Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2004
Case ReportsParadoxical embolus after multiple trauma resulting in a cerebrovascular accident.
We present the case of a 57-yr-old patient who suffered an unexplained cerebrovascular event 3 days after being struck by a motor vehicle. Workup demonstrated a previously unknown patient foramen ovale. The etiologies of paradoxical embolism in trauma are discussed. ⋯ Paradoxical embolism after multiple traumas is described. Delay in diagnosis may occur given the need for near continuous sedation in the patient with injuries undergoing multiple surgeries and diagnostic tests.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2004
The effect of erythropoietin on allogeneic blood requirement in patients undergoing elective liver resection: a model simulation.
We investigated whether recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) administration would reduce red blood cell (RBC) transfusion requirements in patients undergoing elective liver resection. We retrospectively investigated 200 patients undergoing elective liver resection. Factors likely to predict perioperative RBC transfusion were studied using a logistic regression analysis. A mathematical model was used to simulate RBC transfusion requirements if (a). transfusion thresholds had been predefined at a hemoglobin concentration of 7-8 g/dL, (b). preoperative hemoglobin concentrations had been increased to 15 g/dL by rHuEPO administration in patients with preoperative hemoglobin concentration in the range 10-13 g/dL, and (c). both interventions had been used. A cost/benefit evaluation of rHuEPO administration formed part of this simulation. RBC transfusion was correlated with major and median liver resection, total liver vascular exclusion, and a combined nonhepatic abdominal surgery but was not correlated with a preoperative hemoglobin concentration in the range 10-13 g/dL. Adherence to a small transfusion threshold or rHuEPO administration alone would have resulted in a slight reduction in transfusion requirements and transfusion rates for the whole population. However, the two interventions in combination would have significantly reduced both variables. One-hundred-eighteen patients undergoing median and major liver resection received 92% of RBC transfused. Sixty-six of these 118 patients had preoperative hemoglobin concentrations in the range 10-13 g/dL and could have received rHuEPO before surgery. rHuEPO alone would have avoided the transfusion of 63 RBC packs of 203 in this subgroup and 12 transfused patients of 31 (P = 0.02). rHuEPO administration to these 66 patients would have cost 186000 Euro. The 63 RBC saved would have cost 10,710 Euro. ⋯ A mathematical model simulation suggests that the routine preoperative administration of erythropoietin to patients scheduled for major and median liver resection presenting with a preoperative hemoglobin concentration in the range 10-13 g/dL could reduce blood transfusion requirements. However, the cost/benefit ratio warrants consideration.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe efficacy of continuous fascia iliaca compartment block for pain management in burn patients undergoing skin grafting procedures.
Postoperative pain from split skin donor sites is often more intense than the pain at the grafted site. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study we assessed the efficacy of a continuous fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) in reducing the pain at the thigh donor site. Twenty patients, with a total burn surface area of 16% +/- 13% (mean +/- SD) were randomized 1:1 to receive either ropivacaine 0.2% or saline 0.9%. All patients received a general anesthesic followed by preincision continuous FICB with 40 mL of the randomized solution, then an infusion of 10 mL/h of either ropivacaine or saline until the first dressing change (72 h later). Postoperative analgesia consisted of propacetamol 2g/6h, IV patient-controlled analgesia of morphine chlorhydrate (2 mg/mL), and morphine hydrochlorate 0.5 mg/kg PO once 60 min before first dressing change. The visual analog scale (VAS) scores were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test preoperatively, 24 and 48 h postoperatively, and during the first dressing change. The cumulative morphine consumption was compared with repeated-measures analysis of variance followed by Scheffé's method if indicated. Patients with continuous FICB had significantly reduced postoperative morphine consumption at all time points (23 +/- 20 versus 88 +/- 29 mg after 72 h, study versus control groups, respectively; P < 0.05). In both groups, VAS scores remained low but were only significantly lower for patients with continuous FICB during the first dressing change (3 [1] versus 7 [3]; median [interquartile range]; P < 0.05). We conclude that continuous FICB is an efficient method for diminishing pain at the thigh donor site. (250 words) ⋯ Postoperative pain at the split skin donor sites is often more intense than the pain at the grafted site. This prospective, randomized, double-blind study assessed the efficacy of a continuous fascia iliaca compartment block in reducing the pain at the thigh donor site.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2004
The effect of local anesthetics on monocyte mCD14 and human leukocyte antigen-DR expression.
