Articles: pain-management.
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Pancreatic cancer remains an important cause of suffering among oncologic patients. Due to the current poor response to specific therapies, a palliative approach represents the main treatment for this kind of tumour. The authors present the results of a prospective study performed on 41 patients treated according to the World Health Organization guidelines for cancer pain relief; 21 of them were treated by neurolytic coeliac blockade as well. Results, even if not comparable between the two groups, show that this neurolytic technique can play an important role in palliative treatment, on condition that it is part of a multimodal continuing care system.
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First metatarsophalangeal joint arthrosis may be associated with hallux valgus deformity. In an attempt to address the pain and deformities of this disorder, silastic implant arthroplasty combined with soft tissue balancing and proximal first metatarsal osteotomy has been performed on 17 feet in 11 patients. ⋯ Infection remains as a significant postoperative complication. This technique may be a treatment option in the low demand patient with a hallux valgus deformity, painful arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and a wide first intermetatarsal angle.
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After the first 5 years of life, cancer is one of the three most common causes of death. Most investigations of cancer pain have shown that 50-70% of patients suffer needlessly. Pain may be due to the tumor or a co-existant benign pain syndrome. ⋯ In summary, we utilize every possible combination of therapeutic modalities for cancer pain management. With so many safe procedures available, we encourage the primary physician to refer patients early in their disease process. Neurolytic procedures should be performed prior to initiation of high dose narcotic therapy, radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery when possible.
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Gynecol. Obstet. Invest. · Jan 1990
Acupuncture before delivery: effect on pain perception and the need for analgesics.
Pain experience and the amount of analgesics needed during labor were studied in 32 primiparous women who had received repeated treatment with acupuncture (AP) during the month prior to term and in 16 nontreated primiparous women. The women's psychological profiles were evaluated by a psychiatric interview at week 38 of pregnancy. Treatment with AP did not reduce the need for analgesics in labor. ⋯ Experience of pain was not reduced in subjective assessments in women treated with AP. There was a strong correlation between assessments of pain made during labor and 6 months after delivery. In the group that did not receive AP, cerebrospinal fluid dynorphin A was significantly lower in parturients who chose epidural anesthesia.
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A study has shown that, when applied to Physalia ("bluebottle") jellyfish stings, cold packs are effective as topical analgesia in the relief of mild-to-moderate skin pain. The application of ice also has been shown to be effective for topical analgesia in a number of other jellyfish stings, including by Cyanea ("hair jellyfish"), Tamoya sp. ("Moreton Bay stinger" or "fire jelly") and Carybdea rastoni ("jimble") as well as by Physalia. In the current state of knowledge, cold packs or ice are recommended as the first-aid treatment for jellyfish stings with local skin pain.