Safety and Pharmacokinetics of Levobupivacaine Following Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block in Elderly Patients

A single center descriptive study of local anesthetic dose in knee arthroplasty: Was there evidence of local anesthetic systemic toxicity?

STUDY OBJECTIVE

Describe dosing of local anesthetic when both a periarticular injection (PAI) and peripheral nerve block (PNB) are utilized for knee arthroplasty analgesia, and compare the dosing of local to suggested maximum dosing, and look for evidence of local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST).

DESIGN

A single center retrospective cohort study between May 2018 and November 2022.

SETTING

A major academic hospital.

PATIENTS

Patients who had both a PAI and PNB while undergoing primary, revision, total, partial, unilateral, or bilateral knee arthroplasty.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

MEASUREMENTS

Calculate the dose of local anesthetic given via PAI, PNB, and both routes combined as based on lean body weight and compare that to the suggested maximum dosing. Look for medications, clinical interventions, and critical event notes suggestive of a LAST event.

MAIN RESULTS

There were 4527 knee arthroplasties where both a PAI and PNB were performed during the study period. When combining PAI and PNB doses, >75% of patients received more than the suggested maximum dose of 3 mg/kg lean body weight. The median local anesthetic dosing over the study period, 4.4 mg/kg (IQR 3.5,5.9), was 147% of the suggested maximum dose (IQR 117,197). There was no conclusive evidence of LAST among any of the patients in the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the course of our study, we had 4527 knee arthroplasties with a median PAI and PNB local anesthetic dose that was 147% of the suggested maximum without any clear clinical evidence of a LAST event.

Ultrasound-Guided Preoperative Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block for Pain Relief During Positioning for Spinal Anesthesia in Patients With Hip Fracture

Background Fractures around the hip are common in the elderly. For surgical management, the subarachnoid block is the preferred anesthesia technique. Positioning these patients for anesthesia is challenging because of pain. Analgesia in the form of preoperative perineural anesthesia is gaining popularity. We observed the analgesic efficacy of preoperative ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca block, its efficacy during positioning for spinal anesthesia, pain scores, and anesthesiologist comfort while administering spinal anesthesia. Methodology An observational study was conducted on patients of 40 to 80 years under the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I-III, requiring hip surgeries under spinal anesthesia. After pre-anesthetic evaluation, the purpose and protocol of the study were explained to patients, and informed consent was obtained. Pain score using the numeric rating scale (NRS) was recorded. Ultrasound-guided suprainguinal fascia iliaca block was performed using 30 ml of 0.25% levobupivacaine one hour before shifting to the operating room. Pain scores were reassessed. Spinal anesthesia was administered in the operating theatre in a sitting position. Pain during positioning was assessed. Results The mean NRS score reduced significantly after ultrasound-guided suprainguinal fascia iliaca block. The mean NRS score was 3.25 during positioning for spinal anesthesia compared to a pre-block score of 9.03, noting a statistically significant reduction (p=0.001). Conclusion Fascia Iliaca compartment block (FICB) helps alleviate the pain of hip fractures and makes positioning the subarachnoid block easier.

From emergency department to operating room: interventional analgesia techniques for hip fractures

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide an update on pain management options with regional anesthesia for patients with hip fractures at the emergency department (ED).

RECENT FINDINGS

Patients who sustain a hip fracture are typically admitted and diagnosed in the ED before being transferred to the operating room for surgery. Studies have clearly demonstrated the ability of the fascia iliaca compartment blocks (FICBs) and femoral nerve blocks (FNBs) to reduce pain and the risk of an acute confusional state. Their administration at an early stage of the patient's trajectory in the ED is beneficial. Recent anatomical studies contributed new knowledge of nociception in the hip joint, which allowed the development of more specific infiltration analgesia techniques without muscle weakness (e.g., pericapsular hip blocks). Further research on the timing of nerve blocks and an evaluation of new motor sparing techniques is indicated.

SUMMARY

FICB and FNB are established and recommended techniques in pain management for hip fracture patients. Their use early on in the ED may improve patient comfort and outcome. Pericapsular nerve hip blocks could provide a relevant alternative in future pain management in this group of patients.

A Randomized Comparison of Plasma Levobupivacaine Concentrations Following Thoracic Epidural Analgesia and Subpleural Paravertebral Analgesia in Open Thoracic Surgery

Background: The aim of this study was to compare plasma levobupivacaine concentrations in thoracic epidural and subpleural paravertebral analgesia. Methods: Forty-four patients indicated for open lung resection had an epidural catheter inserted preoperatively or a subpleural catheter surgically. A bolus of 0.25% levobupivacaine at a dosage of 0.5 mg × kg⁻¹ was given after the thoracotomy closure. Plasma levobupivacaine level at 30 min was the primary outcome. Pharmacokinetic modeling was performed subsequently. Secondary outcomes included the quality of analgesia, complications, and patients’mobility. Results: Plasma concentrations were similar 30 min after application—0.389 mg × L⁻¹ in the epidural and 0.318 mg × L⁻¹ in the subpleural group (p = 0.33) and lower in the subpleural group at 120 min (p = 0.03). The areas under the curve but not maximum concentrations were lower in the subpleural group. The time to reach maximum plasma level was similar in both groups—27.6 vs. 24.2 min. No clinical symptoms of local anesthetic toxicity were recorded. Conclusions: Levobupivacaine systemic concentrations were low in both groups without the symptoms of toxicity. This dosage should be safe for postoperative analgesia after thoracotomy.