[Ultrasound-guided caudal block with ropivacaine in infraumbilical surgeries in pediatric patients]. / Bloqueo caudal ecoguiado con ropivacaína en cirugías infraumbilicales en pacientes pediátricos.

Background: The use of local anesthetics as part of multimodal analgesia is an attractive concept in pediatric patients, since the evaluation and management of pain is a challenge in children under 7 years of age. Despite having guidelines and multiple studies on volume calculation, no safe and effective recommendation has been issued. Objective: To demonstrate that ultrasound-guided caudal block with a dose of 0.75 mL/kg of 0.2% ropivacaine has the same analgesic effect as a dose of 1.2 mL/kg. Material and methods: Randomized, prospective, longitudinal, comparative equivalence clinical trial. One hundred patients 0-7 years of age scheduled for elective or emergency infraumbilical surgery were enrolled between April 2021 and January 2022. Children were randomized 1:1 to be assigned to ultrasound-guided caudal block. Results: 100 patients divided into two groups with 0.2% ropivacaine volumes (0.75 mL vs. 1.2 mL). Both groups demonstrated the trans-anesthetic and post-anesthetic sedoanalgesia variables without significant differences for both groups on the FLACC pain scale after surgery and in recovery (p > 0.5), in the pain reassessment on the FLACC scale in the office called chronic pain (p > 0.5) in both groups. No complications were reported in the follow-up consultations and no arrhythmias were reported in both groups during surgery. Conclusions: the results of both groups did not show differences between a volume of 0.75 mL and 1.2 mL, the administration of 0.2% ropivacaine is favored with the use of ultrasound, which allows effective administration of lower doses of local anesthetic with reduced risk of complications. It is necessary to carry out studies in other types of surgery to compare the use of less volume of local anesthetic compared to the Melman formula used in this study.

Introducción: el uso de anestésicos locales como parte de la analgesia multimodal es un concepto atractivo en pacientes pediátricos, ya que la evaluación y manejo del dolor es un reto en menores de 7 años. A pesar de contar con guías y múltiples estudios del cálculo de volumen no se ha emitido una recomendación segura y eficaz. Objetivo: demostrar que el bloqueo caudal ecoguiado con dosis de 0.75 mL/kg de ropivacaína 0.2% tiene el mismo efecto analgésico que la dosis de 1.2 mL/kg. Material y métodos: ensayo clínico aleatorizado de equivalencia, prospectivo, longitudinal, comparativo. Se enrolaron 100 pacientes de 0-7 años programados para cirugía infraumbilical electiva o de urgencia entre abril del 2021 y enero del 2022. Los niños fueron aleatorizados 1:1 para asignarse a la realización del bloqueo caudal guiado por ultrasonido. Resultados: de los 100 pacientes divididos en dos grupos con volúmenes de ropivacaína 0.2% (0.75 mL frente a 1.2 mL). Ambos grupos demostraron las variables de sedoanalgesia transanestésicas y postanestésicas sin diferencias significativas para ambos grupos en la escala de FLACC de dolor después de la cirugía y en recuperación (p > 0.5), en la revaloración de dolor en la escala de FLACC en el consultorio denominado dolor crónico (p > 0.5) en ambos grupos. No se reportaron complicaciones en las consultas de seguimiento y tampoco arritmias en ambos grupos durante la cirugía. Conclusiones: los resultados en ambos grupos no mostraron diferencias entre un volumen de 0.75 mL y 1.2 mL, la administración de ropivacaina 0.2% se favorece con el empleo de ultrasonido, lo que permite administración eficaz de dosis menores de anestésico local con reducción del riesgo de complicaciones. Es necesario realizar estudios en otros tipos de cirugía para comparar el uso de menos volumen de anestésico local frente a la fórmula de Melman que ocupamos en este estudio.

Analysis of bupivacaine and ropivacaine-related cardiac arrests in regional anesthesia: A systematic review of case reports.

Regional anesthesia as a component of multimodal analgesia protocols has become more and more a part of modern perioperative pain management. The widespread adoption of ultrasound guidance in regional anesthesia has surely played an important role in that growth and it has significantly improved patient safety, decreased the incidence of block failure, cardiac arrest, and reduced complication rates. The objective of this systematic review is to extract, analyze, and synthesize clinical information about bupivacaine and ropivacaine related cardiac arrest that we might have a clearer picture of the clinical presentation. The literature search identified 268 potentially relevant publications and 22 relevant case reports were included in the review. Patients' demographics, types of regional anesthesia, hypotension, heart rhythm disorders, seizures, cardiac arrest, fatal outcome, recommendations and limitations on prevention and treatment of bupivacaine and ropivacaine related cardiac arrest are analyzed and discussed in the systematic review. Both bupivacaine and ropivacaine-induced local anesthetic toxicity can result in cardiac arrest. Lipid emulsion, telemetry, local anesthetic toxicity resuscitation training appears to be promising in improvement of survival but more research is needed. Improvement and encouragement of reporting the local anesthetic toxicity are warranted to improve the quality of information that can be analyzed in order to make more precise conclusion.

