Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Comparative Study
Effectiveness of preoperative thoracic epidural testing strategies: a retrospective comparison of three commonly used testing methods.
Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is a well stablished technique for pain management in major thoracic and abdominal surgeries; however, it has considerable failure rates. Local anesthetic (LA) administration and subsequent assessment of sensory block through physical examination (e.g., decreased temperature perception determined via an LA temperature dissociation test [LATDT]) has been the historical standard for evaluation of thoracic epidural placement. Nevertheless, newer methods to objectively evaluate successful placement have recently been developed, e.g., the epidural electrical stimulation test (EEST) and epidural pressure waveform analysis (EWA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative TEA catheter testing (LATDT, EEST, and EWA) on reducing TEA failure. ⋯ Objective preoperative testing after placement of thoracic epidurals was associated with a reduction in failure rates.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Functional recovery of wrist surgery with regional versus general anesthesia: a prospective observational study.
Regional anesthesia may favour postoperative rehabilitation by inhibiting peripheral sensitization and secondary hyperalgesia. The literature on this subject is limited. In the present FUNCTION study, we sought to compare the functional recovery post orthopedic wrist surgery with regional versus general anesthesia. ⋯ ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04541745); registered 9 September 2020.