Authors: Jingfei Guo et al MC Anesthesiology Volume 19, Article number: 129 (2019) Background The efficacy of tranexamic acid (TXA) to reduce perioperative blood loss and allogeneic blood transfusion in cardiac surgeries has been proved in previous studies, but its adverse effects especially seizure has always been a problem of concern. This meta-analysis aims to provide information on the optimal […]

Author: James Prudden Anesthesiology News The medical team that oversaw the successful rescue of 12 Thai soccer players and their coach has been very guarded in their comments following the event, refusing to be interviewed by us and others interested in how they did it. Well, now we know some facts. In a letter to The New […]

Authors: Jacob M. Wilson, MD et al The Journal of Arthroplasty July 2019 Volume 34, Issue 7, Pages 1417–1422 Background The incidence of both primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and revision TKA is increasing. Data from primary arthroplasty patients suggest a risk reduction with the use of spinal anesthesia when compared with general anesthesia. However, the […]

Authors: Acosta F et al Clinical Spine Surgery 32 (3), 104-110 (Apr 2019) OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to determine whether adjunctive intrathecal morphine (ITM) reduces postoperative analgesic consumption following pediatric spine surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Previous studies that have tested supplemental ITM to manage pain after pediatric spine surgery have been […]

Author: Tauren Dyson The number of global opioid users increased by 56 percent in 2017, the United Nations reported on Wednesday. File About 217 million people worldwide abuse illicit drugs in 2017, representing a 30 percent jump from 10 years prior, according to new latest figures released Wednesday. Much of that came from an increase […]

Authors: Friedman BW et al. Ann Emerg Med 2019 Apr 5 A high-quality study of three muscle relaxants confirms what most of us already know: They don’t help. Despite a lack of evidence of efficacy, skeletal muscle relaxants are commonly used to treat back pain in conjunction with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Researchers at two emergency […]

Medtronic recalls insulin pumps because hackers could hijack device BY AIMEE PICCHI Medtronic is recalling several models of its MiniMed insulin pumps because of a risk that hackers could take control and change their settings. The FDA said diabetics should talk with their doctors about switching to models with more cybersecurity protection. Diabetics should get […]

Operating rooms will become infused with artificial intelligence in the coming years, with interoperability and partnerships fueling growth. By Jessica Kent Health IT Analytics Thirty-five percent to 45 percent of operating rooms (ORs) in the US and beyond will become integrated with artificial intelligence and virtual reality technologies by 2022, according to a recent Frost […]

Author: Christina Frangou Anesthesiology News Mastectomy patients treated with a multimodal pain control regimen that included liposomal bupivacaine experienced low levels of postoperative pain, allowing them to be discharged home the same day and with a reduced need for opioids during recovery, investigators reported at the 2018 Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons. […]

Author: Michael Vlessides Anesthesiology News A new survey of anesthesiologists has found a rate of controlled substance abuse disorder of 3.7% among residents and 1.16% among faculty. Interestingly, the survey found that although IV opioids are the most commonly abused drug among residents, the rate of propofol abuse has skyrocketed over the past two decades. […]