The Clinical journal of pain
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The aim of our meta-analysis was to systematically assess the enduring effectiveness and safety of high-frequency spinal stimulation (HF-SCS) in the management of chronic pain. ⋯ The findings from our comprehensive review and meta-analysis offer encouraging data about the prolonged efficacy and safety of HF-SCS in chronic pain management on some but not all outcomes. Recognizing the constraints of the existing evidence is crucial. Additional clinical trials, meticulously planned and stringent, are essential to bolster the current body of evidence and reach more conclusive findings.
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This study aimed to systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy of gabapentin and pregabalin in the treatment of acute herpes zoster (HZ) neuralgia, including pain control and the occurrence of adverse effects. ⋯ Gabapentin can effectively reduce acute HZ neuralgia in patients. Pregabalin requires additional RCTs to supplement the analysis.
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Pain management in patients with TN is challenging, as facial pain often does not respond well to conventional therapies. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) has been suggested as a potential treatment option, but there is limited evidence regarding its long-term efficacy. This review aimed to analyze the current data for the use of in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and highlight the evidence for its efficacy and safety. ⋯ Current evidence indicates that BTX-A injection is an effective and safe option for patients with refractory TN or not responding to medical or surgical management. However, more high-quality studies are needed to further confirm its efficacy.
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Ultrasound-guided pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block is an emerging regional anesthesia technique that may provide analgesia for patients undergoing total hip arthroplasties (THA). There are clinical studies comparing this fascial plane block to other established methods; however, evidence on the actual efficacy of this block for THA continues to evolve. ⋯ Our systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that PENG block provides better analgesia, measured as MME use, in the first 24 hours after THA, with no real impact on postoperative VAS scores. Despite statistical significance, the high heterogeneity across RCTs implies that PENG's benefits may not surpass the minimal clinically important difference threshold for us to recommend PENG as best practice in THA.
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Our purpose was to explore the effect of remifentanil on acute and chronic postsurgical pain after cardiac surgery. ⋯ There was not enough evidence to prove that remifentanil can increase the incidence of chronic postsurgical pain after cardiac surgery, but interestingly, the results tended to support a trend toward increased complications in the intervention group. However, there was moderate certainty evidence that the use of remifentanil increases the consumption of morphine for analgesia, and more direct comparison trials are needed to inform clinical decision-making with greater confidence.