[Ropivacaine withdrawal syndrome: a case report]. / Síndrome de abstinência de ropivacaína: relato de caso.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Ropivacaine is a long-acting local anesthetic that causes prolonged anesthesia and is beneficial for a wide variety of surgeries. Systemic toxicity has been reported after usage of high dose ropivacaine or inadvertent intravascular administration. We report a case of ropivacaine withdrawal, which to our knowledge has not been previously described in the literature. CASE REPORT: The patient presented to our department with uncontrolled belt-like upper-abdominal pain, self-rated as a 9/10 on the numeric rating scale. We decided to use continuous epidural analgesia with ropivacaine through a multi-port epidural catheter. Pain was well controlled for one month without significant adverse effects. However, ropivacaine unexpectedly ran out and two hours later the patient developed agitation, generalized tremor, tachycardia, and tachypnea. These symptoms resolved 30 minutes after reinitiating epidural ropivacaine. DISCUSSION: Our hypothesis of ropivacaine withdrawal was related to the timing of symptoms in relation to drug administration over two episodes. The possible mechanism of the observed withdrawal syndrome is upregulation of voltage-gated sodium channels after prolonged inhibition, resulting in increase in sodium influx and genetic variation.

Intranasal self-administration of local anesthetic (ropivacaine) for sphenopalatine ganglion block, for treatment of second trigeminal branch neuralgia secondary to maxillary sinus curettage: A case report. / Autoadministración intranasal de anestésico local (ropivacaína) para bloqueo del ganglio esfenopalatino, para tratamiento de neuralgia de la segunda rama del trigémino secundaria a curetaje del seno maxilar: informe de un caso.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a severe and often underestimated facial pain that affects quality of life. Pharmacological treatment is insufficient for pain control in 30% of cases and, although intervention techniques may be effective, there is a possibility of relapse and associated complications. The second division of the trigeminal nerve (V2) runs through the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG), which is anatomically accessible to blocking due to its superficial location in the nasal cavity. We report a clinical case of a patient with uncontrolled V2 TN that was put on ambulatory self-administered SPG block with nasal swabs soaked in 0.75% ropivacaine. In the follow-up visits, we confirmed that this adjuvant treatment provided a significant pain relief over 24hours with a decrease in the number of exacerbations.

[Effect of equipotent doses of bupivacaine and ropivacaine in high-fat diet fed neonatal rodent model]. / Efeito de doses equipotentes de bupivacaína e ropivacaína em modelo de roedor neonatal alimentado com dieta rica em gordura.

OBJECTIVES: The increase in the prevalence of obesity presents a significant health and economic problem. Obesity has been reported to be a major contributor to variety of chronic diseases. Childhood obesity has been rising over the past decades leading to various complications in health. Millions of infants and children undergo surgery every year on various health grounds. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of spinal anesthesia of equipotent doses of ropivacaine and bupivacaine on over-weight neonatal rats. METHODS: The Sprague-Dawley rat pups were overfed on high fat diet to induce obesity. Behavioral assessments for sensory and motor blockade was made by evaluating thermal and mechanical withdrawal latencies at various time intervals following intrathecal injections of bupivacaine (5.0mg·kg-1) and ropivacaine (7.5mg·kg-1) in P14 rats. Spinal tissue was analyzed for apoptosis by determination of activated caspase-3 using monoclonal anti-activated caspase-3 and Fluoro-Jade C staining. Long-term spinal function in P30 rat pups was evaluated. RESULTS: Exposure to intrathecal anesthesia in P14 increased thermal and mechanical latencies and was observed to increase apoptosis as presented by increase in activated caspase-3 and Fluro-Jade C positive cells. Significant alterations in spinal function were observed in high fat diet-fed pups as against non-obese control pups that were on standard diet. Bupivacaine produced more pronounced apoptotic effects on P14 pups; ropivacaine however produced long lasting effects as evidenced in motor function tests at P30. CONCLUSION: Ropivacaine and bupivacaine induced spinal toxicity that was more pronounced in over-fed rat pups as against normal controls.

Effect of equipotent doses of bupivacaine and ropivacaine in high-fat diet fed neonatal rodent model.

