Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne 2020 Jun 15;15(2):346-350. Epub 2019 Oct 15.

Clinical Department of Cardiac Surgery, St. Jadwiga Provincial Clinical Hospital, Rzeszow, Poland.

Introduction: Working on the institutional Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS Cardio) protocol for off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery (OP-CABG) we have noticed that patients treated according to the modified anesthesia protocol had not only significantly shorter time of respiratory support and intensive care unit stay but also lower postoperative troponin T concentration than patients who had standard fentanyl/sevoflurane-based anesthesia.

Aim: To compare the perioperative course of patients undergoing OP-CABG surgery and receiving standard fentanyl/sevoflurane anesthesia and those anesthetized according to the institutional ERAS Cardio protocol with remifentanil, sevoflurane, and bilateral extensor spinae plane (ESP) block.

Material And Methods: Design: a prospective, open-label, observational study performed in a tertiary health center. Read More

Am Fam Physician 2020 Jun;101(11):654-664

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.

Procedural anesthesia is administered by family physicians for a variety of conditions, including neuropathies, fracture reduction, foreign body removals, and complex wound management. A nerve block may be preferred because it provides effective regional anesthesia with less anesthetic. Nerve blocks require a thorough understanding of relevant anatomy, aiding the physician in optimizing the anesthesia effect while minimizing complications. Read More

Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2020 Jul 27;7(4). Epub 2020 May 27.

From the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Neurology and Immunology (D.D., J.A.H., S.S., C.J.K., J.R.M., V.A.L., S.J.P., A.M.); Department of Neurology (D.D., J.A.H., S.S., C.J.K., J.R.M., V.A.L., S.J.P., A.M.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; and Euroimmun (L.K., S.B., C.P.), Lubeck, Germany.

Objective: To determine serologic characteristics, frequency, phenotype, paraneoplastic associations, and electrodiagnostic and histopathologic features accompanying contactin-1 autoimmunity.

Methods: Archived sera known to produce synaptic tissue-based immunofluorescence patterns were reevaluated, and contactin-1 specificity was confirmed by recombinant protein assays. Screening of 233 chronic/relapsing demyelinating neuropathies for additional cases was performed. Read More

Reg Anesth Pain Med 2020 May 23. Epub 2020 May 23.

Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Management, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA.

Background And Objectives: Educational initiatives are a sustainable means to address provider shortages in resource-limited settings (RLS), yet few regional anesthesia curricula for RLS have been described. We sought to design a reproducible training model for RLS called Global Regional Anesthesia Curricular Engagement (GRACE), implement GRACE at an RLS hospital in Ghana, and measure training and practice-based outcomes associated with GRACE implementation.

Methods: Fourteen of 15 physician anesthesiologists from the study location and three from an outside orthopedic specialty hospital consented to be trainees and trainers, respectively, for this prospective single-center observational study with pre-post evaluations. Read More

J Anesth 2020 May 18. Epub 2020 May 18.

Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, 89-1 Enya-cho, Izumo City, Shimane, 693-8501, Japan.

Background: Quadratus lumborum block (QLB) has recently attracted attention as a part of multimodal analgesia after abdominal surgery. It has been shown that programmed intermittent boluses of local anesthetic can produce better analgesia and wider sensory blockade compared with continuous basal infusion with some peripheral nerve blocks. The present study was conducted to see if this theory holds true for QLB in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Read More

Injury 2020 Apr 19. Epub 2020 Apr 19.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA. Electronic address:

Background: Fascia iliaca nerve blocks relieve pain in geriatric hip fracture patients and can be administered via a single-shot or continuous catheter. We compared perioperative opioid consumption and pain scores between these two blocks.

Methods: We performed a prospective, observational cohort study, including geriatric hip fracture patients who received a preoperative block. Read More

BMC Anesthesiol 2020 Apr 20;20(1):88. Epub 2020 Apr 20.

Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China.

Background: Ultrasound-guided erector spine plane (ESP) block is widely used in perioperative analgesia for back, chest and abdominal surgery. The extent and distribution of this block remain controversial. This study was performed to assess the analgesia range of an ultrasound-guided ESP block. Read More

Muscle Nerve 2020 Apr 15. Epub 2020 Apr 15.

Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, United States.

