An Easy Solution for Successful Lumbar Plexus Block in Arthroplasty Surgery of Patients with Poorly Defined Landmarks

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1 Article ID: ISSN An Easy Solution for Successful Lumbar Plexus Block in Arthroplasty Surgery of Patients with Poorly Defined Landmarks Corresponding Author: Dr. Ashok Jadon, Chief consultant Anaestheisa & Pain relief, Anaesthesia & Pain Relief Service, Tata Motors Hospital, Karangajhar, India Submitting Author: Dr. Ashok Jadon, Chief consultant Anaestheisa & Pain relief, Anaesthesia & Pain Relief Service, Tata Motors Hospital, Karangajhar, India Article ID: Article Type: Case Report Submitted on:16-mar-2012, 08:39:32 AM GMT Published on: 17-Mar-2012, 07:14:58 AM GMT Article URL: Subject Categories:ANAESTHESIA Keywords:Arthroplasty, Fluoroscopy, Lumbar plexus block, Nerve stimulator guided nerve block, Parasacral sciatic nerve block How to cite the article:jadon A. An Easy Solution for Successful Lumbar Plexus Block in Arthroplasty Surgery of Patients with Poorly Defined Landmarks. WebmedCentral ANAESTHESIA 2012;3(3): Copyright: This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Page 1 of 13

2 An Easy Solution for Successful Lumbar Plexus Block in Arthroplasty Surgery of Patients with Poorly Defined Landmarks Author(s): Jadon A Abstract Lumbar plexus block (LPB) provides excellent postoperative analgesia after major joint surgeries of lower limb (Hip and Knee joint) and when combined with sciatic nerve block it provides excellent surgical condition for such surgeries even in high risk patients. Various techniques, i.e. anatomical landmarks, nerve stimulator, ultrasound, CT (computed tomography) or MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) guidance have been described for localization of lumbar plexus. We used combination of nerve stimulator and fluoroscopy for lumbar plexus block in six patients of arthoplastic surgery scheduled under block anaesthesia and had poorly defined anatomical landmarks thus resulted failed attempts for localization of transverse process of 4th lumbar vertebrae with nerve stimulator needle. With help of fluoroscopy transverse process of 4th lumbar vertebra was identified and block was given using nerve stimulator. Block was successful in all patients and no serious complication occurred in any of the patients. Key words: Arthroplasty, fluoroscopy, lumbar plexus block, nerve stimulator guided nerve block, parasacral sciatic nerve block. Introduction Background: Lumbar plexus block is becoming popular regional anaesthetic technique for lower limb orthopedic surgeries due to its efficacy to provide stable hemodynamic and excellent postoperative analgesia in relatively older age group patients of arthoplastic surgery. When combined with sciatic nerve block it gives excellent surgical condition even in high risk patients [1,2]. Lumbar plexus block is a safe and effective alternative for analgesia in hip and knee surgery it provides effective postoperative analgesia of the lower extremity following joint arthroplasty.[3] Lumbar plexus block (LPB) is traditionally performed using surface anatomical landmarks [4,5]. However; anatomical landmarks can vary among patients and can result in a failure to contact the transverse process and also to elicit quadriceps muscle contraction which is mainstay of successful lumbar plexus block [6,7]. Repeated attempts to locate the transverse process may result inadvertent renal or vascular injury. [8,9] Although ultrasound guidance is becoming standard for nerve blocks but it is shown to be of limited value in lumbar plexus block due to difficulty in localization of lumbar plexus [10, 11]. Steep learning curve and non-availability of ultrasound machine in most of the operation theatre are also deterrent for its routine use. Availability of CT or MRI for every case is also farfetched possibility at present. As Image intensifier is now part and parcel of every orthopaedic operation room. We have suggested the use of image intensifier to identify transverse process of fourth lumbar vertebrae and nerve stimulator to locate lumbar plexus in cases of arthroplasty surgery where anatomical landmarks could not be ascertained with surety due to either obesity or deformity. This technique prevents multiple attempts to locate transverse process and easily identifies lumbar plexus. Patients and technique We have used combined block (lumbar plexus block with parasacral sciatic block) in 28 patients scheduled for arthoplastic surgery during January 2011 and April In all patients anatomical landmarks were marked on the skin with ink-marker (figure-1). In Six patients (2 males, 4 females) of age group between yrs where landmarks were not well defined (Table-1) and transverse process of fourth lumbar vertebra (L4) could not be located after two attempts (with nerve stimulator needle), were selected for this technique. Technique: Procedure and associated risks were discussed with patients and their relatives during preoperative visit and an informed consent was obtained. Patients who did not have any contraindication for regional anaesthesia were selected for lumbar plexus block. Patients were sedated with Injection Fentanyl 1-2µg/kg and Midazolam 1-3mg titrated for comfortable positioning and were turned to lateral position, with the operated side up. The transverse process (TP) of fourth lumbar vertebrae was identified using Capdevila Page 2 of 13

