Minerva anestesiologica
-
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children is frequent, sometimes lethal, and may have life-long consequences in survivors. Prevention at school and in sports, including both kids and families, is of paramount importance. ⋯ This non-systematic review suggests that rational organization of rescue and transport to designated hospitals, linked with early diagnosis/removal of surgical masses and comprehensive monitoring and intensive care, offer the best chances for reducing mortality and morbidity in severe cases. After the acute phase rehabilitation and families play a fundamental role.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Dec 2010
ReviewOROS® hydromorphone in chronic pain management: when drug delivery technology matches clinical needs.
The osmotic-controlled release oral delivery system (OROS®) is an innovative drug delivery technology that uses osmotic pressure as the driving force to deliver pharmacotherapies in many therapeutic areas. In chronic pain management requiring long-term therapy, pharmaceutical technologies that ensure the controlled release of analgesic medications are imperative. In addition, once-daily formulations ensure better patient compliance to prescribed therapies. ⋯ These studies support the clinical utility of the 5:1 ratio used for the conversion of oral morphine to oral OROS® hydromorphone. Furthermore, once-daily OROS® hydromorphone has been shown to be effective in patients with chronic cancer and non-cancer pain, and it provides similar pain relief to SR morphine and ER oxycodone. In chronic pain management, OROS® products can result in more stable drug concentrations, reduced dosing frequency and an improved safety profile.
-
Minerva anestesiologica · Dec 2010
Review Meta AnalysisPalliative care in Italy: problem areas emerging from the literature.
The aim of this study was to review the Italian literature regarding attitudes toward palliative care in cancer patients, as well as cultural, educational and organizational problems in Italy with respect to palliative care services. The Italian literature published in the last ten years on PUBMED was reviewed. Clinical trials were excluded from this analysis, as their focus was beyond the scope of this study. ⋯ An appropriate place to die was often not guaranteed and was dependent on the availability of local resources. However, the most striking finding was that there were geographical differences in the distribution of palliative care resources. The development of a range of palliative care programs integrating primary territorial care and specialized palliative services may constitute the ideal synthesis to respond to patients' needs.