Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Low dose intravenous dexamethasone (4 mg and 10 mg) significantly prolongs the analgesic duration of single-shot interscalene block after arthroscopic shoulder surgery: a prospective randomized placebo-controlled study.
Although intravenous dexamethasone prolongs the analgesic duration of interscalene brachial plexus block, it is uncertain whether this effect can be observed using lower doses of dexamethasone. This study evaluated the impact of intravenous dexamethasone (4 mg and 10 mg) on the analgesic duration of single-shot interscalene block after arthroscopic shoulder surgery. We hypothesized that both doses would prolong the analgesic duration compared with placebo. ⋯ Low doses of intravenous dexamethasone (4 mg and 10 mg) significantly prolong the analgesic duration of interscalene block. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02412657).
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Observational Study
Non-essential blood tests in the intensive care unit: a prospective observational study.
Non-essential blood testing in the acute care setting can be a prominent source of morbidity, patient discomfort, increased workload for the healthcare provider, and wasteful spending. The magnitude of such non-essential blood testing has not been well described. We aimed to measure the extent of unnecessary blood testing in a 33-bed intensive care unit (ICU) at a tertiary-care teaching hospital in Ontario, Canada. ⋯ Attending physicians deemed a substantial proportion of the blood tests processed in a tertiary care ICU setting as unnecessary. Furthermore, the non-essential tests incurred substantial additional cost. Further work is required to gain a better understanding of the underlying factors contributing to these wasteful practices.
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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) can be an effective treatment option for patients with essential tremor and Parkinson's disease. This review provides an overview on the functioning of neurostimulators and recent advances in this technology and presents an updated guide on the anesthetic management of patients with an implanted neurostimulator undergoing surgery or medical intervention. ⋯ The anesthesiologist plays an important role to ensure a safe operating environment for patients with an implanted DBS device. Pertinent issues include identifying the type of device, involving a DBS-trained physician, turning off the device intraoperatively, implementing precautions when using electrosurgical equipment, and checking the device postoperatively.