Effect of Prior Formal Education on Successful Thoracic Epidural Placement By Anesthesia Residents.

Objective: Catheter placement for thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) is technically challenging; however, methods for teaching this technique to anesthesia residents have not been well-studied. The present study aimed to determine optimal teaching methods for proficient TEA catheter placement by comparing video-based formal resident education with traditional bedside training by attending physicians.

Design: Prospective, randomized study.

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block for laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy: Continuous catheter infusion provides no additional analgesic benefit over single-injection ropivacaine.

Background: Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) blocks are useful for adjunctive pain control following laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (LLDN). The objective was to determine if TAP catheter provides additional analgesia compared with single-injection TAP block alone for kidney donors.

Methods: In this prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial, LLDN patients received a single TAP injection of 30 mL 0.

Randomized Prospective Study Evaluating Single-Injection Paravertebral Block, Paravertebral Catheter, and Thoracic Epidural Catheter for Postoperative Regional Analgesia After Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery.

Objective: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has improved patient outcomes; however, postoperative pain remains potentially severe. The objective of this study was to compare adjunct analgesic modalities for VATS, including paravertebral nerve blockade (PVB) and thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA).

Design: Prospective, randomized trial.

Prospective Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Versus Palpation Techniques for Arterial Line Placement by Residents in a Teaching Institution.

Background: Arterial line insertion is traditionally done by blind palpation. Residents may need multiple attempts for successful insertion, leading to longer procedure times and many failed attempts.

Objective: We hypothesized that ultrasound guidance (USG) would be faster and more successful than traditional blind palpation (TBP) for radial artery line placement by residents.

Local anesthetic systemic toxicity: update on mechanisms and treatment.

Purpose Of Review: With increases in use of regional anesthesia, local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) has been a topic of interest and debate. Despite many years of research, the exact cause and best treatment of LAST (particularly local anesthetic cardiotoxicity) remain unclear. This review will summarize what is known and what remains uncertain about LAST and its treatment, including information published in the past 12-18 months.