[Popliteal fossa sciatic nerve block for ambulatory hallux valgus surgery: comparison of lateral and posterior approaches]. / Bloqueo del nervio ciático en el hueco poplíteo para cirugía de hallux valgus en régimen ambulatorio: comparación de los abordajes lateral y posterior.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, effectiveness, technical difficulty, and clinical usefulness of the popliteal sciatic peripheral nerve block for unilateral hallus valgux surgery and to compare the posterior and lateral approaches. We also aimed to investigate patient comfort during the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, randomized trial enrolled 60 patients scheduled for unilateral hallux valgus surgery. The patients were randomly assigned to groups of 30 patients to receive a nerve block by either a posterior or lateral approach. A nerve stimulator was used to locate the response of the two branches forming the sciatic nerve--the posterior tibial nerve and the common peroneal nerve. Then, 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine was injected for each nerve. Variables analyzed were efficacy, complications, quality and duration of postoperative analgesia, degree of comfort while the technique was being performed, and level of satisfaction. RESULTS: The level of comfort was good for 19 patients (70%) in the posterior approach group and for 29 (97%) in the lateral approach group (P<0.05). Level of satisfaction was good or very good for 93% and 96% of the patients in the posterior and lateral approach groups, respectively. Block efficacy was excellent for 48 patients (80%), good for 9 (15%), and poor for 3 (5%), with no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: Both the posterior and lateral approaches provide easy access to the sciatic nerve for performing a block. The rate of success is high and postoperative analgesia is good, with no noteworthy complications. However, the lateral approach is more comfortable for the patient.

[Acute myocardial infarction in the postoperative period following pneumonectomy]. / Infarto agudo de miocardio en el perioperatorio de una neumonectomía.

A 72-year-old man, smoker, with insuline-dependent diabetes and dislipemia underwent left pneumonectomy. Several episodes of intraoperative hemodynamic instability associated with electrocardiographic ST segment alterations were attributed to surgical manipulation; ischemia was not suspected. Cardiorespiratory failure, related to extensive anterior infarction, developed a few minutes after admission to the postoperative intensive care unit (PICU). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and mechanical ventilation were required. The patient responded to treatment with beta blockers, platelet antiaggregants and statins. Tube was removed a few hours later and the patient was discharged from the PICU on the fifth day. Pneumonectomy has a high rate of morbidity and mortality, with complications mainly arising in the lung and heart. Risk from anesthesia is considered to be great in this procedure, and for that reason it is essential to identify intraoperative myocardial ischemia so that it can be treated aggressively. In patients at high cardiovascular risk who undergo lung resection, intraoperative episodes of myocardial ischemia are associated with a high incidence of postoperative miocardial infarction. Therefore, careful postoperative monitoring is needed and measures should be taken to prevent angina. Early extubation should be avoided.