A novel technique of ultrasound-guided lateral cutaneous branch of the iliohypogastric nerve block: A cadaveric study.

BACKGROUND: The lateral cutaneous branch of the iliohypogastric nerve (LCBIN) block combined with the lateral femoral cutaneous, superior cluneal and subcostal nerve blocks has been shown to provide complete anaesthetic coverage for the incisions used for hip arthroplasty. Successful ultrasound-guided selective nerve blocks have been described for these nerves, except for the LCBIN. The objective of this cadaveric study was to determine the position of the LCBIN in order to provide the anatomical basis for an ultrasound-guided nerve block approach. Furthermore, we aimed to evaluate the spread of injected dye after using the ultrasound-guided nerve block approach. METHODS: The LCBIN and its relationship with iliac crest (IC) was assessed bilaterally in 27 adult cadaveric dissections. Bilaterally, in two cadavers, an ultrasound transducer was applied transversely above the IC and moved in caudal or cranial direction to identify the LCBIN. A needle was inserted in-plane and 3 ml of a solution with methylene blue was injected and confirmed by dissection. RESULTS: The mean distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the point where the LCBIN crossed the IC was 9.74 ± 0.84 cm. The mean distance from the point where the nerve pierced the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle to the point where it crossed the IC was 0.59 ± 0.77 cm. The nerve was easily visualised in 3 out of 4 sides using ultrasound. However, the nerve was coloured in all cases. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that the LCBIN has a constant location and is sonographically easy visualized in a well-defined anatomical space. Thus, the ultrasound guided LCBIN block may be an alternative to the blind injection technique.

Continuous erector spinae plane block for pain management in laparoscopic liver resection: case report / Bloqueo continuo del elevador de la espina para el manejo del dolor en una reseccion hepática laparoscopica: reporte de caso

Abstract Pain after liver resection can be difficult to manage. Epidural anesthesia (EA) is an effective technique in pain control in this surgery. However, postoperative coagulopathy and hypotension due to autonomic nervous system block in high-risk patients, may result that the EA is an inadequate analgesic technique in according to enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) recommendations for liver surgery. Regional block techniques have been recommended for liver surgery in ERAS guidelines. Erector spinae plane (ESP) block is a recent block described for thoracic and abdominal surgeries and provides both somatic and visceral analgesia. We describe a high-risk patient with cardiac dysfunction and Parkinson's disease who underwent laparoscopic right liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Satisfactory intra and postoperative analgesia was achieved by a combined continuous ESP block, transversus abdominis plane (TAP), and oblique subcostal TAP blocks. Surgery and postoperative period was uneventful. No opioids were administered during hospitalization. A combined of thoracic and abdominal wall blocks can be an effective approach for intra and postoperative analgesia in high-risk patients undergoing laparoscopic liver resection. Further clinical research is recommended to establish the effectiveness of the ESP block as an analgesic technique in this surgery.

Resumen El dolor posterior a una resección hepática puede ser difícil de manejar. La anestesia epidural (AE) es una técnica efectiva para el control del dolor en esta cirugía. Sin embargo, la coagulopatía y la hipotensión postoperatorias debido al bloqueo del sistema nervioso autónomo en pacientes de alto riesgo, puede hacer que la AE sea una técnica analgésica inadecuada, de acuerdo con las recomendaciones de la recuperación mejorada después de cirugía (ERAS, por las iniciales en inglés de Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) para cirugía hepática. Se han recomendado las técnicas de bloqueo regional para cirugía hepática en las guías ERAS. El bloqueo del plano erector de la espina (BEE) (ESP, por las iniciales en inglés de erector spinae plan block) es una técnica reciente, para cirugías torácicas y abdominales, que brinda analgesia tanto somática como visceral. Se describe aquí un paciente de alto riesgo con disfunción cardiaca y enfermedad de Parkinson que se sometió a resección la paroscópica del lóbulo derecho del hígado por carcinoma hepatocelular. Se logró analgesia intra y postoperatoria eficaz mediante una combinación de bloqueo continuo ESP, y bloqueos del plano transverso abdominal (PTA) y del plano transverso abdominal subcostal oblicuo. La cirugía y el periodo postoperatorio transcurrieron sin novedad y no se administraron opioides durante la hospitalización. La combinación de bloqueos combinados torácicos y de la pared abdominal pueden ser un abordaje efectivo para la analgesia intra y postoperatoria en pacientes de alto riesgo que se someten a resección hepática laparoscópica. Se recomienda continuar con la investigación clínica a finde establecer la efectividad del bloqueo ESP como técnica anestésica para esta cirugía.

