Intravenous Lidocaine for Gut Function Recovery in Colonic Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Despite the recovery advantages of minimally invasive surgical techniques, delayed return of gut function after colectomy is a common barrier to timely discharge from hospital.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of 2% perioperative intravenous lidocaine infusion on return of gut function after elective minimally invasive colon resection.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The ALLEGRO trial was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial conducted in 27 UK hospitals.

The reverse stethoscope technique: a rapid intervention for old age hearing loss.

Objectives: Presbycusis is highly prevalent, affecting between a third and two-thirds of elderly populations. Effective communication between patient and physician has been shown to directly correlate with the quality of patient care. The Reverse Stethoscope Technique (RST) involves placing the earpieces into the patient's ears and speaking into the diaphragm.

Adherence to published guidelines for perioperative care of the elderly: a survey of Scottish anaesthetic departments.

Background: In 2010, a national enquiry into elderly patient outcomes after surgery identified that only 36% received 'good' care. Guidance was subsequently published by the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland regarding perioperative care of the elderly and those with dementia; this study aims to assess current adherence to these guidelines in anaesthetic departments across Scotland.

Methods: A web-based survey was sent to all Scottish departments.

A survey about postoperative delirium in older patients among nurses and anaesthetists: implications for future practice and policy.

Background: Postoperative delirium is a major complication associated with anaesthesia and surgery, more commonly seen in older people.

Aims: The aims of this study were to explore the knowledge and understanding of anaesthetists and nurses involved in anaesthesia through their responses to two case scenarios of postoperative delirium experienced by older people.

Methods: A 30-item online survey was sent to 500 potential respondents.

The ALLEGRO trial: a placebo controlled randomised trial of intravenous lidocaine in accelerating gastrointestinal recovery after colorectal surgery.

Background: Return of gastrointestinal (GI) function is fundamental to patient recovery after colorectal surgery and is required before patients can be discharged from hospital safely. Up to 40% of patients suffer delayed return of GI function after colorectal surgery, causing nausea, vomiting and abdominal discomfort, resulting in longer hospital stay. Small, randomised studies have suggested perioperative intravenous (IV) lidocaine, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, may accelerate return of GI function after colorectal surgery.

Is intravenous lidocaine protective against myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion injury after cardiac surgery?

A best evidence topic was constructed using a described protocol. The three-part question addressed was: In patients undergoing cardiac surgery, does intravenous lidocaine exert a cardioprotective effect against postoperative myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion injury? Using the reported search, 461 papers were found, of which 5 studies represented the best evidence to answer the question. In 3 studies, lidocaine was associated with a postoperative fall in biomarkers of myocardial injury.

Enhanced recovery after surgery: Pain management.

Effective pain management is fundamental to enhanced recovery after surgery. Selection of strategies should be tailored to patient and operation. As well as improving the quality of recovery, effective analgesia reduces the host stress response, facilitates mobilization and allows resumption of oral intake.

Efficacy of Intravenous Lidocaine for Postoperative Analgesia Following Laparoscopic Surgery: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Intravenous (IV) lidocaine has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of IV lidocaine in controlling postoperative pain following laparoscopic surgery.

Methods: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing IV lidocaine versus placebo/routine treatment for postoperative analgesia following laparoscopic surgery.

Long-term follow-up of pain and emotional characteristics of women after surgery for breast cancer.

Context: Persistent pain after treatment for breast cancer (PPBCT) is a common side effect of breast cancer treatment, with prevalence as high as 50%. It is predominantly a neuropathic condition.

Objectives: The aim of this cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was to examine the emotional characteristics of patients with PPBCT in long-term breast cancer patients.

Management of patients taking herbal medicines in the perioperative period: a survey of practice and policies within Anaesthetic Departments in the United Kingdom.

Background And Objectives: Patients commonly take a combination of prescription drugs and herbal medicines. Often these alternative products have known pharmacological effects which may interact with drugs given perioperatively, resulting in adverse events. They can also cause physiological fluctuations which may influence the choice of anaesthetic technique used.