Aesthetic surgery journal
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Large-volume lipoplasty is becoming more common and has been proven to be safe and effective. Large-volume lipoplasty is normally performed with the patient under general anesthesia. Techniques of general anesthesia and fluid management are important factors in improving the safety of large-volume lipoplasty. ⋯ General anesthesia for large-volume lipoplasty is safe. Postoperative recovery can be made faster and more pleasant by following these recommendations.
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While inadvertent perioperative hypothermia has received serious attention in many surgical specialties, few discussions of hypothermia have been published in the plastic surgery literature. This article reviews the physiology of thermoregulation, describes how both general and regional anesthesia alter the normal thermoregulatory mechanisms, indicates risk factors particularly associated with hypothermia, and discusses the most effective current methods for maintaining normothermia. Hypothermia is typically defined as a core body temperature of =36 degrees C (=96.8 degrees F), though patient outcomes are reportedly better when a temperature of >/=36.5 degrees C is maintained. ⋯ None of these measures can be adequately employed unless a patient's core body temperature is monitored throughout the perioperative period. Prevention of perioperative hypothermia is neither difficult nor expensive. Proper preventive measures can reduce the risk of complications and adverse outcomes, and eliminate hours of needless pain and misery for our patients.
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Aesthetic surgery journal · Jan 2006
Celecoxib reduces narcotic use and pain following augmentation mammaplasty.
Narcotics have traditionally been used to control pain after augmentation mammaplasty, but they have adverse side effects, including addiction potential, clouded sensorium, nausea, and respiratory depression. Alternative strategies for managing postoperative pain are expensive, cumbersome, and also have their own risks. While long-term use of celecoxib has been associated with an increased risk of serious adverse cardiovascular effects, no problems have been reported with short-term use. ⋯ Perioperative celecoxib administration in patients undergoing augmentation mammaplasty significantly reduced postoperative narcotic use, pain, and nausea. Its use should facilitate the patient's ability to resume everyday activities following surgery.
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Aesthetic surgery journal · Mar 2005
Ambulatory abdominoplasty tailored to patients with an appropriate body mass index.
The office-based surgery setting potentially offers advantages to both the patient and the plastic surgeon, but some patients may not be considered good candidates for abdominoplasty or combined abdominoplasty/lipoplasty performed in the ambulatory setting. ⋯ BMI evaluation, and in some cases additional risk assessment by a qualified anesthesia provider, can be helpful in determining proper candidates for ambulatory abdominoplasty and combined abdominoplasty/lipoplasty procedures.
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Aesthetic surgery journal · Nov 2004
Pain management in augmentation mammaplasty: a randomized, comparative study of the use of a continuous infusion versus self-administration intermittent bolus of a local anesthetic.
Indwelling catheters for pain control after augmentation mammaplasty appear to be safe and effective. However, little is known regarding the comparison of continuous flow to intermittent bolus anesthetics. ⋯ After augmentation mammaplasty, both indwelling catheters using continuous flow and intermittent bolus anesthesia as needed are effective in controlling postoperative pain. Continuous flow maintains a steady state of pain control without patient intervention. Self-administration allows patients to have a more active role if they have pain and is an effective low-cost alternative to a commercial pain pump. These conclusions are supported by a review of the literature and by our own experience with more than 380 consecutive patients.