• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.339-346
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• 2022

Rotator cuff tear is the most common cause of shoulder pain in middle-age and older people. Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) is the most common treatment method for rotator cuff tear. Early postoperative pain after ARCR is the primary concern for surgeons and patients and can affect postoperative rehabilitation, satisfaction, recovery, and hospital day. There are numerous methods for controlling postoperative pain including patient-controlled analgesia, opioid, interscalene block, and local anesthesia. Regional blocks including interscalene nerve block, suprascapular nerve block, and axillary nerve block have been successfully and commonly used. There is no difference between interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) and suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) in pain control and opioid consumption. However, SSNB has fewer complications and can be more easily applied than ISB. Combination of axillary nerve block with SSNB has a stronger analgesic effect than SSNB alone. These regional blocks can be helpful for postoperative pain control within 48 hours after ARCR surgery.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.67-75
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• 2014

There are several kinds of regional nerve blockades, such as interscalene brachial plexus block, C5 root block, suprascapular nerve block, and axillary nerve block, which can be applied for anesthesia and postoperative pain control after shoulder surgeries. These regional nerve blockades have shown good results, but high failure rate and serious complications, such as phrenic nerve palsy, pneumothorax, and nerve injury, still remain. Ultrasound-guided intervention can increase the success rate of nerve blockades and reduce complications. We described the method of ultrasound-guided intervention for the regional nerve blockades around shoulder.

• The Academic Congress of Korean Shoulder and Elbow Society
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• 2009.03a
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• pp.206-206
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• 2009

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone or dexmedetomidine added to ropivacaine on the onset and duration of ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus blocks (BPB). Methods: Fifty-one ASA physical status I-II patients with elective forearm and hand surgery under axillary brachial plexus blocks were randomly allocated to receive 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine with 2 ml of isotonic saline (C group, n = 17), 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine with 2 ml (10 mg) of dexamethasone (D group, n = 17) or 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine with 2 ml ($100{\mu}g$) of dexmedetomidine (DM group, n = 17). A nerve stimulation technique with ultrasound was used in all patients. The onset time and duration of sensory blocks were assessed. Results: The duration of the sensory block was extended in group D and group DX compared with group C (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between group D and group DX. However, there were no significant differences in onset time in all three groups. Conclusions: Dexamethasone 10 mg and dexmedetomidine $100{\mu}g$ were equally effective in extending the duration of ropivacaine in ultrasound-guided axillary BPB with nerve stimulation. However, neither drug has significantly effects the onset time.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.287-289
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• 2015

Brachial plexus block (BPB) under ultrasound guidance has come to be widely used. However, nerve injury has been reported following ultrasound-guided BPB. We hypothesized that BPB under ultrasound guidance in conjunction with real-time electrical nerve stimulation would help us prevent nerve injury and do more successful procedure. Here, we report the successful induction and maintenance of ultrasound-guided BPB and the achievement of good peri- and postoperative pain control using a conductive catheter, the EpiStim$^{(R)}$.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.60-64
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• 2012

The patient was a 45-year-female who presented with pain at right shoulder and right upper arm. The patient suffered from right shoulder and arm pain for 3 years and had pain management which was performed using medication and conservative management after she had been diagnosed with calcific tendinitis. However, substantial pain relief was not consistently achieved, and recurrence of pain was reported. Therefore, we performed right axillary nerve and suprascapular nerve block through pulsed radiofrequency. Two months after the procedure, the shoulder pain gradually subsided with the size reduction of the calcified nodule and she needed no more pain management.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.22-25
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• 2015

Spasticity is a common impairment in patients with central nervous system disease. Clinical observation has demonstrated that spasticity can be aggravated by various factors such as emotional state as well as noxious stimuli. A 51-year-old male patient was scheduled for arteriovenous fistula surgery. He had right hemiplegia including motor weakness and spasticity. It was decided that the surgery would be performed under an axillary brachial plexus block (BPB). He appeared nervous when blockade was terminated. The spasticity of the right shoulder increased after ipsilateral BPB. However, when we administered sedative drugs and performed interscalene BPB 2 days later, spasticity did not occur. Exacerbation of spasticity might be evoked by an anxious emotional state. Thus, it seems to be good to consider removing of anxiety and using an appropriate approach when it is tried to perform nerve blocks in individuals with spasticity.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.225-230
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• 1997

