Authors: Paul Picton, MB, Ch B MRCP, FRCA et al Anesthesiology published August 2015 Background:: Beach chair positioning during general anesthesia is associated with cerebral oxygen desaturation. Changes in cerebral oxygenation resulting from the interaction of inspired oxygen fraction (Fio2), end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETco2), and anesthetic choice have not been fully evaluated in anesthetized patients in the beach […]
Read MoreAs you may already be aware, there was a “whistleblower” suit in Missouri claiming that the anesthesiologists were only doing “supervision,” not “medical direction” because the anesthesiologists were physically present in the operating room at the time of “emergence.” The case was based on there being a definition of “emergence” and in this case no […]
Read MoreAuthors: Hagiwara Y et al., Am J Emerg Med 2015 Jun 19; A Japanese registry study suggests the score has fair sensitivity and specificity. The LEMON score is a mnemonic for predicting difficult intubation. It stands for Look, Evaluate the 3-3-2 rule, Mallampati score, Obstruction, and Neck mobility (NEJM JW Emerg Med Mar 2005 and Emerg Med J 2005; 22:99). […]
Read MoreBMC Anesthesiol. 2015;15(18) Authors: Ram Bhakta Koju et al Background Intrathecal morphine is commonly used for post caesarean analgesia. However, their use is frequently associated with the incidence of troublesome side effects such as nausea, vomiting and pruritus. Various mechanisms have been postulated for the opioid-induced pruritus, with a variety of medications with different mechanisms […]
Read MoreClin J Pain. 2015 May 8 Authors: Raskin P1 et al OBJECTIVES: To evaluate pregabalin’s efficacy and safety versus placebo to reduce pain in subjects with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) using a concomitant nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). METHODS: In a randomized, double-masked, 14-week, 2-period, crossover study, subjects with painful DPN using an NSAID for non-DPN-related […]
Read MoreClin J Pain. 2015 May 8. Authors: Gauntlett-Gilbert J1 et al OBJECTIVES: Opioid prescription for non-malignant pain is increasing in Europe and the US. Research and guidance have focused on the potential for dependency and medical side effects with high doses. In contrast, benzodiazepines have received little attention in the chronic pain literature, despite evidence […]
Read MoreThe abuse of prescription painkillers is a growing problem for seniors, as it is for other age groups. But Medicare drug plans are cutting back on coverage for a specially designated type of painkiller that deters abuse in favor of cheaper generics that don’t have the same deterrent qualities, a new study found. Overall, Medicare […]
Read MorePsychotropic medications, including antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and particularly opiate and nonopiate analgesics, are associated with a significantly increased risk for homicide, new research shows. Jari Tiihonen, MD, PhD, professor, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, and colleagues found that antidepressants increase the homicide risk by 31% and that benzodiazepines increase the risk by 45%. […]
Read MoreBMC Anesthesiol. 2015;15(21) Authors: Wonjung Hwang et al Background Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) is used widely in spinal surgery because inhalational anesthetics are known to decrease the amplitude of motor evoked potentials. Presently, dexmedetomidine is used as an adjuvant for propofol-based TIVA. We compared the effects of remifentanil and dexmedetomidine on pain intensity as well […]
Read MoreClin J Pain. 2015 May 28 Authors: Roth T1 et al OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of pregabalin on wake and sleep bout parameters. METHODS: A post hoc analysis of polysomnography data from a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study investigating the effect of pregabalin (150-450 mg/d) and placebo on sleep in fibromyalgia (FM). Eligible patients had […]
Read More