Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Impact of thoracic epidural catheter threading distance on analgesia during the first 24 hours following thoracotomy: a randomized controlled trial.
The purpose of this prospective randomized controlled trial was to determine the impact of thoracic epidural catheter threading distance on analgesia quality after thoracotomy. ⋯ This study found that a thoracic epidural catheter threading distance of 7 cm in the epidural space was not inferior to distances of 3 cm and 5 cm with respect to pain scores at 60 min postoperatively. This study was not powered to examine differences that could have clinical significance that were less than our a priori 25% non-inferiority margin.
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Comparative Study Observational Study
Monitoring recovery from rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block using acceleromyography at the trapezius versus the adductor pollicis muscle: an observational trial.
Positioning for surgery can restrict access to the patient's hand, thereby limiting assessment of the response at the adductor pollicis muscle to ulnar nerve stimulation. We evaluated a novel site to assess neuromuscular block by stimulating the accessory nerve and measuring the acceleromyographic response at the trapezius muscle. ⋯ We conclude that recording evoked acceleromyographic responses at the trapezius muscle is an acceptable alternative when monitoring from the adductor pollicis muscle is compromised. Nevertheless, we caution that recording a 90% TOF response at the trapezius muscle may overestimate functional recovery from the neuromuscular blockade. This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT01849198.
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The purpose of this Continuing Professional Development module is to provide information needed to prepare for and clinically manage a patient in the prone position. ⋯ Increased age, elevated body mass index, the presence of comorbidities, and long duration of surgery appear to be the most important risk factors for complications associated with prone positioning. We recommend a structured team approach and careful selection of equipment tailored to the patient and surgery. The systematic use of checklists is recommended to guide operating room teams and to reduce prone position-related complications. Anesthesiologists should be prepared to manage major intraoperative emergencies (e.g., accidental extubation) and anticipate postoperative complications (e.g., airway edema and visual loss).
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Observational Study
The relationship between study findings and publication outcome in anesthesia research: a retrospective observational study examining publication bias.
Many areas of medicine have shown bias towards the publication of studies with positive results. To estimate publication bias in the anesthesia literature, we reviewed all abstracts presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) annual meetings over a four-year period and compared study results (positive vs negative) with publication outcomes. ⋯ Approximately half of the ASA annual meeting abstracts proceed to publication. After adjustment for study quality and size, abstracts with positive results were more likely to proceed to journal publication than those with negative results, suggesting publication bias in the anesthesia literature.
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The purpose of this case report is to describe the anesthetic and case management of the first vascularized composite allograft pediatric bilateral hand transplant. ⋯ This report describes the anesthetic management of the first pediatric bilateral hand transplant. This procedure required considerable preoperative planning and communication between various teams to ensure all resources needed to deliver the care for this complex and novel transplant surgery were readily available.