OBJECTIVE: This paper is aimed at investigating the efficacy of combining internal fixation using prefabricated rib-locking titanium plate with ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral nerve blockade in treating multiple rib fractures among the elderly. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 221 elderly patients with multiple rib fractures treated from February 2016 to November 2020. According to whether surgery was performed, they were divided into the plate-blockage combination group (surgical group, 102 cases) and conservative treatment group (non-surgical group, 119 cases). The surgical group consisted of 58 males and 44 females aged from 60 to 85 years old, with an average of (67.2±3.6 ) years old, who suffered from 3 to 12 rib fractures with an average of (5.3±2.1) fractures. The non-surgical group consisted of 66 males and 53 females aged from 60 to 84 years old with an average of (66.8±3.2) years old, who suffered from 2 to 11 rib fractures with an average of(6.1±2.3) fractures. The clinical data, efficacies observed, and complications associated with both groups were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in preoperative clinical data between two groups (P>0.05), and all patients were discharged smoothly. Pulmonary infection (P=0.028), atelectasis (P=0.032), respiratory failure (P=0.026), time to get out of bed (P=0.040), time to fracture healing (P=0.035), length of hospital stay in the operation group (P=0.043), visual analogue scale (VAS) at 3 days (P=0.028), 5 days(P=0.032), and 7 days(P=0.019), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) at 3 months after surgery (P=0.042), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)(P=0.035), and maximal voluntary ventilation at 6 months, the maximal voluntary ventilation(MVV)(P=0.021) and forced FEV1(P=0.026) were all significantly better than those in non-surgical treatment group. CONCLUSION For elderly patients with severe multiple rib fractures, the proposed plate-blockade combination can timely and effectively relieve pain, restore thoracic stability, shorten hospital stay, and reduce the incidence of complications such as pulmonary infections and acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) compared with non-surgical treatments. Prefabricated rib-locking titanium plates have proved to demonstrate high clinical efficacy in treating multiple rib fractures among the elderly.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Rib Fractures/etiology* ; Titanium ; Retrospective Studies ; Bone Plates/adverse effects* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/adverse effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography, Interventional/adverse effects* ; Nerve Block/adverse effects* ; Ribs

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of continuous adductor block on pain control after bilateral knee joint Ⅰ stage replacement. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of the data of 24 patients with bilateral knee joint I stage replacement who were treated in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2019, and who underwent continuous adductor block analgesia. There were 6 males and 18 females, aged 60 to 72 (65.05±5.82) years old. The patients underwent continuous block of adductor canal with patient-controlled analgesia system. At 4, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours after operation, visual analogue score(VAS) of resting state and passive motion state was performed;the knee joint activity was followed up for 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months after operation;the knee joint function was scored at 6 months after operation, using the knee joint scoring standard of American Special Surgery Hospital(HSS);adverse reactions and complications were recorded. RESULTS: The VAS scores under resting state and passive motion state at each time point were less than 3 points in patients with continuous adductor block. The patients had better postoperative exercise of knee joint activity. The score of HSS was excellent in 20 cases, good in 2 cases, fair in 1 case and poor in 1 case. There were only 4 cases of nausea and vomiting, none of them had serious adverse reactions and complications such as bradycardia and deep vein thrombosis. CONCLUSION Continuous adductor block has a significant effect on pain control and less adverse reactions after bilateral knee jointⅠ -stage replacement.
Aged ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/adverse effects* ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Block ; Pain Management ; Pain, Postoperative ; Retrospective Studies

