Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Sep 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Meta Analysis Comparative Study Clinical TrialRegional anesthesia does not significantly change surgical time versus general anesthesia--a meta-analysis of randomized studies.
The major determinant of variable operating room costs is surgical time. A number of factors contribute to surgical time. This study was designed to determine whether regional anesthesia decreases surgical time when compared with general anesthesia over several surgical procedures. ⋯ Overall, the use of regional anesthesia does not significantly decrease surgical time.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Sep 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialThe paravertebral nerve root block for inguinal herniorrhaphy--a comparison with the field block approach.
Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of the paravertebral block for inguinal herniorrhaphy by comparison with the well-established field block. ⋯ The paravertebral nerve root block proved to be superior to the field block, to be devoid of side effects, and was acceptable to the patients.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Sep 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialAnalgesic effect of interscalene block using low-dose bupivacaine for outpatient arthroscopic shoulder surgery.
Although interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) is often used to provide anesthesia for arthroscopic shoulder surgery, its selective analgesic effect, provided by low-dose local anesthetic, has not been studied. We hypothesized that ISBPB using a low volume and low concentration of bupivacaine can provide effective postoperative analgesia for shoulder surgery without producing significant sensory or motor block elsewhere. ⋯ Interscalene brachial plexus block with low-dose bupivacaine is a useful and selective analgesic technique for outpatient shoulder arthroscopic surgery.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Sep 1998
Intrathecal local anesthetic distribution with the new spinocath catheter.
Microcatheters have been linked in some cases to the development of cauda equina syndrome, which may be further traced to the maldistribution of the local anesthetic. A long injection time via the microcatheters contributes to the inadequate mixing. With the new Spinocath catheter, considerably shorter injection times can be achieved due to larger internal size. This study examined whether this leads to more homogeneous intrathecal distribution without causing greater trauma to the dura. ⋯ The new Spinocath catheter allows a better mixing of the local anesthetic with the cerebrospinal fluid. Because of significantly shortened injection times, hyperbaric solutions also show a more homogeneous distribution. Although the Spinocath catheter has a larger inner diameter than the other microcatheters, it appeared to cause less trauma to the dura.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Sep 1998
Case ReportsRepeated episodes of transient radiating back and leg pain following spinal anesthesia with 1.5% mepivacaine and 2% lidocaine.
Transient radiating back and leg pain defined as pain or dysesthesias in the buttocks, thighs, or calves within 24 to 48 hours after recovery from spinal anesthesia has been described with the use of 2% and 5% lidocaine. These symptoms have also been associated with other local anesthetics such as bupivacaine and tetracaine, although with a much lower incidence. A recent case report and prospective study have described transient radiating back and leg pain occurring following spinal anesthesia with 4% mepivacaine. ⋯ Transient radiating back and leg pain may occur with lower concentrations (1.5%) of mepivacaine, as it does with lidocaine. The relationship between transient radiating back and leg pain and spinal stenosis is also discussed.