Objectives: In this study, we aimed to compare the postoperative analgesic efficiency of an ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block and a 3 in 1 block in patients who underwent hip prosthesis surgery as a result of hip fracture.
Methods: With approval from the local ethics committee, 70 patients, aged 20 to 80, undergoing hip prosthesis surgery under elective conditions were included in this randomized, prospective, controlled study. They were informed of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device and visual analog scale (VAS). All patients were separated randomly into three groups. Anaesthesia induction was standardized for all groups. An ultrasound guidance fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) was applied to the first group before anaesthesia induction. For the second group, a 3 in 1 block was applied, while for the control group no block was applied. After incision on all patients, 20 mg tenoxicam and 1 mg/kg tramadol were injected intravenously. Following surgery, IV tramadol PCA was begun on all patients routinely. In our study, the presence of cortisol and ACTH levels, hemodinamical parameters, nausea and sedation were determined.
Results: We observed a decrease in VAS values and opioid consumption, no adverse effects on nausea and sedation, and a suppression of stress hormones in both the ultrasound-guided FICB and 3 in 1 block groups.
Conclusion: We believe that the safe and efficient application of the ultrasound-guided 3 in 1 block and the FICB is necessary in multimodal analgesic treatment in order to enable postoperative analgesia in hip prosthesis surgery.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of sufentanil added to low-dose hyperbaric bupivacaine in unilateral spinal anaesthesia for outpatients undergoing knee arthroscopy.
Methods: Sixty two patients (ASA I-II) aged 20 to 50 who were planning on undergoing a knee arthroscopy were enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Unilateral spinal anaesthesia with 1ml 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine was administered to Group B (n=33); and unilateral spinal anaesthesia with 0.5ml (2.5μg) sufentanil added to 1ml hyperbaric bupivacaine was administered to Group BS (n=29).
Results: There were no statistically significant differences observed between the groups in terms of demographic data, hemodynamic parameters, maximum sensorial, sympathetic and motor block levels, time to motor block resolution, and time of discharge (p>0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of two segments regression time (Group B=52 min., Group BS=59 min.), ambulation time (Group B=147 min., Group BS=157 min.) and urination time (Group B=136 min., Group BS=149 min.) (p<0.05). In this study, no itching was observed in Group B, whereas seven patients in Group BS were observed as having postoperative itching (p<0.05).
Conclusion: All patients were successfully given unilateral spinal anaesthesia with sufentanil added to low-dose hyperbaric bupivacaine for an outpatient knee arthroscopy, without affecting the time of discharge. However, for one-day interventions such as arthroscopy, it was concluded that administration of only low-dose hyperbaric bupivacaine was sufficient.

Objectives: This study aimed at determining the short-, mid- and long-term effects of a triple shoulder injection accompanied by fluoroscopy on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) values in patients with chronic shoulder pain.
Methods: The study was conducted by retrospective investigation of the files of 92 patients experiencing chronic shoulder pain, and on whom a triple shoulder injection with 40 mg methylprednisolone and 25 mg bupivacaine accompanied by fluoroscopy was applied between January 01, 2011 and August 31, 2012.
Results: 1st week, 1st - 6th month, and 1st year VAS values were significantly lower when compared to the basal VAS values from a statistical point of view (p<0.001). However, VAS values corresponding to the 6th month and 1st year were significantly higher than the VAS values corresponding to the 1st week and 1st month when considered statistically (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Triple shoulder injection accompanied by fluoroscopy applied on patients with chronic shoulder pain is effective in short-, mid- and long-term, but its mid- and long-term effectiveness is less than its short-term effectiveness.

Objectives: In this randomized, controlled, blind study, a combined sciatic-femoral nerve block with levobupivacaine was compared with a unilateral spinal anaesthesia with respect to effectiveness, patient and surgeon satisfaction, and the effect on postoperative pain in arthroscopic knee surgery.
Methods: Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group I (n=20) received a combined sciatic-femoral nerve block with levobupivacaine 0.5% totalling 40 ml. In group II (n=20), a spinal anaesthesia in the lateral decubitus position (ULSA) with 7.5mg levobupivacaine 0.5% was performed, and patients were kept in the same position to achieve an anaesthesia level of T12 (maximum 10 minutes). The development of motor and sensorial block on both sides and onset time to surgical anaesthesia were recorded. The time required for the postoperative recovery score to be ≥12 was recorded. In the postoperative period, postoperative analgesia (VAS), motor block, side effects, and patient and surgeon satisfaction were recorded at the 1st, 3rd, 6th and 12th hours.
Results: Time of readiness for surgery was significantly shorter in Group II (p<0.05). All patients were satisfied with both techniques. There were no differences in judgement between the groups. VAS scores at the 6th hour were significantly lower in group I than in group II (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Combined sciatic-femoral nerve block for outpatient arthroscopic knee surgery offers satisfactory anaesthesia, with a clinical profile similar to that of low-dose spinal anesthesia. Sciatic-femoral nerve blocks are associated with significantly lower pain scores during the first 6 postoperative hours.

