target-controlled infusions in obese Japanese patients: an open-label comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Target-controlled infusions (TCIs) of propofol are commonly used for general anaesthesia. The Marsh model pharmacokinetic parameter set incorporated in TCI devices for propofol could increase bias when used in obese patients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the optimal predicted blood concentration (Cp) of 4.0 µg ml of propofol using a correction formula including BMI and to evaluate the influences on propofol concentration in obese patients. DESIGN: An open-label, comparative study. SETTING: Sapporo Medical University Hospital, Japan, from October 2011 to December 2013. PATIENTS: Seventy-five adults scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia with the following exclusion criteria: less than 30 or more than 65 years of age; American Society of Anesthesiologists status 3 to 5; allergy to propofol; the daily use of psychoactive drugs; known or suspected drug or alcohol abuse; and cardiac, hepatic, renal or neurological impairment. INTERVENTION: Propofol was administered and maintained at a Cp of 4.0 µg ml using a TCI device programmed with the Marsh pharmacokinetic model. Arterial blood samples were collected at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min after the start of the infusion, and the measured propofol concentration (Cm) was determined. After calculation of the adjustment formula using the corrected Cp of 69 patients, we then applied the corrected Cp to five other obese patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The median performance error (MDPE) and median absolute performance error (MDAPE) were calculated to measure bias at each time point. RESULTS: We analysed 333 samples from the 69 individuals. There was a significant correlation between BMI and Cm, which tended be greater than 4.0 µg ml in obese patients. Our new method improved MDPE and MDAPE from a range of 20 to 40 for both, to ranges of -11.3 to -1.8 and 8.8 to 11.5, respectively. CONCLUSION: BMI influences blood propofol concentrations, leading to the possibility of overdosage of propofol in obese patients when the Marsh model is used to assess propofol concentration. Our new method using corrected Cp might improve this bias in obese, Japanese patients.

Tracheal Intubation through the I-gel for Emergency Cesarean Section in a Patient with Multidrug Hypersensitivity: A New Technique.

31-year-old female with hypersensitivity to local anesthetics and neuromuscular blocking agents presented for emergency Cesarean section. We successfully performed I-gel-assisted tracheal intubation without using neuromuscular blockers. We believe this method would be helpful in selected situations.

Suppression of bone marrow-derived microglia in the amygdala improves anxiety-like behavior induced by chronic partial sciatic nerve ligation in mice.

Chronic neuropathic pain causes abnormal sensitivities such as hyperalgesia and allodynia, and emotional abnormalities such as anxiety and depression. Although spinal cord microglia are involved in abnormal sensitivity to neuropathic pain, no previous studies have examined the mechanism of neuropathic pain-induced anxiety. Here, we examined the involvement of bone marrow (BM)-derived microglia aggregated in the amygdalae of mice with chronic neuropathic pain in the development of anxiety-like behavior. We prepared partial sciatic nerve ligations (PSNL) in mice that received bone marrow transplantation from green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Tg mice after irradiation with head protection, and examined GFP-positive microglia in the central nuclei of the amygdalae (CeA). On day 28 after PSNL, BM-derived microglia aggregated in the CeA concurrent with anxiety-like behavior. BM-derived microglia in the CeA highly expressed interleukin (IL)-1ß and C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2). In addition, neurons in the CeA highly expressed monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), a ligand for CCR2, in PSNL-treated mice compared to sham-operated mice, suggesting that the MCP-1/CCR2 axis is involved in the recruitment of BM-derived microglia. Oral administration of a CCR2 antagonist decreased the number of BM-derived microglia in the CeA, and successfully reversed the anxiety-like behavior and hypersensitivity to mechanical stimuli in PSNL-treated mice. Microinjections of an IL-1ß receptor antagonist directly into the CeA successfully reversed the anxiety-like behavior in the PSNL-treated mice even though the neuropathic pain persisted. These results suggest that the recruitment of BM-derived microglia to the CeA via the MCP-1/CCR2 axis and neuron-microglia interactions might be important in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain-induced anxiety.

[Anesthetic management in a patient with head and neck burn by asphalt].

