Supraclavicular Approach of Lobectomy Improves Quality of Life for Patients With Unilateral Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma: A Prospective Cohort Study

ObjectivePostoperative neck symptoms, including pain, swelling, uncomfortable feelings during swallowing, and incision adhesion formation, are common in patients after lobectomy through the traditional middle neck approach. A new unilateral supraclavicular approach is proposed to protect the anterior cervical region and reduce related complications. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy, safety, and advantages of the supraclavicular approach in lobectomy for unilateral papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC).MethodsTwo hundred sixty-three patients were recruited into either a conventional middle group (CM) or a new supraclavicular (NS) group. Clinicopathological features, surgically related variables, and postoperative symptoms were recorded. Quality of life (QOL) of all patients was assessed by the 12-item short-form health survey (SF-12) and thyroid cancer-specific QOL (THYCA-QoL) questionnaire in 3 and 12 months.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences in clinicopathological features (including sex, age, multifocality, extrathyroidal extension, histological variants, largest tumor diameter, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, metastasized central lymph node, removed central lymph node, surgeon, BRAF mutation, and follow-up duration), hospitalization (including hospital cost, surgery time, and blood loss during surgery), and complications between the two groups. Patients who underwent lobectomy through the NS approach had significantly better SF-12 physical, mental, and THYCA-QoL than the CM group patients in both 3 and 12 months (all p < 0.001). Moreover, the NS group had a shorter hospitalization time.ConclusionIn conclusion, the NS approach for lobectomy is a safe and effective method for reducing postoperative symptoms and increasing QOL in patients with unilateral PTMC in both 3 and 12 months’ follow-up.

Ultrasound Guided Brachiocephalic Vein Cannulation using Supraclavicular Approach

The need of central vein cannulation has been increased since the increased case of critical patients and patients underwent high-risk patients. Supraclavicular approach of central vein cannulation is an alternative approach to central vein cannulation due to fewer anatomical variance, good longitudinal vein view, better visualization of needle during procedure, clear demarcation of landmarks, larger target area, better patient comfort, and fewer complications. This case study presents an ultrasound guided central vein cannulation using supraclavicular approach in 30 year old male patient diagnosed with septic shock, anemia, trombcytopenia, and electrolyte imbalance post laparotomy. The indication of central vein cannulation in the patient was to deliver volume resuscitation, to provide emergency vein access, to provide nutritional support, to deliver chemically caustic agents, and central vein pressure monitoring.

The Venerable Subclavian Line

In this treatise, we will address one of the higher-risk procedures, subclavian vein cannulation, that a practitioner may undertake in the care of complex patients. All cardiothoracic surgeons and their trainees will need, on occasion, to put in central lines in a variety of circumstances, including in the operating room, in the intensive care unit, in emergency circumstances, and, occasionally, when other practitioners have been unsuccessful in their attempts to place a central line. We will describe, in detail, the anatomy of the subclavian vein, the preparation of the patient for subclavian vein cannulation, the infraclavicular approach to cannulation of the vein, and a few notes about the supraclavicular approach to the subclavian vein. It is self-evident that the priorities of central venous cannulation include safety of insertion, minimizing clot formation, and avoiding infection. We will dwell primarily on the principles of safe subclavian line insertion.

Ultrasound Guided Brachiocephalic Vein Cannulation using Supraclavicular Approach

The need of central vein cannulation has been increased since the increased case of critical patients and patients underwent high-risk patients. Supraclavicular approach of central vein cannulation is an alternative approach to central vein cannulation due to fewer anatomical variance, good longitudinal vein view, better visualization of needle during procedure, clear demarcation of landmarks, larger target area, better patient comfort, and fewer complications. This case study presents an ultrasound guided central vein cannulation using supraclavicular approach in 30 year old male patient diagnosed with septic shock, anemia, trombcytopenia, and electrolyte imbalance post laparotomy. The indication of central vein cannulation in the patient was to deliver volume resuscitation, to provide emergency vein access, to provide nutritional support, to deliver chemically caustic agents, and central vein pressure monitoring.