[Incidence of epidural spread after Chayen's approach to lumbar plexus block: a retrospective study]. / Incidência de dispersão peridural após bloqueio do plexo lumbar com técnica de Chayen: estudo retrospectivo.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The lumbar plexus block (LPB) is a key technique for lower limb surgery. All approaches to the LPB involve a number of complications. We hypothesized that Chayen's approach, which involves a more caudal and more lateral needle entry point than the major techniques described in the literature, would be associated with a lower rate of epidural spread. METHOD: We reviewed the electronic medical records and chart of all adult patients who underwent orthopedic surgery for total hip arthroplasty (THA) and hip hemiarthroplasty due to osteoarthritis and femoral neck fracture with LPB and sciatic nerve block (SNB) between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2017, in our institute. The LPB was performed according to Chayen's technique using a mixture of mepivacaine and levobupivacaine (total volume, 25 mL) and a SNB by the parasacral approach. The sensory and motor block was evaluated bilaterally during intraoperative and postoperative period. RESULTS: A total number of 700 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I to IV who underwent LPB met the inclusion criteria. The LPB and SNB was successfully performed in all patients. Epidural spread was reported in a single patient (0.14%; p <0.05), accounting for an 8.30% reduction compared with the other approaches described in the literature. No other complications were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study indicates that more caudal and more lateral approach to the LPB, such as the Chayen's approach, is characterized by a lower epidural spread than the other approach to the LPB.

Incidence of epidural spread after Chayens approach to lumbar plexus block: a retrospective study / Incidência de dispersão peridural após bloqueio do plexo lumbar com técnica de Chayen: estudo retrospectivo

Abstract Background and objectives: The lumbar plexus block (LPB) is a key technique for lower limb surgery. All approaches to the LPB involve a number of complications. We hypothesized that Chayen's approach, which involves a more caudal and more lateral needle entry point than the major techniques described in the literature, would be associated with a lower rate of epidural spread. Method: We reviewed the electronic medical records and chart of all adult patients who underwent orthopedic surgery for Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) and hip hemiarthroplasty due to osteoarthritis and femoral neck fracture with LPB and Sciatic Nerve Block (SNB) between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2017, in our institute. The LPB was performed according to Chayen's technique using a mixture of mepivacaine and levobupivacaine (total volume, 25 mL) and a SNB by the parasacral approach. The sensory and motor block was evaluated bilaterally during intraoperative and postoperative period. Results: A total number of 700 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I to IV who underwent LPB met the inclusion criteria. The LPB and SNB was successfully performed in all patients. Epidural spread was reported in a single patient (0.14%;p < 0.05), accounting for an 8.30% reduction compared with the other approaches described in the literature. No other complications were recorded. Conclusions: This retrospective study indicates that more caudal and more lateral approach to the LPB, such as the Chayen's approach, is characterized by a lower epidural spread than the other approach to the LPB.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: O bloqueio do plexo lombar (BPL) é uma técnica fundamental para a cirurgia de membros inferiores. Todas as abordagens do BPL são associadas a uma série de complicações. Nossa hipótese foi de que a abordagem de Chayen, que envolve um ponto de entrada da agulha mais caudal e mais lateral do que as principais técnicas descritas na literatura, estaria associada a menor incidência de dispersão peridural. Método: Revisamos os prontuários médicos eletrônicos e em papel de todos os pacientes adultos submetidos à artroplastia total do quadril (ATQ) e hemiartroplastia do quadril devido a osteoartrite ou fratura do colo do fêmur empregando-se BPL associado ao bloqueio do nervo ciático (BNC), entre 1 de janeiro de 2002 e 31 de dezembro de 2017 em nossa instituição. Realizamos o BPL usando a técnica de Chayen e uma mistura de mepivacaína e levobupivacaína (volume total de 25 mL) e o BNC pela abordagem parassacral. Testes sensorial e motor bilaterais foram realizados no intra e pós-operatório. Resultados: Os critérios de inclusão foram obedecidos pelo total de 700 pacientes classe ASA I a IV submetidos ao BPL. Os BPL e BNC foram realizados com sucesso em todos os pacientes. A dispersão peridural foi relatada em um único paciente (0,14%; p < 0,05), representando uma redução de 8,30% quando comparada às outras abordagens descritas na literatura. Nenhuma outra complicação foi registrada. Conclusões: Este estudo retrospectivo indica que a abordagem mais caudal e mais lateral do BPL, como a técnica de Chayen, é caracterizada por menor dispersão peridural do que outras abordagens do BPL.