OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant treatment to ropivacaine in children undergoing upper limb surgeries under ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus blocks and general anesthesia.
METHODS: We enrolled 90 children (aged 1-8 years; ASA I-II) undergoing closed reduction and internal fixation for upper extremity fractures at the Xiamen Children\'s Hospital and randomly assigned them to one of two groups: L (injection with 0.25% ropivacaine) or D (injection with 0.25% ropivacaine containing 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine) using the random number table method. The main outcome indicators recorded were the facial expression, leg activity, position, crying, and Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale scores of children after surgery and the duration of block and analgesia maintenance. The secondary outcome indicators were vital sign data at the time of ultrasound probe placement (T1), at the time of block completion (T2), prior to the beginning of surgery (T3), 5 min after the beginning of surgery (T4), and at the end of surgery (T5), as well as the time of postoperative recovery, the number of cases of remedial analgesia, and complications.
RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of general data, block completion time, postoperative recovery time, and complications (P > 0.05). Compared to the L group, the D group had significantly lower FLACC scores at 6 h after surgery, as well as significantly lower systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate values at T4 and T5, and significantly longer duration of postoperative analgesia maintenance (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg) as a local anesthetic adjuvant to ropivacaine can alleviate pain at 6 h postoperatively, prolong analgesia maintenance, and reduce intraoperative blood pressure and heart rate in pediatric patients undergoing closed reduction and internal fixation for upper extremity fractures, with no obvious complications or delayed recovery.
UNASSIGNED: Registration website: www.chictr.org.cn, Registration number: ChiCTR2200065163, Registration date: October, 30, 2022.

BACKGROUND: Nerve injuries have traditionally been repaired with sutures, and this method is considered the gold standard technique in the management of nerve injuries. However, fibrin glue has recently become a promising tool for repairing nerve injuries and has advantages including ease of usability, atraumatic application technique, and decreased co-optation time of the nerves. This study aims to clinically evaluate the efficacy of nerve repair with fibrin glue compared with the usual suture technique in terms of sensory and motor outcomes.
METHODS: A total of 80 patients were included in the study; 50 patients underwent primary nerve repair, and 30 patients underwent Oberlin\'s repair. These subsets were randomly divided into two groups in which the nerves were repaired with microsutures in one group and fibrin glue in the other group.
RESULTS: In the comparison of fibrin glue with microsutures, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the 2-point discrimination (2PD) test, Semmes-Weinstein test, motor function, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire scores. However, the co-optation times were significantly shorter with fibrin glue than with microsutures.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, nerve repair with fibrin glue is as effective as microsutures in terms of sensory and motor recovery and has added advantages of ease of usability and shorter repair times. Therefore, fibrin glue may be an effective alternative to sutures in nerve repair.

BACKGROUND: It is aimed to compare the block onset times and performance features of costoclavicular techniques (medial and lateral approach) versus lateral sagittal technique.
METHODS: Patients were randomized into three groups. For costoclavicular techniques, ultrasound probe was placed parallel to clavicle obtaining nerve cords, axillary artery and axillary vein visual from lateral-to-medial, respectively. The block needle was advanced from lateral (Group CLB) or medial (Group CMB) to perform costoclavicular block. For lateral sagittal technique (Group LSB), ultrasound probe was placed sagittal and perpendicular below the coracoid process to obtain sagittal artery image with the cords around. Total 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and 10 ml of 2% lidocaine were deposited for all groups. Sensory and motor block onset times, block performance properties, complications, and patient/surgeon satisfactions were investigated.
RESULTS: Among 56 patients, the primary outcome, sensory block onset time was shorter in Group CLB than Group CMB and Group LSB (10 [5-15], 10 [10-20], and 15 [10-15] minutes, respectively, p < 0.05). Motor block onset was also fastest in Group CLB (15 [10-20] mins for CLB, 20 [15-20] mins for LSB, and 22.5 [15-25] mins for CMB, p = 0.004). Block performance properties did not differ between the groups. The only complication observed was vascular puncture with an incidence of 28% in Group CMB.
CONCLUSIONS: Lateral approach costoclavicular technique provides fastest block onset than the other techniques. Considering the success and safety profile, this technique stands as a good alternative in clinical practice.
BACKGROUND: This study is prospectively registered to clinicaltrials.gov on 20/02/2022 (NCT05260736).

