Journal of clinical anesthesia
-
Case Reports
Horner's syndrome following very low concentration bupivacaine infusion for labor epidural analgesia.
Horner's syndrome is a complication of epidural analgesia and anesthesia, encountered more commonly in pregnant women than in other patients. Previous reports described the appearance of Horner's syndrome following epidural injection of concentrated local anesthetic solutions. We report unilateral Horner's syndrome occurring in the setting of lumbar epidural analgesia for labor with a very low local anesthetic concentration (bupivacaine 0.04%) in an epidural infusion. We discuss the possible factors that could have contributed to this occurrence despite the extremely dilute concentration of local anesthetic used for analgesia.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Interleukin balance and early recovery from anesthesia in elderly surgical patients exposed to beta-adrenergic antagonism.
To determine whether proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines, as measured in blood specimens, would correlate with improved SF-36 physical composite scores observed in elderly surgical patients who were administered perioperative atenolol. ⋯ Perioperative administration of atenolol to elderly surgical patients markedly improves physical sense of well-being, which coincides with improved postoperative pain control and decreased analgesic requirements. This improvement experienced by patients receiving atenolol is not related to alterations in perioperative cytokine response.
-
When intrathecal and epidural opioids are administered, pruritus occurs as an unwanted and troublesome side effect. The reported incidence varies between 30% and 100%. The exact mechanisms of neuraxial opioid-induced pruritus remain unclear. ⋯ The treatment of intrathecal opioid-induced pruritus remains a challenge. Many pharmacological therapies, including antihistamines, 5-HT(3)-receptor antagonists, opiate-antagonists, propofol, nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs, and droperidol, have been studied. In this review, we will summarize pathophysiological and pharmacological advances that will improve understanding and ultimately the management of this troublesome problem.
-
Case Reports
Recombinant factor VIIa for control of hemorrhage: early experience in critically ill trauma patients.
To examine our institutional experience with recombinant Factor VIIa (rFVIIa) as a treatment for exsanguinating hemorrhage in critically ill trauma patients. ⋯ Administration of rFVIIa shows promise in the treatment of exsanguinating hemorrhage. Prospective, controlled clinical trials of this therapy are strongly recommended.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Intraoperative epidural anesthesia and postoperative analgesia with levobupivacaine for major orthopedic surgery: a double-blind, randomized comparison of racemic bupivacaine and ropivacaine.
To compare the onset time and duration of epidural anesthesia, and the quality of postoperative analgesia produced by levobupivacaine, racemic bupivacaine, and ropivacaine. ⋯ Levobupivacaine 0.5% produces an epidural block of similar onset, quality, and duration as the one produced by the same volume of 0.5% bupivacaine, with a motor block deeper than that produced by 0.5% ropivacaine. When prolonging the block for the first 12 hours after surgery with a patient-controlled epidural infusion, 0.125% levobupivacaine provides adequate pain relief after major orthopedic surgery, with similar recovery of motor function as compared with 0.125% bupivacaine and 0.2% ropivacaine.