Introduction: Radiologically inserted gastrostomy (RIG) placement in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) carries risks related to periprocedural sedation and analgesia. To minimize these risks, we used a paravertebral block (PVB) technique for RIG placement.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with ALS undergoing RIG placement under PVB between 2013 and 2017. Read More

Reg Anesth Pain Med 2020 Jun 12;45(6):412-418. Epub 2020 Apr 12.

Laboratory of Anesthesia & Critical Care Medicine, Translational Neuroscience Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Translational Medicine of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Background And Objective: Long-acting nociceptive-selective regional anesthesia has remained an elusive clinical goal. We aspired to identify a novel compound that would produce nociceptive-selective regional anesthesia through the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channels.

Methods: We designed and synthesized a novel compound (LL-a) that penetrates the cell membrane through TRPV1 channels and binds to voltage-gated sodium channels. Read More

Anesth Pain Med 2019 Dec 1;9(6):e92695. Epub 2019 Dec 1.

Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

Background: Regional anesthesia provides safe anesthesia for upper extremity surgery. Axillary plexus block approach for hand and forearm surgery is commonly used. The use of adjuvants in combination with local anesthetics for peripheral nerve blocks enhances the quality and duration of anesthesia and postoperative analgesia. Read More

J Pain Res 2020 31;13:661-668. Epub 2020 Mar 31.

Surgical Oncology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.

Background: Serratus anterior plane (SAP) block, a novel regional anesthetic procedure, involves the anterolateral chest wall. Opioid receptors have been found on peripheral nerve terminals, so morphine may have a local action.

Objective: This work aimed at exploring the analgesic efficacy of morphine added to bupivacaine in SAPB in patients for whom modified radical mastectomy was conducted and whether it is a mere local effect. Read More

Nagoya J Med Sci 2020 Feb;82(1):93-99

Department of Anesthesiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.

Thoracic wall nerve blocks reduce postoperative acute pain after breast cancer surgery (BCS); however, their short-term effects and the most effective technique remain unclear. To compare the effects of pectoral nerve block type-2 (Pecs II block) and serratus plane block for postoperative short-term analgesia, we retrospectively reviewed 43 BCS patients who underwent Pecs II block (=22) or serratus plane block (=21). The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with no complaints of pain 2 months post-BCS. Read More

Turk J Anaesthesiol Reanim 2020 Apr 17;48(2):115-119. Epub 2019 Oct 17.

Department of Anaesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine whether or not the effects of peripheral nerve block can be reversed by flushing normal saline down a peripheral nerve block catheter following the completion of arteriovenous (AV) fistula surgery.

Methods: In the present study, 38 patients undergoing AV fistula surgery were recruited, and a brachial plexus block with a peripheral nerve catheter was established. Following surgery, the patients were randomised to either the control group or the washout group, where 10 mL of normal saline was flushed down the peripheral nerve catheter at 15-minute intervals for 1 h while the patients were in the postoperative recovery room. Read More

Vet Anaesth Analg 2020 May 6;47(3):405-413. Epub 2020 Feb 6.

Surgical Clinic Department, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

Objective: To develop a technique for ultrasound-guided continuous median and ulnar peripheral nerve block in horses.

Study Design: Anatomical and prospective experimental study.

Animals: A total of 16 thoracic limbs from horse cadavers and 18 adult horses. Read More

J Anesth 2020 Jun 30;34(3):472-475. Epub 2020 Mar 30.

Department of Medical-Surgical Science and Translational Medicine, University of Rome "Sapienza", Sant' Andrea University Hospital, via Federico Mastrigli, 29, 00189, Rome, Italy.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the pericapsular nerve group block and local infiltration analgesia (LIA) combination as the only anesthesia technique for the total hip arthroplasty (THA). We considered the anesthetic plan, postoperative analgesia, hospital length of stay, functional recovery, bleeding, complications and the adverse events. We reported 10 ASA I-II patients admitted for elective primary THA, receiving LIA during (5) and at the end of surgery (5). Read More

J Anesth 2020 Jun 30;34(3):413-420. Epub 2020 Mar 30.

Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, 89-1 Enya-cho, Izumo, Shimane, 693-8501, Japan.