OBJECTIVES: The increase in the prevalence of obesity presents a significant health and economic problem. Obesity has been reported to be a major contributor to variety of chronic diseases. Childhood obesity has been rising over the past decades leading to various complications in health. Millions of infants and children undergo surgery every year on various health grounds. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of spinal anesthesia of equipotent doses of ropivacaine and bupivacaine on over-weight neonatal rats. METHODS: The Sprague-Dawley rat pups were overfed on high fat diet to induce obesity. Behavioral assessments for sensory and motor blockade was made by evaluating thermal and mechanical withdrawal latencies at various time intervals following intrathecal injections of bupivacaine (5.0mg·kg-1) and ropivacaine (7.5mg·kg-1) in P14 rats. Spinal tissue was analyzed for apoptosis by determination of activated caspase-3 using monoclonal anti-activated caspase-3 and Fluoro-Jade C staining. Long-term spinal function in P30 rat pups was evaluated. RESULTS: Exposure to intrathecal anesthesia in P14 increased thermal and mechanical latencies and was observed to increase apoptosis as presented by increase in activated caspase-3 and Fluro-Jade C positive cells. Significant alterations in spinal function were observed in high fat diet-fed pups as against non-obese control pups that were on standard diet. Bupivacaine produced more pronounced apoptotic effects on P14 pups; ropivacaine however produced long lasting effects as evidenced in motor function tests at P30. CONCLUSION: Ropivacaine and bupivacaine induced spinal toxicity that was more pronounced in over-fed rat pups as against normal controls.

Valor de la duración del intervalo QRS para predecir la toxicidad por ropivacaína. Implicaciones en la práctica de la anestesia regional en Cirugía Mayor Ambulatoria / Value of QRS interval duration to predict ropivacaine toxicity. Implications in the practice of regional anesthesia in Major Ambulatory Surgery

Objetivo: La anestesia regional es ampliamente utilizada en Cirugía Mayor Ambulatoria (CMA), asociando innumerables ventajas y un mejor control del dolor postoperatorio. La ropivacaína surgió como una alternativa menos tóxica a la bupivacaína, sin embargo, se han descrito casos de arritmias o parada cardiorrespiratoria tras su administración. Las alteraciones electrocardiográficas en la intoxicación por anestésicos locales afectan a la conducción ventricular, prolongando el intervalo QRS del ECG. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar si la prolongación del intervalo QRS se correlaciona con niveles elevados en sangre de ropivacaína, lo que podría alertar al clínico de una intoxicación grave. Material y métodos: El estudio se realizó en 4 cerdos minipig premedicados con ketamina intramuscular (20 mg/kg) que fueron anestesiados con tiopental sódico (5 mg/kg) y sevoflurano. Tras la instrumentalización y monitorización continua del ECG se administraron 5 mg/kg de ropivacaína intravenosa. Se realizaron determinaciones analíticas y mediciones de parámetros electrocardiográficos basales y a los 5, 15 y 30 minutos. Se evaluó la correlación entre los niveles plasmáticos de ropivacaína y la duración del intervalo QRS. Análisis estadístico: test de correlación de Spearman. Significación estadística: p < 0,05. Resultados: La ropivacaína indujo un aumento significativo del intervalo QRS a los 5, 15 y 30 minutos. Los intervalos PR, QT y QTc también aumentaron. El porcentaje de aumento máximo del QRS fue de un 51 % a los 5 minutos. Se observó una correlación positiva entre la duración del intervalo QRS y los niveles de ropivacaína, r = 0,8 (p < 0,0001). Conclusión: Nuestro modelo experimental ha permitido relacionar la duración del intervalo QRS con los niveles sanguíneos de ropivacaína. Su ensanchamiento instantáneo puede ser un marcador útil para detectar casos de intoxicación sistémica por ropivacaína, muy utilizada en anestesia regional en CMA (AU)

