Introduction A protocol has been devised in which a 20ml mixture of hyperbaric bupivacaine and fentanyl is prepared in a multi-dose syringe, from which aliquots are withdrawn into individual sterile syringes for use in spinal anaesthesia. The risk of microbial contamination of these multi-dose syringes is unknown and this study was designed to assess such risk. Methodology In this pilot study, each syringe was prepared using non-aseptic technique to contain a mixture comprising Fentanyl 10 μg.ml-1, Bupivacaine 4mg.ml-1and Dextrose 64mg.ml-1, with a total volume of 20ml. Syringes were then allocated to pairs. Aliquots were withdrawn hourly from one syringe of each pair for a twelve-hour study period, whilst the other syringe was sampled only at the beginning and end of the same period. All aliquots were withdrawn using standard aseptic technique in an operating theatre environment. For each syringe pair, both samples from the control syringe and four of the samples from the multi-dose syringe were submitted for microbiological culture. Results Of the 120 samples taken, one sample was excluded. Of the remaining 119 samples submitted for microbiological investigation, only one yielded growth. This sample had been taken from a multi-dose syringe at the beginning of the study period. Subsequent samples withdrawn from the same syringe were found to be sterile. The organism which had been cultured from this sample was Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Conclusion It is possible that the culture medium which yielded the microbial growth was contaminated, which would explain why subsequent samples from the same syringe were sterile. Alternatively, bupivacaine is known to be strongly antimicrobial against some pathogens and it is conceivable that there may have been initial contamination of the syringe by S. aureus, which was inhibited by the bupivacaine to produce subsequent sterile samples. Whilst this may suggest that the use of multi-dose syringes for spinal anaesthesia could be safe, in light of the inconclusive result, further investigation is warranted.

Thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) consists of an injection of local anaesthetic alongside the thoracic vertebra close to where the spinal nerves emerge from the intervertebral foramen. Clinically TPVB can be accomplished either as a single-injection or as a multiple-injection. It can also be used as a continuous paravertebral infusion through an indwelling catheter for continuous pain relief. However compared to an epidural block, TPVB is less well understood and not commonly used for anaesthesia and or analgesia in anaesthetic practice. I hypothesized that TPVB is effective for producing unilateral segmental thoracic anaesthesia and managing pain of unilateral origin from the thorax. / The objective of this thesis was to develop the technique of TPVB so that it becomes a useful technique for anaesthesia and pain management. So to test my hypothesis a series of clinical studies were performed on 416 patients (396 adults and 20 young infants), presenting for anaesthesia and or acute pain management, to evaluate various aspects of TPVB, namely; clinical application, anatomy of the thoracic paravertebral space, technique and safety, and pharmacology of local anaesthetic after TPVB. Also included are 9 published case reports and letters-to-editor (Appendix 1-9) based on my research that have provided new insights into the mechanism and applications of TPVB. The following section summarizes my research... / Karmakar, Manoj Kumar. / Thesis (M.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 270-285). / Appendix includes Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.v / PREFACE --- p.xxvii / STATEMENT OF WORK --- p.xxviii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.xxix / PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS --- p.xxxii / LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS --- p.xxxviii / LIST OF TABLES --- p.xli / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xliii / Chapter Part 1. --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 1. --- Objective and Plan of Research --- p.2 / Chapter Chapter 2. --- Thoracic Paravertebral Block A Review of the Literature. --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1. --- Introduction --- p.7 / Chapter 2.2. --- History --- p.7 / Chapter 2.3. --- Anatomy: --- p.9 / Chapter 2.4. --- Techniques --- p.17 / Chapter 2.4.1. --- Anatomical Landmark Based Techniques --- p.20 / Chapter 2.4.1.1. --- Loss-of-resistance Technique --- p.20 / Chapter 2.4.1.2. --- Advancing the Block Needle by a pre-determined Distance --- p.23 / Chapter 2.4.1.3. --- Other Landmark Based Techniques --- p.24 / Chapter 2.4.2. --- Fluoroscopic Guidance or Injection