[Carotid-surgery in ultrasound-guided anesthesia of the regio colli lateralis]

Carotid endarterectomy significantly reduces the risk of stroke in patients with symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis. An increasing number of interventions in carotid surgery are performed under regional anesthesia in conscious patients. Carotid endarterectomy in local anesthesia requires block of the cervical nerves C2-C4, which may be accomplished in different ways. The most frequent method of regional anesthesia in carotid surgery is a combined block of profunda and superficial cervical plexus (by using a nerve stimulator). Ultrasound is frequently used in anesthesia for venous access and peripheral nerve block. By ultrasound, it is possible to visualize puncture needle and spread of local anesthetics at the correct position for block of cervical plexus in carotid surgery. The aim of the case reports was to demonstrate the effectiveness of using ultrasound for regional anesthesia in carotid surgery.

At the level of carotid bifurcation, scalene muscles were visualized by ultrasound (10-MHz-transducer). At this position, a puncture needle was inserted in the beam of ultrasound. Between the anterior scalene and the sternocleidomastoid muscles the local anesthetics were injected (10 ml prilocaine 1 %, 20 ropivacaine 0.375 %). In addition, superficial cervical plexus was performed by subcutaneous injection (10 ml prilocaine 1 %, 40 ropivacaine 0.375 %). Sedation was performed by application of remifentanil (max. 0.02 microg/kg/min), as needed.

Ultrasound guided cervical block was performed in 29 patients. In all cases cervical plexus block was complete. A conversion to general anesthesia during operation was not necessary in any case.

Ultrasound presents an alternative to cervical block using nerve stimulation, especially in patients with anatomical abnormalities. The method proves to be effective and may improve the approach to profundeal cervical plexus.