In this talk given at the Royal College of Anaesthetists Virtual Seminar - Regional Anaesthesia Masterclass - on 24th March 2021, Dr Amit Pawa covers some of the important concepts in the rapidly emerging field of fascial plane blocks - this talk is broadly based on a presentation given at the Norwich Anaesthesia update earlier the same year which was not held live as planned due to COVID19 workforce issues
34. Soft Collagen-Containing
Loose & Dense Fibrous Connective Tissue
Permeates Whole Body
Skin
Superficial fascia
Deep Fascia
(multilayer)
Muscle & related fascia
Superficial adipose tissue
Deep adipose tissue
Loose connective tissue
What is Fascia?
@amit_pawa
35. Deep Fascia
Multiple layers, Fibrous
Extends through whole body
Target for Fascial plane blocks
Forms sheaths for nerves/vessels/organs
@amit_pawa
36. Deep Fascia Subtypes
Epimysial Aponeurotic
Thin Thick
Specific to 1 muscle May cover several muscles
Adherent to muscle Easily separated
PECS/TAP/Serratus Rectus Sheath/Adductor Canal
37. Deep Fascia Subtypes
Epimysial Aponeurotic
Thin Thick
Specific to 1 muscle May cover several muscles
Adherent to muscle Easily separated
PECS/TAP/Serratus Rectus Sheath/Adductor Canal
38. Lines of Fusion
Distinct fusion points
e.g. Linea Alba/Semilunaris
Creates a ācompartmentā
(Pathological LOF due to surgery/Adhesions)
Limit Spread - Good (rectus) & Bad!
@amit_pawa
40. Fascial Interconnectivity
Connections between fascia
Many Planes are continuous
Communicate without clear boundaries
Thoracolumbar Fascia
Endothoracic Fascia
Gluteal Fascia
May help Mechanism of Action
@amit_pawa
41. Not All fascias are the same
Number of layers
Pectoral region - 1
The Limbs - 2 or 3
Middle Thoracolumbar 2 or 3
Function & Mobility More mobile may
increase LA spread
Surrounding structures
Lungs/liver/spleen
IPPV vs SV
@amit_pawa
43. Mechanism of Action?
LA action on:
Nerves in the injected Plane
Nerves in adjacent Planes/tissue
Nerves in distant Planes/tissue
(Systemic Absorption)
Mechanisms of Action Of Fascial Plane Blocks - Jinn KJ, Lirk P, Hollmann M, Schwarz S - Ahead of Print RAPM 2021
@amit_pawa
44. What Nerves might the LA act on?
Cutaneous
Lat. cut. intercostal branches
(Serratus Plane)
Non-Cutaneous - usually silent Nociceptors
Muscle/Ligaments/Joint capsules/Bone/others in fascia
Upregulated in inflammation /injury
Motor Nerves
Some fibres still sensory/nociceptive
Blockade relieves spasm
@amit_pawa
56. (a)
(b)
Anaesthesia, 2011, 66, pages 1023ā1030
..............................................................................................
rsal extension with an anterior subcostal
ock. (b) Bilateral mid-axillary ultra-
(b)
Figure 8 (a) Bilateral ultrasound via the posterior approac
showing extension along the quadratus lumborum muscle
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Studies on the spread of local anaesthetic solution in
transversus abdominis plane blocks*
J. Carney,1
O. Finnerty,1
J. Rauf,1
D. Bergin,4
J. G. Laffey2
and J. G. Mc Donnell3
1 Registrar, 2 Professor, 3 Senior Clinical Lecturer, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine,
4 Senior Clinical Lecturer, Department of Radiology, Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland
Summary
The extent of analgesia provided by transversus abdominis plane blocks depends upon the site of
injection and pattern of spread within the plane. There are currently a number of ultrasound-
guided approaches in use, including an anterior oblique-subcostal approach, a mid-axillary
approach and a more recently proposed posterior approach. We wished to determine whether the
site of injection of local anaesthetic into the transversus abdominis plane affects the spread of the
local anaesthetic within that plane, by studying the spread of a local anaesthetic and contrast
solution in four groups of volunteers. The first group underwent the classical landmark-based
transversus abdominis plane block whereby two different volumes of injectate were studied:
0.3 ml.kg)1
vs 0.6 ml.kg)1
. The second group underwent transversus abdominis plane block using
the anterior subcostal approach. The third group underwent transversus abdominis plane block
using the mid-axillary approach. The fourth group underwent transversus abdominis plane block
using the posterior approach, in which local anaesthetic was deposited close to the antero-lateral
border of the quadratus lumborum. All volunteers subsequently underwent magnetic resonance
imaging at 1, 2 and 4 h following each block to determine the spread of local anaesthetic over time.