It has been demonstrated that local anesthetics have several effects on the immune system. Monocytes and macrophages are essential components of the host response to microbial infection; however, the effect of local anesthetics on monocyte surface receptor expression remains unclear. We designed this study to investigate the effects of local anesthetics on monocyte mCD14 and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced or staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB)-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production. Blood samples were obtained from 10 healthy volunteers. The effects of local anesthetics on LPS- or SEB-induced TNF-alpha production were determined by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After different doses of local anesthetics were added, the blood was stimulated with LPS (10 ng/mL) or SEB (10 micro g/mL) for 4 h. The effects of local anesthetics on monocyte mCD14 and HLA-DR expression were measured by dual monoclonal antibody staining and flow cytometry. Local anesthetics showed no effect on LPS- or SEB-induced TNF-alpha production in human whole blood. Local anesthetics suppressed monocyte HLA-DR expression in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05) but had no effect on monocyte mCD14 expression. This study demonstrated that local anesthetics suppress HLA-DR expression on the surface of human monocytes. ⋯ Monocyte surface receptors have a crucial role in the host response to microbial infection. We investigated the effects of local anesthetics on monocyte mCD14 and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression. Our results show that local anesthetics suppress HLA-DR expression on the surface of human monocytes.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPerioperative rofecoxib improves early recovery after outpatient herniorrhaphy.
Non-opioid analgesics have become increasingly popular as part of a multimodal regimen for pain management in the ambulatory setting. We designed this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of perioperative administration of the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor rofecoxib on patient outcome after inguinal herniorrhaphy procedures. Sixty consenting outpatients undergoing elective hernia repair surgery were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: control (vitamin C, 500 mg) or rofecoxib (rofecoxib, 50 mg). The first oral dose of the study medication was administered 30-40 min before entering the operating room, and a second dose of the same medication was given on the morning of the first postoperative day. Recovery times, postoperative pain scores, the need for "rescue" analgesics, and side effects were recorded at 1- to 10-min intervals before discharge from the recovery room. Follow-up evaluations were performed at 36 h, 7 days, and 14 days after surgery to assess postdischarge pain, analgesic requirements, resumption of normal activities, as well as patient satisfaction with their postoperative pain management. Rofecoxib significantly decreased the early recovery times, leading to an earlier discharge home after surgery (88 +/- 30 vs 126 +/- 44 min, P < 0.05). When compared with the control group, the patients' median [range] quality of recovery score was also significantly higher in the rofecoxib group (18 [14-18] vs 16 [13-18], P < 0.05). In the predischarge period, a significantly larger percentage of patients required rescue pain medications in the control group (67% vs 37% in the rofecoxib group, P < 0.05). At the 36-h follow-up assessment, rofecoxib-treated patients reported significantly reduced oral analgesic requirements (0 [0-20] vs 9 [1-33] pills, P < 0.05) and lower maximal pain scores, resulting in improved patient satisfaction with their postoperative pain management (3 [1-4] vs 2 [0-3], P < 0.05). However, there were no differences in the times required to resume their activities of daily living. In conclusion, perioperative rofecoxib, 50 mg per os, significantly decreased postoperative pain and the need for analgesic rescue medication, leading to a faster and improved quality of recovery after outpatient hernia surgery. However, perioperative use of rofecoxib failed to improve recovery end points in the postdischarge period. ⋯ Rofecoxib (50 mg per os), given before and after surgery, was effective in improving postoperative pain management, as well as the speed and quality of recovery after outpatient inguinal herniorrhaphy. However, it failed to accelerate the postdischarge resumption of normal activities of daily living.