It is disturbingly common, dangerously lethal and difficult to diagnose, yet propofol-related infusion syndrome (PRIS) may be detected before it happens, given proper vigilance by anesthesiologists. Indeed, research has found a positive correlation between the duration of propofol infusion and increasing triglyceride (TG) levels, which may indicate onset of the deadly complication. “Obviously, propofol has […]
Read MorePublished in Clinical Interventions in Aging 10 1-11 (2015) Authors: Guerriero F et al PURPOSE Chronic pain is highly prevalent in older adults. Increasing evidence indicates strong opioids as a valid option for chronic pain management in geriatrics. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of low-dose oral prolonged-release oxycodone-naloxone (OXN-PR) in […]
Read MoreA study examining opioid abuse trends between 2002 and 2013 showed that prescriptions for opioid analgesics, rates of opioid diversion and abuse, and opioid-related deaths increased significantly from 2002 through 2010. However, all three measures flattened or decreased from 2011 through 2013. “There’s been so many efforts in the United States to curb prescription opioid […]
Read MorePublished in J Arthroplasty. 2015 Jan;30(1):149-54 Authors: Al-Zahrani T et al Abstract Pain control following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is crucial to hasten rehabilitation and decrease morbidity. We evaluated whether there is a difference between epidural infusion and continuous femoral nerve block with respect to postoperative pain control and rehabilitation course. Fifty patients completed the study. […]
Read MorePublished in J Arthroplasty. 2015 Jan;30(1):38-42 Authors: Lee JK et al Abstract We sought to compare a group (Group L) (n=21) of patients that underwent total knee arthroplasty and received a single preoperative dose of pregabalin combined with a COX-2 inhibitor with a control group (Group C) (n=20) that only received a COX-2 inhibitor in terms […]
Read MoreThe FDA approved Nevro’s (NVRO) novel spinal cord stimulation system Friday, saying it is the only device in the class that does not produce a tingling sensation known as paresthesia. “Since some patients don’t like the paresthesia associated with traditional SCS, this device offers another treatment option,” said Dr. William Maisel, acting director of the […]
Read MorePublished in Paediatr Anaesth. 2015 Jun;25(6):614-20 Authors: Lapmahapaisan S et al BACKGROUND: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block is a promising effective method for postoperative pain control after major abdominal surgery. Using a landmark technique, it is easily performed, but its popularity has decreased because of less efficacy due to inaccurate injection and the potential for intraperitoneal […]
Read MoreAmong children undergoing mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure, the use of a nurse-implemented, goaldirected sedation protocol compared with usual care did not reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation, according to a study published in JAMA. The study is being released to coincide with its presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Critical […]
Read MoreNew research is challenging what many obstetricians and physician anaesthesiologists believe is the best way to position women during labour. According to a study published in the February issue of the journal Anesthesiology, the traditional practice of positioning women on their side, with hips tilted at 15 degrees, during labour does not effectively reduce compression […]
Read MoreBody temperature decreases during the first hour of surgery, even when patients are actively warmed with forced air, according to a study published in the February issue of the journal Anesthesiology. Furthermore, patients who experience the most hypothermia are more likely to require blood transfusions. “Hypothermia is common during surgery because anaesthetics disrupt normal control […]
Read More