Subclavian vein catheterization: Comparative evaluation of supraclavicular versus infraclavicular approach in oncology patients

The subclavian vein is the preferred site for central venous catheter insertion because of its several advantages. Infraclavicular is the commonly used approach while supraclavicular is less popular approach for catheterizing the subclavian vein. The aim of the study was to compare supraclavicular and infraclavicular approach of subclavian vein catheterization in terms of number of attempts, success rate, access time for catheterization and to record the complications associated with the procedure. In this study, 120 patients of inclusion criteria were placed either in group supraclavicular (SC) or group infraclavicular (IC) for subclavian vein catheterization using modified Seldinger technique under general or local anaesthesia.Chi square test was used to compare success rate and independent T test for access time of catheterization between two groups. First attempt success rate in group SC was 81.66% and in group IC was 66.66%. But overall success rate was 93.33% in group SC, whereas it was 90% in group IC. This was not statistically significant with p value of 0.5. Time taken for successful catheterization was 252.98 ± 76.27 seconds in group SC and 314.98 ± 121.28 seconds in group IC. This was statistically significant with p value of 0.001.Right brachiocephalic vein tear was the only complication in entire study which occurred in group IC. Subclavian vein catheterization via supraclavicular approach was a faster approach than infraclavicular, whereas both were comparable in terms of success rate.

COMPARISON OF EFFECT OF 0.25% BUPIVACAINE ALONE AND 0.25% BUPIVACAINE WITH DEXMEDETOMIDINE IN BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK THROUGH SUPRACLAVICULAR APPROACH

BACKGROUND AND AIM:Brachial plexus block is a safe, effective, low-cost anesthesia with good postoperative analgesia. Adjuvants to local anesthetics may enhance the quality and duration of analgesia. The aim of the study was to study the efcacy of a combination of 0.25% bupivacaine alone versus 0.25% bupivacaine and dexmedetomidine in brachial plexus block by supraclavicular approach. METHODS: This is a prospective double-blind study conducted on sixty patients of ASA1 and ASA2 posted for upper limb surgeries, randomized in a double-blind fashion into two groups. Group A (N-30) received 34ml of 0.25% bupivacaine with 0.5ml of distilled water and group B (N-30) received 0.5ml dexmedetomidine (50 μg) with 34ml of 0.25% bupivacaine as supraclavicular brachial plexus block with help of a nerve stimulator. Onset and recovery time of sensory and motor block, duration of analgesia, sedation scores, quality of block, and side effects compared in both groups. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were well matched in both groups. The intraoperative hemodynamic recording was done at 15 min time intervals from the administration of the drugs. There was a reduction in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure 30 mins onwards in both groups. There was no signicant difference in the onset of sensory and motor blocks. Duration of sensory block was 299.57 ± 35.94 mins in Group A and 782.2 ± 82.76 mins in Group B, duration of motor block was 272.17 ± 37.31 mins versus 755.63 +/- 86.6 mins respectively, total duration of analgesia was 321 ± 35.46 mins versus 815.80 +/- 88.1 mins respectively. Ramsay sedation score was similar at arrival in both groups but in post-op, the score of 3 was noted in 0% (0/ 30) in Gr A and 93.3% (28/ 30) in Gr B . Quality of analgesia was also better in Group B. There were no signicant adverse events noted in both groups. CONCLUSION: This double-blind Randomized Controlled study showing the combination of dexmedetomidine 50 μg with 34ml of 0.25% bupivacaine is better than 0.5ml of distilled water with 34ml of 0.25% bupivacaine in the duration of sensory and motor block, with better sedation and quality of analgesia with the good safety prole in brachial plexus block by supraclavicular approach.

The Anatomy Table – Is it the Future Learning Tool for Regional Anaesthesiologists?

Cadaveric dissection has been the main stay of anatomy training for regional anaesthesia over the years. Advent of advance visualisation hardware and software has revolutionised anatomy teaching and it is only a matter of time before this technology transcends into regional anaesthesia training. This article demonstrates the innumerable capabilities of virtual dissection table using one specific use case- the supraclavicular approach to the brachial plexus block. Keywords: Simulation, Virtual dissection, Virtual anatomy

Surgical bypass from the left common carotid artery to the left subclavian artery: Supraclavicular approach

To create an optimal landing zone (zone 2) in the aortic arch for concomitant or subsequent thoracic endovascular aortic repair of aortic diseases (aneurysm, dissection), surgeons frequently need to debranch the supra-aortic vessels. In this video tutorial, we present an alternative to our 2 other video tutorials for surgical debranching of the left subclavian artery (link; link). Depending on patient-specific characteristics, surgical preference and local experience, the surgeon chooses the approach. Here we show how to safely perform a supraclavicular left common carotid artery-to-left subclavian artery bypass.