Evaluation of the addition of bupivacaine to intrathecal morphine for intraoperative and postoperative pain management in open liver resections.

Background: Intrathecal morphine is a popular and effective regional technique for pain control after open liver resection, but its delayed analgesic onset makes it less useful for the intraoperative period. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the analgesic efficacy and other secondary benefits of the addition of hyperbaric bupivacaine to intrathecal morphine ± fentanyl. We hypothesized that bupivacaine could serve as an analgesic "bridge" prior to the onset of intrathecal morphine/fentanyl thereby lowering opioid consumption and enhancing recovery.

Overview and Limitations of Database Research in Anesthesiology: A Narrative Review.

The utilization of large-scale databases for research in medical fields, including anesthesiology, has increased in popularity over the last decade, likely due to their structured content and relative ease of access. These databases have been used in a variety of perioperative studies, including analyses of risk stratification, preoperative testing, complications, and cost. While these databases contain a wealth of information that allows for an abundance of research opportunities, there are unique limitations to their use.