Objective: Regional anaesthesia is widely used in ambulatory surgery (AS) and is associated with numerous benefits and a better control of postoperative pain. Ropivacaine emerged as a less toxic alternative to bupivacaine, however, cases of arrhythmias or cardiorespiratory arrest have been reported following accidental administration. Electrocardiographic alterations in local anaesthetic intoxication affect ventricular conduction by prolonging the QRS interval of the EKG. Our aim was to assess whether QRS interval prolongation correlates with elevated blood levels of ropivacaine, which could alert the clinician to the presence of severe intoxication. Material and methods: The study was performed in 4 minipig pigs premedicated with intramuscular ketamine (20 mg/kg) and anaesthetized with sodium thiopental (5 mg/kg) and sevoflurane. After instrumentation and continuous ECG monitoring, 5 mg/kg of intravenous ropivacaine was administered. Analytical blood gas samples determinations and measurements of electrocardiographic parameters were performed at baseline and at 5, 15 and 30 minutes. Correla tion between plasmatic levels of ropivacaine and QRS interval duration was assessed. Statistical analysis: Spearman correlation test. Statistical significance: p < 0.05. Results: Ropivacaine induced a significant increase in the QRS interval at 5, 15 and 30 minutes. The PR, QT and QTc intervals also increased. The percentage of maximum QRS increase was 51 % at 5 minutes. A positive correlation was observed between QRS interval duration and ropivacaine levels, correlation coefficient r = 0.8 (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: our experimental model has allowed us to relate QRS interval duration to ropivacaine blood levels. Its instantaneous widening could be a useful marker to detect cases of systemic intoxication by ropivacaine, widely used in regional anesthesia in AS (AU)

Infiltração de anestésicos locais na ferida cirúrgica: efeito sobre a inflamação e cicatriz fibrosa em ratos / Infiltration of local anesthetics into the surgical wound: effect on inflammation and fibrous scar in rats

■ RESUMO Introdução: O alívio da dor após a cirurgia continua sendo um dos desafios médicos mais significativos, principalmente na cirurgia estética. A infiltração da incisão cirúrgica com anestésicos locais tem sido cada vez mais utilizada para reduzir a dor e o uso de analgésicos. No entanto, pouco se sabe sobre o efeito desta injeção na cicatrização. O objetivo é avaliar a interferência dos anestésicos locais na área de infiltrado inflamatório e cicatriz de fibrose em ratos. Métodos: Duas incisões lineares foram feitas cada uma na região dorsal de 40 ratos Wistar. A incisão esquerda foi infiltrada com doses de 1,8ml de bupivacaína, levobupivacaína, ropivacaína ou solução salina 0,9%. A incisão direita não recebeu infiltração, servindo como grupo controle. Após sete dias, amostras das incisões foram coletadas para avaliação morfométrica histológica. Resultados: Quando comparada com os grupos controle, a área de infiltrado inflamatório encontrada foi maior nos grupos bupivacaína, ropivacaína e levobupivacaína. O grupo bupivacaína apresentou um infiltrado inflamatório maior do que a levobupivacaína e a ropivacaína. A área da cicatriz fibrosa foi maior nos grupos levobupivacaína e ropivacaína. Não houve diferença entre os grupos que receberam anestésico e solução salina. Conclusão: Como não houve diferença entre os grupos de anestésico e soro fisiológico, o volume aplicado ou o trauma podem ter sido a causa das maiores áreas de infiltração e cicatriz associadas à aplicação dos anestésicos locais.

■ ABSTRACT Introduction: Pain relief after surgery remains one of the most significant medical challenges, mainly in aesthetic surgery. The infiltration of the surgical incision with local anesthetics has been increasingly used to reduce pain and other analgesic use. However, little is known about the effect of this injection on healing. The objective is to evaluate the interference of local anesthetics in the area of inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis scar in rats. Methods: Two linear incisions each were made on the dorsal region of 40 Wistar rats. The left incision was infiltrated with doses of 1.8ml of bupivacaine, levobupivacaine, ropivacaine, or 0,9% saline solution infiltration. The right incision did not receive infiltration, serving as a control group. After seven days, samples of the incisions were collected for histological morphometric evaluation. Results: When compared with the control groups, the area of inflammatory infiltrate was found larger in the bupivacaine, ropivacaine, and levobupivacaine groups. The bupivacaine group presented a larger inflammatory infiltrate than the levobupivacaine and ropivacaine. The fibrous scar area was larger in the levobupivacaine and ropivacaine groups. There was no difference between the groups that received anesthetic and saline solution. Conclusion: As there was no difference between the anesthetics and saline solution groups, the volume applied, or the trauma may have been the cause of the larger areas of infiltrating and scar associated with local anesthetics application.

Analgesic effect of ropivacaine after arthroscopic reconstruction of the ligament in athletes / Efeito analgésico da ropivacaína após reconstrução artroscópica do ligamento em atletas / El efecto de la ropivacaína en el dolor después de la reconstrucción artroscópica de ligamentos de un atleta

ABSTRACT After arthroscopic ligament reconstruction, athletes still need to go through a postoperative rehabilitation training period and suffer the possible pain that can go from moderate to severe. Commonly used analgesic medications, ropivacaine and fentanyl have the effect of relieving athletes' pain. To study the analgesic effect of ropivacaine on arthroscopic reconstruction of the knee ligament, the steps of reconstruction and pharmacology of ropivacaine were first introduced. Next, the analgesic effects of ropivacaine and fentanyl in 86 athletes were compared on muscle strength recovery, patient satisfaction, and pain score. The results showed that the satisfaction of patients with ropivacaine was 95.35%, and the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions was only 9.30%. These results indicate that ropivacaine has a better analgesic effect in arthroscopic reconstruction of the knee ligament in athletes, which is suitable for postoperative rehabilitation.