Objectives: Following mastectomy, 50% of patients have chronic postoperative pain. Studies have shown that a paravertebral block is an effective method of analgesia as well as anaesthesia. The aim of this study is to compare postoperative pain values and opioid consumption after a single dose of 150 mg levobupivacaine with a thoracic paravertebral block in patients undergoing mastectomy.
Methods: Enrolled in the study were forty patients, aged 20 to 65, diagnosed with breast cancer, and undergoing modified radical mastectomy and axillary dissection. Patients were randomized into two groups, as control group (group K, n=20) and thoracic paravertebral group (Group T, n=20). Postoperative pain values were recorded at 0, 1st, 6th, 12th and 24th hour at rest, using a 0-10 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Additional quantities of postoperative tramadol (1.5 mg/kg, iv infusion) were recorded.
Results: Postoperatively, at 0, 1st, 6th, 12th and 24th hour, patients in the control group had significantly higher VAS values than the group treated with a thoracic paravertebral block (p<0.01). Compared to VAS scores at postoperative 0 h, there was a statistically significant decrease in VAS scores at 1st, 6th, 12th and 24th hour in both groups (p<0.01). Additional use of tramadol was significantly lower in group T (p<0.01).
Conclusion: A paravertebral block with a single dose of 150 mg levobupivacaine before general anaesthesia in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection decreases postoperative pain values and the need for analgesics during the postoperative 24 hours.

A major advantage of ultrasound (US) has been reduction in the amount of local anaesthetic (LA) needed for successful blocks. Reduced LA requirement reduces the risk of LA toxicity when multiple blocks are to be done for surgery of more than one extremity in the same patient. The 38-year-old female was scheduled for elective surgery of polydactilia in her right foot and syndactili in her right hand. A sciatic nerve block and an infraclavicular block were applied to the patient, with ultrasound guidance. The sciatic block was performed at the popliteal level in figure of four position in prone position. The lateral sagital technique was used for the infraclavicular block. Both blocks were successful, and the patient was ready for surgery 30 minutes after block performances. The patient didn’t need any additional anaesthetic or analgesic during the operation. Surgery was performed uneventfully on both extremities. This is the first case report in the literature in which multiple blocks were applied to two different extremities, the leg and arm. In conclusion, our case report is a good example of multiple blocks in different extremities being performed successfully and safely according to US guidance and using low doses of local anaesthetics.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a disease characterized especially by pain, swelling, limited range of motion, vasomotor instability and patchy bone demineralization in the extremities. In this case, we report a 46-year-old woman diagnosed with CRPS type 1, whose complaints, such as swelling in the left hand, pain, and limitation of movement, started 2 months after a fracture of the distal phalanx in the left 4th finger. Her complaints were reduced with treatment of calcitonin, gabapentin, calcium and vitamin D3, retrograde edema massage, contrast baths, conventional TENS, pulsed ultrasound, desensitization and exercise with range of joint motion. CRPS type 1 should be considered in the differential diagnosis of upper limb pains which start after a fracture of the distal phalanx.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common of the neuromuscular disorders. DMD is usually a challenge for the anaesthesiologist, with poor cardiac function, a high risk of developing rhabdomyolysis, and the probable life-threatening complications of general anaesthesia. To avoid possible morbidity associated with general anaesthesia, we applied a supraclavicular blockade. In this report, we present a 17-year-old DMD patient with a massive rhabdomyosarcoma, for whom a left arm amputation was indicated. In the post-operative period, a malignant hyperthermia-like reaction occurred, which resolved in a short time. We suggest a regional blockade as a safer alternative to general anaesthesia for the management of high risk DMD patients during orthopedic procedures.

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) present challenges for anesthesiologists particularly about airway management because of the limited or no cervical spine mobility, fixed flexion deformity of thoracolomber spine and possible temporomandibular joint disease.[1,2] We describe an alternative method to prepare these patients for ventral hernia repair.