Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialAdjuvant dexamethasone for bupivacaine sciatic and ankle blocks: results from 2 randomized placebo-controlled trials.
Perineural dexamethasone may improve post-op analgesia for sciatic blocks but not for ankle blocks when compared with systemic dexamethasone.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2013
Comparative StudySleep apnea and total joint arthroplasty under various types of anesthesia: a population-based study of perioperative outcomes.
The presence of sleep apnea (SA) among surgical patients has been associated with significantly increased risk of perioperative complications. Although regional anesthesia has been suggested as a means to reduce complication rates among SA patients undergoing surgery, no data are available to support this association. We studied the association of the type of anesthesia and perioperative outcomes in patients with SA undergoing joint arthroplasty. ⋯ Barring contraindications, neuraxial anesthesia may convey benefits in the perioperative outcome of SA patients undergoing joint arthroplasty. Further research is needed to enhance an understanding of the mechanisms by which neuraxial anesthesia may exert comparatively beneficial effects.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialPatient perspectives of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and methods for improving pain control and patient satisfaction.
This study aimed to (1) identify patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) attributes that negatively impact patient satisfaction and ability to control pain while using PCA and (2) obtain data on patient perceptions of new PCA design features. ⋯ A majority of patients, irrespective of their satisfaction with PCA, preferred a new PCA design. Certain attributes of current PCA technology may negatively impact patient experience, and modifications could potentially address these concerns and improve patient outcomes.