Current opinion in anaesthesiology
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The antidepressant effect of subanesthetic doses of ketamine was recognized 20 years ago. This review briefly summarizes the current understanding of the antidepressant mechanisms and the available clinical research on the use of racemic ketamine and enantiomer esketamine for depression. ⋯ A rapid onset antidepressive effect of ketamine and esketamine has been proven conclusively. The results of extensive basic science research of the mechanism of action of low-dose ketamine doses has led to an alternative hypothesis of the pathophysiology of depression and the development of a novel neurotrophic concept of depression. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to determine the safety and efficacy of repeated administration of ketamine and its analogs to prevent relapse and recurrence of depression.
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Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a rapidly expanding surgical modality for the treatment of patients with movement disorders. Its ability to be adjusted, titrated, and optimized over time has given it a significant advantage over traditional more invasive surgical procedures. Therefore, the success and popularity of this procedure have led to the discovery of new indications and therapeutic targets as well as advances in surgical techniques. The aim of this review is to highlight the important updates in DBS surgery and to exam the anesthesiologist's role in providing optimal clinical management. ⋯ DBS will continue to grow and evolve requiring adaptation and modification to the anesthetic management of these patients.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Oct 2021
ReviewNew ultrasound-guided techniques in chronic pain management: an update.
The introduction of ultrasound guidance in interventional pain management leads to the development of new interventional pain management techniques. Ultrasound-guided (UG) interventional pain management is rapidly developing and increasingly more commonly used, due to its many advantages over traditional radiologic imaging modalities. This review will summarize recent literature around novel interventional pain techniques with ultrasound guidance published over the last 18 months. ⋯ There have been many innovations in UG interventional procedures, however, some of them require more rigorous validation before their widespread use.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2021
ReviewSelective periarticular blocks for postoperative pain after hip and knee arthroplasty.
This review aims to provide an overview of selective periarticular blocks for postoperative pain after hip and knee arthroplasty and the current evidence for their use. ⋯ The pericapsular blocks of the hip (pericapsular nerve group block, iliopsoas plane block, hip block), genicular nerves block, and infiltration between the popliteal artery and the capsule of the knee play an increasingly important role in providing postoperative analgesia after hip and knee arthroplasty without impeding fast-track protocols.
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Curr Opin Anaesthesiol · Aug 2021
ReviewInhalational anaesthetics, ozone depletion, and greenhouse warming: the basics and status of our efforts in environmental mitigation.
Following their use for medicinal purposes, volatile inhalational anaesthetic agents are expelled into the atmosphere where they contribute to anthropogenic climate change. We describe recent evidence examining the benefits and harms associated with their use. ⋯ There is now compelling evidence that anaesthetists, departments and hospitals should avoid desflurane completely, and limit nitrous oxide use to settings where there is no viable alternative, as their environmental harms outweigh any perceived clinical benefit. Life cycle analyses seem supportive of total intravenous and/or regional anaesthesia. There are many other areas where choices can be made by individual anaesthetists that contribute towards reducing the environmental burden of healthcare, such as prioritising the reduction of inappropriate resource use and over-treatment. However, this all requires joined up solutions where all parts of an organisation engage.