Effect of needle type on plane block spread in a cadaveric porcine model. BMJ Mil Health 2023 Aug;169(4):307-309
Date
07/17/2021Pubmed ID
34266972DOI
10.1136/bmjmilitary-2021-001827Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85110455152 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 1 CitationAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Plane blocks are an increasingly common type of regional anaesthesia technique in the perioperative period. Increased spread of local anaesthesia during plane blocks is thought to be related to an increased area of pain coverage. This study sought to assess differences in injectate spread comparing Tuohy needles with standard insulated stimulating block needles.
METHODS: 10 Yorkshire-Cross porcine cadavers were used in this study. Immediately following euthanasia, the cadavers underwent bilateral ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block injection with radiopaque contrast dye, with one side placed with a 20 g Tuohy needle, and the other side with a 20 g insulated stimulating block needle. Injectate spread was assessed using plain film X-ray and area of spread was measured to compare differences.
RESULTS: All 10 animals underwent successful ultrasound-guided TAP block placement. In all 10 animals, the area of contrast spread was greater with the Tuohy than stimulating needle. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyse the difference between the groups. The average difference between the two sides was 33.02% (p=0.002).
CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate differences in injectate spread with different needle types. This suggests enhanced spread with Tuohy needle compared with standard block needle, and may encourage its use during plane blocks.
Author List
Hughey S, Cole J, Booth GJ, Gliniecki R, Stedjelarsen EAuthor
Ross Gliniecki MD Assistant Professor in the Anesthesiology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsCadaver
Needles
Nerve Block
Swine
Ultrasonography