BACKGROUND: Traumatic peripheral nerve injury, with an annual incidence reported to be approximately 13-23 per 100,000 people, is a serious clinical condition that can often lead to significant functional impairment and permanent disability. Although nerve transfer has become increasingly popular in the treatment of brachial plexus injuries, satisfactory results cannot be obtained even with total nerve root transfer, especially after serious injuries. To overcome this problem, we hypothesize that the application of stem cells in conjunction with nerve transfer procedures may be a viable alternative to more aggressive treatments that do not result in adequate improvement. Similarly, some preliminary studies have shown that adipose stem cells combined with acellular nerve allograft provide promising results in the repair of brachial plexus injury. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of combining adipose-derived stem cells with nerve transfer procedure in a rat brachial plexus injury model.
METHODS: Twenty female Wistar rats weighing 300-350 g and aged 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into two groups: a nerve transfer group (NT group) and a nerve transfer combined adipose stem cell group (NT and ASC group). The upper brachial plexus injury model was established by gently avulsing the C5-C6 roots from the spinal cord with microforceps. A nerve transfer from the ulnar nerve to the musculocutaneous nerve (Oberlin procedure) was performed with or without seeded allogeneic adipose tissue-derived stem cells. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells at a rate of 2 × 106 cells were injected locally to the surface of the nerve transfer area with a 23-gauge needle. Immunohistochemistry (S100 and PGP 9.5 antibodies) and electrophysiological data were used to evaluate the effect of nerve repair 12 weeks after surgery.
RESULTS: The mean latency was significantly longer in the NT group (2.0 ± 0.0 ms, 95% CI: 1.96-2.06) than in the NT and ASC group (1.7 ± 0.0 ms, 95% CI: 1.7-1.7) (p < .001). The mean peak value was higher in the NT group (1.7 ± 0.0 mV, 95% CI: 1.7-1.7) than in the NT and ASC group (1.7 ± 0.3 mV, 95% CI: 1.6-1.9) with no significant difference (p = .61). Although S100 and PGP 9.5 positive areas were observed in higher amounts in the NT and ASC group compared to the NT group, the differences were not statistically significant (p = .26 and .08, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: This study conducted on rats provides preliminary evidence that adipose-derived stem cells may have a positive effect on nerve transfer for the treatment of brachial plexus injury. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm these findings.

UNASSIGNED: Ultrasound (US)-guided costoclavicular block (CCB) is a promising new approach to brachial plexus (BP) block which is increasingly being utilized. Conventionally, the costoclavicular space (CCS) has been described to contain three cords. However, there may be variations in the neural pattern of the BP which is important to know to prevent inadvertent injury. We intend to describe the variations in neural patterns from retrospective scans of patients receiving costoclavicular BP block.
UNASSIGNED: The stored US images of patients who had received BP block using the CCB for surgery at the level of the elbow or below in the last year (from March 2021 to March 2022) were analyzed by two investigators independently. The clinical data were retrieved from the records of the same patients for the study outcomes. We collated the variations of the neural pattern, the number of neural structures seen, and the echogenicity of the structures in the costoclavicular BP space.
UNASSIGNED: In the CCS, the median number of neural structures was 4.5 (minimum of 3 to maximum of 8). With the BP lateral to the axillary artery and sandwiched between the subclavius-pectoralis minor superiorly and the serratus anteriorly inferiorly, numerous variations in the neural structures were noted. The most common arrangement was caterpillar-like (28.6%) and pecker-like (20.3%). The neural structures were found to be hypoechoic in the majority (66%).
UNASSIGNED: The CCS hosts several mostly hypoechoic neural structures which may be the variations of the cords or the extension of BP divisions. These new findings have been unreported in the recent past.

