Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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This review outlines the analgesic role of perineural adjuvants for local anesthetic nerve block injections, and evaluates current knowledge regarding whether adjuvants modulate the neurocytologic properties of local anesthetics. ⋯ Dexmedetomidine added as a peripheral nerve blockade adjuvant improves block duration without neurotoxic properties. The combined adjuvants clonidine, buprenorphine, and dexamethasone do not appear to alter local anesthetic neurotoxicity. Midazolam significantly increases local anesthetic neurotoxicity in vitro, but when combined with clonidine-buprenorphine-dexamethasone (sans local anesthetic) produces no in-vitro or in-vivo neurotoxicity. Further larger-species animal testing and human trials will be required to reinforce the clinical applicability of these findings.
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This article summarizes recent data related to the safety and efficacy of postoperative analgesia in children that influence clinical practice recommendations. ⋯ Recommendations for postoperative pain in children continue to evolve, with data incorporated from randomized controlled trials, case series and large audits. Management of pain following surgery in children needs to not only encompass efficacy and safety in the immediate perioperative period, but also consider pain following discharge after ambulatory surgery and the potential risk of persistent postsurgical pain following major surgery.
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This article reviews the recent evidence on perioperative neuroprotection in patients undergoing brain surgery and in patients with acute stroke. ⋯ Recent evidence provides insufficient evidence of neuroprotective strategies to guide clinical management, and more randomized clinical trials are needed to optimize patient care.
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As the increased use of new oral anticoagulants may put patients at particular risk of bleeding, experts suggested strategies to perform neuraxial anesthesia as well tolerated as possible. This review summarizes different approaches. ⋯ A simplified approach covering recent recommendations is given which may aid well tolerated use of neuraxial blocks in patients taking new oral anticoagulants.