Journal of anesthesia
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Journal of anesthesia · Oct 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyAdjuvant dexamethasone with bupivacaine prolongs the duration of interscalene block: a prospective randomized trial.
Dexamethasone added to bupivacaine significantly prolongs the duration of interscalene analgesia and motor blockade.
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Journal of anesthesia · Oct 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of acupuncture on nausea and/or vomiting during and after cesarean section in comparison with ondansetron.
Acupuncture has been used for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study compared the effect of electrical acustimulation with ondansetron for preventing intraoperative and postoperative emetic symptoms and improving patient satisfaction. ⋯ Electrical acustimulation is comparable to ondansetron in prevention of PONV during and after cesarean delivery under spinal anesthesia and in improving patient satisfaction.
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Journal of anesthesia · Oct 2011
Randomized Controlled TrialComparison of postoperative pharyngeal morbidity using the Macintosh laryngoscope or AirWay Scope after mastectomy.
We compared the characteristics of postoperative pharyngeal morbidity in intubation between the AirWay Scope (AWS) and Macintosh laryngoscope in 68 ASA I-II female patients aged 35-77 years in a randomized, double-blinded, controlled fashion. After induction of general anesthesia, the patient's trachea was intubated using the AWS or Macintosh laryngoscope by five anesthesiologists. Before leaving the operating room, postoperative sore throat, hoarseness, and dysphagia were assessed, and oral bleeding was evaluated by observation of the extubated tracheal tube. ⋯ Incidence of oral bleeding with the AWS (6.1%) was significantly lower than that with the Macintosh laryngoscope (23.5%). Pharyngeal morbidity on the day after surgery did not differ between groups, and no patient complained of delayed oral intake. In female patients, the AWS successfully reduced the incidence and severity of sore throat on the day of surgery in comparison with the Macintosh laryngoscope.
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Journal of anesthesia · Oct 2011
Review Historical ArticleThe role of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists in the United States.
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) have been providing anesthesia care in the United States (US) for nearly 150 years. Historically, anesthesia care for surgical patients was mainly provided by trained nurses under the supervision of surgeons until the establishment of anesthesiology as a medical specialty in the US. Currently, all 50 US states utilize CRNAs to perform various kinds of anesthesia care, either under the medical supervision of anesthesiologists in most states, or independently without medical supervision in 16 states; the latter has become an on-going source of conflict between anesthesiologists and CRNAs. Understanding the history and current conditions of anesthesia practice in the US is crucial for countries in which the shortage of anesthesia care providers has become a national issue.
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Journal of anesthesia · Oct 2011
Case ReportsMultilevel nerve stimulator-guided paravertebral block as a sole anesthetic technique for breast cancer surgery in morbidly obese patients.
In this case series, we present the effectiveness of multilevel nerve stimulator-guided paravertebral block (PVB) technique in obese women of body mass index ≥30 kg/m(2) undergoing breast cancer surgery with or without axillary dissection. Twenty-six obese women were included in this case series. Block classification, hemodynamics and complication rate, postoperative nausea and vomiting, postoperative analgesic consumption, post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay, and hospital stay were recorded. ⋯ Confirmation of the landmark was established from the initial attempt in 61.5%. Surgical PVB was achieved in 76.9% of the patients; the failure rate of the technique was 11.5%. This case series suggested that the multilevel nerve stimulator-guided PVB may be an effective technique for obese patients undergoing breast cancer surgery, although further studies are needed to compare PVB and general anesthesia.