RESUMO Após a reconstrução artroscópica do ligamento, os atletas ainda precisam passar por um longo período de treinamento pós-operatório de reabilitação e suportar a possível dor de moderada a severa. Os medicamentos analgésicos ropivacaina e fentanilo comumente utilizados têm o efeito de aliviar a dor dos atletas. Para estudar o efeito analgésico da ropivacaína na reconstrução artroscópica do ligamento do joelho foram introduzidos, em primeiro lugar, os passos da reconstrução artroscópica do ligamento e os da farmacologia da ropivacaína. Em seguida, os efeitos analgésicos da ropivacaína e o fentanilo em 86 atletas foram comparados com a recuperação na força muscular, na satisfação do paciente e na pontuação da dor. Os resultados mostraram que a satisfação dos doentes com a ropivacaína chegava a 95.35%, e a incidência de reações adversas pós-operatórias foi apenas de 9.30%. Estes resultados indicam que a ropivacaína tem melhor efeito analgésico na reconstrução artroscópica do ligamento do joelho, o que é adequado para a reabilitação pós-operatória.

RESUMEN Después de la reconstrucción artroscópica del ligamento, los atletas aun precisan pasar por un largo período de entrenamiento posoperatorio de rehabilitación y soportar el posible dolor que puede ir de moderado a severo. Los medicamentos analgésicos, ropivacaína y fentanilo que son comúnmente utilizados, tienen el efecto de aliviar el dolor de los atletas. Para estudiar el efecto analgésico de la ropivacaína en la reconstrucción artroscópica del ligamento de la rodilla fueron introducidos, en primer lugar, los pasos de la reconstrucción y de la farmacología de la ropivacaína. Enseguida, los efectos analgésicos de la ropivacaína y el fentanilo en 86 atletas fueron comparados en la recuperación de la fuerza muscular, en la satisfacción del paciente y en la puntuación del dolor. Los resultados mostraron que la satisfacción de los pacientes con la ropivacaína llegaba a 95.35%, y la incidencia de reacciones adversas posoperatorias fue apenas de 9.30%. Estos resultados indican que la ropivacaína tiene mejor efecto analgésico en la reconstrucción artroscópica del ligamento de la rodilla de los atletas, lo que es adecuado para la rehabilitación posoperatoria.

Comparative effects of vitamin C on the effects of local anesthetics ropivacaine, bupivacaine, and lidocaine on human chondrocytes.

BACKGROUND: Intra-articular injections of local anesthetics are commonly used to enhance post-operative analgesia following orthopedic surgery as arthroscopic surgeries. Nevertheless, recent reports of severe complications due to the use of intra-articular local anesthetic have raised concerns. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to assess use of vitamin C in reducing adverse effects of the most commonly employed anesthetics - ropivacaine, bupivacaine and lidocaine - on human chondrocytes. METHODS: The chondrocyte viability following exposure to 0.5% bupivacaine or 0.75% ropivacaine or 1.0% lidocaine and/or vitamin C at doses 125, 250 and 500 µM was determined by LIVE/DEAD assay and annexin V staining. Expression levels of caspases 3 and 9 were assessed using antibodies by Western blotting. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the generation of reactive oxygen species. RESULTS: On exposure to the local anesthetics, chondrotoxicity was found in the order ropivacaine

Supraclavicular brachial plexus block using ropivacaine alone or combined with dexmedetomidine for upper limb surgery: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine is a new α-2 receptor agonist with analgesic and sedative properties. We used dexmedetomidine along with ropivacaine for supraclavicular brachial plexus block. METHODS: Eighty ASA grade I-II patients, 18-60 years old, scheduled for elective upper limb orthopaedic surgery under supraclavicular brachial plexus block, were included in this prospective study. The patients were randomly assigned to group R (ropivacaine alone) and group RD (ropivacaine and dexmedetomidine) (40 patients in each group). Group R received ropivacaine 0.50% (30 cc)+placebo and group RD received ropivacaine 0.50% (30 cc)+dexmedetomidine 1 µg/kg. Primary outcome measure was duration of analgesia. Secondary measures were onset and duration of sensory blockade, pain scores, onset and duration of motor blockade, and evidence of any adverse drug reactions. RESULTS: There was no significant difference hemodynamic parameter during intra-operative period. Group RD showed a statistically significant shorter time to onset of sensory blockade (10.75±2.71 vs. 16.75±2.96 min, P=.003), longer sensory block duration (379.40±55.09 vs. 211.60±47.88 min, P=.002), shorter onset time to motor blockade (14.35±2.58 vs. 20.25±4.13 min, P=.003), longer motor block duration (312.0±49.91 vs. 184.7±36.76 min, P=.002), longer duration of postoperative analgesia (413.73±89.92 vs. 197.35±28.67 min, P=.002). Three patients in the group RD developed somnolence. (P=.04). CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine along with ropivacaine decreases the onset of motor and sensory block and increases the duration of sensory and motor block in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.

