Journal of pain research
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Journal of pain research · Jan 2019
Therapeutic efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The objective of this study was to summarize the effectiveness and safety of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) treatment via different radiofrequency approaches such as continuous radiofrequency (CRF), pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), and combined CRF and pulsed radiofrequency (CCPRF) treatments, thus providing high-quality clinical evidence for TN treatment. ⋯ CCPRF could achieve a greater effect and safety on TN treatment. FR and FO routes in TN puncture treatment via CRF are safer. Medium temperature range is better for CRF therapy, and higher temperature is recommended in PRF, especially for the elders. Further international multicenter trials are needed to confirm the evidence.
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Journal of pain research · Jan 2019
Postoperative analgesic effects of various quadratus lumborum block approaches following cesarean section: a randomized controlled trial.
Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) is shown to be effective on analgesia following cesarean section. This study aimed to compare the effects of three practical QLB approaches and classic epidural analgesia (EA) for cesarean section under spinal anesthesia. ⋯ The analgesic effect of QLB is highly dependent on the injection position of local anesthetic. Besides, the ultrasound-guided QLB type 2+3 can provide superior analgesic effect following cesarean section to that of QLB type 2 or 3 block. However, it remains to be further validated about whether the combination of QLB type 2 and 3 is the best approach.
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Journal of pain research · Jan 2019
Rethinking the criteria for fibromyalgia in 2019: the ABC indicators.
Diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia have been subject to debate and controversy for many years. The preliminary diagnostic criteria introduced in 2010 and 2011 have been criticized for different reasons, including questionable diagnostic specificity and a lack of an etiopathogenetic foundation. The "ABC indicators" presented in this study reflect a further development of the 2011 criteria and refer to (A) algesia, (B) bilateral, axial-symmetric pain distribution, and (C) chronic distress. ⋯ The ABC fibromyalgia indicators demonstrated better specificity, lower sensitivity, and better overall diagnostic effectiveness than the original 2011 criteria.
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Journal of pain research · Jan 2019
The effectiveness of ultrasound-guided cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injections in cervical radiculopathy: a prospective pilot study.
Cervical transforaminal epidural steroid injection (CTFESI) is used to provide pain relief and restore function in patients with cervical radiculopathy. Traditionally, it is performed under the guidance of fluoroscopy or computed tomography. Here, we introduce a novel technique - ultrasound-guided CTFESI - with which operators can easily distinguish the close soft tissue (nerve, vessels) around the cervical foramina to avoid intravascular injection during the procedure. ⋯ We suggest that ultrasound-guided CTFESI is an effective, safe, and simple procedure free of radiation or magnetization and provides sustained pain relief in patients with cervical radiculopathy who have failed previous conservation therapies.
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Journal of pain research · Jan 2019
Postoperative analgesia after combined thoracoscopic-laparoscopic esophagectomy: a randomized comparison of continuous infusion and intermittent bolus thoracic epidural regimens.
Judicious postoperative pain management after thoracoscopic-laparoscopic esophagectomy (TLE) facilitates enhanced rehabilitation. Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) offers many benefits in esophagectomy, while several complications are associated with the delivery mode by continuous epidural infusion. This study compared the efficiency and safety of intermittent epidural bolus to continuous epidural infusion for pain management after TLE. ⋯ Compared with continuous epidural infusion, TEA by on-demand intermittent bolus greatly reduced the consumption of local anesthetics and opioids with comparable pain relief and little impairment in hemodynamics when used for pain management after TLE.