Anesthesia and analgesia
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2010
ReviewAnesthesia and analgesia protocol during therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest: a systematic review.
Present practice guidelines recommend sedative-analgesic and neuromuscular blocking administration during therapeutic hypothermia in comatose patients after cardiac arrest. However, none suggests the best administration protocol. In this study, we evaluated intensivists' preferences regarding administration. ⋯ There is great variability in the protocols used for anesthesia and analgesia during therapeutic hypothermia. Very often, the drug and the dose used do not seem the most appropriate. Only 3 ICUs routinely used electroencephalographic monitoring during paralysis. It is necessary to reach a consensus on how to treat this critical care population.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyLevobupivacaine 0.5% provides longer analgesia after sciatic nerve block using the Labat approach than the same dose of ropivacaine in foot and ankle surgery.
Levobupivacaine and ropivacaine are 2 left enantiomeric molecules frequently used for peripheral nerve blocks because of their safe clinical profile. Levobupivacaine is more lipophilic and theoretically more potent than ropivacaine, but clinical studies show conflicting results in terms of anesthetic and analgesic characteristics. We hypothesized that the pure S-enantiomer of bupivacaine provides longer-lasting analgesia than ropivacaine. ⋯ Twenty milliliters levobupivacaine 0.5% in posterior gluteal (Labat) sciatic nerve block provided longer-lasting analgesia after foot and ankle surgery compared with the same dose of ropivacaine.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialLidocaine eye drops attenuate pain associated with ophthalmic postherpetic neuralgia.
Topical lidocaine (LDC) treatment using a gel or patch preparation is effective in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), but neither is suited for the eye in patients with ophthalmic PHN. Herein, we examined the effect of LDC 4% eye drops on ophthalmic PHN pain. ⋯ This study suggests that LDC provides a significant improvement of ophthalmic PHN because of its prompt analgesia, lack of systemic side effects, and convenience of use.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2010
ReviewRapid sequence induction and intubation: current controversy.
The changing opinion regarding some of the traditional components of rapid sequence induction and intubation (RSII) creates wide practice variations that impede attempts to establish a standard RSII protocol. There is controversy regarding the choice of induction drug, the dose, and the method of administration. Whereas some prefer the traditional rapid injection of a predetermined dose, others use the titration to loss of consciousness technique. ⋯ Cricoid pressure remains the most heated controversy; some believe in its effectiveness in preventing pulmonary aspiration, whereas others believe it should be abandoned because of the lack of scientific evidence of benefit and possible complications. There is still controversy regarding the best position and whether the head-up, head-down, or supine position is the safest during induction of anesthesia in full-stomach patients. These controversial components need to be discussed, studied, and resolved before establishing a standard RSII protocol.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialGabapentin use in pediatric spinal fusion patients: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.
Gabapentin has opioid-sparing effects in adult surgical patients, but no reported studies have involved children and adolescents. In a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial, we examined whether gabapentin decreases postoperative opioid consumption for pediatric spinal fusion patients with idiopathic scoliosis. ⋯ Perioperative oral gabapentin reduced the amount of morphine used for postoperative pain after spinal fusion surgery, but not overall opioid-related side effects. Initial pain scores were lower in the treatment group. Perioperative use of gabapentin seems to be an effective adjunct to improve pain control in the early stages of recovery in children and adolescents undergoing spinal fusion.