Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialPatient-controlled epidural analgesia with fentanyl-bupivacaine: influence of prior dural puncture.
Combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA) involves the epidural administration of local anesthetic and opioid solutions adjacent to the prior dural puncture, potentially increasing their diffusion into the subarachnoid space. This study was designed to evaluate the influence of dural puncture on the adequacy and extent of analgesia, and drugs requirements of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) in the postoperative period. ⋯ Dural puncture with a 25-gauge Quincke needle, performed as part of CSEA, does not influence the drug requirements when a combination of 0.1% bupivacaine and fentanyl (3 microg/mL) is used for PCEA after major abdominal surgery.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 2000
Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialLow-dose bupivacaine-fentanyl spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery.
The hypotension following spinal anesthesia remains commonplace in cesarean delivery. Intrathecal opioids are synergistic with local anesthetics and intensify sensory block without increasing sympathetic block. The combination makes it possible to achieve spinal anesthesia with otherwise inadequate doses of local anesthetic. We hypothesized that this phenomenon could be used to provide spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery while incurring less frequent hypotension. ⋯ Bupivacaine 5 mg + fentanyl 25 microg provided spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery with less hypotension, vasopressor requirements, and nausea than spinal anesthesia with 10 mg bupivacaine.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 2000
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEffects of immediately initiating an epidural infusion in the combined spinal and epidural technique in nulliparous parturients.
Intrathecal fentanyl with bupivacaine provides rapid labor analgesia of limited duration. We investigated the effect of initiating an epidural infusion of 0.1% ropivacaine with fentanyl 2 microg/mL and epinephrine 1:400,000 (REF) on the duration of analgesia and incidence of side effects after intrathecal injection in the combined spinal and epidural technique. ⋯ Initiating an infusion of REF prolongs the duration of analgesia, but also results in a greater decrease in blood pressure. Despite this effect on blood pressure, there was no difference in ephedrine use.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 2000
Clinical TrialMyofascial pain in patients with postthoracotomy pain syndrome.
Postthoracotomy pain syndrome is generally considered to be neuropathic pain due to intercostal nerve injury. However, nonneuropathic pain can also occur following thoracic surgery. We present a series of cases with postthoracotomy pain syndrome in which myofascial pain was thought to be a causative component of postthoracotomy pain syndrome. ⋯ Postthoracotomy pain may result, at least in part, from a nonneuropathic origin (myofascial pain). It is recommended that each patient be examined in detail to determine whether there is a trigger point in a taut muscular band within the scapular region. If found, this point is suggested as a good area for anesthetic injection.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 2000
Case ReportsComplete brachial plexus palsy after total shoulder arthroplasty done with interscalene block anesthesia.
This report illustrates that brachial plexus palsy can result from either interscalene block or total shoulder arthroplasty. It is often impossible to determine which procedure caused the deficit; therefore, we believe the focus should be placed on treatment of the neurologic deficit. This report provides a suggested algorithm for diagnosis and treatment of postprocedure brachial plexus palsy. ⋯ Proper diagnosis and treatment of postprocedure brachial plexus palsy may improve recovery of function. Several precautions may reduce the likelihood of brachial plexus palsy following interscalene block for total shoulder arthroplasty.