Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 1998
Computed tomographic study of lumbar (L3-4) epidural depth and its relationship to physical measurements in young adult men.
This study was performed to devise a method for predicting epidural depth more accurately with a variety of physical measurements not previously studied. ⋯ Addition of the physical parameters such as waist circumference/neck circumference ratio or BMI results in a higher predictive value for epidural depth than use of more traditional physical parameters such as weight/height ratio and/or weight only. The value of Sl-Ep is independent of any physical parameters. Thus, the significant correlation between the physical measurements and the epidural depth seems to be due only to obesity-related factors.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 1998
Paravertebral somatic nerve block for outpatient inguinal herniorrhaphy: an expanded case report of 22 patients.
Inguinal herniorrhaphy is a common outpatient surgical procedure. However, anesthetic techniques for inguinal herniorrhaphy are still associated with numerous side effects. Paravertebral somatic nerve block (PSNB) has the potential advantage to offer unilateral abdominal wall anesthesia and long-lasting pain relief with minimal side effects. We report our initial trial of PSNB for outpatient inguinal herniorrhaphy. ⋯ The results of our initial experience suggest that PSNB is a potentially safe and effective technique. In general, the block provided long-lasting pain relief in most patients with few side effects. A randomized study comparing paravertebral blocks with conventional anesthesia choices is suggested given the findings in this initial series of patients.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 1998
The practice of peripheral nerve blocks in the United States: a national survey [p2e comments].
A nationwide survey was conducted in order to describe practice patterns surrounding the use of peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs). ⋯ Although this survey indicates that regional anesthesia is frequently practiced in the United States, PNBs and particularly PNBs of the lower extremities remain underutilized.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 1998
The rate of successful reactivation of labor epidural catheters for postpartum tubal ligation surgery.
Epidural catheters placed for analgesia during labor and delivery can be reused in the postpartum period for postpartum tubal ligation anesthesia. This study examined the success rate of such reactivation of epidural catheters. ⋯ Epidural catheters can be reactivated reliably for as long as 24 hours after they are placed.