Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jan 1999
ReviewNeuraxial techniques for cancer pain: an opinion about unresolved therapeutic dilemmas.
Epidural and intrathecal techniques are well established for minimizing cancer pain. However, several issues remain unresolved. ⋯ A subcutaneous tunnelling and fixation of the catheter, bacterial filters, minimum changes of tubings, weekly exit site care, site protection, and monitoring for any signs of infection are suggested for advanced cancer patients. Areas still needing clarification include the optimum use of spinal adjuvants, the appropriate spinal morphine-bupivacaine ratio, methods to improve spinal opioid responsiveness, and long-term catheter management during home-care programs.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jan 1999
Clinical TrialDetermination of epidural catheter placement using nerve stimulation in obstetric patients.
Peripheral nerve and spinal cord stimulation techniques have been used for many years. However, electrical stimulation methods rarely have been used to confirm epidural catheter placement. This study examines the practicality of this technique to confirm epidural catheter placement in obstetric patients. ⋯ This study demonstrates that this test may have a role in improving the success rate of epidural anesthesia.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jan 1999
A survey of exposure to regional anesthesia techniques in American anesthesia residency training programs.
The American Board of Anesthesiologists and the Residency Review Committee for Anesthesiology do not keep records regarding the individual resident's cumulative exposure to specific peripheral nerve block techniques. Further, little is known about individual trainee confidence in performing regional anesthetic blocks. To improve training and anesthesia practice, such information is necessary. In this nationwide survey, we assessed residents' perceived cumulative regional anesthesia experience and their confidence level. ⋯ Most CA-3 residents are confident in performing lumbar epidural and spinal anesthesia. However, many are not confident in performing the blocks with which they have the least exposure. Changes need to be made in the training processes so that residents can graduate with enough confidence to continue selecting less familiar blocks in postgraduate practice.