Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Nov 2010
Review Comparative StudyMethodological quality of randomized controlled trials of postoperative epidural analgesia: validation of the Epidural Analgesia Trial Checklist as a specific instrument to evaluate methodology.
The overall benefits of epidural analgesia are controversial, in part because of the varying quality of methodology in published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We performed a systematic review of available RCTs to examine the methodological quality of epidural analgesia trials. Current instruments for evaluating the quality of methodology are generic; thus, we also developed a specific assessment tool named Epidural Analgesia Trial Checklist (EATC). ⋯ Methodology scores for epidural analgesia RCTs have improved over time. The EATC seems to correlate well with other commonly used generic assessments for methodological RCT quality and be useful for assessing methodological quality of epidural RCTs. Future epidural analgesia RCTs should focus on improving appropriate description/definition of adverse effects, proper presentation of VAS pain scores, and assessment of VAS pain both at rest and with activity.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Nov 2010
An outbreak of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter aerogenes bacteremia after interventional pain management procedures, New York City, 2008.
In October 2008, an investigation was conducted into a cluster of gram-negative bloodstream infections after invasive pain management procedures at an outpatient facility to identify additional cases and determine the source of illness. ⋯ Infection was associated with pain management procedures, specifically those involving injection to the sacroiliac joint. Lapses in infection control likely led to the contamination of single-use vials that were then used for multiple patients. Reuse of medication vials should be restricted, and affordable single-dose vials should be made available.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Nov 2010
Clinical TrialMinimum effective volume of local anesthetic for shoulder analgesia by ultrasound-guided block at root C7 with assessment of pulmonary function.
This study was performed to determine the minimum effective volume of ropivacaine 0.75% required to produce effective shoulder analgesia for an ultrasound (US)-guided block at the C7 root level with assessment of pulmonary function. ⋯ The minimum effective volume of local anesthetic for shoulder analgesia for a US-guided block at the C7 root level in 50% and 95% of the patients was 2.9 and 3.6 mL, respectively. Pulmonary function was unchanged until 2 hrs after completion surgery, but reduced 22 hrs after start of a continuous infusion of ropivacaine 0.2%.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Nov 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA randomized comparison between ultrasound-guided and landmark-based superficial cervical plexus block.
This prospective, randomized, observer-blinded study compared ultrasound guidance and the conventional landmark-based technique for superficial cervical plexus blockade. ⋯ Ultrasound guidance does not increase the success rate of superficial cervical plexus block compared with a landmark-based technique. Additional confirmatory trials are required.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Nov 2010
ReviewBenefits, risks, and best practice in regional anesthesia: do we have the evidence we need?
For more than 25 years, regional anesthesia has challenged anesthesiologists to determine whether it offers real benefits in terms of patient outcome from major surgery, compared with general anesthesia. Although there is good evidence that regional analgesia offers superior pain relief to systemic opioid analgesia, evidence to support improved outcome from surgery remains elusive. ⋯ We are beginning to develop an evidence base for both the benefits and risks of regional anesthesia, when used for specific patient groups and for specific surgical procedures. This presentation looks at some of the evidence and examines how it can be used to develop guidelines for best practice.