3 [5] modification of Winnie s [4] technique. After cleaning and antisepsis preparation a skin wheal was raised one cm medial and one cm cephalad to the point where intercristal line cuts the perpendicular line from posterior superior iliac spine [5] (point corresponding to lateral margin of transverse process) (figure-1). An insulated needle (Stimuplex A 100-mm needle (B. Braun Medical, Germany) was inserted and connected to a nerve stimulator (Stimuplex NHS12; B. Braun Medical, Germany). Needle was directed perpendicular to skin (up to 6-8cm depth). If TP could not be contacted needle was redirected cephalad or caudad to contact TP of 4th lumbar vertebra. Once transverse process was contacted needle was pulled back 0.5 cm and advanced under the transverse process (with initial current setting of 1.5 ma) until quadriceps femoris muscle twitches were elicited (i.e., cephalad patellar movements). The position was judged adequate when quadriceps contractions were still elicited by impulses of 0.3 to 0.5 ma. Local anaesthetic mixture 20ml of 1.5% xylocaine with adrenaline (1:200000) and bupivacaine 0.5% 10ml was injected in 3-5ml aliquots with repeated aspiration to avoid inadvertent vascular injection. In six patients when two attempts (two separate needle pass with each cephalad and caudal redirection) could not locate the transverse process of 4th lumbar vertebra or an appropriate nerve stimulation (quadriceps/patellar contraction) fluoroscopy was used. Image intensifier (Philips BV Libra) was placed in such a way to get AP view of lumbar area (figure-2). The transverse process of fourth lumbar vertebrae was identified. A skin wheal was raised at point corresponding to lateral margin of transverse process and an insulated needle (Stimuplex A 100-mm needle (B. Braun Medical, Germany) was inserted and connected to a nerve stimulator (Stimuplex NHS12; B. Braun Medical, Germany). Needle was directed towards transverse process under fluoroscopic guidance (figure-3 A and B) till it contacted transverse process. The needle was then pulled back 0.5 cm and advanced under the transverse process(figure-4 A and B) (with initial current setting of 1.5 ma) until quadriceps femoris muscle twitches were elicited (i.e., cephalad patellar movements). The position was judged adequate when quadriceps contractions were still elicited by impulses of 0.3 to 0.5 ma. Local anaesthetic mixture of 20ml of 1.5% xylocaine with adrenaline (1:200000) and 10ml bupivacaine 0.5% was injected in 3-5ml aliquots with repeated aspiration to avoid inadvertent vascular injection. Sciatic nerve block was also given using nerve stimulator and anatomical landmarks by parasacral approach [12]. An entry point was taken 6cm caudad from Posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) on a line connecting PSIS and Ischial tuberosity (figure-1). Sciatic nerve was located with initial current of 1.5mA and once targeted response of planter flexion at mA was obtained 20ml of 1.5% xylocaine with adrenaline (1:200000) and 10ml bupivacaine 0.5% was injected in 3-5ml aliquots with repeated aspiration to avoid inadvertent vascular injection. Conduct of anaesthesia: Localization was possible at first needle pass in all six patients and all patients had effective anaesthesia to carryout scheduled surgery. Supplementary sedation was provided with 0.5 to 1.0mg of Injection Midazolam and 25µg of Injection Fentanyl whenever required. No patient required more than 200 µg of Injection Fentanyl and, 5.0mg of injection Midazolam during total surgery time of 2hrs to 3hrs including pre-procedure sedation. Discussion Understanding of Surface anatomy and Anatomical landmarks is basic essential for successful nerve blocks. New gadgets like ultrasound, CT and MRI improves precision and help in localization even in difficult anatomical situations. However, they only help in anatomical localization whereas Nerve stimulator helps to locate functional component of nerve/block. The combination of nerve stimulator and ultrasound have shown better results in various nerve blocks.[13] Winnie s [4] classical approach and Capdevila[5] modification is landmark based Posterior approach to lumbar plexus block. This is simple and effective approach[14 ]results in high success rate.[15] However, sex dependent variation and patient to patient anatomical variation are limitation for successful outcome.[6] Inclusion of fluoroscopy for visualization of TP and use of nerve stimulator for functional localization of lumbar plexus resulted in successful block in our six patients where localization based on anatomical landmarks failed. Clinical implications: We have used this approach as a rescue technique when conventional landmarks based approach have failed to locate the transverse process of 4th lumbar vertebra and desired neural stimulation response. With the help of fluoroscopy cent percent successful localization was possible at first attempt. This made us to think that, if fluoroscopy is used as a standard component of technique rather than a rescue technique in difficult situation during lumbar plexus localization with nerve stimulator, may increase Page 3 of 13

