Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2019
ReviewPoint of care ultrasound for the clinical anesthesiologist.
Diagnostic ultrasonography was first utilized in the 1940s. The past 70+ years have seen an explosion in both ultrasound technology and availability of ultrasound technology to more and more clinicians. As ultrasound technology and availability have grown, the utility of ultrasound technology in the clinical setting as only been limited by clinicians' imagination. ⋯ Once an accurate diagnosis is established, the anesthesiologist and his/her team can then confidently optimize an anesthetic pain, prevent harm, and/or treat a patient condition. In this day and age, the ability to rapidly establish an accurate diagnosis cannot be overstated-especially in a critical situation. It is the authors' sincerest hope that the following discussion will help regional anesthesiologist to become even better and well-rounded clinical leaders.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2019
ReviewFascia iliaca block, history, technique, and efficacy in clinical practice.
The facsia iliaca block (FIB) is a relatively new regional technique where local anesthetic is delivered within the fascia iliaca region. Indications for a FIB include surgical anesthesia to the lower extremity after knee, femoral shaft, hip surgery, management of cancer pain or pain secondary to inflammatory conditions of the lumbar plexus, as well as treatment of acute pain in the setting of trauma, fracture, or burns. ⋯ The main targets of the FIB are the predominant nerves contained in the fascia iliaca compartment (FIC), namely the femoral nerve and the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. The FIB US guided technique is beneficial to patients and the possibility to perform FIB should be discussed and coordinated with surgical staff appropriately, considering its superiority to general or epidural anesthesia.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2019
ReviewRegional techniques for head and neck surgical procedures.
Regional anesthesia has evolved as an important tool for anesthesiologists and surgeons managing patients for surgery of the head and neck region. In recent years, ultrasound use has increased significantly, and newer nerve blocks have been established for surgeries of the head and regions. ⋯ Evolving practice strongly suggests that regional nerve blocks for the head and neck region are safe and effective. Future studies and education will likely evolve practice to make these regional techniques standards for future surgeries of the head and neck region.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2019
ReviewTruncal regional nerve blocks in clinical anesthesia practice.
Regional anesthetic techniques are important components of successful multimodal analgesic strategies. When used successfully, truncal nerve blocks of the chest wall, abdomen, and, paraneuraxial nerves, in combination with other analgesic modalities, may offer similar analgesic efficacy as neuraxial techniques, which are associated with a greater risk profile. Moreover, in comparison to neuraxial techniques, truncal nerve blocks are relatively simple to perform and technically straightforward to learn. ⋯ Different variations of the quadratus lumborum block may provide visceral and sensory analgesic coverage. Moreover, truncal blocks, including ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, pectoralis nerve (PECS) blocks, serratus anterior, intercostal, and erector spinae plane blocks, have gained routine clinical use for various surgeries. In this review, we discuss the techniques, anatomy, indications, complications, and benefits of truncal nerve blocks commonly used in clinical practice.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2019
ReviewUltrasound practice for chronic pain procedures: A comprehensive review.
Chronic pain management techniques have evolved in recent years. With regard to this, ultrasound (US) technology has become a standard for most acute pain procedures and essential for postsurgical pain relief and enhanced recovery after surgery protocols. ⋯ In summary, US use for chronic pain procedures is emerging as a viable, safe, and effective modality. Additional studies are needed to best appreciate US and its role in chronic pain management.