Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jan 1999
Clinical TrialDetermination of epidural catheter placement using nerve stimulation in obstetric patients.
Peripheral nerve and spinal cord stimulation techniques have been used for many years. However, electrical stimulation methods rarely have been used to confirm epidural catheter placement. This study examines the practicality of this technique to confirm epidural catheter placement in obstetric patients. ⋯ This study demonstrates that this test may have a role in improving the success rate of epidural anesthesia.
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Despite unprecedented interest in understanding pain mechanisms and pain management, a significant number of patients continue to experience unacceptable pain after surgery. Recent surveys show that there has been no apparent improvement since an early study in 1952 (15). It is increasingly clear that the solution to the problems of postoperative pain management lies not so much in the development of new techniques but in developing an organization to exploit existing expertise. ⋯ All senior anesthesiologists (section chiefs) working in the operating room are part of this APS. The means of providing satisfactory analgesia are already present in most hospitals. Careful planning and a multidisciplinary approach to pain management will ensure that resources are optimally utilized, and the quality of pain management is consistently maintained.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jan 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialIntravenous administration of caffeine sodium benzoate for postdural puncture headache.
In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of prophylactic administration of intravenous caffeine sodium benzoate for postdural puncture headaches (PDPH) on patients administered spinal anesthesia. ⋯ Intravenous caffeine sodium benzoate administration during spinal anesthesia is a simple and safe way to minimize PDPH.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jan 1999
A survey of exposure to regional anesthesia techniques in American anesthesia residency training programs.
The American Board of Anesthesiologists and the Residency Review Committee for Anesthesiology do not keep records regarding the individual resident's cumulative exposure to specific peripheral nerve block techniques. Further, little is known about individual trainee confidence in performing regional anesthetic blocks. To improve training and anesthesia practice, such information is necessary. In this nationwide survey, we assessed residents' perceived cumulative regional anesthesia experience and their confidence level. ⋯ Most CA-3 residents are confident in performing lumbar epidural and spinal anesthesia. However, many are not confident in performing the blocks with which they have the least exposure. Changes need to be made in the training processes so that residents can graduate with enough confidence to continue selecting less familiar blocks in postgraduate practice.