Sudden hypotensive and/or bradycardic events occur during shoulder surgery in the sitting position during interscalene block. In this study, we demonstrated that the presence of epinephrine in the local anesthetic mixture significantly increases the incidence of these events.

We conducted this prospective, randomized study to compare the analgesic effect of femoral nerve block and IV fentanyl administration when given to facilitate the sitting position for spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery for femoral shaft fracture. Five minutes before the placement of spinal block, group FEM patients (n = 10) received a femoral nerve block with lidocaine 1.5% 15 mL, and group IVA patients (n = 10) received IV fentanyl 3 microg/kg. Visual analog scale values during positioning (median and range) were lower in group FEM: 0.5 (0-1) versus 3 (2-6) (P < 0.001). Time to perform spinal anesthesia (mean +/- sd) was shorter in group FEM: 1.8 +/- 0.7 min versus 3.0 +/- 1.1 min (P < 0.05). Quality of patient positioning for spinal anesthesia (0 = not satisfactory, 1 = satisfactory, 2 = good, and 3 = optimal) (median and range) was higher in group FEM: 3 (2-3) versus 1.5 (1-3) (P < 0.005). Patient acceptance was less in group IVA (P < 0.05). In one group IVA patient, an oxygen saturation <90% was recorded during the procedure. We conclude that femoral nerve block is more advantageous than IV administration of fentanyl to facilitate the sitting position for spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery for femoral shaft fractures.

The 2-injection technique offers a success rate in blocking the 3 nerves innervating the hand similar to that obtained with the 3-injection technique. The latter approach should be considered when the musculocutaneous nerve distribution is involved in the surgical area.

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A triple-injection method of axillary block in which the ulnar nerve was not purposely located provides a spread and a latency of sensory block equal to that obtained with a 4-injection technique. A shorter performance time is an advantage of this approach.