Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology
-
Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2019
ReviewRecent technological advancements in regional anesthesia.
Just two decades ago, regional anesthesia was performed blindly with dubious outcomes and little support from surgeons and patients. Technological advances in regional anesthesia have revolutionized techniques and largely improved outcomes. Ultrasound (US) technology continues to advance and has become more affordable. ⋯ To reduce variability and to reduce the anesthesiologist's workload, the use of robots in regional anesthesia has been assessed in recent years. Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) has also demonstrated efficacy in acute and chronic pain settings. Additional research and randomized controlled trials are necessary to evaluate novel technologies.
-
Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2019
ReviewThe role of regional anesthesia in the propagation of cancer: A comprehensive review.
New cancer incidences worldwide will eclipse 18 million in 2019, with nearly 10 million cancer-related deaths. It is estimated that in the United States, almost 40% of individuals will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. Surgical resection of primary tumors remains a cornerstone of cancer treatment; however, the surgical process can trigger an immune-suppressing sympathetic response, which promotes tumor growth of any residual cancerous cells post surgery. ⋯ Recently, much evidence in the form of retrospective and prospective studies has come to light regarding the protective, antitumor properties of anesthetic and analgesic agents across a wide variety of cancers and patient demographics. It is believed that by blocking afferent pain signals, the body does not mount the sympathetic response that contributes to the perpetuation of disease after surgical treatment. This review, therefore, investigates these studies as they pertain to the treatment and outcomes of cancers treated surgically to elucidate the role of regional anesthesia in the propagation of cancer.
-
The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a brief discussion of the current direction in pediatric regional anesthesia, highlighting both newer nerve blocks and techniques and traditional nerve blocks. ⋯ As the push for multimodal analgesia increases and the breadth of pediatric regional anesthesia continues to expand, further large prospective studies will be needed to demonstrate continued efficacy and overall safety.
-
Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2019
Review Observational StudyIncidence of vocal cord paresis following ultrasound-guided interscalene nerve block: An observational cohort study.
Interscalene brachial plexus block (IBPB) has become a standard practice for perioperative analgesia for shoulder procedures. However, several side effects may occur owing to its anatomic location. We have chosen to evaluate vocal cord paresis and dysphonia following interscalene blocks. ⋯ Although larger studies are required to determine the true incidence of vocal cord paresis following US-guided IBPB, our results suggest that incidence of unwanted nerve blockade other than brachial plexus is much lower than that previously described.
-
Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2019
ReviewRegional anesthesia considerations for cardiac surgery.
Pain is a significant consequence of cardiac surgery and newer techniques in cardiac anesthesia have provided an impetus for the development of multimodal techniques to manage acute pain in this setting. In this regard, regional anesthesia techniques have been increasingly used in many cardiac surgical procedures, for the purposes of reducing perioperative consumption of opioid agents and enhanced recovery after surgery. ⋯ The present investigation also summarizes indications, technique, complications, and potential clinical benefits of these evolving regional techniques. Cardiac surgery patients may benefit from application of these regional techniques with well controlled indications and careful patient selections.