Author: Dr Clemens

Uncategorized Published - 11 October, 2018    By - Dr Clemens
Marginal Benefit for Neuraxial Over General Anesthesia in Noncardiac Surgery

When it comes to safety, neuraxial anesthesia enjoys a slight upper hand over general anesthesia as a primary anesthetic technique in noncardiac surgery. A large database analysis concluded that adults receiving neuraxial anesthesia are more likely to be discharged earlier, have significantly less chance of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE), and have lower odds of 30-day […]

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Uncategorized Published - 11 October, 2018    By - Dr Clemens
Opioid Rx Rates Surprisingly High Following C-Sections

A study has identified the top three surgical procedures in which high percentages of patients are discharged with prescriptions for more than 60 mg of oral morphine equivalents per day, and found that one of the procedures was surprising: cesarean delivery. Physicians can help control the current high opioid death rate in the United States […]

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Uncategorized Published - 11 October, 2018    By - Dr Clemens
FDA Issues New Recommendations on Steps to Reduce Frequency of Surgical Fires

The FDA in conjunction with other organizations, including the Joint Commission, released new recommendations to ensure that all health care professionals are aware of the risk factors leading to surgical fires. By focusing on prevention of the “fire triangle”—the oxidizer, ignition source and fuel source—the FDA hopes to reduce the frequency of surgical fires and ensure that […]

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Uncategorized Published - 10 October, 2018    By - Dr Clemens
ARDS Develops in Nearly Half of Patients Suffering Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Nearly half of patients who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) within 48 hours. Those patients who develop ARDS after an OHCA spend more days in the ICU and on a ventilator, die more often, and are less likely to recover with good functional status. “Cardiac arrest is not […]

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Uncategorized Published - 10 October, 2018    By - Dr Clemens
Anesthetic Management of a Parturient With MS: The Frost Series #338

Written by: David Ermak, DO Reviewed by: Sonia Vaida, MD A 31-year-old primigravida at 39 weeks’ gestation with no prenatal care presented to the labor and delivery unit in active labor. She had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at 28 years of age. She was treated with glatiramer acetate, but discontinued the medication due […]

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Uncategorized Published - 10 October, 2018    By - Dr Clemens
Elderly Patients Given General Anaesthesia for Hip Surgery Have Increased Risk of Pneumonia

Older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery have a greater risk of developing post-surgery pneumonia if they receive general anaesthesia rather than a spinal block during the procedure, according to a study presented here at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the American Geriatrics Society (AGS). Of the 66 patients in the study aged 70 years and […]

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Uncategorized Published - 10 October, 2018    By - Dr Clemens
Effect of Ultrasound-Guided Intercostal Nerve Block Versus Fluoroscopy-Guided Epidural Nerve Block in Patients With Thoracic Herpes Zoster: A Comparative Study

Authors: Lee H et al Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine (Sep 2018) OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy of a conventional fluoroscopy-guided epidural nerve block and an ultrasound (US)-guided intercostal nerve block in patients with thoracic herpes zoster (HZ). METHODS This work was a comparative study of 38 patients with thoracic HZ pain and a chest […]

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Uncategorized Published - 10 October, 2018    By - Dr Clemens
Is Pain Worse During Nicotine Withdrawal?

Authors: Ditre JW et al.  J Abnorm Psychol 2018 May 21. In some people, quit attempts might be thwarted by increases in pain reactivity. The prevalence of cigarette smoking in people with pain is higher than in the general population. Situational pain has both been found to motivate smoking behavior and been associated with relapse; furthermore, […]

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Uncategorized Published - 9 October, 2018    By - Dr Clemens
ACOG Recommends Postpartum Pain Management Approach Tailored to Patients

An individualised approach to postpartum pain management that may include non-opioids, opioids, and non-pharmacologic approaches is appropriate for women following childbirth, according to new guidance released by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Evidence shows that women experience pain in variable ways during the early postpartum period. As such, providers should engage in […]

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Uncategorized Published - 9 October, 2018    By - Dr Clemens
Bupivacaine Does Not Reduce Opioid Use or Complications After Knee Surgery

Liposomal bupivacaine did not reduce in-hospital opioid prescriptions or opioid-related complications in patients who received the drug during total knee replacement surgery, finds a study published Anesthesiology. Previous studies suggested that the long-lasting pain control provided by liposomal bupivacaine could reduce the need for opioid painkillers, leading researchers to analyse how it would fare as part […]

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