An international study to explore the feasibility of collecting standardised outcome data for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: recommendations for an international clinical research registry.

Introduction: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a persistent pain condition with low prevalence. Multi-centre collaborative research is needed to attain sufficient sample sizes for meaningful studies. This international observational study: (1) tested the feasibility and acceptability of collecting outcome data using an agreed core measurement set (2) tested and refined an electronic data management system to collect and manage the data.

Enhancing post-operative analgesia following spinal cord stimulation implant: a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of erector spinae plane block utilizing liposomal bupivacaine.

Erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an inter-fascial plane block that provides multi-dermatomal analgesia for treatment of acute pain and chronic neuropathic pain in the trunk. This retrospective case series describes a novel method of treating acute postoperative pain after spinal cord stimulation implant with erector spinae plane block using liposomal bupivacaine. Bilateral erector spinae plane block was administered at L1-L2 intervertebral level in 18 cases prior to performing spinal cord stimulation implant at one interspace above.

Meralgia Paresthetica.

Purpose Of Review: This review article summaries the epidemiology, etiology, clinical presentations, and latest treatment modalities of meralgia paresthetica, including the latest data about peripheral and spinal cord stimulation therapy. Meralgia paresthetica (MP) causes burning, stinging, or numbness in the anterolateral part of the thigh, usually due to compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN).

Recent Findings: There are emerging data regarding the benefit of interventional pain procedures, including steroid injection and radiofrequency ablation, and other interventions including spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation reserved for refractory cases.

Co-Presentation of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in a Patient with Post-Dural Puncture Headache.

Introduction: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is a well-known complication of neuraxial anesthesia, but the occurrence of seizures and vision loss within a few days after dural puncture could be alarming. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is associated with reversible edema and leukoencephalopathy in the posterior parieto-occipital cortex. We report the co-presentation of PRES and PDPH after labor epidural analgesia.

Association of Pain With Atrial Fibrillation and Delirium After Cardiac Surgery: A DECADE Sub-Study.

Objective: The authors aimed to evaluate the effects of postoperative pain on the incidence of atrial fibrillation and delirium in patients having surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Design: Post hoc analysis of the (An investigator-initiated, multicentre, double-blind trial (ClinicalTrials NCT02004613) (DECADE)), a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Setting: Tertiary, academic hospital.

Combined Bipolar and V-Shaped Lesions for Lumbar Facet Radiofrequency Ablation: A Technical Report.

Introduction: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a demonstrated safe and effective treatment for chronic low back pain. RFA delivers high density electrical current near lumbar medial branch nerve. The success of RFA is contingent upon creating a lesion that overlaps the sensory nerve supplying the affected facet joint(s).

Direct Peripheral Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A 30-Year Review.

Introduction: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), formerly known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD), is a difficult to treat condition characterized by debilitating pain and limitations in functional ability. Neuromodulation, in the form of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), have been traditionally used as a treatment for CRPS with variable success.

Objective: This chart review describes the use of implantable PNS systems in the treatment of CRPS of the upper and lower extremities spanning nearly three decades.

Multimodal Analgesia for Perioperative Management of Patients presenting for Spinal Surgery.

Multimodal, non-opioid based analgesia has become the cornerstone of ERAS protocols for effective analgesia after spinal surgery. Opioid side effects, dependence and legislation restricting long term opioid use has led to a resurgence in interest in opioid sparing techniques. The increasing array of multimodal opioid sparing analgesics available for spinal surgery targeting novel receptors, transmitters, and altering epigenetics can help provide an optimal perioperative experience with less opioid side effects and long-term dependence.

An assessment of the awareness of local anesthetic systemic toxicity among multi-specialty postgraduate residents.

Local anesthetics (LAs) are extensively used in clinical practice by both anesthesiologists and non-anesthesiologists and are often associated with systemic toxicity. We hypothesize that this awareness is inadequate among medical specialists and entails a risk of misdiagnosis and underreporting of such events. We therefore conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study to assess the level of understanding of LA use and effective management of systemic toxicity among 200 postgraduate residents of various specialties (with the exception of anesthesiology) in a tertiary care hospital in India from October to December 2013.

Microbial quality of well water from rural and urban households in Karnataka, India: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbial quality of the well water used as a drinking source in urban and rural households.

Methods: A total of 80 household well water samples were analyzed by the multiple fermentation tube method to determine the presumptive coliform count/most probable number of coliforms, and the isolates were identified using standard procedures, followed by susceptibility testing.

Results: Fecal indicator organisms, including Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp.

A study on knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception among college students in Sikkim, India.

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception among the college students.

Materials And Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in the Government College, Gangtok, Sikkim, during the month of April 2009 to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice of contraception among 156 students enrolled in the first year bachelor course. Descriptive statistics was used for data analysis.

Incidence and outcome of peripartum cardiomyopathy from a tertiary hospital in South India.

There is very little literature regarding peripartum cardiomyopathy (PCM) from Asian countries. A study of PCM was conducted at Kasturba Medical College Hospital, Manipal, with special reference to incidence and outcome. The incidence of PCM was 1 case per 1374 live births.