Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialAn alternative distal approach for the lumbar medial branch radiofrequency denervation: a prospective randomized comparative study.
An alternative technique involving a "distal approach" can be used for lumbar medial branch radiofrequency denervation (LMBRFD). We described and assessed this technique by comparing it with a conventional tunnel vision approach in a prospective randomized trial. ⋯ Patients who underwent LMBRFD by the tunnel vision or distal approaches showed significant pain relief at the 6-month follow-up. Less periprocedural pain was reported in the distal approach group. We consider that the distal approach provides an improved option for LMBRFD.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyNitrous oxide and serious morbidity and mortality in the POISE trial.
Nitrous oxide exposure was not associated with 30-day MI, stroke, death or hypotension in an observational analysis of POISE subjects.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2013
Review Meta AnalysisRegional scalp block for postcraniotomy analgesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Meta-analysis suggests regional scalp block may reduce post-operative pain after craniotomy, although relies on small, low-quality studies.
pearl -
Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialThe VeinViewer vascular imaging system worsens first-attempt cannulation rate for experienced nurses in infants and children with anticipated difficult intravenous access.
The VeinViewer (Luminetx, Memphis, TN) helps identify veins by projecting an image of subcutaneous vasculature on the skin surface. We tested the primary hypothesis that VeinViewer use improves cannulation success by skilled nurses in pediatric patients with anticipated difficult IV access. A secondary goal was to evaluate the relationship between obesity and cannulation success. ⋯ The VeinViewer worsened first-attempt IV insertion success by skilled nurses. Surprisingly, first-attempt success for IV cannulation was not worsened by obesity.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2013
Ryanodine receptor type 1 gene variants in the malignant hyperthermia-susceptible population of the United States.
Mutations in the ryanodine receptor type 1 gene (RYR1) that encodes the skeletal muscle-specific intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) release channel are a cause of malignant hyperthermia (MH). In this study, we examined RYR1 mutations in a large number of North American MH-susceptible (MHS) subjects without prior genetic diagnosis. ⋯ The identification of novel RYR1 variants and previously observed RYR1 variants of uncertain significance in independent MHS families is necessary for demonstrating the significance of these variants for MH susceptibility and supports the need for functional studies of these variants. Continued reporting of the clinical phenotypes of MH is necessary for interpretation of genetic findings, especially because the pathogenicity of most of these genetic variants associated with MHS remains to be elucidated.