BACKGROUND: Brachial plexus injury is recognized as one of the most severe clinical challenges due to the complex anatomical configuration of the brachial plexus and its propensity for variation, which complicates safe clinical interventions. This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence and characterize the types of brachial plexus variations, and to elucidate their clinical implications.
METHODS: We conducted meticulous dissections of 60 formalin-fixed cadavers\' upper arm, axilla and lower neck to reveal and assess the roots, trunks, divisions, cords, and branches of the brachial plexus. The pattern of branching was noted by groups of dissecting medical students and confirmed by the senior anatomists. The variations discovered were record and photographed using a digital camera for further analysis.
RESULTS: Variations in the brachial plexus were identified in 40 of the 60 cadavers, yielding a prevalence rate of 66.7%. These variations were classified into root anomalies (2.1%), trunk anomalies (8.5%), division anomalies (2.1%), and cord anomalies (4.3%). Notably, anomalies in communicating branches were observed in 39 cadavers (83.0%): 14 with bilateral anomalies, 14 with anomalies on the left side, and 11 on the right side. These communicating branches formed connections between the roots and other segments, including trunks, cords, and terminal nerves, and involved the median, musculocutaneous, and ulnar nerves.
CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and diversity of brachial plexus variations, particularly in communicating branches, are significant in cadavers. It is imperative that these variations are carefully considered during the diagnostic process, treatment planning, and prior to procedures such as supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks and nerve transfers, to mitigate the risk of iatrogenic complications.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of perineural vs intravenous dexamethasone as a local anaesthetic adjunct to increase duration of analgesia could be particular to specific peripheral nerve blocks because of differences in systemic absorption depending on the injection site. Given this uncertainty, we performed a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis comparing dexamethasone administered perineurally or intravenously combined with local anaesthetic for interscalene brachial plexus block.
METHODS: Following a search of various electronic databases, we included 11 trials (1145 patients). The primary outcome was the duration of analgesia defined as the time between peripheral nerve block or onset of sensory blockade and the time to first analgesic request or initial report of pain.
RESULTS: The primary outcome, duration of analgesia, was greater in the perineural dexamethasone group, with a mean difference (95% confidence interval) of 122 (62-183) min, I2=73%, P<0.0001. Trial sequential analysis indicated that firm evidence had been reached. The quality of evidence was downgraded to low, mainly because of moderate inconsistency and serious publication bias. No significant differences were present for any of the secondary outcomes, except for onset time of sensory and motor blockade and resting pain score at 12 h, but the magnitude of differences was not clinically relevant.
CONCLUSIONS: There is low-quality evidence that perineural administration of dexamethasone as a local anaesthetic adjunct increases duration of analgesia by an average of 2 h compared with intravenous injection for interscalene brachial plexus block. Given the limited clinical relevance of this difference, the off-label use of perineural administration, and the risk of drug crystallisation, we recommend intravenous dexamethasone administration.
UNASSIGNED: PROSPERO (CRD42023466147).

BACKGROUND: In an effort to shorten onset time, a common practice is to add lidocaine to bupivacaine. In the setting of infraclavicular block, it is unclear what the block characteristics of this practice are compared with bupivacaine alone. We hypothesized that bupivacaine alone increases the duration of motor block, sensory block, and postoperative analgesia while resulting in a slower onset time compared with a bupivacaine and lidocaine mixture.
METHODS: 40 patients receiving ultrasound-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block were randomly assigned to receive either 35 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine and 1% lidocaine or 0.5% bupivacaine, both associated with perineural adjuvants (epinephrine 5 µg/mL and dexamethasone 4 mg). After the block was performed, a blinded observer evaluated the success of the block, the onset time, and the incidence of surgical anesthesia. Postoperatively, a blinded observer contacted patients who had successful blocks to inquire about the duration of motor block, sensory block, postoperative analgesia, and the presence of rebound pain.
RESULTS: When comparing patients having bupivacaine alone versus bupivacaine and lidocaine, the mean (SD) motor block duration was 28.4 (5.2) vs 18.9 (3.1) hours, respectively; the mean difference 9.5 hours (95% CI 6.5 to 12.4; p<0.001); the mean (SD) sensory block duration was 29.3 (5.8) vs 18.7 (4.0) hours, respectively; the mean difference 10.6 hours (95% CI 7.1 to 14.0; p<0.001); the mean (SD) postoperative analgesia duration was 38.3 (7.4) vs 24.3 (6.6) hours, respectively; the mean difference 14 hours (95% CI 9.2 to 18.8; p<0.001); and the median (IQR) onset time was 35 (15) vs 20 (10) min, respectively; p<0.001. No other significant differences were detected.
CONCLUSIONS: Compared with mixed bupivacaine-lidocaine, 0.5% bupivacaine significantly prolongs sensorimotor block and postoperative analgesia at the expense of a delayed onset time.
BACKGROUND: NCT05834023.