Background: Continuous femoral nerve block (FNB) has been effectively used after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Recently the anterior approach to quadratus lumborum block (QLB) has been shown to produce postoperative pain relief after THA. Continuous QLB would benefit from a catheter insertion site that is farther away from the surgical site compared with continuous FNB. Read More

Reg Anesth Pain Med 2020 05 24;45(5):357-361. Epub 2020 Mar 24.

Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Management, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York, USA

Background: Given the steep learning curve for neuraxial and peripheral nerve blocks, utilization of general anesthesia may increase as new house staff begin their residency programs. We sought to determine whether "July effect" affects the utilization of neuraxial anesthesia, peripheral nerve blocks, and opioid prescribing for lower extremity total joint arthroplasties (TJA) in July compared with June in teaching and non-teaching hospitals.

Methods: Neuraxial anesthesia, peripheral nerve block use, and opioid prescribing trends were assessed using the Premier database (2006-2016). Read More

J Bone Joint Surg Am 2020 May;102(10):866-872

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California.

Background: Fascia iliaca nerve blocks (FIBs) anesthetize the thigh and provide opioid-sparing analgesia for geriatric patients with hip fracture awaiting a surgical procedure. FIBs are recommended for preoperative pain management; yet, block administration is often delayed for hours after admission, and delays in pain management lead to worse outcomes. Our objective was to determine whether opioid consumption and pain following a hip fracture are affected by the time to block (TTB). Read More

Children (Basel) 2020 Mar 11;7(3). Epub 2020 Mar 11.

Center of Pediatric Pain Medicine, Palliative Care and Integrative Medicine, Benioff Children's Hospitals in Oakland and San Francisco, University of California at San Francisco UCSF, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.

Postoperative pain treatment affects immediate and long-term outcomes in children undergoing cardiac surgery. Opioids, as part of multimodal analgesia, are effective in treating pain, however, they can be disadvantageous due to adverse side effects. Therefore, we assessed whether the local anesthetic bupivacaine as a parasternal nerve block in children post-cardiac surgery is an effective adjunct to pain management. Read More

Reg Anesth Pain Med 2020 05 11;45(5):362-366. Epub 2020 Mar 11.

Anesthesiology, Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain.

Background And Objectives: Circumferential (C) spread of local anesthetic around the nerve is recommended for a successful nerve block. We tested the hypothesis that C spread produces a more complete block than non-circumferential (NC) spread.

Methods: We randomized 124 patients undergoing open carpal tunnel syndrome surgery to receive C or NC spread ultrasound-guided median and ulnar nerve blocks. Read More

Anat Sci Int 2020 Jun 6;95(3):399-407. Epub 2020 Mar 6.

Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University, Radiotherapy Park, Entrance 98, C. Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Thiel embalming on the biomechanical properties of nerve tissue, to validate the use of Thiel embalmed bodies as a reliable model system for obtaining biomechanical data to supplement neurodynamic models, for anesthesiological and neurosurgical training and for future preclinical test set-ups involving nerve tissue. Upon the arrival of a body at the anatomy department, a fresh median nerve was harvested, the harvest site was sutured and following the Thiel embalming procedure the Thiel embalmed median nerve of the opposing wrist was harvested. Micro CT was performed to establish the cross-sectional area and biomechanical tensile testing was performed to compare the Young's modulus/elasticity of fresh frozen and Thiel embalmed nerves. Read More

Pak J Pharm Sci 2020 Jan;33(1):79-83

Tracheal Diseases Research Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Akhtar Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Higher sodium ions in saline diluted local anesthetic may reduce the anesthetic action of the drug as injected around the nerves. However, the impact of local anesthetic dilution agents on the quality of peripheral nerve blockades has not yet been widely investigated. This study was aimed at evaluating the impact of lidocaine dilution with normal saline vs dextrose 5% on onset time of supraclavicular approach to brachial plexus block. Read More

J Clin Med 2020 Feb 28;9(3). Epub 2020 Feb 28.

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul 06351, Korea.

Intravenous (IV) dexmedetomidine is reported to prolong analgesia following peripheral nerve blocks. Popliteal sciatic nerve block provides effective postoperative analgesia, but some patients still experience severe pain during the early postoperative period. We aimed to evaluate the postoperative analgesic effects of IV dexmedetomidine versus propofol in patients undergoing foot surgeries under popliteal sciatic nerve block. Read More

Am J Emerg Med 2020 Feb 19. Epub 2020 Feb 19.

