Korean J Anesthesiol.  2009 Nov;57(5):579-583. 10.4097/kjae.2009.57.5.579.

The effects of local anesthetic distribution on symptoms using ultrasound image after stellate ganglion block

• Son MK
• Chung RK
• Kim YJ
• Kim DY
• Lee HS
• Han JI

• KMID: 2092243
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2009.57.5.579

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of local anesthetic distribution on symptoms using ultrasound image after C6 stellate ganglion block (SGB).
METHODS
Twenty-six patients underwent SGB via an anterior paratracheal approach at the sixth cervical level using 6 ml of 1% mepivacaine. We divided the patients into two groups by local anesthetic distribution using ultrasound image after SGB. In the group 'sub', injected local anesthetic was beneath the prevertebral fascia. In the group 'supra', some of injected local anesthetic was above the prevertebral fascia. The occurrence of Horner's syndrome, warm sensation on the face and hand, brachial plexus block, hoarseness, and foreign body sensation in the throat were evaluated. The skin temperature of the bilateral thumbs was measured pre and post SGB.
RESULTS
The occurrence of hoarseness and the foreign body sensation in the throat was significantly reduced in the group 'sub' than the group 'supra' (P<0.05). The skin temperature of the ipsilateral thumb significantly increased in both groups compared to the pre SGB values, and the change of the skin temperature significantly increased in the group 'sub' than the group 'supra' (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Subfascial distribution of local anesthetic under ultrasound image after SGB reduces the typical complications. It is more effective in the sympathetic block than suprafascial distribution.

Keyword

Hoarseness; Prevertebral fascia; Skin temperature; Stellate ganglion block; Ultrasound image

MeSH Terms

Brachial Plexus
Fascia
Foreign Bodies
Hand
Hoarseness
Horner Syndrome
Humans
Mepivacaine
Pharynx
Sensation
Skin Temperature
Stellate Ganglion
Thumb
Mepivacaine