Patient's perceptions of physical examination in the setting of chronic pain.

Introduction: Despite its clinical utility, progressive reliance on imaging technology can lead to devaluing the physical examination in patients with chronic pain. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether chronic pain patients have a positive or negative perception of the physical examination.

Methods: After institutional ethics committee approval, 120 adult patients as a convenience sample who attended a chronic pain clinic were included.

Breast cancer and chronic pain: a mixed methods review.

Background: More patients are surviving breast cancer; however, many complain of persistent pain, which significantly impacts on their lives. Studies have predominantly examined risk factors alone. This mixed methods study will systematically compare prospective and retrospective studies of chronic pain following breast cancer treatment.

Pain, Perceived Injustice, and Pain Catastrophizing in Chronic Pain Patients in Ireland.

Chronic pain is a public health concern affecting 20% to 30% of the population of Western countries. Psychological risk factors can worsen chronic pain patients. Themes of perceived injustice (PI) and pain catastrophizing are related to poor clinical outcomes.

Thoracic paravertebral block using real-time ultrasound guidance.

Background: We developed a technique for ultrasound-guided paravertebral block, which was subsequently applied in the clinical setting.

Methods: An initial cadaver study was used to develop a technique that was used in the clinical setting on patients undergoing breast cancer surgery.

Results: Paravertebral catheters were correctly placed in the cadaveric trial in 8 of 10 attempts.

Effect of midazolam versus propofol sedation on markers of neurological injury and outcome after isolated severe head injury: a pilot study.

Background: Midazolam and propofol are sedative agents commonly administered to patients with brain injury. We compared plasma concentrations of glial cell S100beta protein and nitric oxide (NO) between patients who received midazolam and those who received propofol sedation after severe brain injury, and investigated the association between S100beta and NO concentrations and neurological outcome.

Design: 28 patients with severe head injury (Glasgow Coma Score <9) who required sedation and ventilation were randomly assigned to receive midazolam (n =15) or propofol (n = 13) based sedation.

Activated endothelial interleukin-1beta, -6, and -8 concentrations and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression are attenuated by lidocaine.

Endothelial cells play a key role in ischemia reperfusion injury. We investigated the effects of lidocaine on activated human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8 concentrations and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression. HUVECs were pretreated with different concentrations of lidocaine (0 to 0.

Aprotinin decreases the incidence of cognitive deficit following CABG and cardiopulmonary bypass: a pilot randomized controlled study.

Purpose: Cognitive deficit after coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) has a high prevalence and is persistent. Meta-analysis of clinical trials demonstrates a decreased incidence of stroke after CABG when aprotinin is administrated perioperatively. We hypothesized that aprotinin administration would decrease the incidence of cognitive deficit after CABG.

A comparison of dexamethasone, ondansetron, and dexamethasone plus ondansetron as prophylactic antiemetic and antipruritic therapy in patients receiving intrathecal morphine for major orthopedic surgery.

Unlabelled: In a prospective, double-blinded, randomized trial, we evaluated the efficacy of IV (a) dexamethasone 8 mg, (b) ondansetron 8 mg, and (c) dexamethasone 8 mg plus ondansetron 4 mg for the prevention of postoperative nausea, vomiting (PONV), and pruritus in 130 (ASA physical status I to III) patients undergoing elective major orthopedic surgery after spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric 0.5% bupivacaine and intrathecal morphine. After spinal anesthesia, patients were randomized to one of three groups.