To observe the impacts of continuous lumbar plexus block (CLPB) on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in elderly patients undergoing hip arthroplasty.
 Methods: Sixty elderly patients scheduled for hip arthroplasty with general anesthesia, were randomly allocated into a CLPB group and a PCIA group (n=30 each). In the CLPB group, lumbar plexus block was performed before trachea intubation, and CLPB was used for postoperative analgesia. In the PCIA group, intravenous analgesia was controlled in patients after operation. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 12, 24, and 48 h after operation was recorded. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale was used to evaluate the cognitive dysfunction at the 1st day before operation (D0) and at the 1st (D1), 3rd (D3), and 7th (D7) days after operation and the occurrence of POCD was recorded. S-100β concentrations were detected by ELISA at D1, D3, and D7. Postoperative adverse events were recorded.
 Results: VAS scores at 12, 24, and 48 h after operation in the CLPB group were significantly lower than those in the PCIA group (P<0.05). Compared with the PCIA group, the MMSE scores were significantly higher (P<0.05), and the incidence of POCD at D1 and D3 was obviously reduced in the CLPB group (P<0.05). S-100β concentration at D1 and D3 in the CLPB group was significantly lower than that in the PCIA group (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: Application of CLPB in elderly patients undergoing hip arthroplasty could obviously relieve their postoperative pain, inhibit the production of S-100β, and reduce the incidence of early postoperative cognitive dysfunction.
Aged ; Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; adverse effects ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lumbosacral Plexus ; Nerve Block ; methods ; Pain Measurement ; Pain, Postoperative ; prevention & control ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control

The present study was to examine the effect of stellate ganglion block (SGB) on bilateral regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) and postoperative cognitive function. Eighty patients undergoing selective coronary artery bypass graft with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) were randomly and equally divided into two groups. The patients in group S were given right SGB with ropivacaine, while the patients in group C were injected with normal saline. We compared the bilateral rSO2 after SGB. Minimum Mental State Examination (MMSE), Visual Verbal Learning Test (VVLT), and Digital Span Test (DST) were applied to observe the effect on cognitive function. We found that the incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) 7 days after surgery in group S was lower than that in group C. The level of blocked side rSO₂ of S group were significantly higher before CPB time of rewarming than that before SGB (P < 0.05), much higher than corresponding non-blocked side rSO₂ before CPB (P < 0.05), and much higher than rSO₂ level in group C before CPB and after CPB (P < 0.05). The non-blocked side rSO₂ in group S before anesthesia were much lower than basic levels and those in group C (P < 0.05). It could be concluded from the above results that there was significant increase in the blocked-side rSO₂ compared to the non-blocked side and there was significant decrease in the incidence of POCD compared to the control group after SGB.
Autonomic Nerve Block ; adverse effects ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; adverse effects ; Cerebrum ; physiology ; Cognition ; Cognition Disorders ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Incidence ; Oxygen ; physiology ; Oxygen Consumption ; Postoperative Complications ; Stellate Ganglion

Ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric (II/IH) nerve injury is one of the most common nerve injuries following pelvic surgery, especially with the Pfannenstiel incision. We present a case of intractable groin pain, successfully treated with a continuous II/IH nerve block. A 33-year-old woman, following emergency cesarean section due to cephalopelvic disproportion, presented numbness in left inguinal area and severe pain on the labia on the second postoperative day. The pain was burning, lancinating, and exacerbated by standing or movement. However, she didn't want to take additional medicine because of breast-feeding. A diagnostic II/IH nerve block produced a substantial decrease in pain. She underwent a continuous II/IH nerve block with a complete resolution of pain within 3 days. A continuous II/IH nerve block might be a goodoption for II/IH neuropathy with intractable groin pain in breast-feeding mothers without adverse drug reactions in their infants.
Adult ; Burns ; Cephalopelvic Disproportion ; Cesarean Section ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Emergencies ; Female ; Groin* ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Infant ; Mothers ; Nerve Block* ; Pregnancy

