British journal of anaesthesia
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Review Meta Analysis
Thoracic paravertebral blocks in abdominal surgery - a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Thoracic paravertebral blocks (TPVBs) have an extensive evidence base as part of a multimodal analgesic strategy for thoracic and breast surgery and have gained popularity with the advent of ultrasound guidance. However, this role is poorly defined in the context of abdominal surgery. We performed a systematic review of randomized controlled trials, to clarify the impact of TPVB on perioperative analgesic outcomes in adult abdominal surgery. ⋯ The reported primary block failure rate was 2.8% and the incidence of complications was 1.2% (6/504); there were no instances of pneumothorax. TPVB therefore appears to be a promising analgesic technique for abdominal surgery in terms of efficacy and safety. But further well-designed and adequately powered studies are needed to confirm its utility, particularly with respect to other regional anaesthesia techniques.
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Transtracheal jet ventilation (TTJV) is recommended in several airway guidelines as a potentially life-saving procedure during the 'Can't Intubate Can't Oxygenate' (CICO) emergency. Some studies have questioned its effectiveness. ⋯ TTJV is associated with a high risk of device failure and barotrauma in the CICO emergency. Guidelines and recommendations supporting the use of TTJV in CICO should be reconsidered.
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Multicenter Study
Evaluating the ORSIM® simulator for assessment of anaesthetists' skills in flexible bronchoscopy: aspects of validity and reliability.
Developing expertise in flexible bronchoscopy is limited by inadequate opportunities to train on difficult airways. The new ORSIM bronchoscopy simulator aims to address this by creating virtual patients with difficult airways. This study aims to provide evidence on the validity and reliability of the ORSIM for assessment of subjects on both normal and abnormal airway simulations. ⋯ Our results provide initial evidence on the validity and reliability of the ORSIM bronchoscopy simulator, supporting its potential value in training and assessment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Baroreflex impairment and morbidity after major surgery.
Baroreflex dysfunction is a common feature of established cardiometabolic diseases that are most frequently associated with the development of critical illness. Laboratory models show that baroreflex dysfunction impairs cardiac contractility and cardiovascular performance, thereby increasing the risk of morbidity after trauma and sepsis. We hypothesized that baroreflex dysfunction contributes to excess postoperative morbidity after major surgery as a consequence of the inability to achieve adequate perioperative tissue oxygen delivery. ⋯ ISCRTN76894700.