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Analgesia for many open thoracic and abdominal procedures has traditionally been accomplished through neuraxial techniques or paravertebral blocks. Erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks purport effective analgesia over a similar anatomical distribution with a more favorable side effect profile and complication rate than epidurals. However, the extent of clinical applicability for ESP blocks has yet to be elucidated. In this case series, we demonstrate the efficacy of ESP blocks for 3 distinct etiologies of acute pain: planned perioperative analgesia, rescue postoperative analgesia, and traumatic pain.

Importance: Epidural analgesia (EA) is used as an adjunct procedure for postoperative pain control during elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery. In addition to analgesia, modulatory effects of EA on spinal sympathetic outflow result in improved organ perfusion with reduced complications. Reductions in postoperative complications lead to shorter convalescence and possibly improved 30-day survival. However, the effect of EA on long-term survival when used as an adjunct to general anesthesia (GA) during elective AAA surgery is unknown., Objective: To evaluate the association between combined EA-GA vs GA alone and long-term survival and postoperative complications in patients undergoing elective, open AAA repair., Design, Setting, and Participants: A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed. Patients undergoing elective AAA repair between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2011, were identified within the Vascular Society Group of New England (VSGNE) database. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate survival. Cox proportional hazards regression models and multivariable logistic regression models assessed the independent association of EA-GA use with postoperative mortality and morbidity, respectively. Data analysis was conducted from March 15, 2015, to September 2, 2015., Interventions: Combined EA-GA., Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality. Secondary end points included postoperative bowel ischemia, respiratory complications, myocardial infarction, dialysis requirement, wound complications, and need for surgical reintervention within 30 days of surgery., Results: A total of 1540 patients underwent elective AAA repair during the study period. Of these, 410 patients (26.6%) were women and the median (interquartile range) age was 71 (64-76) years; 980 individuals (63.6%) received EA-GA. Patients in the 2 groups were comparable in terms of age, comorbidities, and suprarenal clamp location. At 5 years, the Kaplan-Meier-estimated overall survival rates were 74% (95% CI, 72%-76%) and 65% (95% CI, 62%-68%) in the EA-GA and GA-alone groups, respectively (P < .01). In adjusted analyses, EA-GA use was associated with significantly lower hazards of mortality compared with GA alone (hazard ratio, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.57-0.92; P = .01). Patients receiving EA-GA also had lower odds of 30-day surgical reintervention (odds ratio [OR], 0.65; 95% CI, 0.44-0.94; P = .02) as well as postoperative bowel ischemia (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.31-0.94; P = .03), pulmonary complications (OR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.41-0.95; P = .03), and dialysis requirements (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.23-0.88; P = .02). No significant differences were noted for the odds of wound (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.38-1.44; P = .51) and cardiac (OR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.59-1.78; P = .82) complications., Conclusions and Relevance: Combined EA-GA was associated with improved survival and significantly lower HRs and ORs for mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing elective AAA repair. The survival benefit may be attributable to reduced immediate postoperative adverse events. Based on these findings, EA-GA should be strongly considered in suitable patients.

The effect of the i.v. administration of methylene blue dye on haemoglobin oxygen saturation, measured by a pulse oximeter was investigated. The absorption spectra of various concentrations of haemoglobin, oxyhaemoglobin and methylene blue were compared. The amount of 660-nm light absorbed by methylene blue was sufficient to cause a factitious haemoglobin desaturation as measured by the pulse oximeter.

1. Intravenous administration of both the 9alpha,11alpha-(epoxymethano) and 11alpha,9alpha-(epoxymethano) analogues of prostaglandin H2 (0.25 microgram/kg) produced a prominent rise in pulmonary arterial pressure and a moderate increase in systemic arterial pressure. 2. Direct administration of the endoperoxide analogues (1.25 microgram/kg) into the bypass reservoir produced a greater rise in systemic arterial pressure and less prominent rise in pulmonary arterial pressure. 3. An intravenous dose of prostaglandin F2alpha that was 20 times larger was needed to produce a comparable rise in pulmonary arterial pressure. 4. The pulmonary and systemic pressor responses produced by the endoperoxide analogues were due to a direct increase in the vascular resistance.