Anesthesia and analgesia
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The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first reported in China in December 2019. Since then, it has spread across the world to become one of the most serious life-threatening pandemics since the influenza pandemic of 1918. This review article will focus on the specific risks and nuanced considerations of COVID-19 in the cancer patient. Important perioperative management recommendations during this outbreak are emphasized, in addition to discussion of current treatment techniques and strategies available in the battle against COVID-19.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 2020
Association Between Race and Ethnicity in the Delivery of Regional Anesthesia for Pediatric Patients: A Single-Center Study of 3189 Regional Anesthetics in 25,664 Surgeries.
Racial and ethnic disparities in health care are well documented in the United States, although evidence of disparities in pediatric anesthesia is limited. We sought to determine whether there is an association between race and ethnicity and the use of intraoperative regional anesthesia at a single academic children's hospital. ⋯ In an analysis of patients undergoing surgical anesthesia at a single academic children's hospital, race and ethnicity were not significantly associated with the adjusted ORs of receiving intraoperative regional anesthesia. This finding contrasts with much of the existing health care disparities literature and warrants further study with additional datasets to understand the mechanisms involved.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 2020
ReviewThe COVID-19 Pandemic: Effects on Low and Middle-Income Countries.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading rapidly around the world with devastating consequences on patients, health care workers, health systems, and economies. As it reaches low- and middle-income countries, its effects could be even more dire, because it will be difficult for them to respond aggressively to the pandemic. There is a great shortage of all health care providers, who will be at risk due to a lack of personal protection equipment. ⋯ The necessary resources to treat patients will be in short supply. The end result could be a catastrophic loss of life. A global effort will be required to support faltering economies and health care systems.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 2020
Observational StudyRisk of Postdural Puncture Headache in Adolescents and Adults.
Spinal anesthesia is known to have numerous benefits, including reductions in nausea and opioid consumption; however, postdural puncture headache (PDPH) remains a significant risk associated with this technique. The literature specifically examining this complication in adolescents is scarce. Our primary objective was therefore (1) to estimate the incidence of PDPH with a 27G pencil-point needle in patients between the ages of 12 and 19 undergoing ambulatory lower extremity procedures and (2) to compare it to the incidence in adults aged 20-45 years. ⋯ The overall incidence for the development of PDPH in ambulatory patients <45 years of age is low. However, the odds for developing PDPH is significantly higher in teenagers compared to those aged 20-45 years. This increase was not associated with an increase in the need for an epidural blood patch. Providers may incorporate these data in their consent process and have a higher index of suspicion for PDPH in teenagers who report headaches after neuraxial anesthesia.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jul 2020
The Most Influential Publications in Obstetric Anesthesiology, 1998-2017: Utilizing the Delphi Method for Expert Consensus.
There have been many advances in obstetric anesthesiology in the past 2 decades. We sought to create a list of highly influential publications in the field using the Delphi method among a group of obstetric anesthesiology experts to create an important educational, clinical, and research resource. ⋯ Key themes in the publications chosen included the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality and refinements in the analgesic and anesthetic management of labor and delivery.