Monique Ruel

Ultrasound guidance speeds execution and improves the quality of supraclavicular block.

In this prospective study, we assessed the quality, safety, and execution time of supraclavicular block of the brachial plexus using ultrasonic guidance and neurostimulation compared with a supraclavicular technique that used anatomical landmarks and neurostimulation. It was hypothesized that ultrasonic guidance would increase the proportion of successful blocks, decrease block execution time, and reduce the incidence of complications such as pneumothorax and neuropathy. Eighty patients were randomized into two groups of 40, Group US (supraclavicular block guided in real time by a two-dimensional ultrasonic image, with neurostimulator confirmation of correct needle position) and Group NS (supraclavicular block using the subclavian perivascular approach, also with neurostimulator confirmation). Blocks were performed using bupivacaine 0.5% and lidocaine 2% (1:1 vol) with epinephrine 1:200,000 as the anesthetic mixture. The onset of motor and sensory block for the musculocutaneous, median, radial, and ulnar nerves was evaluated over a 30 min period. At 30 min 95% of patients in Group US and 85% of patients in Group NS had a partial or complete sensory block of all nerve territories (P = 0.13) and 55% of patients in Group US and 65% of patients in Group NS had a complete block of all nerve territories (P = 0.25). Surgical anesthesia without supplementation was achieved in 85% of patients in Group US and 78% of patients in Group NS (P = 0.28). No patient in Group US and 8% of patients in Group NS required general anesthesia (P = 0.12). The quality of ulnar block was significantly inferior to the quality of block in other nerve territories in Group NS, but not in Group US; the quality of ulnar block was not significantly different between Groups NS and US. The block was performed in an average of 9.8 min in Group NS and 5.0 min in Group US (P = 0.0001). No major complication occurred in either group. We conclude that ultrasound-guided neurostimulator-confirmed supraclavicular block is more rapidly performed and provides a more complete block than supraclavicular block using anatomic landmarks and neurostimulator confirmation.

Rationale and design of a study assessing treatment strategies of atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure: The Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure (AF-CHF) trial

BACKGROUND Nonrandomized studies suggest that atrial fibrillation is independently associated with increased mortality in patients with heart failure. Whether restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm will have a beneficial impact on cardiovascular mortality in patients with heart failure has never been tested in an adequately powered randomized trial. OBJECTIVE The primary objective of the Atrial Fibrillation and Congestive Heart Failure (AF-CHF) trial is to determine whether restoring and maintaining sinus rhythm significantly reduces cardiovascular mortality compared with a rate-control strategy in patients with atrial fibrillation and CHF. METHODS AF-CHF is a prospective multicenter trial (109 centers in Canada, United States, South America, Europe, and Israel), that will randomize 1450 patients with CHF with left ventricular ejection fraction < or =35% and atrial fibrillation to 1 of 2 treatment strategies: (1) rhythm control with the use of electrical cardioversion combined with antiarrhythmic drugs (amiodarone or other class III agents), (2) rate control with the use of beta-blockers, digoxin, or pacemaker and AV nodal ablation. Cardiovascular mortality is the primary end point and the intention-to-treat approach the primary method of analysis. We anticipate an 18.75% 2-year cardiovascular mortality in the rate control arm with a 25% mortality reduction in the rhythm control group. RESULTS As of August 13, 2002, 334 patients have been enrolled from 68 participating centers. Enrollment is expected to be concluded in May 2003 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. CONCLUSION The results of this trial should provide definitive information concerning 2 widely applicable treatment strategies of atrial fibrillation in a large cohort of patients with CHF.

Neurostimulation in ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block: a prospective randomized trial.

Ultrasound guidance (USG) for infraclavicular blocks provides real time visualization of the advancing needle and local anesthetic distribution. Whether visualization of local anesthetic spread can supplant neurostimulation as the end point for local anesthetic injection during USG block has never been formally evaluated. Therefore, for this prospective randomized study, we recruited 72 patients scheduled for hand or forearm surgery and compared the speed of execution and quality of USG infraclavicular block with either USG alone (Group U) or USG combined with neurostimulation (Group S). In Group U, local anesthetic was deposited in a U-shaped distribution posterior and to each side of the axillary artery using as few injections as possible (1, 2, and 3 injections in 29, 6, and 3 patients, respectively). In Group S, a single injection was made after obtaining a distal motor response with a stimulating current between 0.3 and 0.6 mA. The anesthetic solution consisted of 0.5 mL/kg of lidocaine 1.5%, bupivacaine 0.125%, and epinephrine 1:200 000 (final concentrations). Procedure times were significantly shorter in Group U compared with Group S (3.1 ± 1.6 min and 5.2 ± 4.7 min, respectively; P = 0.006). In Group S, anesthetic spread was mainly anterior to the axillary artery in 37% of patients and mainly posterior in 63% of patients. Thirty minutes after the injection, 86% of patients in Group U had complete sensory block in the musculocutaneous, median, radial, and ulnar nerve territories compared with 57% in Group S (P = 0.007). Patients blocked in Group U with a single injection had the same rate of complete block (86%) as those blocked with more than one injection (86%). Block supplementation rates were 8% in Group U versus 26% in Group S (P = 0.049). Block failure occurred in one patient in Group S because of an inability to obtain a distal stimulation after 20 min. We conclude that USG infraclavicular block is more rapidly performed and yields a higher success rate when visualization of local anesthetic spread is used as the end point for injection. Posterolateral spread of local anesthetic around the axillary artery predicts successful block, circumventing the need for direct nerve visualization.