of Radiopaque Contrast medium --- p.24 / Chapter 2.4.3. --- Peripheral Nerve Stimulation --- p.25 / Chapter 2.4.4. --- Pressure Measurement Technique --- p.26 / Chapter 2.5. --- Thoracic Paravertebral Catheter Placement --- p.27 / Chapter 2.6. --- Ultrasound Guided Thoracic Paravertebral Block --- p.32 / Chapter 2.6.1. --- Two Dimensional (2D) Sonoanatomy of the Thoracic Paravertebral Region --- p.32 / Chapter 2.6.1.1. --- Basic Considerations --- p.32 / Chapter 2.6.1.2. --- Transverse Scan of the Thoracic Paravertebral Region --- p.33 / Chapter 2.6.1.3. --- Sagittal Scan of the Thoracic Paravertebral Region --- p.42 / Chapter 2.6.2. --- Three Dimensional (3D) Sonoanatomy of the Thoracic Paravertebral Region --- p.46 / Chapter 2.6.3. --- Ultrasound Guided Thoracic Paravertebral Block - Techniques --- p.49 / Chapter 2.6.3.1. --- Transverse scan with short axis needle insertion (Technique 1) --- p.54 / Chapter 2.6.3.2. --- Paramedian Sagittal scan with in-plane needle insertion (Technique 2) --- p.56 / Chapter 2.6.3.3. --- Transverse scan with in-plane needle insertion or the Intercostal approach to the TPVS (Technique 3) --- p.58 / Chapter 2.7. --- Mechanism and Spread of Anaesthesia --- p.58 / Chapter 2.8. --- Indications --- p.65 / Chapter 2.9. --- Contraindications --- p.65 / Chapter 2.10. --- Drugs Used and Dosage --- p.68 / Chapter 2.11. --- Pharmacokinetic Considerations --- p.70 / Chapter 2.12. --- Failure Rate and Complications --- p.72 / Chapter 2.13. --- Clinical Applications of Thoracic Paravertebral Block --- p.76 / Chapter 2.13.1. --- Pain Relief after Thoracic Surgery --- p.76 / Chapter 2.13.2. --- Pain Relief after Multiple Fractured Ribs --- p.78 / Chapter 2.13.3. --- Anaesthesia and Analgesia for Breast Surgery --- p.80 / Chapter 2.13.4. --- Thoracic Paravertebral Block and Chronic Pain after Breast Cancer Surgery --- p.84 / Chapter 2.13.5. --- Thoracic Paravertebral Block and Cancer Recurrence after Breast Cancer Surgery --- p.85 / Chapter 2.13.6. --- Anaesthesia and Analgesia for Inguinal Herniorrhaphy --- p.87 / Chapter 2.13.7. --- Pain Relief after Cholecystectomy and Renal Surgery --- p.90 / Chapter 2.13.8. --- Anaesthesia and Analgesia for Liver and Biliary Tract Surgery --- p.91 / Chapter 2.13.9. --- Analgesia after Cardiac Surgery --- p.92 / Chapter 2.13.10. --- Thoracic Paravertebral Block and Chronic Pain Management --- p.94 / Chapter 2.13.11. --- Bilateral Thoracic Paravertebral Block --- p.94 / Chapter 2.13.12. --- Miscellaneous Applications --- p.95 / Chapter Part 2. --- Studies Evaluating the Efficacy of Thoracic Paravertebral Block in Adults. --- p.96 / Chapter Chapter 3. --- Prospective Randomized Evaluation of the Effects of Combining a Single-injection Thoracic Paravertebral Block with General Anesthesia in Patients Undergoing Modified Radical Mastectomy. --- p.97 / Chapter Chapter 4. --- Continuous Thoracic Paravertebral Infusion of Bupivacaine for Postthoracotomy Analgesia A Prospective, Randomized, Double Blind, Controlled Trial. --- p.120 / Chapter Chapter 5. --- Continuous Thoracic Paravertebral Infusion of Bupivacaine for Pain Management in Patients with Multiple Fractured Ribs. --- p.137 / Chapter Chapter 6. --- Thoracic Paravertebral Block and Its Effects on Chronic Pain and Health-related Quality of Life after Modified Radical Mastectomy. --- p.154 / Chapter Chapter 7. --- Right Thoracic Paravertebral Anaesthesia for Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Liver Tumours. --- p.186 / Chapter Part 3. --- Studies Evaluating The Efficacy Of Thoracic Paravertebral Block In Children. --- p.198 / Chapter Chapter 8. --- Continuous Extrapleural Paravertebral Infusion of Bupivacaine for Postthoracotomy Analgesia in Young Infants. --- p.199 / Chapter Part 4. --- Studies Evaluating The Anatomy Relevant For Thoracic Paravertebral Block. --- p.213 / Chapter Chapter 9. --- Thoracic Paravertebral Sonography - A Quantitative Evaluation of the Paramedian Sagittal Window for Visualizing the Anatomy Relevant for Thoracic Paravertebral Block. --- p.214 / Chapter Chapter 10. --- Volumetric 3D Ultrasound Imaging of the Anatomy Relevant for Thoracic Paravertebral Block. --- p.228 / Chapter Part 5. --- Pharmacokinetics of Ropivacaine after Thoracic Paravertebral Block. --- p.242 / Chapter Chapter 11. --- Arterial and Venous Pharmacokinetics of Ropivacaine With and Without Epinephrine after Thoracic Paravertebral Block. --- p.243 / Chapter Part 6. --- Summary and Conclusions --- p.266 / Chapter Chapter 12. --- Summary and Conclusions --- p.266 / Chapter Part 7. --- Bibliography --- p.270 / Chapter Part 8. --- Appendix --- p.296 / Chapter A. --- Published Case Reports and Letters-to-editor. --- p.297 / Chapter Appendix: 1.0. --- Variability of a Thoracic Paravertebral Block. Are