Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
-
Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialNefopam and tramadol for the prevention of shivering during neuraxial anesthesia.
In patients undergoing neuraxial anesthesia, heat loss and core-to-peripheral redistribution of body heat causes the core temperature to decrease. The shivering threshold is therefore reached soon, and more shivering is required to prevent further hypothermia. Because shivering has deleterious metabolic and cardiovascular effects, it should ideally be prevented by pharmacologic or other means. We evaluated the usefulness of intravenous (IV) nefopam and tramadol in preventing and reducing the severity of shivering in patients undergoing neuraxial anesthesia for orthopedic surgery. ⋯ As a pharmacologic means of preventing shivering in patients undergoing neuraxial anesthesia, nefopam may hold the greatest promise.
-
Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEpinephrine is not a useful addition to intrathecal fentanyl or fentanyl-bupivacaine for labor analgesia.
Intrathecal fentanyl provides effective labor analgesia for a limited time with frequent side effects. We evaluated the effects of adding epinephrine to intrathecal fentanyl with and without bupivacaine. ⋯ These results suggest that intrathecal epinephrine does not prolong the duration of fentanyl or fentanyl with bupivacaine for labor analgesia in nulliparous parturients. Additionally, intrathecal epinephrine did not decrease the incidence of side effects and therefore cannot be recommended.
-
Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2002
Case ReportsSeizures after epidural blood patch with undiagnosed subdural hematoma.
We present a case of new-onset seizures in a parturient who received an epidural blood patch (EBP) in the presence of an undiagnosed cerebral subdural hematoma. We review the relevant literature and examine the implications for management. ⋯ We believe that the subdural hematoma and not the EBP was the cause of the seizures. Earlier recognition of confusion and fatigue as a postictal state may have led to earlier diagnosis of the hematoma. Our experience suggests that EBP be avoided in the setting of subdural hematoma.
-
Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2002
Mechanical effects of leg position on vertebral structures examined by magnetic resonance imaging.
Leg manipulation has been postulated to affect spinal curvature and position of the cauda equina within the dural sac. However, no evidence of such mechanical effects has been shown in living subjects. We used magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the mechanical effects of leg position on these 2 parameters. ⋯ Our findings indicate that 2 potential factors, flattening of the lumbar lordosis and some added tension on the lumbosacral nerve roots, may contribute to postoperative back and leg aching after spinal anesthesia in the lithotomy position.