Journal of clinical anesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Interleukin balance and early recovery from anesthesia in elderly surgical patients exposed to beta-adrenergic antagonism.
To determine whether proinflammatory and antiinflammatory cytokines, as measured in blood specimens, would correlate with improved SF-36 physical composite scores observed in elderly surgical patients who were administered perioperative atenolol. ⋯ Perioperative administration of atenolol to elderly surgical patients markedly improves physical sense of well-being, which coincides with improved postoperative pain control and decreased analgesic requirements. This improvement experienced by patients receiving atenolol is not related to alterations in perioperative cytokine response.
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When intrathecal and epidural opioids are administered, pruritus occurs as an unwanted and troublesome side effect. The reported incidence varies between 30% and 100%. The exact mechanisms of neuraxial opioid-induced pruritus remain unclear. ⋯ The treatment of intrathecal opioid-induced pruritus remains a challenge. Many pharmacological therapies, including antihistamines, 5-HT(3)-receptor antagonists, opiate-antagonists, propofol, nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs, and droperidol, have been studied. In this review, we will summarize pathophysiological and pharmacological advances that will improve understanding and ultimately the management of this troublesome problem.
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Moving the last case of the day from one operating room (OR) to another OR can increase OR efficiency. However, there is a penalty cost for moving a case. The goal of the study was to measure perceptions of the minimum time that needs to be saved for it to be worthwhile to move a case from a late-running OR to another OR. ⋯ Members of the AACD perceive the penalty cost for moving a case to be 1 hour.
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Case Reports
Recombinant factor VIIa for control of hemorrhage: early experience in critically ill trauma patients.
To examine our institutional experience with recombinant Factor VIIa (rFVIIa) as a treatment for exsanguinating hemorrhage in critically ill trauma patients. ⋯ Administration of rFVIIa shows promise in the treatment of exsanguinating hemorrhage. Prospective, controlled clinical trials of this therapy are strongly recommended.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Intraoperative epidural anesthesia and postoperative analgesia with levobupivacaine for major orthopedic surgery: a double-blind, randomized comparison of racemic bupivacaine and ropivacaine.
To compare the onset time and duration of epidural anesthesia, and the quality of postoperative analgesia produced by levobupivacaine, racemic bupivacaine, and ropivacaine. ⋯ Levobupivacaine 0.5% produces an epidural block of similar onset, quality, and duration as the one produced by the same volume of 0.5% bupivacaine, with a motor block deeper than that produced by 0.5% ropivacaine. When prolonging the block for the first 12 hours after surgery with a patient-controlled epidural infusion, 0.125% levobupivacaine provides adequate pain relief after major orthopedic surgery, with similar recovery of motor function as compared with 0.125% bupivacaine and 0.2% ropivacaine.