Background and Objectives. Previous studies have used varying methods to estimate the depth of the epidural space prior to placement of an epidural catheter. We aim to use computed tomography scans, patient demographics, and vertebral level to estimate the depth of the loss of resistance for placement of thoracic epidural catheters. Methods. The records of consecutive patients who received a th...

PURPOSE It has been reported that the addition of epinephrine and/or bicarbonate to local anesthetic enhances the depth of epidural blockade and that initial partial bolus injection results in greater caudal spread. We evaluated the anesthetic effects of lidocaine with epinephrine and/or bicarbonate injected into the epidural space by bolus or catheter injection. METHODS Forty-four patients u...

Introduction Epidural blockade in children continues to grow in popularity with increasing applications in the operating room and beyond. In infants and children, epidural anesthesia is most commonly performed in conjunction with general anesthesia as a means of providing postoperative analgesia or as a combined general-regional anesthetic technique to limit the requirements for general anesthe...

6 patients, the number of arrhythmia episodes declined during the first 24 hours after the initiation of sympathetic blockade (Figure). In all 6 patients, LSGB significantly reduced the total number of episodes and the number of episodes in the first 24 hours after the intervention (P < .05). Electrical storm recurred in 3 patients (37%) during the first 24 hours after the cessation of sympathe...

General anesthesia is the main strategy for almost all thoracic surgeries. However, a growing body of literature has reported successful cases of non-intubated thoracic surgery with regional anesthesia. This alternative strategy not only prevents complications related to general anesthesia, such as lung injury, incomplete re-expansion and intubation related problems, but also accords with trend...

Recent case reports suggest there may be an increased risk of abnormally high blockade ("high spinal") from subarachnoid anesthesia if it is performed immediately after epidural anesthesia. We describe two cases of high spinal anesthesia following failed epidural block in obstetric patients scheduled for cesarean delivery. Using a retrospective chart review, we estimate the incidence of high sp...

BACKGROUND Thoracic epidural analgesia is a well established technique for postoperative pain relief after major abdominal and thoracic surgery. Safety remains a major concern because of serious adverse events including epidural haematoma, abscess and permanent neurological deficit. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and the long-term outcome of serious adverse even...

OBJECTIVE To observe the change of PVI after thoracic epidural block on the basis of general anesthesia. METHODS In 26 patients undergoing elective upper abdominal operations, changes of SVI, PVI, SVV, PPV and CVP were monitored immediately before and 10 minutes after T8-9 thoracic epidural anesthesia on the basis of general anesthesia. The definition was that patients with ΔSVI greater than ...