Patients presenting for emergency abdominal procedures often have medical issues that cause both general anaesthesia and central neuraxial blockade to pose significant risks. Regional anaesthetic techniques are often used adjunctively for abdominal procedures under general anaesthesia, but there is limited published data on procedures done under peripheral nerve or plexus blocks. We herein report the case of a patient with recent pulmonary embolism and supraventricular tachycardia who required colostomy refashioning. Ultrasonography-guided regional anaesthesia was administered using a combination of ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric, rectus sheath and transversus abdominis plane blocks. This was supplemented with propofol and dexmedetomidine sedation as well as intermittent fentanyl and ketamine boluses to cover for visceral stimulation. We discuss the anatomical rationale for the choice of blocks and compare the anaesthetic conduct with similar cases that were previously reported.
Abdominal Wall ; surgery ; Aged ; Anesthesia, Conduction ; methods ; Anesthesia, General ; adverse effects ; Colostomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Conscious Sedation ; methods ; Dexmedetomidine ; administration & dosage ; Fentanyl ; administration & dosage ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Ketamine ; administration & dosage ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Nerve Block ; methods ; Pain, Postoperative ; Postoperative Period ; Propofol ; administration & dosage ; Pulmonary Embolism ; complications ; Reoperation ; methods ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular ; complications ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a computer-controlled periodontal ligament (PDL) injection system to the local soft tissues as the primary technique in endodontic access to mandibular posterior teeth in patients with irreversible pulpitis.

METHODSA total of 162 Chinese patients who had been diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis in their mandibular posterior teeth without acute infection or inflammation in the periodontal tissues were enrolled in this clinical study. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the position of the involved tooth: the premolar group (PM, n=38), first molar group (FM, n=66), and second molar group (SM, n=58). All the patients received computer-controlled PDL injection with 4% articaine and 1:100 000 epinephrine. Immediately after the injection, endodontic access was performed, and the degree of pain during the treatment was evaluated by the patients using Visual Analogue Scale for pain. The success rates were compared among the 3 groups. The responses of local soft tissues were evaluated 3-8 days and 3 weeks after the procedure.

RESULTSThe overall success rate was 76.5%. There was a significant difference in success rates among the PM, FM, and SM groups (92.1%, 53.0%, 93.1%, respectively; χ² = 34.3, P<0.01). Both the PM and SM groups showed higher success rates than that of the FM group (v=1, χ² = 16.73, P<0.01; v=1, χ² = 24.5, P<0.01). No irreversible adverse effects on the periodontal soft tissues at the injection sites were observed in the follow-up visits in any of the groups.

CONCLUSIONThe computer-controlled PDL injection system demonstrates both satisfactory anesthetic effects and safety in local soft tissues as primary anesthetic technique in endodontic access to the mandibular posterior teeth in patients with irreversible pulpitis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anesthesia, Dental ; adverse effects ; methods ; Anesthesia, Local ; adverse effects ; methods ; Anesthetics, Local ; administration & dosage ; Carticaine ; administration & dosage ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Humans ; Injections ; Mandible ; Mandibular Nerve ; Middle Aged ; Molar ; Nerve Block ; adverse effects ; methods ; Pain Measurement ; Periodontal Ligament ; Pulpitis ; therapy ; Therapy, Computer-Assisted ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDIncreased renal sympathetic nerve activity can result in diuretic resistance in patients with chronic congestive heart failure. We investigated the effect of regional renal nerve blockade on the patients with chronic refractory heart failure and diuretic resistance.

METHODSEighteen patients with chronic refractory heart failure were enrolled (mean age (64 ± 11) years). The patients were randomly divided into two groups (renal nerve blockade group and standard therapy group, n = 9 each). Renal nerve blockade was performed by percutaneous injection of local anaesthetic under computed tomographic guidance. Heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, plasma and urine electrolytes, neurohormones, factional excretion of sodium (FENa), 24-hour urine volume were monitored at baseline and the first 24 hours after therapy. Dyspnea and oedema were also evaluated. The major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were compared between the two groups during the 3 - 12 months follow-up period.