Background: Authors modified the traditional continuous axillary brachial plexus block technique of Selander for purpose of increasing success rate and decreasing complications by use of commercial epidural anesthesia set. Method: Thirty-nine patients scheduled for upper extremity operations were injected with 40 ml of anesthetic solution by axillary perivascular technique, using 23~25G immobile needle at 2 cm from the pectoralis major. Tuohy needle was immediately introduced at 4 cm from the pectoralis major and pierced the expanded neurovascular sheath at an angle of 30 degree to the skin. The "pop" was well noted well. Needle was advanced 0.5 to 3.0 cm and epidural catheter introduced through the needle. After removal of needle, occlusive dressing was done. Tip of catheter and spread of solution were demonstrated by fluoroscopy with contrast dye after completion of procedure. Result: Catheter insertion was successful at first attempt for all case. Total length of insertion was from 6 to 13($10.0{\pm}1.7$) cm. Tip of catheter was placed in infraclavicular space(66.7%), about the humeral head(17.9%) and in upper arm in 3 cases as U-shape(7.9%). Catheters were maintained for $6.7{\pm}2.6$(3-12) days. There were no complications such as: perforation of major vessels, needle trauma to nerve, infection, bleeding or hematoma. Conclusion: This study demonstrated continuous axillary brachial plexus block with epidural anesthesia set is safe, easy and convenient modification of technique of Selander.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.54-63
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• 1991

Post-thoracotomy pain is so severe that lead to postoperative complications, such as sputum retention, segmental or lobar atelectasis, pneumonia, hypoxia, respiratory failure due to the patient`s inability to cough, deep breathing and movement. Many authors have been trying to reduce the post-thoracotomy pain, but there is no method of complete satisfaction. In 1974, Nelson and associates introduced the intercostal nerve block using the cryoprobe. The application of cold directly to the nerves causes localized destruction of the axons while preserving the endoneurium and connective tissue, thereby introducing a temporary pain block and able to complete regeneration of intercostal nerves. One hundred and two patients, who undergoing axillary or posterolateral thoracotomy at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in Korea University Medical Center between April 1990 and August 1990, were evaluated the effects of cryoanalgesia for the post-thoracotomy pain reduction. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A, control, the patients without the cryoanalgesia[No.=50], Group B, trial, the patients with cryoanalgesia[No.=52]. Before the thorax closed, in the group A, local anesthetics, 2% lidocaine 3cc, were injected to the intercostal nerves[one level with the thoracotomy, one cranial and caudal intercostal level and level of drainage tube insertion]. In the group B, cryoprobe was directly applied for 1 minute at the same level. Postoperative analgesic effects were evaluated by the scoring system which made arbitrary by author: The pain score 0 to 4, The limitation of motion score 0 to 3, The analgesics consumption score 0 to 3, The total score, the sum of above score, 0 to 10. For the evaluation of immediate analgesic effects, the score were evaluated at the operative day, the first postoperative day, the second postoperative day, and the seventh postoperative day. The effects of incision type, and rib cut to the post-thoracotomy pain were also evaluated. The results were as follows; 1. The intercostal block with cryoanalgesia reduced the immediate postoperative pain significantly compare with control group. 2. The intercostal block with cryoanalgesia improved the motion of the operation side significantly compare with control group. 3. The intercostal block with cryoanalgesia reduced the analgesics requirements at the immediate postoperative periods significantly. 4. The intercostal block with cryoanalgesia lowered the total score significantly compare with control group. 5. The intercostal block with cryoanalgesia were more effective to the mid-axillary incision than to the posterolateral incision 6. The intercostal block with cryoanalgesia were more effective to the patients without rib cut than to the patients with rib cut. 7. No specific complication need to be treated were not occurred during follow-up.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.513-521
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness and complications of an ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block performed by orthopedic surgeons. Materials and Methods: From March to May 2017, an ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block was performed on a total of 103 cases of surgery. A VF13-5 transducer from Siemens Acuson X300 was used. The surgical site was included in the range of the anatomic sensory distribution of the blocked nerve, except for the case where an operation time of more than 2 hours was expected due to multiple injuries and the operation of the upper arm. The procedure was performed by 2 orthopedic surgeons in the same method using 50 ml of solution (20 ml of lidocaine HCl in 2%, 20 ml of ropivacaine in 0.75%, 10 ml of normal saline in 0.9%). The success rate of anesthesia induction during surgery, anesthetic induction time, anatomical range of operation, duration of postoperative analgesia and complications were investigated. Results: The results from the 2 practices were similar. The anesthesia was successful in 100 out of 103 patients (97.1%). In these patients, the average needling time was 5.5 minutes (2.5-13.2 minutes), the average induction time to complete anesthesia was 18.4 minutes (5-40 minutes), and the average duration of postoperative analgesia was 402.8 minutes (141-540 minutes). The post-anesthesia immediate complications were dizziness in 1 case, nausea and vomiting in 4 cases, and peri-oral numbness in 2 cases, but surgery was performed without problems. All these 7 cases with complications recovered on the same day. A total of 3 cases failed with anesthesia, and they were treated by an injection with local anesthesia in the operation room in 2 cases and switched to general anesthesia in 1 case. Conclusion: An ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus block, which was performed by orthopedic surgeons allows anesthesia in a brief period and the high success rates of anesthesia for certain surgeries of the elbow and surgeries on forearm, wrist and hand. Therefore, it can reduce the waiting time to the operating room. This technique is a relatively safe procedure and dose selective anesthesia is possible.