[Prevalence of diaphragmatic paralysis after brachial plexus blockade by the posterior approach with 0.2% ropivacaine.].
OBJECTIVE
Brachial plexus blockade by the interscalene approach, described by Winnie, is one of the most effective techniques in promoting postoperative analgesia in surgeries of the shoulder. Diaphragmatic paralysis is one of the consequences of this technique. This paralysis can cause respiratory failure in patients with prior lung dysfunction. Brachial plexus blockade by the posterior approach has become increasingly more popular. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of diaphragmatic paralysis after interscalene brachial plexus blockade by the posterior approach with 0.2% ropivacaine.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients who underwent interscalene brachial plexus blockade by the posterior approach with 0.2% ropivacaine were evaluated in the postoperative period to identify radiological signs of elevation of the hemidiaphragm that could suggest hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. Forty mL of 0.2% ropivacaine were used in 20 patients; inspiratory chest X-rays were done in these patients. Twenty mL of 0.2% ropivacaine were used in two patients, with posterior fluoroscopic evaluation.


RESULTS
There were no complications related to the procedure. The anesthesia was effective in every patient, providing good postoperative analgesia. Every patient in this study presented elevation of the diaphragm compatible with hemidiaphragmatic paralysis.


CONCLUSIONS
We observed that brachial plexus blockade by the posterior approach is associated with a high prevalence of diaphragmatic paralysis, even with low concentrations of local anesthetics.
Cruvinel
Marcos Guilherme Cunha
MG
Hospital Lifecenter.
Castro
Carlos Henrique Viana de
CH
Silva
Yerkes Pereira
YP
Bessa Júnior
Roberto Cardoso
RC
França
Flávio de Oliveira
Fde O
Lago
Flávio
F