RESULTSNo complication was observed during the acute phase of renal nerve blockade. After renal nerve blockade, the 24-hour urine volume and FENa were significantly increased, while the level of plasma rennin, angiotensin II, aldosterone, BNP and atrial natriuretic peptide as well as dyspnea and oedema were significantly reduced in renal nerve blockade group compared with baseline and standard therapy group. During three to 12 months of follow-up, the rate of MACE and plasma BNP level were significantly lower, while LVEF was significantly higher in renal nerve blockade group than those in standard therapy group.

CONCLUSIONRegional renal nerve blockade may be a safe and effective treatment for patients with chronic refractory heart failure.

Aged ; Amides ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anesthetics, Local ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; blood ; Nerve Block ; methods ; Treatment Outcome

INTRODUCTIONPeriprostatic nerve block (PPNB) is a common local anaesthetic technique in transrectal ultrasound-guided (TRUS) prostate biopsy, but concerns remain over the increased theoretical risks of urinary tract infection (UTI) and sepsis from the additional transrectal needle punctures. This study reviewed our biopsy data to assess this risk.

MATERIALS AND METHODSRetrospective data collected from 177 men who underwent TRUS biopsy between July 2007 and December 2009 in a single institution were analysed. PPNB was administered using 1% xylocaine at the prostatic base and apex and repeated on the contralateral side under ultrasound guidance. Complications, including UTI sepsis, bleeding per rectum and acute retention of urine (ARU) were noted. Every patient was tracked for the first 2 weeks for complications until his clinic review. Demographic profi le, biopsy parameters and histological fi ndings were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analysis of possible risk factors for development of sepsis after TRUS biopsy were performed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0.

RESULTSNinety (51%) men received PPNB and 87 (49%) did not. The groups were matched in age (PPNB: mean 62.7 ± 5.8 years; without PPNB: mean 64.4 ± 5.7 years) and prebiopsy prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels (PPNB: mean 8.2 ± 3.9 ng/mL; without PPNB: mean 8.3 ± 3.7 ng/mL). The PPNB group had a larger prostate volume, with more cores taken (P <0.05). On univariate and multivariate analysis controlling for age, PSA, prostate volume, number of cores taken and histological prostatitis, PPNB was not a significant risk factor for sepsis. Sepsis rates were 5.6% in the PPNB group and 5.7% in the other group (P = 0.956). Overall prostate cancer detection rate was 33.3%.

CONCLUSIONThe risk of sepsis was not increased in patients who received PPNB, even though this group had larger gland volumes and more biopsy cores taken.

Aged ; Biopsy, Needle ; adverse effects ; methods ; Endosonography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nerve Block ; adverse effects ; methods ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis ; blood ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Singapore ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of different anesthesia methods on immune surveillance and tumor metastasis in tumor-bearing rats.

METHODSSeventy-two Fischer 344 rats were randomly assigned into 3 equal groups and anesthetized for 1 h with ketamine (group K), propofol (group P), or neuraxial block (group B). All the rats were subjected to laparotomy followed by intravenous injection of MADB106 tumor cells, and 24 h after the injection, the number and activity of circulating CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), and D4(+)/CD8(+) lymphocyte subsets and NK cellèCD161a(+)éwere assessed. Three weeks later, the lung metastases were counted.

RESULTSCompared with those in group B, the numbers of CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), and CD161a(+) lymphocytes and the activity of circulating NK cells were significantly reduced, and the lung metastases of MADB106 increased significantly in groups K and P (P<0.05 or 0.01 ). The activity of immune surveillance in group K was significantly lower than that in group P except for CD8(+) cells, and the tumor metastases in group K increased significantly in comparison with those in group P (P<0.05 or 0.01).

CONCLUSIONNeuraxial block provides protection of the activity of immune surveillance and reduces tumor metastases in tumor-bearing rats compared with general anesthesia.

Anesthesia, Epidural ; adverse effects ; Anesthesia, General ; adverse effects ; Animals ; Breast Neoplasms ; immunology ; surgery ; Female ; Immunologic Surveillance ; immunology ; Ketamine ; pharmacology ; Lung Neoplasms ; immunology ; secondary ; Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Nerve Block ; Propofol ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344