Continuous
brachial plexus analgesia is a cheap, safe and effective treatment option
compared to standard chronic medication for patients with long-standing,
refractory CRPS.
The
implantation of the spinal catheter into the brachial plexus shows a
significant analgesic effect among CRPS patients but only until the approach is
in process. The data behind this news was taken from the study, recently
presented by Handchir Mikrochir plast Chir journal. Andrzej Zyluk and
Piotr Puchalski, researchers of the study, conducted this analysis to evaluate
effects of bupivacaine
to reduce pain among CRPS patients when injected into brachial plexus via
spinal catheter approach. The report involved a total of 10 female patients
suffered from CRPS from average 3.5 years before therapy. The mean baseline
numeric analogue scale (NRS) for pain noticed was 8.3. The Budapest criteria were used to diagnose
CRPS. The open axillary method was used
to introduce the spinal catheter into the brachial plexus.
A total of 4.4 (mean) spinal catheter implants
range from 2 - 8 were given to each of the patients. After an immediate
introduction of bupivacaine injection, a fast and significant reduction in pain
was noticed. The NRS score decreased from 8.3 to 1.6.
The relief from pain was till the time treatment
was in processing (5.3 months). Once the treatment ceased, the pain again returned
to the baseline pain score. No permanent
pain relief was seen during the whole analysis. This reflects that continuous
brachial plexus analgesia is useful but only in their implementation period.
Handchir Mikrochir plast Chir
Pain control in chronic, refractory CRPS by continuous brachial plexus analgesia
Andrzej Zyluk, Piotr Puchalski
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