Scalp nerve blocks decrease the severity of pain after craniotomy

Up to 80% of patients report moderate to severe pain after craniotomy. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of scalp block for decreasing postoperative pain in brain surgery. Thirty patients scheduled for supratentorial craniotomy were enrolled. They were randomly divided into two groups: Ropivacaine (scalp block with 20 mL of ropivacaine 0.75%) and Saline (scalp block with 20 mL of saline 0.9%). Anesthesia was standardized. The scalp block was performed after skin closure and before awakening. Postoperative pain was assessed at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 48 h by using a 10-cm visual analog scale. Analgesia was provided with sub- cutaneous codeine as requested by the patient. Average visual analog scale scores were higher in the Saline group as compared with Ropivacaine (3.7 ± 2.4 vs 2.0 ± 1.6;P = 0.036). The total dose of codeine did not differ, nor did the duration of time before the first dose of codeine was required in the Ropivacaine (571 ± 765 min) versus Saline (319 ± 409 min;P = 0.17) group. In conclusion, we found that postoperative scalp block decreases the severity of pain after craniotomy and that this effect is long lasting, possibly through a preemptive mechanism.

Ultrasound-guided infraclavicular versus supraclavicular block.

In this prospective study we compared ultrasound-guided (USG) infraclavicular and supraclavicular blocks for performance time and quality of block. We hypothesized that the infraclavicular approach would result in shorter performance times with a quality of block similar to that of the supraclavicular approach. Eighty patients were randomized into two equal groups: Group I (infraclavicular) and Group S (supraclavicular). All blocks were performed using ultrasound visualization with a 7.5-MHz linear probe and neurostimulation. The anesthetic mixture consisted of 0.5 mL/kg of bupivacaine 0.5% and lidocaine hydrocarbonate 2% (1:3 vol.) with epinephrine 1:200,000. Sensory block, motor block, and supplementation rates were evaluated for the musculocutaneous, median, radial, and ulnar nerves. Surgical anesthesia without supplementation was achieved in 80% of patients in group I compared with 87% in Group S (P = 0.39). Supplementation rates were significantly different only for the radial territory: 18% in Group I versus 0% in group S (P = 0.006). Block performance times were not different between groups (4.0 min in Group I versus 4.65 min in Group S; P = 0.43). Technique-related pain scores were not different between groups (I: 2.0; S: 2.0; P = 1.00). We conclude that USG infraclavicular block is at least as rapidly executed as USG supraclavicular block and produces a similar degree of surgical anesthesia without supplementation.

Incidences of Venous Air Embolism and Patent Foramen Ovale among Patients Undergoing Selective Peripheral Denervation in the Sitting Position

OBJECTIVEThe incidence and severity of venous air embolism (VAE), a potentially fatal complication, among patients undergoing selective peripheral denervation in the sitting position have never been clearly established. We designed this retrospective study to assess the incidence and severity of VAE, the incidence of paradoxical air embolism, and the occurrence of patent foramen ovale, as detected with transesophageal echocardiography, as well as the effects of its detection on patient treatment. METHODSAfter institutional review board approval, data were collected from the charts of all patients who underwent selective peripheral denervation at our institution between 1988 and 2001. The severity of VAE was assessed by using a 5-point scale. RESULTSData for 342 patients were available for analyses. Seven patients exhibited VAE, yielding an incidence of 2%. The severity of VAE was 2/5 for three patients, 3/5 for three patients, and 4/5 for one patient. Air could be aspirated from the central venous catheter for three patients. No deaths occurred. Among the 96 transesophageal echocardiographic examinations performed, 5 cases of patent foramen ovale were detected (5.2%). For those patients, surgery was performed in the prone or park-bench position. No paradoxical air embolism was detected. CONCLUSIONThis is the first large study to directly assess the incidence and severity of VAE among patients undergoing selective peripheral denervation in the sitting position. We recommend that the detection of a patent foramen ovale prompt a change in position for this surgical procedure.