[Comparative effects of vitamin C on the effects of local anesthetics ropivacaine, bupivacaine, and lidocaine on human chondrocytes]. / Efeitos comparativos de vitamina C sobre os efeitos dos anestésicos locais ropivacaína, bupivacaína e lidocaína em condrócitos humanos.

BACKGROUND: Intra-articular injections of local anesthetics are commonly used to enhance post-operative analgesia following orthopedic surgery as arthroscopic surgeries. Nevertheless, recent reports of severe complications due to the use of intra-articular local anesthetic have raised concerns. OBJECTIVES: The study aims to assess use of vitamin C in reducing adverse effects of the most commonly employed anesthetics - ropivacaine, bupivacaine and lidocaine - on human chondrocytes. METHODS: The chondrocyte viability following exposure to 0.5% bupivacaine or 0.75% ropivacaine or 1.0% lidocaine and/or vitamin C at doses 125, 250 and 500µM was determined by Live/Dead assay and annexin V staining. Expression levels of caspases 3 and 9 were assessed using antibodies by Western blotting. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the generation of reactive oxygen species. RESULTS: On exposure to the local anesthetics, chondrotoxicity was found in the order ropivacaine

[Cytotoxic effects of local anesthesia through lidocaine/ropivacaine on human melanoma cell lines]. / Efeitos citotóxicos de anestesia local com lidocaína/ropivacaína em linhagens celulares de melanoma humano.

BACKGROUND: Local anesthetics (LAs) are generally considered as safe, but cytotoxicity has been reported for several local anesthetics used in humans, which is not well investigated. In the present study, the cytotoxicity of lidocaine, ropivacaine and the combination of lidocaine and ropivacaine were evaluated on human melanoma cell lines. Melphalan, a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent, was used as a control agent for comparison of cytotoxic activity. METHODS: Melanoma cell lines, A375 and Hs294T, were exposed to 1h to different concentrations of above agents. Cell-viability after exposure was determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Investigated LAs showed detrimental cytotoxicity on studied melanoma cell lines in time- (p<0.001), concentration- (p<0.001), and agent dependant. In both A375 and Hs294T cell lines, minimum cell viability rates were found after 72h of exposure to these agents. Lidocaine 2% caused a reduction of vital cells to 10%±2% and 14%±2% in A375 and Hs294T, respectively after 72h of exposure. Ropivacaine 0.75% after 72h reduced viable cells to 15%±3% and 25%±3% in A375 and Hs294T, respectively. Minimum cell viability after 72h exposure to the combination was 10%±2% and 18%±2% in A375 and Hs294T, respectively. Minimum cell viability after 72h exposure to melphalan was 8%±1% and 12%±2%, in A375 and Hs294T, respectively. CONCLUSION: LAs have cytotoxic activity on human melanoma cell lines in a time-, concentration- and agent-dependant manner. Apoptosis in the cell lines was mediated through activity of caspases-3 and caspases-8.

Infrared image monitoring of local anesthetic poisoning in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the thermographic predictive value of local anesthetic poisoning in rats that indicates the early recognition of thermal signs of intoxication and enable the immediate start of advanced life support. METHODS: Wistar rats underwent intraperitoneal injection of saline and ropivacaine; they were allocated into pairs, and experiments performed at baseline and experimental times. For thermography, central and peripheral compartment were analyzed, checking the maximum and average differences of temperatures between groups. Thermographic and clinical observations were performed for each experiment, and the times in which the signs of intoxication occurred were recorded. In the thermal analysis, the thermograms corresponding to the times of interest were sought and relevant data sheets extracted for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Basal and experimental: the display of the thermal images at times was possible. It was possible to calculate the heat transfer rate in all cases. At baseline it was possible to see the physiology of microcirculation, characterized by thermal distribution in the craniocaudal direction. It was possible to visualize the pathophysiological changes or thermal dysautonomias caused by intoxication before clinical signs occur, characterized by areas of hyper-radiation, translating autonomic nervous system pathophysiological disorders. In animals poisoned by ropivacaine, there was no statistically significant difference in heat transfer rate at the experimental time. CONCLUSIONS: The maximum temperature, medium temperature, and heat transfer rate were different from the statistical point of view between groups at the experimental time, thus confirming the systemic thermographic predictive value.

