Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Mar 2021
Observational StudyEffects of State Law Limiting Postoperative Opioid Prescription in Patients After Cesarean Delivery.
The impact of the Florida State law House Bill 21 (HB 21) restricting the duration of opioid prescriptions for acute pain in patients after cesarean delivery is unknown. Our objective was to assess the association of the passage of Florida State law HB 21 with trends in discharge opioid prescription practices following cesarean delivery, necessity for additional opioid prescriptions, and emergency department visits at a large tertiary care center. ⋯ Implementation of Florida Law HB 21 was associated with a lower total prescribed opioid dose and a shorter duration of therapy at the time of hospital discharge following cesarean delivery. These reductions were not associated with the need for additional opioid prescriptions or emergency department visits.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Mar 2021
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA Comparison of the Required Bronchial Cuff Volume Obtained by 2 Cuff Inflation Methods, Capnogram Waveform-Guided Versus Pressure-Guided: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study.
Double-lumen endobronchial tubes (DLTs) are used for one-lung ventilation (OLV) during thoracic surgery. Overinflation into the bronchial cuff causes damage to the tracheobronchial mucosa, whereas underinflation leads to an incomplete collapse of the nonventilated lung or incomplete ventilation of the ventilated lung. However, how to determine the appropriate bronchial cuff volume and pressure during OLV is unclear. The objective of this study is to compare the required bronchial cuff volume for lung separation obtained by 2 different cuff inflation methods under closed- and open-chest conditions. ⋯ The lowest cuff volume providing an air-tight bronchial seal was obtained by the capnogram waveform-guided bronchial cuff inflation method. Since the cuff volume required to achieve an air-tight seal decreases after opening the chest, readjustment of the bronchial cuff volume to prevent bronchial cuff damage to the tracheobronchial mucosa after opening the chest may be advisable.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Mar 2021
Observational StudyThe Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Preoperative Thrombocytopenia in Adults Undergoing Elective Surgery: An Observational Cohort Study.
Preoperative thrombocytopenia is associated with inferior outcomes in surgical patients, though concurrent anemia may obfuscate these relationships. This investigation assesses the prevalence and clinical significance of preoperative thrombocytopenia with thorough consideration of preoperative anemia status. ⋯ Preoperative thrombocytopenia is associated with clinical outcomes in elective surgery, both in the presence and absence of concurrent anemia. However, isolated thrombocytopenia is rare (0.5%) and is usually identified before preoperative testing. It is unlikely that routine thrombocytopenia screening is indicated for most patients.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Mar 2021
Changes in Pain Medicine Training Programs Associated with COVID-19: Survey Results.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a public health crisis of unprecedented proportions that has altered the practice of medicine. The pandemic has required pain clinics to transition from in-person visits to telemedicine, postpone procedures, and cancel face-to-face educational sessions. There are no data on how fellowship programs have adapted. ⋯ We found a shift to online alternatives for clinical care and education, with correlations between per capita infection rates, and clinical care demands and redeployment, but not with overall trainee anxiety levels. It is likely that medicine in general, and pain medicine in particular, will change after COVID-19, with greater emphasis on telemedicine, virtual education, and greater national and international cooperation. Physicians should be prepared for these changes.