Pain physician
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Observational Study
Lumbar Sympathetic Ganglion Block for Cancer-Associated Secondary Lower Limb Lymphedema: A Retrospective Study.
Although lower limb lymphedema (LLL) is more or equally as frequent and harmful as upper limb lymphedema after cancer treatment, there are only a few studies on this topic. Cancer-related secondary LLL not only has physical implications, but also affects quality of life among patients who underwent gynecological cancer treatment. Despite numerous studies of various therapies, the optimal treatment for cancer-related LLL is still unknown. ⋯ LSGB can be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with secondary LLL after gynecological cancer treatment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
A Comparison of Anesthetic Quality between Single and Septum-based Double Injection for Ultrasound-Guided Costoclavicular Block: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
In a costoclavicular (CC) approach of an ultrasound (US)-guided infraclavicular brachial plexus block (BPB), a septum between the lateral and the medial/posterior cords can result in an incomplete block. We hypothesized that double injections in each compartment between the septum would result in a higher success rate of BPB than a single injection in the center of the CC space. ⋯ Compared with the SI, the septum-based DI of CC approach increased the success rate and the rate of all 4 nerves blockade and shortened the onset time.
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Cervical interlaminar epidural injection (CILEI) is commonly used to treat acute or chronic pain that affects the head, neck, and upper extremities. Thus far, studies on CILEI have focused on determining the optimal volume of contrast medium or analyzing the spread of contrast medium during a CILEI. To our knowledge, few studies have attempted to assess the correlation between epidurogram patterns and clinical outcomes of CILEI. ⋯ If the duration of symptoms is lengthy, central stenosis is severe, or contrast medium spread is limitedly solely within the central canal and does not reach the dorsal root ganglion any further, the outcome after a CILEI is likely to be poor. Therefore, efforts should be made to spread injectate around the dorsal root ganglion at the target level.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Meckel's Cave Size Measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Prognosis of Percutaneous Balloon Compression for Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) is a safe and effective method to treat trigeminal neuralgia. Despite it is known that intraoperative balloon volume is crucial in the prognosis of PBC patients and correlates with Meckel's cave (MC) size, it is a lack of objective and valid criteria for intraoperative balloon volume of PBC. ⋯ The equation [balloon volume (cm3) = 0.110 cm3 + 1.274*MC size] yields an appropriate value at which the patient has a low recurrence rate and a low degree of facial numbness. Preoperative measurement of MC size can be used to guide the intraoperative balloon volume and to predict the patient's prognosis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparison of Erector Spinae Plane Block at the Level of the Second Thoracic Vertebra With Suprascapular Nerve Block for Postoperative Analgesia in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery.
Appropriate postoperative pain management in shoulder surgeries is the mainstay of rehabilitation therapy and subsequent improved functional outcomes. However, adequate pain control either with opioids or interscalene brachial plexus block is often challenged by their side effects. In this context, this study compared the suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) to the newly emerging erector spinae plane block at the second thoracic vertebral level (high thoracic-ESPB) as an alternative pain therapy. ⋯ SSNB is not inferior to high thoracic-ESPB in the context of phrenic nerve sparing pain control for arthroscopic surgeries. Moreover, SSNB is a more established technique with more predicted sensory distributions and a lower risk of LA toxicity.