Patient-controlled interscalene analgesia after shoulder surgery: catheter insertion by the posterior approach

Insertion and maintenance of an interscalene catheter is technically challenging using lateral or anterior approaches. We report a technique to provide continuous brachial plexus blockade through a 48-h infusion of ropivacaine 0.1% (5 mL/h with a 5 mL bolus dose, 20-min lockout interval) using a catheter inserted with cannula-over-needle technique on the posterior side of the neck in 120 patients undergoing shoulder surgery. All catheters were successfully placed. There were no technical complications (impossibility to thread catheter, accidental vascular, epidural or subarachnoid location), catheter dislodgment, or analgesic solution leakage. Dysphonia, Horner's syndrome, and difficulty breathing were observed in 12 patients, four patients, and one patient, respectively. One patient complained of minor paresthesia that spontaneously resolved. Three patients complained of cervical pain. Pain scores as well as ropivacaine requirement via a patient-controlled analgesia device were low. Evaluation of acute and nonacute complications in a large-size study is needed to compare efficacy and safety of this approach with existing techniques.

Ketamine does not decrease postoperative pain after remifentanil-based anaesthesia for tonsillectomy in adults

BACKGROUND

There are conflicting results concerning the pre-emptive effect of ketamine on central sensitization following surgery. The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to assess the effect of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist ketamine on postoperative morphine consumption and pain score after remifentanil-based anaesthesia in adult patients scheduled for tonsillectomy.

METHODS

We studied 40 adult patients undergoing elective tonsillectomy. Total intravenous anaesthesia was induced and maintained with remifentanil (0.125-1.0 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) and propofol target-controlled infusion. Patients in group K received a bolus dose of ketamine 0.5 mg kg(-1) immediately after anaesthetic induction, followed by a continuous infusion of 2 microg kg(-1) min(-1). Saline was administered in the same sequence in group S. Propofol, remifentanil, and the study drug infusions were discontinued at the end of surgery.

RESULTS

Intraoperative remifentanil consumption (0.57 +/- 0.18 in group K vs. 0.55 +/- 0.14 microg kg(-1) min(-1) in group S), morphine requirement in the PACU (11 +/- 3 in group K vs. 9 +/- 4 mg in group S) and in the ward (22 +/- 11 in group K vs. 25 +/- 14 mg in group S), median time to first analgesia in the ward (338 +/- 126 in group K vs. 328 +/- 144 min in group S), and VAS pain scores were comparable in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Small-dose of ketamine does not seem to be a useful adjunct to remifentanil-based anaesthesia during short, painful surgical procedures.

Analgésie péridurale de travail en Martinique : évaluation de la qualité et de l’accessibilité à l’analgésie péridurale par les parturientes dans une clinique obstétricale de niveau 1

OBJECTIVES

The main aim of this study was to evaluate real-life experience and the quality of labor epidural analgesia (LEA) by the patients, from the anaesthesia consultation to leaving the clinic after childbirth.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study took place over a period of 8 weeks, at the level I obstetric clinic in Martinique. One hundred and thirty-four successive patients completed an anonymous questionnaire following childbirth.

RESULTS

During the study period (134 patients completed the questionnaire, corresponding to 100% return) 127 women had asked for LEA (94%), which was possible in 94%, with a patient satisfaction level of 94% and an average mark for quality at 18/20. The quality of information given at the anaesthesia consultation was judged excellent for 97%, and 91% were reassured by the consultation. The delay between the demand and the LEA procedure was less than 15 min in 63%, and in 39% the procedure was done during the night. The procedure was painless in 63%, and 97% of women were ready to begin the same procedure again.

CONCLUSION

This study seems to underline the fact that the needs and the acceptability of LEA are the same in Martinique as in mainland France. This study does not support the hypothesis of the cultural barrier to justify the low level of LEA in the Overseas Departments. An obvious result seems to be that good organization of anaesthesia and obstetric services results in a natural increase in LEA demand.