A randomised controlled comparison between stimulating and standard catheters for lumbar plexus block. (21st March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cappelleri, G.; Ghisi, D.; Ceravola, E.; Guzzetti, L.; Ambrosoli, A. L.; Gemma, M.; Cornaggia, G.
• Is Part Of: Anaesthesia. Volume 70:Number 8(2015:Aug.)
• Page Start: 948
• Page End: 955
• Publication Date: 2015-03-21
• Subjects: Anesthesia -- Periodicals; 617.96
• DOI: 10.1111/anae.13077
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-2409

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="anae13077-abs-0001"> <title>Summary</title> <p>The aim of this randomised, prospective, blinded study was to evaluate if stimulating catheters can decrease the minimum effective anaesthetic volume in 50% of patients during lumbar plexus block using mepivacaine 1.5% compared with standard catheters. Fifty‐eight patients of ASA physical status 1–3 were randomly allocated to receive a lumbar plexus block via a stimulating or standard catheter, with 29 in each group. The first dose was 30 ml and subsequent doses were determined using the up‐and‐down staircase method. The minimum effective anaesthetic volume₅₀ was 12.2 ml (95% CI 7.3–17.1 ml) using the stimulating catheter and 24.8 ml (95% CI 23.2–27.5 ml) with the standard catheter (p &lt; 0.0001). Complete lumbar plexus block was achieved with the initial dose of mepivacaine in 29 (100%) patients in the stimulating catheter group and 20 (69%) patients in the standard catheter group (p = 0.002). This study showed that use of a stimulating catheter halves the minimum effective anaesthetic volume₅₀ of mepivacaine 1.5% while increasing the success rate in patients receiving continuous lumbar plexus block.</p> </abstract>