Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology
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Peripheral venous access is perhaps the most commonly performed procedure in hospitals, urgent care, or surgical centers across the country. The ability to obtain peripheral intravenous (IV) access, and in a timely manner, is arguably one of the most important skill sets to be mastered by health care professionals. While skill and experience play a role in successful and timely vascular access, numerous patient factors such as obesity, diabetes, IV drug use, and chronic kidney disease may pose unique challenges to even the most skilled health care professional. ⋯ Direct visualization of blood vessels using ultrasonography has an advantage over the standard landmark technique and can improve the success rate of peripheral IV or arterial line placement in this patient population. Given the success of ultrasound guidance with access placement, it is imperative that all health care profesionals become proficient with this technique. The aim of this review article is to provide concise and practical information on the basics of ultrasound and its application to obtain peripheral venous and arterial access.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2019
ReviewComplications and liability related to regional and neuraxial anesthesia.
Regional anesthesia is responsible for approximately one-fifth of professional liability claims. The present investigation evaluated common and rare complications related to regional and neuraxial anesthesia, including postdural puncture headache, backache, transient neurological symptoms, inadvertent intrathecal injection, epidural hematoma and abscess, meningitis, arachnoiditis, postoperative urinary retention, local anesthetic systemic toxicity, and cardiac arrest. ⋯ This manuscript also provides an overview and analysis of the existing literature and makes some recommendations in terms of strategies to prevent or minimize the potential patient injury, with a focus on those more commonly associated with patient injury and liability exposure. The role of ultrasound in preventing patient injury during regional anesthesia is also discussed.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2019
ReviewThe role of regional anesthesia in the propagation of cancer: A comprehensive review.
New cancer incidences worldwide will eclipse 18 million in 2019, with nearly 10 million cancer-related deaths. It is estimated that in the United States, almost 40% of individuals will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Surgical resection of primary tumors remains a cornerstone of cancer treatment; however, the surgical process can trigger an immune-suppressing sympathetic response, which promotes tumor growth of any residual cancerous cells post surgery. ⋯ Recently, much evidence in the form of retrospective and prospective studies has come to light regarding the protective, antitumor properties of anesthetic and analgesic agents across a wide variety of cancers and patient demographics. It is believed that by blocking afferent pain signals, the body does not mount the sympathetic response that contributes to the perpetuation of disease after surgical treatment. This review, therefore, investigates these studies as they pertain to the treatment and outcomes of cancers treated surgically to elucidate the role of regional anesthesia in the propagation of cancer.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2019
ReviewRecent technological advancements in regional anesthesia.
Just two decades ago, regional anesthesia was performed blindly with dubious outcomes and little support from surgeons and patients. Technological advances in regional anesthesia have revolutionized techniques and largely improved outcomes. Ultrasound (US) technology continues to advance and has become more affordable. ⋯ To reduce variability and to reduce the anesthesiologist's workload, the use of robots in regional anesthesia has been assessed in recent years. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has also demonstrated efficacy in acute and chronic pain settings. Additional research and randomized controlled trials are necessary to evaluate novel technologies.