Drugs in R&D
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Ultrasound-guided injection of a corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid: a potential new approach to the treatment of trigger finger.
Stenosing tenosynovitis (trigger finger) is one of the most common causes of pain and disability in the hand, which may often require treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid injection, or open surgery. However, there is still large room for improvement in the treatment of this condition by corticosteroid injection. The mechanical, visco-elastic, and antinociceptive properties of hyaluronic acid may potentially support the use of this molecule in association with corticosteroids for the treatment of trigger finger. This study examines the feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided injection of a corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid compared, for the first time, with open surgery for the treatment of trigger finger. ⋯ Although the limited sample size did not allow any statistical comparison between treatment groups, and therefore all the findings should be regarded as preliminary, the results of this explorative study suggest that ultrasound-guided injection of a corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid could be a safe and feasible approach for the treatment of trigger finger. It is also associated with a shorter recovery time than open surgery, which leads to a reduced abstention from sports and, in particular, work activities, and therefore may have some pharmacoeconomic implications, which may be further explored. In light of the promising results obtained in this investigation, further studies comparing ultrasound-guided injection of corticosteroid plus hyaluronic acid with corticosteroid alone are recommended in order to clarify the actual benefits attributable to hyaluronic acid.
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Clinical Trial
Different doses of palonosetron for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in children undergoing strabismus surgery.
Postoperative vomiting is a common complication after strabismus surgery in children. The serotonin 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists have proven to be a particularly valuable addition to the armamentarium against postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Palonosetron is a second-generation 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist that has recently been approved for prophylaxis against PONV. ⋯ Palonosetron doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 μg/kg are recommended for further evaluation, as they appear to be the effective doses for the prevention of PONV following strabismus surgery in children.