Use of a Woven Endobridge device (WEB) for the treatment of an aneurysmal diverticulum of the transverse sinus causing pulsatile tinnitus.

Pulsatile tinnitus is a symptom with a potentially significant impact on the quality of life of patients.1 In some cases the pulsatile tinnitus is secondary to an arterial, arteriovenous, or a venous condition that can be treated endovascularly.2-5 One of the newly recognized entities that can cause pulsatile tinnitus is the presence of an ipsilateral aneurysmal diverticulum of the transverse sinus.

National Multidisciplinary Survey of Regional Anesthesia Preferences in Breast Reconstruction.

Background: The purpose of this work was to determine the regional anesthesia preferences of plastic surgeons (PS) and anesthesiologists (A) involved in breast reconstruction in Canada.

Methods: Online surveys were sent to members of the Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons (CSPS) and the Canadian Anesthesiologists Society (CAS). The primary outcome was regional anesthesia preferences in breast reconstruction (delayed, immediate, alloplastic, autologous).

Ambulatory latissimus dorsi flap breast reconstruction: A prospective cohort study of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol.

Purpose: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols improve quality of recovery and decrease length of stay for patients undergoing both alloplastic and autologous breast reconstruction. Their use in latissimus dorsi (LD) flap reconstruction has not been well established. The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative outcomes, length of stay, and total costs in a prospectively enrolled group of patients who underwent LD flap breast reconstruction using an ERAS protocol to those of a retrospective cohort of patients who were treated with a traditional recovery after surgery (TRAS) protocol.

Peripheral Nerve Blocks for Ambulatory Shoulder Surgery: A Population-based Cohort Study of Outcomes and Resource Utilization.

Background: Nerve blocks improve early pain after ambulatory shoulder surgery; impact on postdischarge outcomes is poorly described. Our objective was to measure the association between nerve blocks and health system outcomes after ambulatory shoulder surgery.

Methods: We conducted a population-based cohort study using linked administrative data from 118 hospitals in Ontario, Canada.

Association of peripheral nerve blocks with postoperative outcomes in ambulatory shoulder surgery patients: a single-centre matched-cohort study.

Purpose: Regional anesthesia may have immediate postoperative advantages compared with general anesthesia, but its impact on post-discharge outcomes is poorly described. Our objective was to measure the association between regional anesthesia and outcomes after ambulatory shoulder surgery.

Methods: We conducted a historical cohort study at The Ottawa Hospital.

Efficacy and safety of bilateral thoracic paravertebral blocks in outpatient breast surgery.

Unilateral thoracic paravertebral blocks (TPVBs) have demonstrated reliable intraoperative analgesia, low postoperative pain scores, and an opioid-sparing effect in breast cancer surgery. However, secondary to the perceived risk of complications, bilateral TPVB have been less well accepted and are less frequently used. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using bilateral TPVBs in outpatient surgery for patients undergoing bilateral mastectomy with immediate implant-based reconstruction.

Increased postoperative day one discharges after implementation of a hysterectomy enhanced recovery pathway: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: In 2011, the hysterectomy enhanced recovery (HER) pathway, a multi-disciplinary, evidence-based care plan designed to improve recovery after open gynecologic surgery for non-malignant lesions, was introduced at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH). This before-and-after study examined the impact of the HER pathway on postoperative day (POD) 1 hospital discharge.

Methods: Ethical approval was obtained.

Reducing persistent postoperative pain and disability 1 year after breast cancer surgery: a randomized, controlled trial comparing thoracic paravertebral block to local anesthetic infiltration.

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the effect of thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) and local anesthetic (LA) on persistent postoperative pain (PPP) 1 year following breast cancer surgery. Secondary objectives were to compare the effect on arm morbidity and quality of life.

Methods: Women scheduled for elective breast cancer surgery were randomly assigned to either TPVB or LA followed by general anesthesia.

Ultrasound assessment of the vertebral level of the palpated intercristal (Tuffier's) line.

Purpose: Identification of a particular vertebral level by clinical landmark palpation is inaccurate. This study uses ultrasound imaging to assess the vertebral level at which the palpated intercristal line occurs in subjects clinically positioned to receive a neuraxial technique.

Methods: Following Research Ethics Board approval and informed written consent, 114 adult subjects were seated in the position used clinically for placement of a neuraxial block.