Hennepin County Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, EMS-825, 701 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55415, United States of America.

Introduction: Peripheral nerve blocks and regional anesthesia are routinely used to alleviate pain in the emergency department. Our objective is to report on the feasibility and initial experience of emergency physicians initiating and managing continuous nerve blocks for trauma patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective, observational cohort study of a convenience sample of patients 18 years or older presenting with either rib or hip fractures between August 15, 2016 and January 15, 2019. Read More

BMC Anesthesiol 2020 02 27;20(1):51. Epub 2020 Feb 27.

Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, St. Jadwiga Provincial Clinical Hospital, ul. Lwowska 60, 35-301, Rzeszów, Poland.

Background: Effective postoperative pain control remains a challenge for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Novel regional blocks may improve pain management for such patients and can shorten their length of stay in the hospital. To compare postoperative pain intensity in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with either erector spinae plane (ESP) block or combined ESP and pectoralis nerve (PECS) blocks. Read More

Reg Anesth Pain Med 2020 05 23;45(5):373-376. Epub 2020 Feb 23.

Serviço de Anestesiologia - Departamento de Anestesiologia Cuidados Intensivos e Emergencia, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário do Porto, Porto, Portugal.

Background And Objectives: The gold standard for the treatment of postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is the epidural blood patch (EBP). Regional techniques-sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB), greater occipital nerve block (GONB) and trigger point infiltration (TPI)-can also be used for the treatment of PDPH. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of these peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) in the treatment of PDPH. Read More

Reg Anesth Pain Med 2020 04 19;45(4):277-282. Epub 2020 Feb 19.

Anesthesiology, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla, Turkey.

Background And Objectives: Mastectomy has many potential sources of pain. Rhomboid intercostal block (RIB) is a recently described plane block. The primary hypothesis of the study is that ultrasound-guided RIB combined with general anesthesia would accelerate global quality of recovery scores of patients following mastectomy surgery. Read More

J Neuroeng Rehabil 2020 Feb 19;17(1):22. Epub 2020 Feb 19.

Toledo Physiotherapy Research Group (GIFTO), Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursery, Castilla La Mancha University, 45071, Toledo, Spain.

Background: High frequency alternating current (HFAC) stimulation have been shown to produce a peripheral nerve conduction block. Currently, all the studies applying HFAC stimulation in clinical studies, have employed frequencies below 10 kHz. The main aim of this work was to investigate the neuromodulatory effect of transcutaneous 20 kHz stimulation on somatosensory and pain thresholds, and maximal handgrip strength. Read More

Clin Neurophysiol 2020 Apr 3;131(4):880-886. Epub 2020 Feb 3.

Sapienza University of Rome Polo Pontino, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Latina, Italy; IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, IS, Italy.

Objective: To study lateral inhibition and habituation/sensitization in the somatosensory cortex of patients with chronic migraine (CM) and to identify correlations with clinical migraine features.

Methods: Sixteen patients with CM without medication overuse, and 17 healthy volunteers (HVs) received somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) elicited by separate electrical stimulation of the right median (M) and ulnar (U) nerves at the wrist and by simultaneous nerve stimulation (MU). We measured the N20-P25 amplitudes and calculated the lateral inhibition (LI) percentage using the formula {100-[MU/(M + U) * 100]}. Read More

Korean J Anesthesiol 2020 Jan 31. Epub 2020 Jan 31.

Department of Anesthesiology, Shimane University, Izumo City, Shimane, Japan.

Background: Posterior transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) and quadratus lumborum block (QLB) have been developed for postoperative pain control after lower abdominal surgery. However, there is still a paucity of data regarding their effects. This prospective study observed their analgesic effects and the distribution of cutaneous sensory blockade in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. Read More

Open Vet J 2019 10 16;9(3):230-237. Epub 2019 Aug 16.

Departament de Medicina y Cirugia Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Instituto de Ciencias Biomedicas, Universidad CEU Cardenal Herrera, Valencia, Spain.

Background: The caudal thoracic paravertebral (CTPV) block is a regional anesthesia technique currently used in human medicine to provide analgesia in abdominal surgical procedures.

Aim: The objectives of this study are to describe an ultrasound-guided technique to place catheters in CTPV space in canine cadavers and evaluate the distribution of a 50:50 contrast-dye solution administered through them.

