Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO VA) as part of a multimodal approach for the protection of spinal cord ischemia in surgical repair of a thoracoabdominal aneurysm.

Spinal cord ischaemia leading to paraplegia or paraparesis is one of the most devastating complications of aortic surgery. The risk of ischaemia is particularly high in repairs involving both the thoracic and abdominal segments, because in these cases blood flow to the spinal arteries can be interrupted. Multimodal protocols have now been developed to reduce the incidence of this complication, and include measures such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage, avoidance of hypotension and anaemia, systemic hypothermia, neuromonitoring, maintaining distal perfusion during proximal clamping of the aorta, and reimplantation of intercostal or lumbar arteries, whenever feasible. We describe a case in which, due to the special characteristics of the surgery, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO) was used to maintain distal blood flow in the lumbar, inferior mesenteric, and hypogastric arteries during aortic clamping. This approach reduced the risk of spinal cord and visceral ischaemia, and also eliminated the need for thoracotomy because partial left bypass was not required.

[Ultrasound-guided block at the antecubital fossa for carpal tunnel syndrome surgery]. / Abordaje ecoguiado a nivel antecubital para cirugía del síndrome del túnel del carpo.

INTRODUCTION: There are various anaesthetic techniques for ambulatory surgery of carpal tunnel release. The ultrasound-guided nerve blocks offer advantages compared to other techniques. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy using ultrasound-guided block at the antecubital fossa, as well as to evaluate complications, patient satisfaction and surgeon satisfaction with the block. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective observational study with 32 elective patients for carpal tunnel release in a one-day case unit. An ultrasound-guided block with mepivacaine 1% was performed at the antecubital fossa, aiming for the median, ulnar and the lateral and medial cutaneous nerves of the forearm. The measurements of the anteroposterior and laterolateral diameters of the median and ulnar nerves were recorded, before and after injection. Motor and sensory levels were evaluated for the median and ulnar nerves at 5 and 30 min post injection, and compared with the contralateral hand. Pain from the surgical incision time and recovery were recorded, together with complications, and patient and surgeon satisfaction with the block. RESULTS: The antecubital fossa ultrasound-guided block was successful in 93.7% of the patients. No patients needed rescue analgesia in recovery and no complications were recorded. Patient satisfaction was 93.7% and surgeon satisfaction was 97%. CONCLUSIONS: A selective block of the medial, ulnar and medial and lateral cutaneous nerves of the forearm are effective and satisfactory anaesthetic techniques for carpal tunnel release in a one-day case unit. It allows early mobilization, minimises risks and amount of local anaesthetic used.

Ultrasound-guided transversalis fascia plane block versus anterior transversus abdominis plane block in outpatient inguinal hernia repair. / Bloqueo de la fascia transversalis versus bloqueo plano transverso del abdomen anterior ecoguiados en cirugía ambulatoria de hernia inguinal.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided transversalis fascia plane block (TFP) compared to anterior transversus abdominis plane block (TAP-A) for post-operative analgesia in outpatient unilateral inguinal hernia repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study conducted on ASA I-II patients. Two groups (TAP-A and TFP), which were given 30ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine prior to surgical incision. The primary endpoint was the post-operative pain evaluated by verbal numerical scale (VRN at rest and movement) at 10, 30, 60, 90min, coinciding with ambulation, and 24hours by telephone. An evaluation was also made of the sensory block level reached prior to surgery, the need for additional analgesia, side effects, ease of performing the technique, and the level of satisfaction of patients with the anaesthetic-analgesic technique. RESULTS: A total of 61 patients were included, 30 patients in the TAP-A group and 31 in the TFP group. The analgesic efficacy obtained in both groups was similar, although some higher values were found in the VNR on moving in the TAP-A group, reaching statistical difference at 10minutes (P=.014) and 30minutes (P=.013) post-operatively. A higher level of sensory block was achieved in the TFP group than in the TAP-A group (P<.01). There were no significant differences in additional analgesia requirements, and the cumulative dose of morphine was similar in both groups in the post-operative period. There were no differences in side effects or complications. The technical ease of the block was similar in both groups and the level of satisfaction of patients very high. CONCLUSIONS: Both blocks with a multimodal approach achieve good post-operative analgesia of inguinal hernia repair, are easy to perform and have few complications. TFP achieves the highest sensory level, but there are no differences in the requirements for additional analgesia.

Ultrasound-guided piriformis muscle injection. A new approach. / Inyección ecoguiada del músculo piriforme. Un nuevo abordaje.

Piriformis syndrome is an uncommon cause of buttock and leg pain. Some treatment options include the injection of piriformis muscle with local anesthetic and steroids. Various techniques for piriformis muscle injection have been described. Ultrasound allows direct visualization and real time injection of the piriformis muscle. We describe 5 consecutive patients, diagnosed of piriformis syndrome with no improvement after pharmacological treatment. Piriformis muscle injection with local anesthetics and steroids was performed using an ultrasound technique based on a standard technique. All 5 patients have improved their pain measured by numeric verbal scale. One patient had a sciatic after injection that improved in 10 days spontaneously. We describe an ultrasound-guided piriformis muscle injection that has the advantages of being effective, simple, and safe.