Gabapentin does not reduce post-thoracotomy shoulder pain: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Purpose: Despite adequate epidural analgesia, up to 97% of patients undergoing thoracotomy experience ipsilateral shoulder pain. In this setting, this study evaluated the safety and the efficacy of pre-emptive gabapentin.Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was undertaken in 51 patients randomized into two groups. Two hours before surgery, 23 patients received gabapentin 1200 mgpo (Group G), and 28 patients received placebo (Group P). Shoulder pain and postoperative pain, at the surgical site, were monitored every four hours for 24 hr, using a numerical rating scale. Subcutaneous hydromorphone was administered for rescue analgesia against shoulder pain.Results: Forty-four patients complained of shoulder pain (prevalence of 86%). Demographic and surgical data were similar between the two groups. There were no significant differences in the total cumulative doses of hydromorphone administered at eight, 16, and 24 hr, nor were there differences in individual numerical rating scale scores for shoulder pain. The groups were similar with respect to the degree of pain at the surgical site. The frequency of side effects between groups at corresponding time intervals was also similar, with the exception of sedation. At four hours, the incidence of sedation scores τ; 1 was greater in Group G (21/23 patients), compared to Group P (18/28 patients;P=0.025). In contrast, by 24 hr, 5/18 patients in Group P had sedation scores τ;1, compared to 0/28 patients in Group G (P=0.05).Conclusion: Pre-emptively administered gabapentin, 1200 mg, does not reduce the incidence, or the severity, of post-thoracotomy shoulder pain in patients receiving thoracic epidural analgesia.RésuméObjectif: Malgré une analgésie péridurale adaptée, jusqu’à 97. % des patients subissant une thoracotomie éprouvent de la douleur à l’épaule ipsilatérale. Dans ce contexte, notre étude a évalué l’innocuité et l’efficacité de la gabapentine administrée de façon préventive.Méthode: Une étude à double insu et contrôlée par placebo a été menée ; elle évaluait 51 patients randomisés en deux groupes. Deux heures avant la chirurgie, 23 patients ont reçu de la gabapentine 1200 mg oralement (groupe G) et 28 un placebo (groupe P). La douleur à l’épaule et la douleur postopératoire au site chirurgical ont été évaluées toutes les quatre heures durant 24 h à l’aide d’une échelle d’évaluation numérique. De l’hydromorphone souscutanée a été administrée en analgésie de secours contre la douleur à l’épaule.Résultats: Quarante-quatre patients se sont plaints de douleur à l’épaule (prévalence de 86 %). Les données démographiques et chirurgicales étaient semblables dans les deux groupes. Il n’y a pas eu de différence significative dans les doses cumulatives totales d’hydromorphone administrée à huit, seize et 24 h, ni dans les scores individuels sur l’échelle d’évaluation numérique pour la douleur à l’épaule. Les groupes ont présenté des résultats semblables concernant le degré de douleur au site chirurgical. La fréquence des effets secondaires, comparée entre les groupes à des intervalles correspondants, était également similaire, à l’exception de la sédation. À quatre heures, l’incidence de scores de sédation τ;1 était plus élevée dans le groupe G (21/23 patients), comparé au groupe P (18/28 patients; P=0,025). En revanche, à 24 heures, 5/18 patients du groupe P présentaient des scores de sédation τ;1, comparé à 0/28 patients dans le groupe G (P=0,05).Conclusion: La gabapentine 1200 mg administrée de façon préventive ne réduit pas l’incidence ou la sévérité de la douleur à l’épaule post-thoracotomie chez les patients recevant une analgésie péridurale thoracique.

Craniotomy site influences postoperative pain following neurosurgical procedures: a retrospective study

