Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
-
Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2015
Pneumoperitoneum Does Not Influence Spread of Local Anesthetics in Midaxillary Approach Transversus Abdominis Plane Block: A Descriptive Cadaver Study.
The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block can be used as part of a multimodal analgesia protocol after abdominal surgery. This study investigated whether a pneumoperitoneum during abdominal surgery influences the spread of local anesthetics. ⋯ The stretch of the abdominal wall caused by the insufflation of the abdomen does not influence the spread of dye in the abdominal wall. Because of the absence of posterior spread, regardless of the timing of a midaxillary ultrasound-guided approach, we believe that a posterior approach should be chosen if posterior spread is desired.
-
Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialOndansetron Does Not Attenuate Hemodynamic Changes in Patients Undergoing Elective Cesarean Delivery Using Subarachnoid Anesthesia: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Trial.
Hypotension is the most common complication after subarachnoid anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Several therapeutic and preventive measures are used to attenuate this side effect. Serotonin receptor-blocking drugs have been suggested as one such approach. We sought to determine whether prophylactically administered intravenous ondansetron could attenuate hypotension in patients undergoing elective cesarean delivery performed under subarachnoid anesthesia. ⋯ Ondansetron premedication does not attenuate hemodynamic changes after subarachnoid anesthesia nor does it reduce the amount of vasopressor use, pruritus, or nausea and vomiting.
-
Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2015
Observational StudyProspective Observational Study of Patient-Controlled Intrathecal Analgesia: Impact on Cancer-Associated Symptoms, Breakthrough Pain Control, and Patient Satisfaction.
Although data exist for the efficacy of intrathecal therapy (ITT), there are no prospective data on patient-controlled intrathecal analgesia (PCIA) in refractory cancer pain. This study examines the effect of PCIA on cancer symptom scores, patient satisfaction, and analgesic efficacy with an emphasis on breakthrough pain (BTP). ⋯ In patients with poorly controlled cancer pain, PCIA is associated with improved pain control, improved cancer-related symptoms, and high satisfaction. Compared with conventional BTP regimens, PCIA provides superior analgesia and a 3-fold faster onset of action.
-
Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialAddition of Dexamethasone and Buprenorphine to Bupivacaine Sciatic Nerve Block: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Sciatic nerve block provides analgesia after foot and ankle surgery, but block duration may be insufficient. We hypothesized that perineural dexamethasone and buprenorphine would reduce pain scores at 24 hours. ⋯ Pain scores were very low at 24 hours after surgery in the context of multimodal analgesia and were not improved by additives. However, perineural buprenorphine and dexamethasone prolonged block duration, reduced the worst pain experienced, and reduced opioid use. Intravenous buprenorphine caused troubling nausea and vomiting. Future research is needed to confirm and extend these observations.
-
Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2015
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative StudyA Randomized Comparison Between Single- and Triple-Injection Subparaneural Popliteal Sciatic Nerve Block.
This prospective randomized trial compared ultrasound-guided single-injection (SI) and triple-injection (TI) subparaneural popliteal sciatic nerve block. We hypothesized that multiple injections are not required when local anesthetic (LA) is deposited under the paraneurium because the latter entraps LA molecules, ensuring circumferential spread around the nerve. Therefore, in addition to comparable success rates, we also expected similar total anesthesia-related times (sum of performance and onset times) and designed this study as an equivalency trial. ⋯ Ultrasound-guided SI and TI subparaneural popliteal sciatic nerve blocks result in comparable success rates and total anesthesia-related times. Expectedly, the SI technique requires fewer needle passes.