The studies demonstrated that the anterior subcostal and mid-axillary ultrasound approaches res-
ulted in a predominantly anterior spread of the contrast solution within the transversus abdominis
plane and relatively little posterior spread. There was no spread to the paravertebral space with the
anterior subcostal approach. The mid-axillary transversus abdominis plane block gave faint contrast
ORIGINAL ARTIC
Studies on the sp
transversus abdom
1 1
Anaesthesia, 2011, 66, pages 1023ā1030
..............................................................
US- Guided Posterior TAP spreads to PVS
@amit_pawa
59. ESP Mechanism?
PVB spread by Proxy?
jected dyes into the back muscles after retrolaminar (RL, right) and ESP block (ESP, left).
columbar fascia covering the erector spinae muscle was revealed. (b) The muscle ļ¬bre
The spread pattern of the dyes in the vertebral laminae was seen after removal of all bac
ocostalis; Lo, longissimus thoracis).
(b)
(c)
Anaesthesia 2018, 73, 1244ā1250
Original Article
Comparison of injectate spread and nerve involvement
between retrolaminar and erector spinae plane blocks in
the thoracic region: a cadaveric study
H.-M. Yang,1
Y. J. Choi,2
H.-J. Kwon,3
J. O,3
T. H. Cho3
and S. H. Kim4
1 Assistant Professor, 2 Instructor, 3 Research Assistant, Department of Anatomy, 4 Associate Professor, Department of
Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anaesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine,
Seoul, Korea
Summary
Although different injection locations for retrolaminar and erector spinae plane blocks have been described,
the two procedures have a similar anatomical basis. In this cadaveric study we compared anatomical spread of
dye in the thoracic region following these two procedures. Following randomisation, 10 retrolaminar blocks
and 10 erector spinae plane blocks were performed on the left or right sides of 10 unembalmed cadavers. For
each block, 20 ml of dye solution was injected at the T5 level. The back regions were dissected and the
involvement of the thoracic spinal nerve was also investigated. Twenty blocks were successfully completed. A
consistent vertical spread, with deep staining between the posterior surface of the vertebral laminae and the
overlaying transversospinalis muscle was observed in all retrolaminar blocks. Moreover, most retrolaminar
blocks were predominantly associated with fascial spreading in the intrinsic back muscles. With an erector
spinae plane block, dye spread in a more lateral pattern than with retrolaminar block, and fascial spreading in
the back muscles was also observed. The number of stained thoracic spinal nerves was greater with erector
spinae plane blocks than with retrolaminar blocks; median 2.0 and 3.5, respectively. Regardless of technique,
the main route of dye spread was through the superior costotransverse ligament to the ipsilateral paravertebral
space. Although erector spinae plane blocks were associated with a slightly larger number of stained thoracic
spinal nerves than retrolaminar blocks, both techniques were consistently associated with posterior spread of
Anaesthesia 2018 doi:10.1111/anae.14408
Original Article
Comparison of injectate spread and ner
between retrolaminar and erector spina
the thoracic region: a cadaveric study
H.-M. Yang,1
Y. J. Choi,2
H.-J. Kwon,3
J. O,3
T. H. Cho3
and S. H
Anaesthesia 2018, 73, 1244ā1250
@amit_pawa
60. ESP Mechanism?
PVB spread by Proxy?
jected dyes into the back muscles after retrolaminar (RL, right) and ESP block (ESP, left).
columbar fascia covering the erector spinae muscle was revealed. (b) The muscle ļ¬bre
The spread pattern of the dyes in the vertebral laminae was seen after removal of all bac
ocostalis; Lo, longissimus thoracis).
