Retrospective study comparing outcomes of multimodal epidural and erector spinae catheter pain protocols after pectus surgery.

Introduction: There are no optimal postoperative analgesia regimens for Nuss procedures. We compared the effectiveness of thoracic epidurals (EPI) and novel ambulatory erector spinae plane (ESP) catheters as part of multimodal pain protocols after Nuss surgery.

Methods: Data on demographics, comorbidities, perioperative details, length of stay (LOS), in hospital and post discharge pain/opioid use, side effects, and emergency department (ED) visits were collected retrospectively in children who underwent Nuss repair with EPI (N = 114) and ESP protocols (N = 97).

Trends in Pediatric Pain: Thinking Beyond Opioids.

Trends in pediatric pain management are moving toward thinking beyond opioids. Regional anesthetic techniques, such as quadratus lumborum and erector spinae plane blocks, demonstrate efficacy and safety in pediatric populations. Extremity blocks with motor-sparing characteristics also are used.

Characterization of the functional near-infrared spectroscopy response to nociception in a pediatric population.

Background: Near-infrared spectroscopy can interrogate functional optical signal changes in regional brain oxygenation and blood volume to nociception analogous to functional magnetic resonance imaging.

Aims: This exploratory study aimed to characterize the near-infrared spectroscopy signals for oxy-, deoxy-, and total hemoglobin from the brain in response to nociceptive stimulation of varying intensity and duration, and after analgesic and neuromuscular paralytic in a pediatric population.

Methods: We enrolled children 6 months-21 years during propofol sedation before surgery.

Characterization of 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers in the liverwort Marchantia inflexa (Marchantiaceae).

Premise Of The Study: Microsatellite markers were developed in Marchantia inflexa, a haploid liverwort with unisexual individuals, to identify clonal genotypes and measure population genetic variability.

Methods And Results: Twelve polymorphic primer sets were developed from three enriched genomic libraries. Primers were fluorescently labeled, and alleles were identified by fragment analysis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma metastatic to the scalp.

A case of scalp metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is reported that was initially diagnosed as a soft-tissue tumor. Attempted excision of the lesion resulted in an open wound requiring soft-tissue reconstruction of the scalp. Results of pathologic examination showed metastatic HCC.