Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jan 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialIncisional morphine has no analgesic effect on postoperative pain following inguinal herniotomy.
Opioids induce antinociceptive effects after peripheral administration in experimental and clinical studies. The results of the clinical studies are conflicting. The objective of this study was to examine a possible analgesic effect of incisionally administered morphine on postoperative pain in patients undergoing inguinal herniotomy during general anesthesia. ⋯ The analgesic effect of a single 5 mg dose of morphine injected in a herniotomy wound is not superior to saline or to morphine given subcutaneously or intravenously.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jan 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of remifentanil and propofol infusions for sedation during regional anesthesia.
Patients treated with regional anesthesia often require concomitant medication for comfort and sedation. Propofol is widely used for this purpose. Remifentanil, a new ultra-short-acting opioid, exhibits at low doses distinct sedative properties that may be useful for supplementation of regional anesthesia. This study compared the effectiveness of remifentanil and propofol infusions for providing sedation during regional block placement and surgery. ⋯ When titrated to the same sedation level, remifentanil provided a smoother hemodynamic profile than propofol during regional anesthesia. The frequent occurrence of remifentanil-induced respiratory depression requires cautious administration of this agent. The incidence of adverse reactions seen with both agents during and after their administration makes the management of such sedative infusion techniques difficult.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jan 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEnhancement of analgesic effect of intrathecal neostigmine and clonidine on bupivacaine spinal anesthesia.
Intrathecal administration of neostigmine has been shown to produce analgesia in both animals and humans. The concurrent administration of intrathecal neostigmine and clonidine has been reported to produce no neurotoxicity in sheep. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combining intrathecal neostigmine and clonidine for the relief of pain in patients after cesarean delivery. ⋯ Our study showed that the combination of 150 microg i.t. clonidine and 50 microg neostigmine provided longer postsurgical analgesia than with either drug used alone. However, this combination also produced significantly more adverse effects of prolonged motor block and nausea and vomiting. A further study combining the two study drugs but using a lower dose of i.t. neostigmine (e.g., 25 microg) is recommended.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jan 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialSphenopalatine ganglion block for the treatment of myofascial pain of the head, neck, and shoulders.
This study examined the effectiveness of sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) for myofascial pain syndrome of the head, neck, and shoulders using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study design with comparison to an internal standard consisting of trigger point injections (TPI). ⋯ This study suggests that SPGB with 4% lidocaine is no more efficacious than placebo and less efficacious than administration of standard trigger point injections in the treatment of myofascial pain of the head, neck, and shoulders.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jan 1998
Defining the cross-sectional anatomy important to interscalene brachial plexus block with magnetic resonance imaging.
Interscalene brachial plexus block is a useful technique to provide anesthesia and analgesia for the shoulder and proximal upper extremity. The initial needle direction at the interscalene groove has been described as being "perpendicular to the skin in every plane" (1). A cross-sectional (axial) approach may offer a more easily conceptualized directed needle placement. The purpose of this study is to define the cross-sectional anatomy and idealized needle angles important to interscalene brachial plexus block. ⋯ These findings suggest initial needle placement at the interscalene groove should be angled less perpendicularly relative to the sagittal plane than is often observed. A cross-sectional approach enables more practical visualization of initial needle placement. A more accurate initial needle placement may minimize the number of needle passes necessary to contact the nerve roots, thereby more efficiently obtaining a successful block.