Regional anesthesia
-
Regional anesthesia · May 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of morphine with and without fentanyl for epidural analgesia after major abdominal surgery.
The study compared bolus injection of fentanyl versus morphine to supplement epidural infusion of morphine for pain relief after major abdominal surgery. ⋯ When fentanyl is added continuously to epidural morphine, the resulting higher total serum levels of opioids during prolonged treatment may increase the risk of respiratory depression. Combining the two opioids for the loading dose, however, may be valuable to shorten the onset time of analgesia.
-
Regional anesthesia · May 1996
The regional anesthesia "learning curve". What is the minimum number of epidural and spinal blocks to reach consistency?
Wide variability exists in the amount of regional anesthesia practice to which residents are exposed during training. The number of attempts at various blocks before a trainee becomes proficient at performing these regional anesthetic techniques is not known. This study addresses the question: What is the minimum number of blocks a resident must perform to reach consistency during training in these techniques? ⋯ Approximately 20-25 procedures each are necessary before improvement in the techniques of spinal and epidural anesthesia is demonstrated by residents in training. If a 90% success rate is desired, 45 and 60 attempts at spinal and epidural anesthesia, respectively, may be necessary.
-
Regional anesthesia · May 1996
Nitric oxide synthesis inhibition enhances bupivacaine cardiotoxicity.
There is evidence that local anesthetic-induced seizures may be mediated by receptors for N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) which activate production of nitric oxide (NO). The objective of this study was to determine the effects, if any, of inhibition of NO synthesis on the responses of the central nervous and cardiovascular systems to bupivacaine. ⋯ These results suggest that NO synthase inhibition by L-NAME enhances the cardiac toxicity of bupivacaine, probably by a pharmacokinetic action, and reduces its central nervous system toxicity, probably by a pharmacodynamic action.
-
Regional anesthesia · May 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialComparison of intravenous nalbuphine infusion versus saline as an adjuvant for epidural morphine.
Radical (three-quadrant) hemorrhoidectomy is a major anorectal surgery that may necessitate aggressive pain management. This study was undertaken to determine whether intravenous nalbuphine infusion as an adjuvant to epidural morphine could offer not only a good quality of pain relief but also a lower incidence of side effects. ⋯ The results suggest that intravenous nalbuphine infusion as an adjuvant for epidural morphine reduces the incidence of side effects without decreasing the quality of pain relief.