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Background and Aims: Chronic perineal pain (CPP) is a poorly localized pain. Its etiology may be benign or malignant. The ganglion impar is a solitary retroperitoneal structure at sacrococcygeal junction. It provides the nociceptive and sympathetic supply to the perineal structures. CPP has been effectively managed by ganglion impar block. Here, we describe a case series of neurolytic ganglion impar block by transcoccygeal approach, analyzing its safety and efficacy. Material and Methods: In this study, five consecutive patients who were given ganglion impar block for CPP using a transcoccygeal approach were followed up for 2 months. The visual analog scale (VAS) score for pain at presentation, time required for the pain to reduce by 50% after the block, VAS during a 2-month follow-up, time required to perform the procedure, number of attempts, and any complications were noted. Results: All the five patients had an excellent pain relief. The mean duration for decrease in VAS by 50% was 14.8 ± 3.1 min. The mean duration to perform the procedure was 10.2 ± 1.5 min. There were no complications. All the patients had clinically significant pain relief with VAS score of 2 till 2-month follow-up. Conclusion: Transcoccygeal ganglion impar block may offer a safe and effective treatment option for CPP as compared to opioids. This approach for neurolysis of the ganglion impar may be recommended in view of the direct course, appreciable end point, and smaller volume of neurolytic requirement.

Background and Aims: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of addition of dexmedetomidine on the duration of analgesia in patients undergoing upper limb surgeries under supraclavicular brachial plexus block. Material and Methods: Sixty patients of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I/II/III undergoing elective upper limb surgeries under supraclavicular brachial plexus block using nerve stimulator were randomized into two groups. Group A (n = 30) received 30 mL 0.5% ropivacaine and 1 mL normal saline, and Group B (n = 30) received 30 mL 0.5% ropivacaine and 1 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine. The primary outcome was the duration of analgesia. Secondary outcomes included time to onset and duration of sensory/motor blockade. Statistical Analysis: Results on continuous measurements are presented as mean ± standard deviation and compared using Student's unpaired t-test. Results on categorical measurements are presented in number (%) and compared using Chi-square test. Results: Onset of sensory and motor block in Group A (13.0 ± 4.1 and 23.5 ± 5.6 min) was slower than those in Group B (9.5 ± 5.8 and 15.6 ± 6.3 min; P = 0.009 for sensory and P < 0.001 for the motor block). Duration of sensory and motor block in Group A (400.8 ± 86.6 and 346.9 ± 76.9 min) was shorter than those in Group B (630.6 ± 208.2 and 545.9 ± 224.0 min; (P < 0.001). The duration of analgesia in Group A (411.0 ± 91.2 min) was shorter than that in Group B (805.7 ± 205.9 min; P < 0.001). The incidence of bradycardia and hypotension was higher in Group B than in Group A (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Perineural dexmedetomidine with ropivacaine provides prolonged postoperative analgesia, hastens the onset of sensory and motor block and prolongs the duration of the supraclavicular brachial plexus block.

Local anesthesia is commonly used to perform cataract surgery. We present a case in which local anesthesia systemic toxicity, which occurred after peribulbar block. It is a life-threatening complication if it is not recognized early and appropriately resuscitated can be fatal. This case report attempts to highlight the need for trained personnel, with suitable monitoring and recent guidelines in the management of local anesthesia systemic toxicity surgery under a regional technique.

Prader-Willi syndrome is a rare congenital disorder characterized by obesity, hypotonia, hypogonadism and developmental delay. The genetic disorder is caused by microdeletion on chromosome 15 on the paternal chromosome. The syndrome is a 2-stage disorder with hypotonic early infantile phase and an obese childhood phase. These individuals have abnormal physiologic response to hypoxia and hypercapnia, narrow oropharyngeal space, thick secretions and exaggerated response to sedatives posing increased anaesthetic risk. We describe the anaesthetic management of a patient with PraderWilli syndrome where in laparoscopic orchidopexy was performed successfully under general anaesthesia.

Anterior mediastinal mass is a rare pathology that presents considerable anesthetic challenges due to cardiopulmonary compromise. We present a case that was referred to us in the third trimester of pregnancy with severe breathlessness and orthopnea. An elective cesarean delivery was performed under combined spinal epidural anesthesia with a favorable outcome. We discuss the perioperative considerations in these patients with a review of the literature.

Tetraology of Fallot is the most common congenital heart disease causing intracardiac right-left shunts. It is characterized by presence of ventricular septal defect, aortic overriding, pulmonary artery outflow obstruction and right ventricular hypertrophy. When these features are associated with atrial septal defect, it is often referred to as Pentology of Fallot (POF). If the lesions remain uncorrected, they can cause significant morbidity and mortality to the patient. Pregnancy and labour in such a patient present with significant haemodynamic changes, which can be challenging to the anaesthesiologist. Our patient with POF was managed with labour analgesia and subsequently epidural anaesthesia for drainage of vulval haematoma with successful outcome.

With improvement in health care, improved access to hospitals and better imaging modalities, huge abdominal tumours are rarely seen in modern day surgical practice. They present many challenges to anaesthesiologists. Difficult intubations, life threatening cardiovascular and pulmonary complications, are commonly encountered. Management of such cases is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. The consequences of surgery are mainly attributable to the size of the mass rather than to its distinctive pathology. We hereby report a very rare case of a giant ovarian cyst weighing 57kg, which was successfully managed by a careful pre-operative evaluation, maintenance of intraoperative haemodynamic and fluid management.

Monoparesis following lumbar epidural block is a rare occurrence, with few cases reported in the literature. We report development of transient brachial monoparesis following epidural anesthesia in a parturient for cesarean section. The patient received a mixture of 15 mL of 2% lignocaine with 50 mcg fentanyl epidurally to achieve a blockade up to T6 level. She remained hemodynamically stable throughout the procedure, with no respiratory distress or desaturation. However, near the end of surgery, she developed weakness in the right upper limb. The weakness lasted for 90 min, followed by complete neurological recovery. Subsequent hospital stay was uneventful.