Published in Paediatr Anaesth. 2014 Dec;24(12):1231-8 Authors: Kim EM et al BACKGROUND: There is a need for an adjuvant agent of caudal block that prolongs its duration and improves the analgesic efficacy to fasten functional recovery. Magnesium is an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist that functions as an analgesic. This study was aimed to evaluate whether magnesium […]
Read MorePublished in Anaesth Crit Care and Pain. 2014;14(4):147-152. Authors: Robert WA Nowicki, FRCA Abstract and IntroductionIntroduction The type of surgery performed on the spine encompasses operations for trauma, deformity, and myelopathy. The complexity of procedures is continuing to increase and older patients with significant co-morbidities are being offered ever more major procedures for which they […]
Read MoreWith the latest transfer of an infected Dallas nurse, Emory University physicians and nurses have now cared for four patients infected with the Ebola virus. “The Department of Anesthesiology prepared for our potential participation in their care by identifying services that might be needed, recruiting and training a core group of on-call anesthesiologists, using a […]
Read MoreThe number of malpractice claims related to chronic pain management is increasing, and many involve permanent disabling injury or death, according to a closed-claims analysis presented here at Anesthesiology 2014. “Malpractice claims associated with chronic pain have increased in number and severity over the past three decades, and they have increased out of proportion to […]
Read MoreISSUE: The cuff inflation line of certain KimVent Microcuff Endotracheal tubes may detach from the tube during use (if pulled, tugged, or excess tube/patient movement occurs). If the inflation line detaches, the cuff will gradually deflate. This may lead to an air leak between the cuff and the tracheal wall, which in turn may reduce […]
Read MorePublished in Jpn J Clin Oncol. 2014 Dec;44(12):1189-97 Authors: Chiang JK1 et al OBJECTIVE: Pain control helps improve quality of life for advanced cancer patients, yet it is unknown whether opioid use increases risk of death. Analyzing the association between time-varying pain medication and the risk of death presents a challenge. This prospective observational study […]
Read MoreNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase one’s risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. However, when taken in combination with other drugs, this risk is significantly higher, according to a study published in the October issue of the journal Gastroenterology. “These findings may help clinicians tailor therapy to minimise upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and are especially valuable in elderly […]
Read MoreSignificant airway changes occur during the administration of general anaesthesia, including a decrease in patients’ intraoral space and an increase in their neck thickness, according to results of a prospective cohort study. After extubation following general anaesthesia, the risk of difficult laryngoscopy and intubation can increase when airway management is required — particularly in patients […]
Read MoreIntraoperative use of dexmedetomidine does not significantly affect post-operative agitation in children under 12 years of age, according to results of a single-centre, retrospective. Post-operative (or emergence) agitation refers to restlessness, disorientation, crying, delusions, and non-purposeful thrashing movements that occur after general anaesthesia in up to 80% of children. Emergence agitation can cause patient self-injury […]
Read MorePublished in Surg Today. 2014 Oct 11 Authors: Ba YF1 et al Abstract This study was designed to compare the analgesic effects of cryoanalgesia and parecoxib in lung cancer patients after lobectomy. A total of 178 lung cancer patients awaiting large-sized lobectomy were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly divided into Group A […]
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