Cytotoxic effects of local anesthesia through lidocaine/ropivacaine on human melanoma cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Local anesthetics (LAs) are generally considered as safe, but cytotoxicity has been reported for several local anesthetics used in humans, which is not well investigated. In the present study, the cytotoxicity of lidocaine, ropivacaine and the combination of lidocaine and ropivacaine were evaluated on human melanoma cell lines. Melphalan, a nitrogen mustard alkylating agent, was used as a control agent for comparison of cytotoxic activity. METHODS: Melanoma cell lines, A375 and Hs294T, were exposed to 1h to different concentrations of above agents. Cell-viability after exposure was determined by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Investigated LAs showed detrimental cytotoxicity on studied melanoma cell lines in time- (p<0.001), concentration- (p<0.001), and agent dependant. In both A375 and Hs294T cell lines, minimum cell viability rates were found after 72h of exposure to these agents. Lidocaine 2% caused a reduction of vital cells to 10%±2% and 14%±2% in A375 and Hs294T, respectively after 72h of exposure. Ropivacaine 0.75% after 72h reduced viable cells to 15%±3% and 25%±3% in A375 and Hs294T, respectively. Minimum cell viability after 72h exposure to the combination was 10%±2% and 18%±2% in A375 and Hs294T, respectively. Minimum cell viability after 72h exposure to melphalan was 8%±1% and 12%±2%, in A375 and Hs294T, respectively. CONCLUSION: LAs have cytotoxic activity on human melanoma cell lines in a time-, concentration- and agent-dependant manner. Apoptosis in the cell lines was mediated through activity of caspases-3 and caspases-8.

[Digital block with or without the addition of epinephrine in the anesthetic solution]. / Bloqueios em dedos de mãos com epinefrina incluída ou não nas soluções anestésicas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Review of various techniques for digital blocks with local anesthetic, with or without epinephrine. CONTENTS: Description of various procedures and comparison of results reported in the literature, mainly on latency and quality of anesthesia, details on vasoconstrictor effect of epinephrine, intraoperative bleeding, necessity of tourniquet use, duration of anesthesia and postoperative analgesia, blood flow and digital SpO2 behavior, local and systemic complications, and also approaches and drugs to be used in certain situations of ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of adding epinephrine to the anesthetic solution are minor when compared to the risks of the procedure, and it seems dangerous to use a vasoconstrictor in the fingers, unless the safety of the technique and the possibility of discarding the tourniquet are definitely proven.

Digital block with or without the addition of epinephrine in the anesthetic solution.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Review of various techniques for digital blocks with local anesthetic, with or without epinephrine. CONTENTS: Description of various procedures and comparison of results reported in the literature, mainly on latency and quality of anesthesia, details on vasoconstrictor effect of epinephrine, intraoperative bleeding, necessity of tourniquet use, duration of anesthesia and postoperative analgesia, blood flow and digital SpO2 behavior, local and systemic complications, and also approaches and drugs to be used in certain situations of ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: The advantages of adding epinephrine to the anesthetic solution are minor when compared to the risks of the procedure, and it seems dangerous to use a vasoconstrictor in the fingers, unless the safety of the technique and the possibility of discarding the tourniquet are definitely proven.

[Infrared image monitoring of local anesthetic poisoning in rats]. / Monitorização por imagem infravermelha da intoxicação por anestésico local em ratos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the thermographic predictive value of local anesthetic poisoning in rats that indicates the early recognition of thermal signs of intoxication and enable the immediate start of advanced life support. METHODS: Wistar rats underwent intraperitoneal injection of saline and ropivacaine; they were allocated into pairs, and experiments performed at baseline and experimental times. For thermography, central and peripheral compartment were analyzed, checking the maximum and average differences of temperatures between groups. Thermographic and clinical observations were performed for each experiment, and the times in which the signs of intoxication occurred were recorded. In the thermal analysis, the thermograms corresponding to the times of interest were sought and relevant data sheets extracted for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Basal and experimental: the display of the thermal images at times was possible. It was possible to calculate the heat transfer rate in all cases. At baseline it was possible to see the physiology of microcirculation, characterized by thermal distribution in the craniocaudal direction. It was possible to visualize the pathophysiological changes or thermal dysautonomias caused by intoxication before clinical signs occur, characterized by areas of hyper-radiation, translating Autonomic Nervous System pathophysiological disorders. In animals poisoned by ropivacaine, there was no statistically significant difference in heat transfer rate at the experimental time. CONCLUSIONS: The maximum temperature, medium temperature, and heat transfer rate were different from the statistical point of view between groups at the experimental time, thus confirming the systemic thermographic predictive value.