ObjectiveThis retrospective study was designed to assess the intensity of postoperative pain in relation to the location of craniotomy.MethodsAfter Research Ethics Board approval, data were collected from the charts of all patients who underwent a craniotomy at our institution between January 2004 and December 2005. The severity of post-craniotomy pain was assessed by collecting scores obtained using an 11-point verbal rating scale and calculating the cumulative analgesic requirements for the first 48 hr postoperatively. Data were compared according to the craniotomy location.ResultsData from 299 patients was available for analysis. On average, 76% of patients experienced moderate to severe postoperative pain. Frontal craniotomy was associated with lower pain scores than four of six craniotomy sites analyzed, with 49% of patients reporting mild pain, a significant difference (P < 0.05) compared with all other groups except for parietal craniotomies. Frontal craniotomy patients also had lower opioid analgesic requirements compared to patients who underwent posterior fossa craniotomy (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that craniotomy location (P < 0.0001 ) and age (P = 0.004) were both independent predictors of the intensity of postoperative pain, with lower pain scores as age increased. Postoperative use of steroids, gender and presence of preoperative pain were not statistically linked to postoperative pain intensity. The prevalence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was 56% and it did not vary according to the location of craniotomy.ConclusionThis study shows that the intensity of postoperative pain in neurosurgery is affected by the site of craniotomy. Frontal craniotomy patients experienced the lowest pain scores, and required significantly less opioid than patients undergoing posterior fossa interventions.ObjectifCette étude rétrospective a été conçue pour évaluer l’intensité de la douleur postopératoire par rapport au site de craniotomie.MéthodeAvec l’accord du Comité d’éthique de la recherche, les données des dossiers de tous les patients ayant subi une craniotomie dans notre institution entre janvier 2004 et décembre 2005 ont été compilées. La sévérité de la douleur suite à la craniotomie a été évaluée en récoltant les scores obtenus à l’aide d’une échelle d’évaluation verbale de 11 points et en calculant les besoins analgésiques cumulatifs pour les 48 heures suivant l’opération. Les données ont été comparées selon l’emplacement de la craniotomie.RésultatsLes données de 299 patients étaient disponibles pour analyse. En moyenne, 76 % des patients ont ressenti des douleurs postopératoires modérées à sévères. La craniotomie frontale était associée à des scores de douleur plus bas que quatre des six sites de craniotomie évalués, avec 49 % des patients signalant une douleur légère, une différence significative (P < 0,05) comparée à tous les autres groupes hormis les craniotomies pariétales. Les patients ayant subi une craniotomie frontale présentaient également des besoins plus faibles en analgésiques opiacés par rapport aux patients ayant subi des craniotomies de la fosse postérieure (P < 0,05). Une analyse par régression logistique a montré que l’emplacement de la craniotomie (P < 0,001) ainsi que l’âge (P = 0,004) constituent tous deux des prédicteurs indépendants de l’intensité de la douleur postopératoire, les scores de douleur étant plus bas chez les patients plus âgés. L’utilisation postopératoire de stéroïdes, le sexe et la présence de douleur préopératoire n’étaient pas statistiquement associés à l’intensité de la douleur postopératoire. La prévalence de nausées et de vomissements postopératoires était de 56 % et n’était pas affectée par le site de la craniotomie.ConclusionCette étude démontre que l’intensité de la douleur postopératoire en neurochirurgie est affectée par le site de craniotomie. Les patients ayant subi une craniotomie frontale ont obtenu les scores de douleur les plus bas, et leurs besoins en opiacés ont été significativement moindres que chez les patients ayant subi des interventions sur la fosse postérieure.

A Comparison Between Scalp Nerve Block and Morphine for Transitional Analgesia After Remifentanil-Based Anesthesia in Neurosurgery

We compared transitional analgesia provided by scalp nerve block (SNB) or morphine after remifentanil-based anesthesia in neurosurgery. Fifty craniotomy patients were randomly divided into two groups: morphine (morphine 0.1 mg · kg−1 IV after dural closure and an SNB performed with 20 mL of 0.9% saline at the end of surgery) and block (10 mL of 0.9% saline instead of morphine after dural closure and an SNB performed with a 1:1 mixture of bupivacaine 0.5% and lidocaine 2% at the end of surgery). Postoperative pain was assessed at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 h using a 10-point numerical rating scale. Analgesia consisted of subcutaneous codeine. Average numerical rating scale scores were similar between the two groups at each time interval. Total codeine dosage was also similar, except at 4 h postoperatively when it was higher in the block group. The delay before administration of the first dose of codeine was not statistically different between groups: 45 min (20–2880) vs 30 min (10–2880), median and range for the block and morphine group, respectively. Postoperative hemodynamics were similar for both groups. The incidence of nausea and vomiting was slightly more frequent in the morphine group, but the occurrence of confusion did not differ between groups. In conclusion, SNB provides a quality of transitional analgesia that is similar to that of morphine with the same postoperative hemodynamic profile.

Postoperative anemia does not impede functional outcome and quality of life early after hip and knee arthroplasties

BACKGROUND: Clinicians have adopted a restrictive transfusion threshold (75‐80 g/L) after major orthopedic surgery. Anemia may be associated with a decrease in postoperative vigor. We hypothesize that, in these patients, a threshold hemoglobin (Hb) concentration exists below which functional recovery and quality of life (QoL) become difficult.