Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyContinuous interscalene brachial plexus block via an ultrasound-guided posterior approach: a randomized, triple-masked, placebo-controlled study.
The posterior approach for placing continuous interscalene catheters has not been studied in a controlled investigation. In this randomized, triple-masked, placebo-controlled study, we tested the hypothesis that an ultrasound-guided continuous posterior interscalene block provides superior postoperative analgesia compared to a single-injection ropivacaine interscalene block after moderately painful shoulder surgery. ⋯ Compared to a single-injection interscalene block, a 2-day continuous posterior interscalene block provides greater pain relief, minimizes supplemental opioid requirements, greatly improves sleep quality, and increases patient satisfaction after moderate-to-severe painful outpatient shoulder surgery.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2009
ReviewGreater trochanteric pain syndrome: a review of anatomy, diagnosis and treatment.
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) is a term used to describe chronic pain overlying the lateral aspect of the hip. This regional pain syndrome, once described as trochanteric bursitis, often mimics pain generated from other sources, including, but not limited to myofascial pain, degenerative joint disease, and spinal pathology. The incidence of greater trochanteric pain is reported to be approximately 1.8 patients per 1000 per year with the prevalence being higher in women, and patients with coexisting low back pain, osteoarthritis, iliotibial band tenderness, and obesity. ⋯ Most cases of GTPS are self-limited with conservative measures, such as physical therapy, weight loss, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and behavior modification, providing resolution of symptoms. Other treatment modalities include bursa or lateral hip injections performed with corticosteroid and local anesthetic. More invasive surgical interventions have anecdotally been reported to provide pain relief when conservative treatment modalities fail.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2009
ReviewOptimal perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass: an evidence-based approach.
In this review, we summarize the best available evidence to guide the conduct of adult cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to achieve "optimal" perfusion. At the present time, there is considerable controversy relating to appropriate management of physiologic variables during CPB. Low-risk patients tolerate mean arterial blood pressures of 50-60 mm Hg without apparent complications, although limited data suggest that higher-risk patients may benefit from mean arterial blood pressures >70 mm Hg. ⋯ Similarly, no distinct clinical benefits have been observed when open venous reservoirs have been compared to closed systems. In conclusion, there are currently limited data upon which to confidently make strong recommendations regarding how to conduct optimal CPB. There is a critical need for randomized trials assessing clinically significant outcomes, particularly in high-risk patients.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2009
ReviewModern rapidly degradable hydroxyethyl starches: current concepts.
Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is a widely used plasma substitute for correcting perioperative hypovolemia. HES preparations are defined by concentration, molar substitution (MS), mean molecular weight (M(w)), the C(2)/C(6) ratio of substitution, the solvent, and the origin. The possible unwanted side effects of HES are anaphylactic reactions, alterations of hemostasis resulting in increased bleeding, kidney dysfunction, accumulation, and pruritus. ⋯ This review is focused on whether modern (third generation), more rapidly degradable HES preparations with a lower M(w) (130 kD) and a lower MS (<0.5) are safer and have fewer side effects. Several studies demonstrated that such modern HES preparations appear to be safe with regard to hemostasis, kidney function, itching, and accumulation. Modern HES preparations are dissolved in balanced, plasma-adapted solutions that no longer contain unphysiological amounts of sodium and chloride and are thus suitable for correcting hypovolemia.