Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Oct 2018
ReviewExtended release bupivacaine formulations for postoperative analgesia: an update.
New formulations of local anesthetics with sustained release and longer duration of action are being developed to improve patient outcomes following surgery. This review summarizes the efficacy and safety of the three most recently developed extended-release formulations of the local anesthetic, bupivacaine. ⋯ Extended-release bupivacaine formulations are promising alternatives to prolong duration of analgesia. To date, only EXPAREL has been approved by the FDA for tissue infiltration during surgery and for interscalene nerve block.
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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains an unfortunately common disease with potentially devastating consequences for patients and their families. However, it is important to remember that it is a spectrum of disease and thus, a one 'treatment fits all' approach is not appropriate to achieve optimal outcomes. This review aims to inform readers about recent updates in prehospital and neurocritical care management of patients with TBI. ⋯ Prehospital and neuro ICU management of TBI patients can significantly improve patient outcome. However, it is important to also consider whether these patients would actually want to be treated particularly in the elderly population.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Oct 2018
ReviewFluid management concepts for severe neurological illness: an overview.
The acute care of a patient with severe neurological injury is organized around one relatively straightforward goal: avoid brain ischemia. A coherent strategy for fluid management in these patients has been particularly elusive, and a well considered fluid management strategy is essential for patients with critical neurological illness. ⋯ As the possibility grows closer that we can monitor the physiological parameters with direct relevance for neurological outcomes and the various complications associated with neurocritical illness, we may finally move away from static therapy recommendations, and toward individualized, precise therapy. Although we believe therapy should ultimately be individualized rather than standardized, it is clear that the monitoring tools and analytical methods used ought to be standardized to facilitate appropriately powered, prospective clinical outcome trials.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Oct 2018
ReviewEducation in neuroanesthesia and neurocritical care: trends, challenges and advancements.
We summarize the latest evidence in neuroanesthesia and neurocritical care (NCC) training. In addition, we describe the newer advancements that clinical educators face in these subspecialties. Lastly, we highlight educational approaches that may lead to an enhanced learning experience and development of necessary skills for neurosciences trainees. ⋯ High-fidelity simulation in perioperative care of neurosurgical patients can be part of formal neuroanesthesia and NCC curricula, and potentially impact trainees' proficiency. A research agenda is needed to validate the assessment of most effective educational interventions in neurosciences trainees with diverse medical backgrounds. Creative combinations of cost-effective interventions including traditional teaching, specific technical skills workshops, low and high-fidelity simulation deserve to be assessed in future studies.
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As the evidence supporting the notion that regional anesthesia improves patient outcomes grows, utilization of regional anesthesia techniques has similarly increased. Best care should not be restricted by the background of care providers, however, the evidence replicating benefits of regional anesthesia when it is delivered by nonanesthesiologists is unclear. In this review, the provision of regional anesthesia by nonanesthesiologists is discussed so that readers can come to their own conclusions. ⋯ The provision of regional anesthesia requires the accumulation of a suitable knowledge, skills, and behaviors that can be taught. Whilst it may not be appropriate for all techniques to be performed by all individuals, the possession of these competencies with the appropriate training and quality assurance means that more patients may ultimately benefit from the provision of regional anesthesia services.