Month: March 2016

Uncategorized Published - 4 March, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
A Randomized Controlled Trial Studying the Role of Dexamethasone in Scalp Nerve Blocks for Supratentorial Craniotomy

J Neurosurg Anesthesiol. 2016 Jan AUTHORS: Jose R et al BACKGROUND: The aim of this double-blinded randomized control study was to examine the role of the steroid dexamethasone as an adjuvant to lignocaine and ropivacaine in scalp nerve blocks in adults undergoing supratentorial craniotomy under general anesthesia. We compared the intraoperative anesthetic and postoperative analgesic requirement […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 3 March, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
The Association Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Metabolic Syndrome

BMC Pulm Med. 2015;15(105) Authors: Shaoyong Xu et al Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by repeated episodes of obstruction of the upper airway. Numerous studies have indicated a relationship between OSA and metabolic syndrome (MS), but the results remain debatable. We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between OSA […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 3 March, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Taking a Chance or Playing It Safe: Reframing Risk Assessment Within the Surgeon’s Comfort Zone

Annals of Surgery. 2015;262(2):253-259. Authors: Nathan R. Zilbert, MD et al Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore how risk is perceived and experienced by the surgeon and how risk is actively managed in individual practice. Background: Risk in surgery has been examined from system-wide and personality perspectives. Although these are important, little is known about […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 3 March, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
The Effect of Inotropes and Vasopressors on Mortality

A Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials Br J Anaesth. 2015;115(5):656-675. Authors: A. Belletti et al Background: Inotropes and vasopressors are frequently administered to critically ill patients in order to improve haemodynamic function and restore adequate organ perfusion. However, some studies have suggested a possible association between inotrope administration and increased mortality. We therefore performed a meta-analysis of […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 3 March, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Ultrasound Guidance Lowers Risks of Thoracic Nerve Block Technique for Mastectomy

Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral nerve block (TPVB) is highly effective in controlling pain after breast cancer surgery and lowers the risk of complications, according to a study published in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia. Previous reports have suggested that performing this nerve block under ultrasound guidance might make the procedure safer. The current study is the […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 3 March, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Long-Term Opioid Use Associated With Increased Risk of Depression

Opioids may cause short-term improvement in mood, but long-term use imposes risk of new-onset depression, according to a study published online in the Annals of Family Medicine. Long-term opioid use of more than 30 days may lead to changes in neuroanatomy and low testosterone, among other possible biological explanations, according to Jeffrey Scherrer, PhD, Saint […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 2 March, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Steep Rise in Prescription Opioid Use in Pregnancy, Infants Pay the Price

Increased use of prescription opioids during pregnancy is likely a contributing factor in the rise in rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in the United States, warns Nora D. Volkow, MD, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “The steep increase in the number of opioid prescriptions dispensed in the United States has […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 2 March, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Mild Sedation Exacerbates or Unmasks Focal Neurologic Dysfunction in Neurosurgical Patients with Supratentorial Brain Mass Lesions in a Drug-specific Manner

Anesthesiology. 2016 Mar;124(3):598-607 AUTHORS: Lin N et al BACKGROUND: Sedation is commonly used in neurosurgical patients but has been reported to produce transient focal neurologic dysfunction. The authors hypothesized that in patients with frontal-parietal-temporal brain tumors, focal neurologic deficits are unmasked or exacerbated by nonspecific sedation independent of the drug used. METHODS: This was a prospective, […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 2 March, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Postoperative pain control with paravertebral catheters after pediatric total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation: a retrospective cohort study

Paediatr Anaesth. 2016 Mar;26(3):315-20 AUTHORS: Hutchins J et al     . BACKGROUND: Total pancreatectomy and islet autotransplantation (TPIAT) has been used to treat pediatric patients with chronic pancreatitis. The primary symptom of this disease is extreme poorly controlled pain. This results in significant alterations in the quality of life of the patient. We sought to determine if […]

Read More
Uncategorized Published - 2 March, 2016    By - Dr Clemens
Fentanyl and Midazolam Are Ineffective in Reducing Episodic Intracranial Hypertension in Severe Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury

Crit Care Med. 2016 Jan AUTHORS: Welch TP et al OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of bolus-dose fentanyl and midazolam to treat episodic intracranial hypertension in children with severe traumatic brain injury. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort. SETTING: PICU in a university-affiliated children’s hospital level I trauma center. PATIENTS: Thirty-one children aged 0-18 years with severe traumatic […]

Read More