(b)
(c)
Anaesthesia 2018, 73, 1244ā1250
Original Article
Comparison of injectate spread and nerve involvement
between retrolaminar and erector spinae plane blocks in
the thoracic region: a cadaveric study
H.-M. Yang,1
Y. J. Choi,2
H.-J. Kwon,3
J. O,3
T. H. Cho3
and S. H. Kim4
1 Assistant Professor, 2 Instructor, 3 Research Assistant, Department of Anatomy, 4 Associate Professor, Department of
Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Anaesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine,
Seoul, Korea
Summary
Although different injection locations for retrolaminar and erector spinae plane blocks have been described,
the two procedures have a similar anatomical basis. In this cadaveric study we compared anatomical spread of
dye in the thoracic region following these two procedures. Following randomisation, 10 retrolaminar blocks
and 10 erector spinae plane blocks were performed on the left or right sides of 10 unembalmed cadavers. For
each block, 20 ml of dye solution was injected at the T5 level. The back regions were dissected and the
involvement of the thoracic spinal nerve was also investigated. Twenty blocks were successfully completed. A
consistent vertical spread, with deep staining between the posterior surface of the vertebral laminae and the
overlaying transversospinalis muscle was observed in all retrolaminar blocks. Moreover, most retrolaminar
blocks were predominantly associated with fascial spreading in the intrinsic back muscles. With an erector
spinae plane block, dye spread in a more lateral pattern than with retrolaminar block, and fascial spreading in
the back muscles was also observed. The number of stained thoracic spinal nerves was greater with erector
spinae plane blocks than with retrolaminar blocks; median 2.0 and 3.5, respectively. Regardless of technique,
the main route of dye spread was through the superior costotransverse ligament to the ipsilateral paravertebral
space. Although erector spinae plane blocks were associated with a slightly larger number of stained thoracic
spinal nerves than retrolaminar blocks, both techniques were consistently associated with posterior spread of
Anaesthesia 2018 doi:10.1111/anae.14408
Original Article
Comparison of injectate spread and ner
between retrolaminar and erector spina
the thoracic region: a cadaveric study
H.-M. Yang,1
Y. J. Choi,2
H.-J. Kwon,3
J. O,3
T. H. Cho3
and S. H
Anaesthesia 2018, 73, 1244ā1250
āthe amount of dye within the paravertebral space following both
retrolaminar and ESP injections seemed to be too small to allow for upward
or downward flow.ā
@amit_pawa
63. What can we say about ESP?
@amit_pawa
PVS VR DR
64. What can we say about ESP?
There is limited evidence of āBy-Proxyā spread
Variation exists in Cadaver studies too!
Cadaver results may not relate to āReal Lifeā
(Mechanical Ventilation/Movement)
@amit_pawa
66. Fascial Plane Blocks can be
Unpredictable
Inconsistent Effect
Inconsistent Efficacy
Inconsistent Evidence
Dense Neural Blockade is Rare
@amit_pawa
67. LA Spread Affected byā¦
Thickness of fascia
Thick fascia - easy to identify, limited diffusion,
ācontains LAā, but spread limited
Thin fascia - harder to identify, better diffusion,
LA āspills outā so spread variable
@amit_pawa
70. Is this good enough?
@amit_pawa
Less Ideal Blocks
71. Even when you get in the correct
plane - does the LA stay there?