we ignoring the endothoracic fascia? (Published Commentary) --- p.297 / Chapter Appendix: 2.0. --- Ipsilateral Thoraco-lumbar Anaesthesia and Paravertebral Spread after Low Thoracic Paravertebral Injection. (Published Case Report) --- p.301 / Chapter Appendix: 3.0. --- The Use of a Nerve Stimulator for Thoracic Paravertebral Block Reply. (Published Letter-to-editor) --- p.310 / Chapter Appendix: 4.0. --- Bilateral Continuous Paravertebral Block Used for Postoperative analgesia in an Infant having Bilateral Thoracotomy. (Published Case Report) --- p.312 / Chapter Appendix: 5.0. --- Thoracic Paravertebral Block: Radiological evidence of Contralateral Spread Anterior to the Vertebral Bodies. (Published Case Report) --- p.317 / Chapter Appendix: 6.0. --- Lymphatic Drainage of the Thoracic Paravertebral Space A Reply. (Published Letter-to-editor) --- p.325 / Chapter Appendix: 7.0. --- Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Management of Pain Associated with Multiple Fractured Ribs in Patients with Concomitant lumbar Spinal Trauma. (Published Case Report) --- p.328 / Chapter Appendix: 8.0. --- Right Thoracic Paravertebral Analgesia for Hepatectomy. (Published Case Report) --- p.340 / Chapter Appendix: 9.0. --- Resolution of ST-segment Depression after High Thoracic Paravertebral Block during General Anesthesia. (Published Case Report) --- p.348 / Chapter B. --- Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Questionnaire (SF-36) - Appendix 10. --- p.353 / Chapter C. --- Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Appendix 11. --- p.362 / Chapter D. --- Postoperative Telephone Follow Up Questionnaire: Appendix 12. --- p.364

Li, Xiang. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 161-184). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract and appendix also in Chinese.

Regional anestesi kan anses mindre fördelaktigt eftersom patienten är vaken under operationen, något som patienten kan ha en förutfattad mening om och känna sig främmande för. Även om det finns flertalet fysiologiska fördelar med anestesimetoden. Anestesisjuksköterskan har en viktig roll i det perioperativa vårdandet och det anses därför av gagn att förstå patienters upplevelse av att vara vaken under operation. Det för att få möjlighet att främja upplevelsen och undvika oönskade konsekvenser så som lidande i upplevelsen intraoperativt. Syftet var att undersöka patientens upplevelse av att vara vaken under operation med regional anestesi. För att undersöka upplevelsen användes en systematisk litteraturöversikt. Det resulterade i fyra huvudteman. Sensationer, att navigera i det okända, Det främmande landskapet och närvarons betydelse. Resultatet berör upplevda känslor och förnimmelser av operationen. Det beskriver vikten av en professionell vårdrelation och hur det kan påverka måendet negativt av att inte bli sedd. Miljön på operationen är på flera sätt annorlunda och främmande. Slutligen framkommer det hur patienten kunde uppleva olika grader av kontroll samt hur kroppen upplevs främmande med regional anestesi. Resultatet speglar olika delar av patientens upplevelse intraoperativt. Genom att förstå den perioperativa patientens upplevelser, kan den perioperativa sjuksköterskan nyttja den perioperativa dialogen för att kunna lindra patientens lidande. / Regional anesthesia can be considered disadvantageous since the patient is awake during surgery, something, the patient may have preconceived notions, and be nervous about. However, there are several physiological benefits associated with this anesthesia method. The nurse anesthetist plays a crucial role in the perioperative care, and therefore it is beneficial to understand patients experiences of being awake during surgery. This to promote positive experiences and avoid unwanted consequences such as suffering in the intraoperative phase. The aim was to investigate the patient’s experience of being awake during surgery with regional anesthesia. A systematic literature review was employed to investigate the experience. Four main themes emerged: sensations, navigating the unknown, the unfamiliar landscape and the importance of presence. The result discusses emotions and sensations experienced during surgery. It describes the importance of a professional care relationship and how negative effects can occur from not being accepted. The environment in surgery is in many ways different and unfamiliar. Finally, it emerged how the patient might experience varying degrees of control and how the body felt unknown with regional anesthesia. The result reflects various aspects of the patient’s intraoperative experiences. By understanding the perioperative patients experience, the perioperative nurse can utilize the perioperative dialogue to alleviate the patients suffering.

