Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Low-dose spinal bupivacaine for total knee arthroplasty facilitates recovery room discharge: a randomized controlled trial.
Regional anesthesia is the preferred technique for total knee arthroplasty to provide a bridge for early postoperative analgesia, reduce opioid consumption, and improve mobility and rehabilitation. Multiple patient and process factors must be weighed when choosing the appropriate technique to reduce morbidity and facilitate discharge. We hypothesized that a low-dose of intrathecal bupivicaine combined with regional block would facilitate discharge from the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and reduce postoperative morbidity. ⋯ In patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty, low-dose intrathecal bupivacaine (5 mg) combined with regional block is associated with a reduced time to achieve eligibility for discharge from the PACU.
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Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Cerebral monitors versus regional anesthesia to detect cerebral ischemia in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy: a meta-analysis.
The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the ability of different types of brain monitoring systems vs clinical monitoring of the brain function to detect cerebral ischemia during cross-clamping of the carotid artery under regional anesthesia. ⋯ A combination of stump pressure and either TCD or EEG appears to deliver the best results for detecting brain ischemia during carotid artery cross-clamping. Electroencephalography should be used with a high number of channels.
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In recent studies on ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block (ICB), the authors have favoured a single injection posterior to the axillary artery rather than multiple injections; however, procedural complications and success rates associated with single-injection ultrasound-guided ICB are not well known. We undertook an observational study to evaluate the success rates of experienced and non-experienced operators performing ICBs and to identify the complications associated with ultrasound-guided single-injection ICB. ⋯ We observed few complications associated with a single-injection ultrasound-guided ICB and a high success rate regardless of the operator's expertise. The technique appears to be reliable, easy to perform, and safe.
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Postdural puncture headache is a well-known complication of neuraxial anesthesia in childbirth. There are, however, many other causes of postpartum headache, some of which may present like postdural puncture headache and confuse the diagnosis. We report a case of postpartum headache due to pseudomeningocele. ⋯ This case highlights the importance of maintaining a wide differential in the workup of postpartum headache after regional anesthesia, particularly in cases refractory to blood patch. This case also reveals a T7 pseudomeningocele causing spontaneous intracranial hypotension that otherwise may not have been detected and corrected.