A procedure that involves radiofrequency ablation of sensory nerves in the degenerated lumbar disc may give many patients with chronic low back pain significant relief. Researchers have now collected up to 12 months of data on patients undergoing the procedure — called intradiscal biacuplasty (IDB) — and it shows improved pain scores, functioning, and quality […]
Read MoreEvidence for many pain supplements is preliminary or weak, according to some experts. But they’re generally safe—unless you’re taking blood thinners. Interview with Philip Gregory, PharmD, MS, FACN and Marc I. Leavey, MD. Many popular supplements used for pain relief may provide modest benefits for some patients, but are not a magic bullet, according to […]
Read MoreEdited by David G. Fairchild, MD, MPH, and Lorenzo Di Francesco, MD, FACP, FHM Death certificates should allow “medical error” to be listed as a cause, researchers argue in The BMJ. Evaluating estimates published over the past decade, the authors figure that there are roughly 250,000 deaths attributable to medical errors in the U.S. each year. That would rank […]
Read MoreAuthors: Frédérique Hovaguimian, M.D., M.Clin.Res.Meth.et al Anesthesiology published on 5 2016. Background: Blood transfusions are associated with morbidity and mortality. However, restrictive thresholds could harm patients less able to tolerate anemia. Using a context-specific approach (according to patient characteristics and clinical settings), the authors conducted a systematic review to quantify the effects of transfusion strategies. Methods: The authors searched […]
Read MoreAuthors: Sebastian Zaremba, M.D. et al Anesthesiology published on 5 2016. Background: Bariatric surgery patients are vulnerable to sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) early after recovery from surgery and anesthesia. The authors hypothesized that continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) improves postoperative oxygenation and SDB and mitigates opioid-induced respiratory depression. Methods: In a randomized crossover trial, patients after bariatric surgery received […]
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