Journal of clinical anesthesia
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In a recent article from the Center for Disease Control, the authors addressed the current opioid epidemic in America and emphasized the importance of utilizing non-opioid analgesic alternatives to opioid medication for treating chronic pain. In cases where non-opioid analgesic drugs alone have failed to produce adequate pain relief, these authors suggested that non-pharmacologic therapies should also be considered. This Case Series describes a pilot study designed to evaluate a novel non-pharmacologic approach to treating long-standing (>1year) opioid dependency. ⋯ After receiving a series of 8-12 treatment sessions lasting 20-40min to the painful surgical area over a 3-4week period of time with the high intensity (42W) Phoenix Thera-lase laser device, an FDA-approved Class IV cold laser, these patients were able to discontinue their use of all oral opioid-containing analgesic medications and resume their normal activities of daily living. At a follow-up evaluation 1-2months after their last laser treatment, these patients reported that they have been able to control their pain with over-the-counter non-opioid analgesics and they have remained largely opioid-free. Further larger-scale studies are needed to verify these preliminary findings with this powerful cold laser in treating opioid-dependent patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Prospective double blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial of the pectoral nerves (Pecs) block type II.
The aim of this clinical trial was to test the hypothesis whether adding the pectoral nerves (Pecs) block type II to the anesthetic procedure reduces opioid consumption during and after breast surgery. ⋯ The Pecs block reduces postsurgical opioid consumption during the PACU stay time for patients undergoing breast surgery.
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Editorial Comment
Dexmedetomidine and Renal Protection after Cardiac Surgery.