A & A case reports
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We describe a case of postoperative uvular edema in a pediatric patient who underwent general anesthesia via a laryngeal mask airway at our institution. Although numerous cases of uvular trauma have been reported in the literature, its association with laryngeal mask airway use remains rare.
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In this case series, we describe transient postoperative facial nerve palsy in patients after awake craniotomy using selective scalp nerve blocks. In a 1-year period, 7 of the 42 patients receiving scalp nerve blocks at our institutions developed this complication. ⋯ The exact cause of transient postoperative facial nerve palsy after auriculotemporal nerve block is unknown and likely multifactorial. This technique may need to be refined to avoid such complications.
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Multiple ethical issues arise when caring for a terminally ill patient who is also pregnant. We present the management of labor and delivery of a 35-year-old multiparous patient with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. The ethical challenges in treating a mother and fetus when a terminal illness complicates pregnancy is also included.
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Transient left bundle branch block (LBBB) associated with physical exertion has been described in patients with and without coronary artery disease. A 64-year-old woman with no history of coronary artery disease underwent Nissen fundoplication under general anesthesia. Preoperatively, an exercise-tolerance test revealed LBBB, without ischemic symptoms. ⋯ Cardiac enzymes were negative. Subsequent electrocardiograms revealed persistence of LBBB. Anesthesiologists should be aware of the possibility of perioperative transient LBBB in the absence of cardiac ischemia.