Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Nov 2016
Case ReportsDelayed Neuraxial Hematoma in Parturient With Fontan Circulation Following Neuraxial Anesthesia for Cesarean Section.
Neuraxial hematoma is a rare complication of spinal or epidural anesthesia. However, variable coagulation factor defects are relatively common in patients with Fontan circulation, and may predispose such patients to either increased risk of thrombosis or coagulopathy. These defects may indirectly increase their risk of neuraxial hematoma. ⋯ Parturients with single ventricle physiology present numerous challenges to balance, including pregnancy-related physiologic alterations in blood volume, cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, oxygen consumption, and coagulation. Although neuraxial anesthesia is common in this population, it is not without risks. We report the circumstances surrounding a parturient with single ventricle physiology who experienced neuraxial hematoma 4 days after continuous spinal anesthesia despite adherence to accepted guidelines. Eighteen months after undergoing a cesarean section, she had a full recovery and returned to her baseline medical status.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Nov 2016
Time Since Inciting Event Is Associated With Higher Centralized Pain Symptoms in Patients Diagnosed With Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
We hypothesized that patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) with a longer time since their inciting event would demonstrate more symptoms of centralized pain. ⋯ Our findings suggest that the longer the patients have CRPS the more likely they are to report symptoms suggestive of centralized pain. These data may explain why some patients with a longer duration of CRPS do not respond to peripherally directed therapies.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Nov 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialQuadratus Lumborum Block Versus Transversus Abdominis Plane Block for Postoperative Pain After Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
The quadratus lumborum block (QLB) may be more effective than transversus abdominos plane (TAP) block for cesarean section analgesia.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Nov 2016
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA Randomized Controlled Trial of Ultrasound Versus Nerve Stimulator Guidance for Axillary Brachial Plexus Block.
Ultrasound-guided techniques improve outcomes in regional anesthesia when compared with traditional techniques; however, this assertion has not been studied with novices. The primary objective of this study was to compare sensory and motor block after axillary brachial plexus block when performed by novice trainees allocated to an ultrasound- or nerve-stimulator-guided group. A secondary objective was to compare the rates of skill acquisition between the 2 groups. ⋯ We were unable to demonstrate a difference in the efficacy of axillary brachial plexus block performed by novices when ultrasound guidance was compared with a nerve stimulator technique. There was evidence of similarly improved clinical performance of novices in both groups.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Nov 2016
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyEffect of Topical Morphine on Acute and Chronic Postmastectomy Pain: What Is the Optimum Dose?
Poorly controlled postoperative pain is strongly associated with the development of chronic pain. We aimed to investigate the effect of topical morphine (in 1 of 3 doses: 5, 10, or 15 mg) on acute and chronic neuropathic pain after modified radical mastectomy for cancer breast. ⋯ Topical morphine controlled acute postmastectomy pain in a dose-dependent manner and reduced the incidence and severity of chronic postmastectomy pain syndrome.