This article described the main theses of clinical guidelines of the Russian Federation of Anesthesiologists and Reanimatologists on postoperative pain management. The classification, etiology and pathogenesis of postoperative pain, the basic principles and algorithms for diagnosing pain, and the regional and systemic pharmacotherapy of pain in various fields of surgery are consistently presented. Multimodal analgesia is described in detail as a key concept of a current approach to the treatment of postoperative pain.

Background. The role and significance of the technical aspects of interscalene brachial plexus block in the occurrence of sudden arterial hypotension and bradycardia events during shoulder arthroscopy in a semi-sitting position are ambiguous. Aim. The study aimed to assess the effect of interscalene brachial plexus block on the incidence of hypotension-bradycardia events during shoulder arthroscopic surgery in adolescents in a semi-sitting position. Materials and methods. This retrospective analysis of anesthesia protocols included 288 patients who underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery in a semi-sitting position under the interscalene brachial plexus block. Regional blockades were performed with neurostimulation in Group 1 (n = 23), neurostimulation and ultrasound navigation without repositioning the needle in Group 2 (n = 70), and neurostimulation and ultrasound navigation with multiple precision repositioning the needle in Group 3 (n = 195). Results. Hypotension-bradycardia events were detected in 26 patients out of 288 (9%). There was a statistically significant difference in the frequency of hypotension-bradycardia in all groups: 10 (43.48%) in Group 1, 15 (21.43%) in Group 2, and 1 (0.51%) in Group 3 (p = 0.000). A direct correlation between hypotension-bradycardia episodes and local anesthetic volume (r = 0.405; p 0.05), and Horners syndrome (r = 0.684, p 0.05) was found. Conclusions. Interscalene brachial plexus block with a target delivery of low volume of local anesthetic and dual navigation reduces the risk of hypotension-bradycardia. Horners syndrome can be considered an early predictor of hypotension-bradycardia events.

An accidental intrathecal tranexamic acid injection is a rare but extremely unpleasant case, which can lead to severe complications, including death. This review aimed to describe the clinical, pathophysiological changes and outcomes occurring in patients with unintentional tranexamic acid subarachnoid injection during spinal anesthesia. The review includes studies published in PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and the Russian Science Citation Index databases. There were 31 reports (27 literature reports and 4 own observations) of unintended tranexamic acid administration during spinal anesthesia, including 12 cases in traumatology and orthopedics, 11 cases in cesarean section, and 8 cases in urology and general surgery. Typical signs and symptoms reported by the authors include severe pain in the lower back, buttocks, and lower extremities, seizure syndrome, marked tachycardia and arterial hypertension, and ventricular arrhythmias. Ten (32.1%) patients recovered without any consequences and six (19.4%) patients required long-term rehabilitation after hospital discharge due to severe neurological deficits or cognitive impairment. Of 11 females, 9 died during cesarean section and 4 of 12 patients died in traumatology and orthopedics. Overall, 15 (48.4%) patients had a fatal outcome. An unintentional subarachnoid tranexamic acid injection is a catastrophic event with extremely high patient risk and is accompanied by high mortality, especially in obstetric practice. Intensive care should include intravenous propofol or sevoflurane inhalation in the case of unintentional intrathecal tranexamic acid injection, and cerebrospinal fluid lavage is promising. Developing a formalized protocol for intrathecal administration of local anesthetic solutions is advisable to avoid errors associated with accidental drug administration not intended for spinal anesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding at the puncture site during neuraxial blocks is a potentially dangerous complication, and its risk is significantly increased in patients receiving antithrombotic therapy. CLINICAL CASE DESCRIPTION: Patient S. (aged 60 years) was admitted to the department of vascular surgery (Vladivostok). He was diagnosed with Leriches syndrome, for which he took 100 mg of aspirin and 75 mg of clopidogrel. On January 12, 2022, combined spinal-epidural anesthesia was performed, and the epidural space was punctured on the fourth attempt. However, massive bleeding was observed from the puncture site. Intraoperatively, before the great vessels were clamped, 100 units/kg of heparin (8000 units) was administered. After the operation, the epidural puncture site was revised: the sticker was soaked with hemorrhagic discharge and removed, and a new sticker was applied. On January 12, 2022, nadroparin calcium 9500 IU anti-Xa/ml 0.3 mL was given two times a day in the ICU. On the same day, intensive bleeding was noted in the area where the epidural catheter was located. This was treated locally with cold and two doses of fresh frozen plasma. On January 13, 2022, magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine showed the spinal cord without displacement and compression, the puncture area had no signs of bleeding, the epidural catheter was removed, and the patient was discharged for outpatient treatment on day 7. CONCLUSION: To reduce bleeding risk in neuraxial blockade, the recommendations for preparing for surgery patients receiving anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy must be followed, and the pharmacokinetics of antithrombotic drugs must be taken into account. If puncture and catheterization of the epidural space are technically difficult, manipulation should be abandoned.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of interscalene brachial plexus block versus combined suprascapular and axillary nerves block for shoulder arthroscopy. Methods: In this prospective study 174 patients were operated on the shoulder joint by the arthroscopic method under combined anesthesia. In the 1st group (n=96), for the purpose of analgesia, patients got interscalene brachial plexus block; in the 2nd group (n=78), patients received suprascapular and axillary nerves block. Ultrasound visualization and neurostimulation were used in both groups. Recorded the time from the start of blockade to the start of the operation, as well as the duration of the sensory and motor blockade. The intensity of postoperative pain was assessed with a 10-point Numeric rating scale, the need for additional analgesia, the quality of night sleep, and patient comfort. Neurological complications were also recorded. Results: There were no differences in the time from the admit patients to the operating room and before the start surgery. The analgesic effect in the early postoperative period in the 1st group was higher, but by the end of the first day there was no statistical difference between the groups in the intensity of the pain syndrome. Intake of non-narcotic and narcotic analgesics was higher in the 2nd group. Complications were noted only for the 1st group: diaphragm paresis in 6 (6.25%) patients, in 2 (2.08%) recurrent laryngeal nerve blockade. Satisfaction with postoperative analgesia was 100% in patients of the 2nd group. The choice of regional anesthesia for arthroscopic interventions on the shoulder did not affect the length of hospitalization. Conclusion: Selective anesthesia of the suprascapular and axillary nerves during shoulder arthroscopic surgery is an alternative of interscalene brachial plexus block; it is not associated by respiratory and neurological complications; does not violate movements in the distal upper limb, reduces psychological discomfort and anxiety of patients.