4 success rate and would decrease complications of repeated needle introduction which is associated with high risk of visceral injury. Conclusion During nerve stimulator guided lumbar plexus block use of fluoroscopy helps in localization of transverse process (TP) of 4th lumbar vertebra if localization is difficult due to obesity or poorly defined landmarks. It seems an easy solution to increase the success rate of lumbar plexus block. However, more studies are required to prove its definitive role. References 1. Ho AM, Karmakar MK. Combined paravertebral lumbar plexus and parasacral sciatic nerve block for reduction of hip fracture in a patient with severe aortic stenosis. Can J Anaesth Nov; 49(9): Asao Y, Higuchi T, Tsubaki N, Shimoda Y. Combined paravertebral lumbar plexus and parasacral sciatic nerve block for reduction of hip fracture in four patients with severe heart failure. Masui Jun; 54(6): Touray ST. De Leeuw MA. Zuurmond W. W. A. Perez R. S. G. M. Psoas compartment block for lower extremity surgery: a meta-analysis Br J Anaesth.2008; 101: Winnie AP, Ramamurthy S, Durani Z, Radonjic R. Plexus blocks for lower extremity surgery: new answers to old problems. Anesthesiol Rev. 1974; 1: Capdevila X, Macaire P, Dadure C, et al. Continuous psoas compartment block for postoperative analgesia after total hip arthroplasty: new landmarks, technical guidelines, and clinical evaluation. Anesth Analg 2002; 94: Broadbent CR, Maxwell WB, Ferrie R, et al. Ability of anaesthetists to identify a marked lumbar interspace. Anaesthesia 2000;55: Dalens B, Tanguy A, Vanneuville G. Lumbar plexus block in children: a comparison of two procedures in 50 patients. Anesth Analg 1988;67: Aida S, Takahashi H, Shimoji K. Renal subcapsular hematoma after lumbar plexus block. Anesthesiology 1996; 84: Aveline C, Bonnet F. Delayed retroperitoneal haematoma after failed lumbar plexus block. Br J Anaesth 2004; 93: Kirchmair L, Entner T, Wissel J, et.al. A study of the paravertebral anatomy for ultrasound-guided posterior lumbar plexus block. Anesth Analg2001; 93: Morimoto M, Kim JT, Popovic J, Jain S, Bekker A. Ultrasound-guided lumbar plexus block for open reduction and internal fixation of hip fracture. Pain Pract 2006; 6: Mansour NY. Re-evaluating the sciatic nerve block: another landmark for consideration. Reg Anesth1993;18: Orebaugh SL, Williams BA, Kentor ML. Ultrasound guidance with nerve stimulation reduces the time necessary for resident peripheral nerve blockade. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2007; 32(5): Farny J, Drolet P, Girard M. Anatomy of the posterior approach to the lumbar plexus block. Can J Anaesth 1994; 41: Mannion S, O Callaghan S, Walsh M,. Murphy D B, Shorten G D. In with the New, Out with the Old? Comparison of Two Approaches for Psoas Compartment Block. Anesth Analg 2005;101: Page 4 of 13

5 Illustrations Illustration 1 Table 1 Table shows demographical data, co-morbidity type of surgery, surgical time and plausible cause of difficulty in localization of transverse process of 4th lumbar vertebra by nerve stimulator needle Case Age & Sex Wight No# Surgery and Co-morbid Plausible cause of surgical time condition difficulty in (min) 1 38 yrs Female 76 Kg THR 130 min localization Hypertension, Obesity Diabetes Mellitus 2 54 yrs Male Aprox 60kg DHS 120 min Severe COPD Degenerative spine 3 68 yrs Female 65kg THR 130 min Severe COPD, Obesity LVF Page 5 of 13

6 4 60 yrs Female Aprox TKR 180 min CVA, Fast AF 60Kg 5 52yrs Female 60kg Deviated midline (scoliosis) THR 110 min Hypertension, Degenerative spine Diabetes Mellitus, Hypothyroid 6 89 yrs Male 60kg THR 150min Hypertension, Degenerative Spine, Diabetes Mellitus, Intervertebral space Parkinson s could not be felt Page 6 of 13

7 Illustration 2 Figure 1 Page 7 of 13

8 Illustration 3 Figure 2 Page 8 of 13

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10 Illustration 5 Figure 3b Page 10 of 13

11 Illustration 6 Figure 4a Page 11 of 13

12 Illustration 7 Figure 4b Page 12 of 13

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