Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jun 2010
Review Meta Analysis Comparative StudyBrief reports: paravertebral block for anesthesia: a systematic review.
The objective of this review was to assess the safety and efficacy of thoracic and lumbar paravertebral blocks (PVBs) for surgical anesthesia through a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature. PVBs for surgical anesthesia were compared with general anesthesia (GA) or other regional anesthetic techniques. ⋯ In conclusion, based on the current evidence, PVBs for surgical anesthesia at the level of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae are associated with less pain during the immediate postoperative period, as well as less postoperative nausea and vomiting, and greater patient satisfaction compared with GA.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jun 2010
Review Meta AnalysisShould in-line filters be used in peripheral intravenous catheters to prevent infusion-related phlebitis? A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
In this systematic review, we assessed the effect of in-line filters on infusion-related phlebitis associated with peripheral IV catheters. The study was designed as a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. We used MEDLINE and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register up to August 10, 2009. ⋯ In-line filters in peripheral IV catheters cannot be recommended routinely, because evidence of their benefit is uncertain.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jun 2010
ReviewReview article: review of behavioral operations experimental studies of newsvendor problems for operating room management.
Operating room (OR) managers must plan staffing in the face of uncertain demand for OR time. Planning too much staffing results in underutilized OR time. Planning too little staffing causes overutilized time, which is approximately twice as expensive as underutilized time. ⋯ Experimental studies of the newsvendor problem provide mechanistic insights into the reasons that OR managers make poor decisions when planning OR staffing. The students face no organizational factors or personality issues that potentially influence OR managers, strongly suggesting that observed psychological biases are innate and play an important role in influencing the decisions of OR managers. Results suggest that only the use of computerized decision-support systems can effectively circumvent these biases.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jun 2010
ReviewCore review: three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography is a major advance for intraoperative clinical management of patients undergoing cardiac surgery: a core review.
Echocardiography is a key assessment tool for the evaluation of cardiac structure and function. The ability to image cardiac structures using 3-dimensional (3D) echocardiography is evolving. In this article, we present some of the key features of the emerging 3D technology and review its applications with an emphasis on real-time 3D transesophageal echocardiography.