BACKGROUND: Systematic descriptions of anatomical damage after brachial plexus injury (BPI) at the intradural level have been scarcely reported in detail. However, considering these damages, not only in the spinal nerve roots but also in the spinal cord itself, is crucial in determining the appropriate surgical approach to restore upper limb function and address refractory pain. Therefore, the authors present a descriptive study focusing on intradural findings observed during microsurgical DREZ-lesioning.
METHODS: This study enrolled 19 consecutive patients under the same protocol. Microsurgical observation through exposure of C4 to Th1 medullary segments allowed to describe the lesions in spinal nerve roots, meninges, and spinal cord. Electrical stimulation of the ventral roots checked the muscle responses.
RESULTS: Extensive damage was observed among the 114 explored roots (six roots per patient), with only 21 (18.4%) ventral (VR) and 17 (14.9%) dorsal (DR) roots retaining all rootlets intact. Damage distribution varied, with the most frequent impairments in C6 VRs (18 patients) and the least in Th1 VRs (14 patients), while in all the 19 patients for the C6 DRs (the most frequently impaired) and in 14 patients for Th1 DRs (the less impaired). C4 roots were found damaged in 12 patients. Total or partial avulsions affected 63.3% and 69.8% of DRs and VRs, respectively, while 15.8% and 14.0% of the 114 DRs and VRs were atrophic, maintaining muscle responses to stimulation in half of those VRs. Pseudomeningoceles were present in 11 patients but absent in 46% of avulsed roots. Adhesive arachnoiditis was noted in 12 patients, and dorsal horn parenchymal alterations in 10.
CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of intradural lesions post-BPI helps in guiding surgical indications for repair and functional neurosurgery for pain control.

Nerves in patients with diabetic neuropathy (DN) show increased susceptibility to local anesthetics, potentially requiring a decreased dose. We investigated whether the minimum effective anesthetic concentration (MEAC) of mepivacaine for successful axillary block is lower in patients with DN than in those without. This prospective observational study included patients with DN (n = 22) and without diabetes (n = 22) at a tertiary care center. Patients received an ultrasound-guided axillary block with 30 mL of mepivacaine for anesthesia. The mepivacaine concentration used in each patient was calculated using Dixon\'s up-and-down method. A block was considered successful if all four sensory nerves had a score of 1 or 2 within 30 min with no pain during surgery. The primary outcome was the MEAC of mepivacaine, and the secondary outcomes included the minimal nerve stimulation intensity for the musculocutaneous nerve and the occurrence of adverse events. The MEAC50 was 0.55% (95% CI 0.33-0.77%) in patients without diabetes and 0.58% (95% CI 0.39-0.77%) in patients with DN (p = 0.837). The MEAC90 was 0.98% (95% CI 0.54-1.42%) in patients without diabetes and 0.96% (95% CI 0.57-1.35%) in patients with DN (p = 0.949). The stimulation threshold for the musculocutaneous nerve was significantly different between groups (0.49 mA vs. 0.19 mA for patients with vs. without diabetes; p = 0.002). In conclusion, the MEAC of mepivacaine for a successful axillary block is not lower in patients with DN.