Context. One of the most controversial subjects in anaesthesia today is whether or not neuraxial anaesthesia is more efficient to general anaesthesia in high-risk patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. The cumulative results showed that the incidence of postoperative cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is similar, regardless of type of the anaesthesia. So, is relevant to answer the search question: what is the efficiency of the neuraxial anaesthesia compared with general anaesthesia for lower-limbs revascularization in elderly? Objective. It is to determine the efficiency of the neuraxial anaestheisa versus general anaesthesia for lower-limbs revascularization in elderly. Hypothesis. The hypothesis is that the neuraxial anaestesia is more efficient (OR 0.67) than general anaesthesia for lower-limbs revascularization in elderly. Design. Systematic review with meta-analyse of the original articles of the randomized controlled trials. Setting. Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, AL. Sample. Original articles of the randomized controlled trials that compared two anaesthetic technique (neuraxial anaesthesia vs. general anaesthesia) in elderly submitted to lower-limbs revascularization surgery. The information was accessed from EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, CINHAL and ISI WEB OF SCIENCE. Main outcomes. Primary outcomes: Mortality, cerebral infarction, myocardial infarction, paralysis and postoperative lower limb amputation rate. Secondary outcomes: Duration of hospital stay, postoperative cognitive dysfunction, postoperative wound infection, other postoperative infections, neuraxial haematoma and complications in the anaesthetic recovery room. Complementary data: internal validity, external validity and statistical analyze. Statistical methods. For data analysis the odds ratio were used in the randon effect model with corresponding 95% confidence interval. / Contexto. A controvérsia atual é saber se a anestesia neuroaxial é mais eficiente do que a anestesia geral em pacientes de alto risco submetidos à cirurgia não cardíaca. Os resultados acumulados mostram que a incidência pós-operatória de mortalidade e morbidade cardiovascular é similar independentemente da técnica anestésica. Assim, é relevante responder a pergunta de pesquisa: qual a eficiência da anestesia neuroaxial comparada à anestesia geral para a revascularização dos membros inferiores em idosos? Objetivo. Determinar a eficiência da anestesia neuroaxial comparada à anestesia geral para a revascularização dos membros inferiores em idosos. Hipótese. A hipótese é que a anestesia neuroaxial é mais eficiente (OR 0,67) quando comparada à anestesia geral para a revascularização de membros inferiores em idosos. Tipo de estudo. Revisão sistemática com metanálise de artigos originais de ensaios clínicos aleatórios. Local. Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió, AL. Amostra. Artigos originais de ensaios clínicos aleatórios que comparam duas técnicas anestésicas (anestesia neuroaxial vs. anestesia geral) em idosos submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização dos membros inferiores. Fontes de informação utilizadas: EMBASE, LILACS, MEDLINE, CINHAL e ISI WEB OF SCIENCE. Variáveis. Variáveis primárias: Mortalidade, infarto cerebral, infarto cardíaco, paralisia muscular e taxa pós-operatória de amputação de membro inferior. Variáveis secundárias: Tempo de duração da internação hospitalar, disfunção cognitiva pós-operatória, infecção pós-operatória, outras infecções pósoperatórias, hematoma neuroaxial e complicações na sala de recuperação pósanestésica. Dados complementares: itens da validade interna, itens da validade externa e análise estatística. Método estatístico. A metanálise foi apresentada com o cálculo das variáveis realizado pela odds ratio no modelo de efeito randômico, com respectivo intervalo de confiança de 95%.