Journal of clinical anesthesia
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Dexmedetomidine, which is commonly used for procedural sedation and as adjunct to general anesthesia for ambulatory procedures, may affect patient discharge from the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). We hypothesized that intraoperative dexmedetomidine use in ambulatory surgery is associated with delayed discharge from the PACU and that this is modified by surgical duration and anesthesia type. ⋯ The intraoperative administration of dexmedetomidine was dose-dependently associated with a prolonged PACU length of stay. Clinicians should judiciously titrate dexmedetomidine, especially when using this long-acting drug for monitored anesthesia care for shorter procedures.
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Observational Study
The utilization of caudal hydromorphone for fast-tracking in congenital cardiac surgery in a tertiary-care Children's hospital: An audit.
Our study sought to audit our institutional practice of routine single-shot caudal epidural hydromorphone injection in children undergoing congenital cardiothoracic surgery to assess perioperative pain control and evaluate for any caudal complications. ⋯ Caudal hydromorphone injection can safely contribute to achieving "well-controlled" pain in the pediatric cardiac surgical population when used as a component of a perioperative pain control plan.