CRNA : the clinical forum for nurse anesthetists
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While under hypnosis, patients can be taught to alter their psychophysiological functions. With this ability to alter these functions, patients can overcome the anxiety associated with surgery. ⋯ The purpose of this article is to review the research literature related to the use of hypnosis in preparing the patient for surgery and to present 2 approaches used by the authors to prepare patients for surgery. The first approach is used when there is enough time to condition the patient, and the second approach is used when the anesthetist meets the patient shortly before the surgery is to begin and there is no time to induce formal trance.
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The pace of modern surgical procedures demands a fast and effective regional anesthesia technique. Intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) is such a technique. Traditionally, IVRA has been limited by tourniquet pain, inability to provide postoperative analgesia, and lack of a bloodless field for microsurgical repairs. ⋯ Additions to the local anesthetic such as meperidine, ketorolac, and clonidine have been shown to increase tourniquet tolerance and significantly improve postoperative analgesia. Additionally, when a bloodless field is required for microvascular surgery or nerve repairs, a re-exsanguination technique can be used. Advances in IVRA have made this technique an excellent choice for cases involving the hand, forearm, foot, and lower leg cases that least 60 minutes or less.
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The psoas compartment acts as a conduit for the nerve roots of the lumbar plexus. Originating at approximately the 12th thoracic vertebrae, this potential compartment continues on caudally, bordered posterolaterally by fascia of the quadratus lumborum and iliacus muscles, medially by the fascia of the psoas major muscle, and anteriorly by the transversalis fascia. ⋯ Spread of the anesthetic to all roots of the plexus occurs in 15 to 20 minutes. Profound sensory and motor blockade can be achieved providing surgical anesthesia as well as long duration postoperative pain relief.
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Combined spinal epidural anesthesia offers the advantages of each method while minimizing their respective disadvantages. First described in 1937, this technique has risen in popularity over the last 15 years and is being used successfully in orthopedic, urologic, and gynecologic surgeries and for anesthesia/analgesia for labor and delivery as well as cesarean section. The history and development of combined spinal epidural anesthesia/analgesia, the different techniques, and controversies and problems associated with its use are discussed. The use of the technique of obstetric anesthesia/analgesia is also examined.
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In the obstetric setting, spinal and epidural analgesia/anesthesia are the 2 most frequently used forms of analgesia and anesthesia. One of the potential complications of these procedures is the postdural puncture headache (PDPH), and there is a high probability that the anesthetist will have occasion to evaluate the headache complaints of the parturient. The author reviews the differential process and discusses some of the causes and treatments of headaches in the parturient.