Anesthesiology
-
Investigations to determine the incidence of venous air embolism in children undergoing craniectomy for craniosynostosis repair have been limited, although venous air embolism has been suspected as the cause of hemodynamic instability and sometimes death. A precordial Doppler ultrasonic probe is an accepted method for detection of venous air embolism and is readily available at most institutions. ⋯ The incidence of venous air embolism in our study of 23 children undergoing craniectomy for craniosynostosis was 82.6%. Though most episodes of venous air embolism during craniosynostosis repair are without hemodynamic consequences, the preemptive placement of a precordial Doppler ultrasonic probe is a noninvasive, economic, and safe method for the detection of venous air embolism. Prompt recognition may allow for the early initiation of therapy, thereby decreasing morbidity and mortality rates related to venous air embolism.
-
Comment Letter Comparative Study
Comparison of epidural ropivacaine and bupivacaine in combination with sufentanil for labor.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Concentration-effect relationship of intravenous lidocaine on the allodynia of complex regional pain syndrome types I and II.
Several lines of evidence suggest that neuropathic pain (including Complex Regional Pain Syndrome [CRPS] I and CRPS II) is mediated in part by an increase in the density of voltage-sensitive sodium channels in injured axons and the dorsal root ganglion of injured axons. This study sought to characterize the effects of intravenous lidocaine (a sodium channel blocker) on acute sensory thresholds within the painful area and the size of the painful area in patients suffering from CRPS I and II. ⋯ This study demonstrates that intravenous lidocaine affects pain in response to cool stimuli more than mechanical pain in subjects with neuropathic pain. There is a lesser effect on spontaneous pain and pain induced by stroking stimuli and no effect on the pain induced by punctate stimuli.