Methods: Eight thawed adult beagle cadavers (9. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2020 Jan 25. Epub 2020 Jan 25.

Breakthru Acute Pain & Ketamine Clinic, Tampa, Florida.

Anaesthesia 2020 04 26;75(4):499-508. Epub 2020 Jan 26.

Département d'Anesthésie Réanimation, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse Purpan, Hôpital Riquet, Université Toulouse 3-Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.

Interscalene brachial plexus block provides analgesia for shoulder surgery but is associated with hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. Before considering a combined suprascapular and axillary nerve block as an alternative to interscalene brachial plexus block, evaluation of the incidence of diaphragmatic dysfunction according to the approach to the suprascapular nerve is necessary. We randomly allocated 84 patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery to an anterior or a posterior approach to the suprascapular nerve block combined with an axillary nerve block using 10 ml ropivacaine 0. Read More

J Vasc Interv Radiol 2020 Mar 23;31(3):388-392. Epub 2020 Jan 23.

Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Saint Louis University, 3635 Vista Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63110.

In a single-arm, nonrandomized, retrospective case-control study, 39 patients (mean age, 44 y) who underwent elective outpatient uterine artery embolization with the use of superior hypogastric nerve block (SNHB) for pain control over a period of 3 years were identified. Technical success of SNHB was 87%. Of the 34 patients who received SNHB, 97% did not need a patient-controlled analgesia pump. Read More

Vet Anaesth Analg 2020 Mar 30;47(2):229-237. Epub 2019 Oct 30.

Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Cátedra de Anestesiología y Algiologia, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Objective: To investigate the distribution and nerve staining of two volumes of lidocaine-dye solution after ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) injections in canine cadavers.

Study Design: Experimental cadaveric study.

Animals: A total of nine canine cadavers. Read More

Anesthesiology 2020 Jan 15. Epub 2020 Jan 15.

From the Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (L.G., S.M.T., Y.W., A.K., M.P., S.O., C.L.E., R.R.A.) Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (A.S.-R.) Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (J.M.) Brigham and Women's Hospital and Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (G.S.).

What We Already Know About This Topic: Achieving long-lasting surgical site anesthesia can be problematicCryoneurolysis is effective in providing long-lasting analgesia, but current techniques are nonselective for neural tissue WHAT THIS ARTICLE TELLS US THAT IS NEW: Using a rat sciatic nerve block model, an injectable biocompatible ice slurry preparation was shown to provide analgesic effects for at least 60 daysDisruption of myelin sheaths recovered by 112 days after injections, suggesting that the slurry-induced cryoneurolysis is reversibleProviding sustained analgesia using injected ice slurries may be possible BACKGROUND:: Postoperative pain caused by trauma to nerves and tissue around the surgical site is a major problem. Perioperative steps to reduce postoperative pain include local anesthetics and opioids, the latter of which are addictive and have contributed to the opioid epidemic. Cryoneurolysis is a nonopioid and long-lasting treatment for reducing postoperative pain. Read More

Reg Anesth Pain Med 2020 04 21;45(4):260-266. Epub 2020 Jan 21.

Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.

Background: Paravertebral nerve blocks (PVBs) are frequently used to treat pain during and following breast surgery, but have various undesirable risks such as pneumothorax. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) also provides perioperative breast analgesia, but is purported to be easier to administer with a favorable safety profile. However, it remains unknown if the new ESPB provides comparable analgesia as the decades-old PVB technique. Read More

J Clin Med 2020 Jan 13;9(1). Epub 2020 Jan 13.

Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 75012 Paris, France.

When used as an add-on to regional anesthesia, virtual reality (VR) has been reported to provide anxiety-reducing benefits and sedation-sparing effects. However, its impact on patient satisfaction is still a matter of controversy. We investigated the feasibility and benefits of implementing intraoperative VR distraction in a French University Hospital (Hôpital Saint-Antoine, AP-HP). Read More

Ann Transl Med 2019 Nov;7(22):668

Department of Anesthesiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.

Background: Adding an adjuvant, such as dexmedetomidine or dexamethasone, to a nerve block improves its quality and reduces perioperative opioid consumption. We aimed to compare the effect of dexmedetomidine and dexamethasone as an adjuvant for the erector spinae plane block (ESPB) to control postoperative pain after video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy surgery (VATLS).