Yang H, Kim SH Injectate spread in interfascial plane block: a microscopic finding
Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine Published Online First: 05 July 2019.
doi: 10.1136/rapm-2019-100693
@amit_pawa
72. Even when you get in the correct
plane - does the LA stay there?
Yang H, Kim SH Injectate spread in interfascial plane block: a microscopic finding
Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine Published Online First: 05 July 2019.
doi: 10.1136/rapm-2019-100693
@amit_pawa
73. Even when you get in the correct
plane - does the LA stay there?
Yang H, Kim SH Injectate spread in interfascial plane block: a microscopic finding
Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine Published Online First: 05 July 2019.
doi: 10.1136/rapm-2019-100693
āThe Fascial plane is not a closed spaceā
"Injectate spread into the internal oblique &
transversus abdominus muscle via the Perimysiumā
Could this affect the amount of LA
available to act?
@amit_pawa
74. Receptors within Fascia
Somatic Nerves (Sensory/Motor) - variable path
Sympathetic
Nerves to the Fascia - āFasciatomeā
Could action on last two subtypes
explain successful block without
dermatomal loss of sensation?
75. Does Inconsistent Dermatomal
sensory loss = Failed Block?
Analgesia & Opioid Reduction still evident
Differential block - (C >A-delta fibres)?
If pt derives benefit, does it matter?
PROM & Minimum Clinically Important Difference
(MCID) in QoR
Mechanisms of Action Of Fascial Plane Blocks - Jinn KJ, Lirk P, Hollmann M, Schwarz S - Ahead of Print RAPM 2021
@amit_pawa
76. Does Inconsistent Dermatomal
sensory loss = Failed Block?
Anatomical Cutaneous innervation is complex
Overlapping innervation across midline
Interindividual variation
Pharmacokinetic variability & concentration of LA at target
Accuracy of deposition & Variability of spread
Non-cutaneous contributions to nociception
Mechanisms of Action Of Fascial Plane Blocks - Jinn KJ, Lirk P, Hollmann M, Schwarz S - Ahead of Print RAPM 2021
@amit_pawa
77. How Can We Improve Efficacy?
Deposit LA closer to target- (e.g. Rectus > Lat TAP)
Inject at more than 1 site?
Increase Concentration of LA ?
Increase Mass of LA deposited ?
Use Epinephrine?
Catheters - Intermittent Boluses
Mechanisms of Action Of Fascial Plane Blocks - Jinn KJ, Lirk P, Hollmann M, Schwarz S - Ahead of Print RAPM 2021
@amit_pawa
79. PECS/Serratus/ESP -significant benefit in breast/thoracics
Similar to Th PVB (PECS)
Their role in trauma & cardiac surgery is holds great potential
@amit_pawa
84. Increasing Access to RA
Much of USGRA - daunting to uninitiated
Idea of Fascial Plane Blocks is Simple
Superficial Planes - eg Rectus/PECS/TAP
Similar technique - Split the plane
Focus on āPlan A blocksā - Build from there
@amit_pawa
85. Promote competence
in a few HIGH V
ALUE
āPlan Aā Blocks
Increase Patient
access to RA
Anatomical Location Plan A Block
Shoulder Interscalene
Upper limb below Shoulder Axillary
Hip Femoral Nerve
Knee Adductor Canal
Foot & Ankle Popliteal Sciatic
Chest Wall Erector Spinae Plane
Abdominal Midline Rectus Sheath
Endorsed
@amit_pawa
91. Conclusions
@amit_pawa
1. Fascial Plane Blocks are Heterogenous
2. Unknown Mechanism of Action
3. Unpredictable efficacy
4. May have a role where No Epi/PVB
5. Increasing RA Delivery
92. Why We Need Fascial Plane Blocks In Our Toolkit
We need Alternatives when we canāt Perform classic
blocks, or when they fail
@amit_pawa
Regional Anaesthesia is part of MMA
We need to increase RA delivery so more patients
benefit
Some fascial plane blocks are simple to teach &
perform