The first experience of using obturator nerve block to prevent spasm of adductor muscles of the thigh during transurethral resection of bladder

The objective is to study the possibility of using the obturator nerve block under the control of nerve stimulator to prevent the thigh adductor muscles spasm during transurethral resection of bladder tumor.

Materials and methods. The prospective randomized study included data obtained during the surgical treatment of 50patients with lateral wall bladder tumor, which was subjected transurethral resection of the bladder. In the GA group (n = 25) was performed general anesthesia with use muscle relaxants, in the NS group (n = 25) spinal anesthesia was performed in combination with obturator nerve block by 10 ml of a 2 % solution of lidocaine under the control of nerve stimulation.

Results. The thigh adductor muscles spasm was observed in 5 cases (25 %) in the GA group and in 3 cases (12 %) in the NS group (p = 0.702), this was the cause of bladder perforation in 1 (4 %) patient in the NS group. The incidence of arterial hypotension in the NS group was lower than in the GA group (0 % versus 32 %; p = 0.004), as well as the incidence of sinus bradycardia (12 % versus 48 %; p = 0.012). The time of being in operating room in the NS group was 45 minutes (40; 53) versus 60 minutes (50; 85) in the GA group (p = 0.006).

Conclusion. The spinal anesthesia in combination with obturator nerve block under the control of nerve stimulation, as well as the general anesthesia with use muscle relaxants did not guarantee the absence of adductor muscles spasm during transurethral resection of the lateral wall bladder. The obturator nerve block under the control of nerve stimulation only can not be recommended to prevent perforation of the bladder wall in these interventions.