Journal of clinical anesthesia
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Neural blockade of the scalp may be used as an adjunct to general anesthesia or serve as the principal anesthetic for both intracranial and extracranial procedures. Effective scalp blockade typically requires anesthetizing multiple peripheral nerves; blockade of one or more of these is often used to diagnose and treat conditions such as chronic headache. ⋯ The vascularity of the scalp, proximity of arteries supplying the cerebral circulation, use of large volumes of local anesthetic, and presence of intracranial devices or bony defects require attention. The impact of perioperative scalp blockade on acute and chronic pain may offer insight into the benefits of perioperative neural blockade generally.
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A 35 year old woman, 6 days after ileal neobladder construction, reported uncontrolled pain despite 33 mg hydromorphone via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Abdominal compartment syndrome was suspected based on worsening tachypnea, oxygen desaturation, and severe, prolonged ileus. Following emergent intubation, peak airway and bladder pressures were elevated. ⋯ Continuous ketamine infusion was used for opioid resensitization and the patient was extubated following return of bowel function. Opioid use contributed to the ileus, caused gastric distension, and displaced the diaphragm cephalad. The patient interpreted the subsequent dyspnea as pain and increased PCA opioid use, thereby worsening the ileus.
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To examine the effect on morbidity and mortality of an established intraoperative insulin protocol in cardiac surgical patients. ⋯ Implementation of an intraoperative IV insulin protocol, while associated with improved glycemic control, was not associated with improved outcomes. While improved glycemic control on initiating CPB was associated with decreased 30-day mortality, the effect was small. Implementation of our insulin protocol was highly associated with decreased renal failure postoperatively. Further prospective studies are warranted to better establish causality.