Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialTopical amitriptyline in healthy volunteers.
The antidepressant amitriptyline is used as an adjuvant in the treatment of a variety of chronic pain conditions. This drug interacts with many receptors and ion channels, such as Na+ channels. In a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled trial, we investigated whether amitriptyline also is capable of providing cutaneous analgesia when applied topically in 14 healthy volunteers. ⋯ Topically applied amitriptyline is effective as an analgesic in humans. Different vehicles may improve its efficacy and decrease the skin redness observed.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of continuous 3-in-1 and fascia Iliaca compartment blocks for postoperative analgesia: feasibility, catheter migration, distribution of sensory block, and analgesic efficacy.
Efficacy and technical aspects of continuous 3-in-1 and fascia iliaca compartment blocks were compared. ⋯ The authors conclude that a catheter for continuous lumbar plexus block can be placed more quickly and at lesser cost using the fascia iliaca technique than the perivascular technique with equivalent postoperative analgesic efficacy.
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Military anesthesiologists must master the complexities of modern anesthesia at home, like their civilian counterparts, and also be prepared to provide effective, safe anesthesia in the chaotic and austere environment of the modern battlefield. This article describes the Army Regional Anesthesia Initiative and Operational Anesthesia Rotation programs designed to facilitate this difficult goal.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2003
Case ReportsEpidural clonidine relieves intractable neuropathic itch associated with herpes zoster-related pain.
We present a case of intense herpes zoster-related pain and itching in the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve (V1). Successful pain and itch management was achieved after insertion of a high thoracic epidural catheter with a continuous infusion of bupivacaine and clonidine. ⋯ High thoracic epidural infusion of bupivacaine and clonidine was beneficial in relieving neuropathic itch in a patient with acute herpes zoster-related pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve.