Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Editorial Comment
Novelty without toxicity: a quest for a safer local anesthetic.
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Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is becoming a standard imaging tool during cardiac surgery as well as an important diagnostic tool in cardiology and in intensive care, resulting in an increasing demand for TEE training. To address the problem of limited time for learning during TEE studies, we have developed a novel online application that allows users to visualize each of the 20 standard diagnostic TEE views in conjunction with a three-dimensional (3D) heart model that can be rotated and "cut away" above the echo plane to reveal the internal cardiac structures. This study is an evaluation of the educational benefit of this application. ⋯ The large improvement in test scores during a short period of study and the high level of satisfaction across all of the disciplines indicates that the application is a useful adjunctive tool for learning TEE. It is now being used in TEE training worldwide.
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Review Meta Analysis
Perioperative intravenous lidocaine infusion for postoperative pain control: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Various strategies have been proposed for postoperative pain control. Among those, intravenous lidocaine infusion (IVLI) has gained in interest. However, its clinical benefit remains unclear. This systematic review is an evaluation of the analgesic efficacy and safety of IVLI during general anesthesia. ⋯ Perioperative IVLI reduced postoperative pain and opioid requirement, as well as ileus recovery time, hospital length of stay, and nausea/vomiting. Intravenous lidocaine infusion was effective mainly in abdominal surgery populations. Considering that toxic levels were detected and that adverse events were not systematically screened for in most studies, dose and safety of IVLI should be established before recommending its use.