In cases of facial burns caused by molten asphalt, examination for possible airway burns and early removal of the asphalt should be carried out to prevent chemical-induced tissue damage and infection. However, asphalt that has adhered to tissues is difficult to remove. A 35-year-old male with burns caused by molten asphalt was scheduled for emergency debridement. He had 6% body surface area burns on his face and neck. He was not able to open his eyes due to the adherence of asphalt. His respiratory condition was stable and a perioperative fiberoptic view revealed no airway burns. After awake intubation, orange peel oil was used to remove the asphalt from his face and eyes. Since orange peel oil does not contain any harmful substances, it is effective for removing asphalt without causing tissue damage.

[Anesthetic management of a patient with metatropic dysplasia].

A 5-year-old girl with metatropic dysplasia was scheduled for an operation of posterior cervical fusion. This disease is a rare skeletal dysplasia characterized by long trunk and short limbs and severe scoliosis. As she had been suspected to have a difficult airway, we attempted fiberoptic intubation with a nasopharyngeal airway to prevent airway obstruction. The nasopharyngeal airway ensured a patent airway sufficient oxygenation, and anesthesia. Thus, it was possible to perform a fiberoptic intubation via the opposite nostril with no adverse event. The combination of a nasopharyngeal airway and fiberoptic guided tracheal intubation is a reliable and safe procedure for small children with metatropic dysplasia and difficult airway.

[Anesthetic management in a patient with spinal progressive muscle atrophy and compromised severe restrictive respiratory dysfunction].

Spinal progressive muscular atrophy (SPMA) is a rare lower motor neuron disease in which anesthetic management is often difficult as a result of muscle weakness and hypersensitivity to neuromuscular blocking agents. A 43-year-old female patient with SPMA was scheduled to undergo laparotomy for ovarian teratoma. Her vital capacity was only 530 ml and % volume capacity was 22.2%, indicating a severe restrictive pulmonary disfunction. We selected general and epidural anesthesia for the surgery. Anesthesia was induced by propofol and the trachea was intubated with additional topical anesthesia. Spontaneous ventilation was kept during anesthesia without neuromuscular blocking agents, and systemic and epidural opioids were avoided to evade their respiratory depression. Because of severe spine scoliosis syndrome, we inserted an epidural catheter into the epidural space under radiographic monitoring for safety and precision. Postoperative pain control was stable using continuous epidural infusion of 0.2% ropivacaine without neurological adverse effects. One day after surgery, the trachea was extubated and respiratory function did not aggravate. Despite the controversy surrounding the use of neuraxial blocks in motor neuron diseases, in this case, epidural anesthesia was useful to keep the respiratory function stable.

[Optimal analgesic effect of continuous supraclavicular brachial plexus block with ropivacaine after shoulder surgery].

BACKGROUND: Optimal dose of local anesthetics for supraclavicular brachial plexus block (BPB) is still unknown. We prospectively investigated the analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided continuous supraclavicular BPB with ropivacaine at different infusion rates. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery were randomly assigned to four groups; receiving no continuous BPB (control group, n = 10), BPB with 0.2% of ropivacaine at an infusion rate of 4 ml x hr(-1) (n = 12), BPB with 6 ml x hr(-1) (n = 12) or BPB with 8 ml x hr(-1) (n = 5). All patients were permitted to receive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) after surgery. Visual analogue scale (VAS) for postoperative pain was assessed and frequencies of the requirement of NSAIDs were recorded in each group. RESULTS: The pain scores during 24 hours after surgery in the 6 ml x hr(-1) group (3-24 mm) were significantly lower than those in the 4 ml x hr(-1) group (4-42 mm) and control group (6-56 mm). Mean frequency of administrations of NSAIDs for 24 hours after surgery in the 6 ml x hr(-1) (0.8 +/- 0.8) group was significantly lower than that in the control group (1.7 +/- 1.0). Continuous administration in two cases in the 8 ml x hr(-1) group was discontinued due to leakage of local anesthetics and headache. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous supraclavicular BPB with 0.2% ropivacaine at 6 ml x hr(-1) is effective for the pain management after shoulder surgery and is not an excess dose.