Peripheral nerve blocks during COVID-19 pandemic as safer alternative to General anesthesia. A study from a Covid designated tertiary care hospital of north India.
- Resource Type
- Article
- Authors
- AMir, Shafat; Khan, Nadeem A.; Jehangir, Majid; Sofi, Khalid; Shah, Mohamad Akbar
- Source
- JK Practitioner. Oct-Dec2021, Vol. 26 Issue 4, p32-36. 5p.
- Subject
- *MEDICAL personnel
*NERVE block
*COVID-19 pandemic
*PERIPHERAL nervous system
*GENERAL anesthesia
*COVID-19
- Language
- ISSN
- 0971-8834
Background: The perioperative and intensive care management of COVID-19 patients that requires invasive airway management generating aerosols puts anesthesiologists at very high risk as compared to other health care professionals. This study was aimed to reduce the need for General Anesthesia and hence aerosol generation, by providing safe alternative in the form of peripheral nerve blocks whenever feasible in operation theatres hence reducing the risk of exposure to health care personnel and conserving oxygen during the pandemic. Methods: Patients scheduled for elective or emergency surgery during COVID-19 pandemic from April 2020 to June 2021 who were found eligible to receive an ultrasound guided peripheral nerve block were included in the study. All patients had their COVID-19 status checked before the surgery. Standard monitoring including NIBP, ECG, Sp02 were instituted in all patients. COVID-19 appropriate precautions were followed in all patients. Results: A total of 325 patients were enrolled in the study. During the study period 117 upper limb and 96 lower limb blocks were performed as sole anesthetic.92 truncal and 22 cervical blocks were performed in patients as addition to GA. Midazolam was the most common sedative and ropivacaine as most common local anesthetic used. Pneumothorax was the most common complication observed with Supraclavicular block. Conclusion:We conclude that peripheral nerve blocks are safer alternative to GA during COVID-19 pandemic. They reduce aerosol generation in the operating room and conserve important resources like oxygen which are in high demand especially during peak periods. Peripheral nerve blocks are preferred over general anesthesia in COVID- 19 patients where ever feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]