AUTHORS: Sankineani S et al European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology (May 2018) BACKGROUND Adductor canal block (ACB) is a peripheral nerve blockade technique that provides good pain control in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty which however does not relieve posterior knee pain. The recent technique of an ultrasound-guided local anesthetic infiltration of the interspace between popliteal artery […]
Comparison of the analgesic effects of modified continuous intercostal block and paravertebral block under surgeon’s direct vision after video-assisted thoracic surgery: a randomized clinical trial
AUTHORS: Kadomatsu Y et al General Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (May 2018) OBJECTIVE Clinical evidence comparing paravertebral (PVB) and continuous intercostal nerve (ICB) blocks for pain management post video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is limited. This study confirms the analgesic effect of ICB using two catheters is not inferior to that of PVB under direct vision. […]
Opioids in Setting of Hemodialysis Associated With Adverse Events
This is important because we see many dialysis patients in surgery. In a retrospective cohort study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, opioids were found to be associated with adverse events in older Medicare beneficiaries receiving hemodialysis. The investigators used the US Renal Data System to evaluate adverse events in 140,899 Medicare […]
Intra-op IV Methadone Lowers Post-op Opioid Use
With the country’s opioid crisis in mind, anesthesiologists are on the lookout for ways to address pain after outpatient surgery while minimizing the possibility of diversion. A team of Missouri researchers may have found a possible solution in the unlikeliest of candidates: IV methadone. Their study found that a single intraoperative dose of the agent […]
Risks Associated With Co-Administration of Aspirin and Other NSAIDs
In patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis at higher risk for cardiovascular events, celecoxib may be safer compared with naproxen or ibuprofen when these drugs are taken alone or in combination with aspirin, according to a study published in Journal of the American College of Cardiology. In this post hoc analysis of a trial that compared 3 nonsteroidal […]
Pain begets pain. When marathon runners are not in pain anymore, they underestimate their memory of marathon pain––A mediation analysis
Authors: P. Bąbel MD et al European Journal of Pain 22 December 2017 Background A previous study has shown that memory of pain induced by running a marathon might be underestimated. However, little is known about the factors that might influence such a memory distortion during pain recall. The aim of the study was to investigate […]
Too Much Oxygen Is Harmful
Authors: Chu DK et al. Lancet 2018 Apr 28. A meta-analysis shows significantly higher mortality with liberal use of supplemental oxygen in acutely ill patients. Supplemental oxygen can be a life-saving intervention for patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure; however, emerging evidence suggests that too much oxygen is harmful (NEJM JW Gen Med Dec 1 2016 and JAMA 2016; 316:1583). Small […]
Implementing an Enhanced Recovery Program For Elective Cesareans Improves Care and Saves Money
Implementation of an enhanced recovery program for patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery can improve care without incurring a prohibitive expense for hospitals, a study has concluded. The program might even reduce costs considerably. According to researchers at Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, in New Brunswick, N.J., cost savings associated with a reduction in hospital length of […]
Patient-Controlled Analgesia Pumps Have Low Device-Related Error Rates
The management of postsurgical pain with patient-controlled analgesia pumps may be safe, as indicated by a low rate of device-related error, according to results from a retrospective study published in Anesthesia & Analgesia. Patient-controlled analgesia infusion pumps are generally considered safe and effective for postoperative pain management but may be associated with human- and device-related errors, which can […]
Gluteal Loading Exercise May Not Improve Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
Adding an exercise regimen to a comprehensive educational program for the management of greater trochanteric pain syndrome may not bring significant benefit, according to a randomized controlled trial published in the Journal of Women’s Health. A group of postmenopausal women with lateral hip pain were assigned to follow the Gluteal La Trobe University exercise program (GLoBE; n=38) or […]