Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Ultrasound (US) is being used increasingly to guide needle placement during axillary brachial plexus blockade (AXB). This retrospective study investigated whether US guidance can increase the success rate, decrease block onset time, and reduce local anesthetic (LA) volume for AXB compared to a traditional (TRAD) approach, namely, peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) and transarterial (TA) techniques. ⋯ Our results suggest that US-guided AXB may improve block success, reduce the local anesthetic volume used, and shorten the time spent in the block room compared to traditional nerve localization techniques.
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Review
Ultrasonography and stimulating perineural catheters for nerve blocks: a review of the evidence.
This narrative review summarizes the evidence derived from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) offering blinded assessment and sample size justification, in order to determine the benefits associated with adjunctive ultrasonography (US) and stimulating perineural catheters for nerve blocks. ⋯ Published reports of RCTs provide evidence to formulate limited recommendations regarding the use of adjunctive US and stimulating perineural catheters. Further well-designed and meticulously executed RCTs are warranted.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Intravenous flurbiprofen axetil accelerates restoration of bowel function after colorectal surgery.
Flurbiprofen axetil (FA) is a potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). We examined the effects that peri-operative intravenous administration of FA, combined with thoracic epidural anesthesia and postoperative patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA), have on bowel function, postoperative pain, and cytokine release, after open colorectal surgery. ⋯ Flurbiprofen axetil may have an anti-inflammatory effect in major abdominal surgery. The combination of perioperative intravenous FA, intraoperative thoracic epidural anesthesia, and postoperative PCEA facilitated recovery of bowel function, enhanced analgesia, and attenuated the cytokine response.