Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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To highlight a case in which multiple errors occurred during programming and administration of analgesia via a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump, and to formulate recommendations on how to avoid such errors in the future. ⋯ This case highlights how multiple individual errors can combine to result in a serious adverse event. While equipment design was an important factor in this adverse event, human factors played a critical role at multiple levels.
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Review Meta Analysis
Brief review: the role of ancillary tests in the neurological determination of death.
The acceptance of brain death by society has allowed for the discontinuation of "life support" and the transplantation of organs. In Canada we accept the clinical criteria for brain death (essentially brain stem death) when they can be legitimately applied. Ancillary tests are needed when these clinical criteria cannot be applied or when there are confounders. Ancillary tests include tests of intracranial blood circulation, electrophysiological tests, metabolic studies and tests for residual vagus nerve function. The ideal confirmatory test is one which, when positive, would be incompatible with recoverable brain function (i.e., has no false positives), is not influenced by drugs or metabolic disturbances and which can be readily applied. A critical review of the various ancillary tests used to support the neurological determination of death (brain death) was undertaken. ⋯ At present only cerebral angiography and nuclear medicine tests of perfusion are accepted by Canadian standards, but computed tomography and magnetic resonance angiography should prove to be suitable. Transcranial Doppler studies may be suitable for specific cases once appropriate guidelines are established.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Nerve stimulator guided pudendal nerve block versus general anesthesia for hemorrhoidectomy.
A randomized clinical trial was undertaken to test the hypothesis that patients receiving a nerve stimulator guided pudendal nerve block for hemorrhoidectomy would experience more effective and prolonged postoperative analgesia and shorter hospital stay compared to patients receiving general anesthesia. ⋯ Nerve stimulator guided pudendal nerve block is associated with reduced postoperative pain, shortened hospital stay, and earlier return to normal activity compared to general anesthesia for hemorrhoidectomy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of epidural needle type on postdural puncture headache: a randomized trial.
A prospective, randomized trial in labouring parturients was undertaken to assess whether the 18G Special Sprotte epidural needle is associated with a lower incidence of accidental dural puncture (ADP) in comparison with the 17G Tuohy needle. A secondary purpose was to determine if the incidence of postdural puncture headache (PDPH ) differed between groups when ADP occurred. ⋯ The incidence of ADP was not reduced with the Special Sprotte epidural needle in comparison with the Tuohy needle, but PDPH after ADP occurred less frequently in the Sprotte group.
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To review the perioperative management of antithrombotic therapy in cardiac surgery, including the management of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and off-pump surgery. ⋯ Antithrombotic therapy is an essential component of cardiac surgery. Yet, with the exception of antiplatelet agents in CABG patients, antithrombotic therapy is often based on the clinical experience of medical teams more than on an evidence-based assessment of the literature.