Anesthetic technique and postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) after Video Assisted Thoracic (VATS) lobectomy: A retrospective observational cohort study.

Introduction: Thoracic surgery is associated with an 8-10% incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs). Introduction of minimally invasive Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) aimed to reduce pain related and pulmonary complications. However, PPCs remain a common cause of morbidity after VATS.

New-Onset Tinnitus After Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulator Implantation: A Case Report.

Dorsal column (dcSCS) and dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S) complications are similar, typically related to placement and device failure. We present the first case of tinnitus after DRG-S implantation. The patient presented with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type 2.

Heparin Insensitivity and Thrombotic Risk Associated With Sequential Uses of Prothrombin Complex Concentrate and Andexanet Alfa for Apixaban Reversal During Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Repair: A Case Report.

The management of patients on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) who require emergent cardiac surgery is slowly evolving. The introduction of andexanet alfa, a novel antidote for apixaban and rivaroxaban, added a specific reversal agent to our armamentarium, but its safety and efficacy are still being investigated. We report 2 patients on DOAC treatment who required emergency cardiac surgery.

Advances in Non-Invasive Neuromodulation.

Purpose Of Review: Pain medicine is rapidly expanding. The gap in treatment for patients with chronic pain in between traditional conservative therapy and major invasive surgery is closing. Neuromodulation is one therapeutic area that has continued to show promise for treatment of chronic pain.

Telemedicine Implementation in Pain Medicine: A Survey Evaluation of Pain Medicine Practices in Spring 2020.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a novel challenge for healthcare delivery and implementation in the United States (US) in 2020 and beyond. Telemedicine arose as a significant and effective medium for safe and efficacious physician-patient interactions. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine while available, had infrequently been utilized in pain medicine practices due to difficulties with reimbursement, the learning curve associated with new technology usage, and the need for new logistical systems in place to implement telemedicine effectively.

Postoperative Low-Dose Tranexamic Acid After Major Spine Surgery: A Matched Cohort Analysis.

Objective: This was a retrospective, cohort study investigating the efficacy and safety of continuous low-dose postoperative tranexamic acid (PTXA) on drain output and transfusion requirements following adult spinal deformity surgery.

Methods: One hundred forty-seven patients undergoing posterior instrumented thoracolumbar fusion of ≥ 3 vertebral levels at a single institution who received low-dose PTXA infusion (0.5-1 mg/kg/hr) for 24 hours were compared to 292 control patients who did not receive PTXA.

Anti-inflammaging effects of human alpha-1 antitrypsin.

Inflammaging plays an important role in most age-related diseases. However, the mechanism of inflammaging is largely unknown, and therapeutic control of inflammaging is challenging. Human alpha-1 antitrypsin (hAAT) has immune-regulatory, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties as demonstrated in several disease models including type 1 diabetes, arthritis, lupus, osteoporosis, and stroke.