Anesthesia and analgesia
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyThoracic paravertebral block for breast cancer surgery: a randomized double-blind study.
We examined in this randomized, double-blind study whether a multilevel paravertebral block performed before general anesthesia with propofol and a laryngeal mask enhances postoperative analgesia after breast cancer surgery. ⋯ A multilevel paravertebral block provides good analgesia for breast surgery, but the duration of analgesia is briefer than described in previous studies.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyThe 8-item Short-Form Health Survey and the physical comfort composite score of the quality of recovery 40-item scale provide the most responsive assessments of pain, physical function, and mental function during the first 4 days after ambulatory knee surgery with regional anesthesia.
We evaluated the validity and responsiveness of three instruments: the numeric rating scale (NRS) pain score, the 8-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-8), and the 40-item Quality of Recovery from Anesthesia (QoR) Survey in 154 outpatients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The objective was to provide a robust psychometric basis for outcome survey selection for surgical outpatients undergoing regional anesthesia without general anesthesia. ⋯ For ACLR outpatients receiving regional anesthesia, the SF-8 is sufficient to assess postoperative pain and physical function. Adding the QoR physical comfort composite will help assess short-term side effects.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA randomized controlled trial of femoral nerve blockade administered preclinically for pain relief in femoral trauma.
Analgesia at the location of the accident and on transport for femoral trauma is often delayed or insufficient. In this prospective, randomized, controlled study, we evaluated the preclinical use of femoral nerve blockade for reducing pain and anxiety compared with IV analgesia using metamizol. ⋯ Preclinically administered femoral nerve blockade effectively decreases pain, anxiety, and heart rate after femoral trauma. Regional blockade is an option for out-of-hospital analgesia administered by a trained physician.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2007
Comparative StudyDark skin decreases the accuracy of pulse oximeters at low oxygen saturation: the effects of oximeter probe type and gender.
Pulse oximetry may overestimate arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation (Sao2) at low Sao2 levels in individuals with darkly pigmented skin, but other factors, such as gender and oximeter probe type, remain less studied. ⋯ Multivariate analysis indicated that Sao2 level, sensor type, skin color, and gender were predictive of errors in Spo2 estimates at low Sao2 levels. The data suggest that clinically important bias should be considered when monitoring patients with saturations below 80%, especially those with darkly pigmented skin; but further study is needed to confirm these observations in the relevant populations.
-
Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2007
Comparative StudyA bibliometric analysis of global clinical research by anesthesia departments.
Few studies have investigated the diversity in research conducted by anesthesia-based researchers. We examined global clinical research attributed to anesthesia departments using Medline and Ovid databases. We also investigated the impact of economic development on national academic productivity. ⋯ Clinical research attributable to investigators in our specialty is diverse, and extends beyond the traditional field of anesthesia and intensive care. The United States produces the most clinical research, but per capita output is higher in European nations.