Ropivacaine withdrawal syndrome: a case report / Síndrome de abstinência de ropivacaína: relato de caso

Abstract Introduction and objectives: Ropivacaine is a long-acting local anesthetic that causes prolonged anesthesia and is beneficial for a wide variety of surgeries. Systemic toxicity has been reported after usage of high dose ropivacaine or inadvertent intravascular administration. We report a case of ropivacaine withdrawal, which to our knowledge has not been previously described in the literature. Case report: The patient presented to our department with uncontrolled belt-like upper-abdominal pain, self-rated as a 9/10 on the numeric rating scale. We decided to use continuous epidural analgesia with ropivacaine through a multi-port epidural catheter. Pain was well controlled for one month without significant adverse effects. However, ropivacaine unexpectedly ran out and two hours later the patient developed agitation, generalized tremor, tachycardia, and tachypnea. These symptoms resolved 30 minutes after reinitiating epidural ropivacaine. Discussion: Our hypothesis of ropivacaine withdrawal was related to the timing of symptoms in relation to drug administration over two episodes. The possible mechanism of the observed withdrawal syndrome is upregulation of voltage-gated sodium channels after prolonged inhibition, resulting in increase in sodium influx and genetic variation.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: A ropivacaína é um anestésico local de ação prolongada indicado em uma ampla variedade de cirurgias. Toxicidade sistêmica tem sido relatada após o uso de dose alta de ropivacaína ou administração intravascular inadvertida. Relatamos um caso de crise de abstinência de ropivacaína que, até onde sabemos, não foi descrita anteriormente na literatura. Relato do caso: O paciente procurou nosso departamento com dor não controlada abdominal do tipo em cinta, avaliada pelo paciente como sendo 9/10 no escala de avaliação numérica. Decidimos usar analgesia peridural contínua com ropivacaína através de cateter peridural multiperfurado. A dor foi bem controlada por um mês sem efeitos adversos significativos. No entanto, a ropivacaína inesperadamente se esgotou e, duas horas depois, o paciente desenvolveu agitação, tremor generalizado, taquicardia e taquipneia. Esses sintomas regrediram completamente 30 minutos após o reinício da ropivacaína por via peridural. Discussão: Nossa hipótese de abstinência de ropivacaína foi relacionada à cronologia dos sintomas em relação à administração da droga ao longo de dois episódios. O possível mecanismo da síndrome de abstinência observada é a regulação positiva dos canais de sódio dependentes de voltagem após inibição prolongada, resultando em aumento do influxo de sódio e variação genética.

[Effect of ropivacaine combined with pancuronium on neuromuscular transmission and effectiveness of neostigmine and 4-aminopyridine for blockade reversal: experimental study]. / Efeito da associação ropivacaina-pancurônio na transmissão neuromuscular e eficácia da neostigmine e 4-aminopiridina na reversão do bloqueio: estudo experimental.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The local anesthetic effects on neuromuscular junction and its influence on blockade produced by nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers are still under-investigated; however, this interaction has been described in experimental studies and in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro the interaction between ropivacaine and pancuronium, the influence on transmission and neuromuscular blockade, and the effectiveness of neostigmine and 4-aminopyridine to reverse the blockade. METHODS: Rats were divided into groups (n=5) according to the study drug: ropivacaine (5µgmL(-1)); pancuronium (2µg.mL(-1)); ropivacaine+pancuronium. Neostigmine and 4-aminopyridine were used at concentrations of 2µgmL(-1) and 20µgmL(-1), respectively. The effects of ropivacaine on membrane potential and miniature end-plate potential, the amplitude of diaphragm responses before and 60minutes after the addition of ropivacaine (degree of neuromuscular blockade with pancuronium and with the association of pancuronium-ropivacaine), and the effectiveness of neostigmine and 4-aminopyridine on neuromuscular block reversal were evaluated. RESULTS: Ropivacaine did not alter the amplitude of muscle response (the membrane potential), but decreased the frequency and amplitude of the miniature end-plate potential. Pancuronium blockade was potentiated by ropivacaine, and partially and fully reversed by neostigmine and 4-aminopyridine, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ropivacaine increased the neuromuscular block produced by pancuronium. The complete antagonism with 4-aminopyridine suggests presynaptic action of ropivacaine.