European journal of anaesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Preoperative versus intraoperative antiemetic strategies in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomised double-blind study.
Previous studies have determined ondansetron's efficacy in preventing and treating postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). However, evidence regarding the timing of drug administration in relation to the surgical procedure remains vague. ⋯ Under the current study design, we found no difference in the incidence of PONV between the administration of ondansetron 1 h before induction of anaesthesia and the intraoperative administration of ondansetron 30 min before the end of surgery.
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Cardiac arrest in the operating room is a rare but potentially life-threatening event with mortality rates of more than 50%. Contributing factors are often known, and the event is recognised rapidly as patients are usually under full monitoring. This guideline covers the perioperative period and is complementary to the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines. ⋯ Successful prevention and management of cardiac arrest during anaesthesia and surgery requires anticipation, early recognition and a clear treatment plan. The ready availability of expert staff and equipment must also be taken into consideration. Success not only depends on medical knowledge, technical skills and a well organised team using crew resource management but also on an institutional safety culture embedded in everyday practice through continuous education, training and multidisciplinary co-operation.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
High dose dexamethasone in high pain responders undergoing total hip arthroplasty: A randomized controlled trial.
Postoperative pain after total hip arthroplasty (THA) may delay postoperative mobilization and discharge. Postoperative pain has been shown to be higher in pain catastrophisers and patients receiving opioids. A single dose of glucocorticoid reduces pain after THA, and an increased dose of glucocorticoids has been found to be effective in patients at high risk of postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), however, the ideal dose in THA remains unknown. ⋯ 1 mg kg -1vs. 0.3 mg kg -1 dexamethasone improved neither postoperative pain nor recovery in THA in a cohort of predicted high pain responders.
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Pain after craniotomy can be intense and its management is often suboptimal. ⋯ The analgesic regimen for craniotomy should include paracetamol, NSAIDs, intravenous dexmedetomidine infusion and a regional analgesic technique (either incision-site infiltration or scalp nerve block), with opioids as rescue analgesics. Further RCTs are required to confirm the influence of the recommended analgesic regimen on postoperative pain relief.
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Pain after cardiac surgery via median sternotomy can be difficult to treat, and if inadequately managed can lead to respiratory complications, prolonged hospital stays and chronic pain. ⋯ The analgesic regimen for cardiac surgery via sternotomy should include paracetamol and NSAIDs, unless contraindicated, administered intra-operatively and continued postoperatively. Intra-operative magnesium and dexmedetomidine infusions may be considered as adjuncts particularly when basic analgesics are not administered. It is not clear if combining dexmedetomidine and magnesium would provide superior pain relief compared with either drug alone. Parasternal block/surgical site infiltration is also recommended. However, no basic analgesics were used in the studies assessing these interventions. Opioids should be reserved for rescue analgesia. Other interventions, including cyclo-oxygenase-2 specific inhibitors, are not recommended because there was insufficient, inconsistent or no evidence to support their use and/or due to safety concerns.