Methods: Ninety patients, aged 20-65 years who were scheduled to undergo VATLS were enrolled in this trial. Read More

J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol 2019 Oct-Dec;35(4):475-480

Department of Onco Surgery, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

Background And Aims: Pectoral block (PECS)-based anesthesia without opioids decreases analgesic requirement, pain scores and post-operative nausea vomiting (PONV) compared to conventional opioid-based general anesthesia in patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy and axillary dissection (MRM-AD). We compared PECS versus Paravertebral Block (PVB) in providing an opioid free, nerve block-based regimen. Outcomes of interest were post-operative analgesic requirement, duration of analgesia, PONV and patient and surgeon satisfaction. Read More

Am Surg 2019 Dec;85(12):1363-1368

From the *Department of Surgery, and the †Department of Colorectal Surgery, Providence Hospital and Medical Centers, Southfield, Michigan.

Enhanced recovery pathways (ERPs), when combined with transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks, have been proven to reduce the length of stay (LOS) and improve quality outcomes. Nonopioid pain management is an essential component of this pathway, leading to a reduction in immobility, postoperative ileus, and an increase in patient satisfaction. TAP block variations have been studied in general and gynecologic surgery. Read More

Oper Orthop Traumatol 2020 Feb 2;32(1):23-28. Epub 2020 Jan 2.

Klinik für Unfallchirurgie, Orthopädie und Plastische Chirurgie, Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Göttingen, Deutschland.

Objective: Peripheral nerve blocks in hand surgery.

Indications: Short operations on the hand.

Contraindications: Long operations, polyneuropathy, local anesthesia allergy. Read More

Anticancer Res 2020 Jan;40(1):253-259

Department of Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital and School of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland

Background/aim: The aim of the study was to compare the MDA (malonidialdehyde) plasma concentrations versus CAT (catalase)/NT (nitrotyrosine) plasma concentrations, patient satisfaction and pain score at rest/pressure to the wound area in laparotomy patients with rectus sheath block (RSB) analgesia.

Patients And Methods: Initially, 56 patients were randomized to four groups; control group (n=12), single-dose (n=16), repeated-dose (n=12) and continuous infusion (n=16) RSB analgesia groups. The plasma concentrations of CAT, NT and MDA markers were measured just before, immediately after and 24 h after operation. Read More

Korean J Pain 2020 Jan;33(1):81-89

Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.

Background: For children with cleft palates, surgeries at a young age are necessary to reduce feeding or phonation difficulties and reduce complications, especially respiratory tract infections and frequent sinusitis. We hypothesized that dexmedetomidine might prolong the postoperative analgesic duration when added to bupivacaine during nerve blocks.

Methods: Eighty patients of 1-5 years old were arbitrarily assigned to two equal groups (forty patients each) to receive bilateral suprazygomatic maxillary nerve blocks. Read More

Am J Vet Res 2020 Jan;81(1):13-16

Objective: To assess onset of analgesia for 3% chloroprocaine hydrochloride and 2% mepivacaine hydrochloride when used for median and ulnar nerve blocks in lame horses.

Animals: 6 naturally lame horses.

Procedures: A crossover experiment was conducted. Read More

Anesth Analg 2020 03;130(3):787-795

From the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Background: Spinal anesthesia using a surface landmark-guided technique can be challenging in patients with anatomical alterations of the lumbar spine; however, it is unclear whether using ultrasonography can decrease the technical difficulties in these populations. We assessed whether an ultrasound-assisted technique could reduce the number of needle passes required for block success compared with the landmark-guided technique in patients with abnormal spinal anatomy.

Methods: Forty-four patients with abnormal spinal anatomy including documented lumbar scoliosis and previous spinal surgery were randomized to receive either surface landmark-guided or preprocedural ultrasound-assisted spinal anesthesia. Read More

Pain Res Manag 2019 18;2019:9158653. Epub 2019 Nov 18.

Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Qingchun Road 79, Hangzhou 31003, China.

Despite being less invasive, patients who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) suffered considerable postoperative pain. Paravertebral block (PVB) was proven to provide effective analgesia in patients with VATS; however, there is no difference in pain relief between preoperative PVB and postoperative PVB. This study was aimed to investigate the analgesic efficacy of combination of preoperative and postoperative PVB on the same patient undergoing VATS. Read More