Dermatomal spread in lateral quadratus lumborum blocks versus transversus abdominus plane blocks after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Postoperative pain after laparoscopic abdominal surgery remains complex. While lateral quadratus lumborum (QL) block and transversus abdominus plane (TAP) block are similar techniques, no studies have examined if one technique has greater dermatomal spread.

Methods: Laparoscopic colorectal surgical patients were randomized to lateral QL or TAP blocks.

Telemedicine for Anesthesiologists.

Telemedicine represents an area of rapid growth in anesthesiology. Remote preoperative evaluation is associated with high patient and physician satisfaction scores, reduced patient travel and wait times, and similar procedure cancellation rates compared with in-person clinic evaluation. Preoperative tele-evaluation has facilitated a return to normal function during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Positive or Negative? Implementation Processes and Pitfalls of Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 Testing at a Single Academic Institution.

Background: Preoperative screening and testing for SARS-CoV-2 are important aspects of reopening perioperative and procedural sites to elective cases after the initial wave of the novel coronavirus pandemic. However, given that modern healthcare has never experienced a pandemic of this magnitude, rapid operationalization of mass testing presents unique challenges. We aim to highlight our experiences and challenges for preoperative SARS-CoV-2 testing.

To Infinity and Beyond: The Past, Present, and Future of Tele-Anesthesia.

Because the scope of anesthesia practice continues to expand, especially within the perioperative domain, our specialty must continually examine technological services that allow us to provide care in innovative ways. Telemedicine has facilitated the remote provision of medical services across many different specialties, but it remains somewhat unclear whether the use of telemedicine would fit within the practice of anesthesiology on a consistent basis. There have been several reports on the successful use of telemedicine within the preoperative and intraoperative realm.

Retrospective Evaluation of the Perioperative Management of Patients Undergoing Total Pancreatectomy With Islet Autotransplantation: Single Institution Review.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective descriptive study was to examine associations with the perioperative management of patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation, which may impact complication rate and hospital length of stay.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data on 165 patients, and 161 patients were included in the final analysis. Data collected included preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient and procedural characteristics.

Examination of intra-operative core temperature in joint arthroplasty: a single-institution prospective observational study.

Purpose: Peri-operative hypothermia is associated with increased blood loss, delayed wound healing, and surgical site infections. However, it is not known when or how rapidly hypothermia develops during arthroplasty. This study observed patients undergoing lower extremity arthroplasty to identify the times of greatest heat loss or gain.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes Between General Anesthesiologists and Cardiac Anesthesiologists in the Management of Left Ventricular Assist Device Patients in Noncardiac Surgeries and Procedures.

Objective: To describe the authors' experience and comparative results after introducing noncardiac fellowship-trained anesthesiologists to a service previously managed by fellowship-trained cardiac anesthesiologists caring for left ventricular assist device (LVAD) patients undergoing low-risk noncardiac procedures with anesthesia.

Design: A retrospective chart review.

Setting: Single-site academic medical center in the United States.

Comparison of Lumbar Epidurals and Lumbar Plexus Nerve Blocks for Analgesia Following Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Retrospective Analysis.

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is associated with significant postoperative pain. Both lumbar epidurals and lumbar plexus nerve blocks have been described for postoperative pain control, but it is unclear if one technique is more beneficial.

Methods: Using electronic medical records, a randomly selected, cohort of 58 patients with lumbar epidurals were compared with 58 patients with lumbar plexus nerve blocks following primary THA.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocols Are Valuable in Pancreas Surgery Patients.

Background: There is increasing interest in implementing comprehensive perioperative protocols, including preoperative optimization and education, perioperative goal-directed fluid management, and postoperative fast tracking, to enhance recovery after surgery. Data on the outcomes of these protocols in pancreatic surgery, however, are limited.

Study Design: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained pancreas surgery database at a single institution from August 2012 to April 2015 was undertaken.

Intraoperative goal-directed hemodynamic management in free tissue transfer for head and neck cancer.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of algorithmic physiologic management on patients undergoing head and neck free tissue transfer and reconstruction.

Methods: Ninety-four adult patients were randomized to treatment and control groups. The blood pressure of the control group was managed consistent with contemporary standards.

Hip Hemiarthroplasty in Two Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis: Ethical Questions from an Anesthesiologist's Perspective.

As the population ages, geriatric patients with preexisting cardiac disease are presenting for noncardiac surgery in escalating numbers. The decision to proceed with surgery in such patients often is multifactorial. With this in mind, we describe 2 patients with severe aortic stenosis who required hip operations: one urgent and one elective.

Characteristics and intraoperative treatments associated with head and neck free tissue transfer complications and failures.

Objective: To investigate the association between perioperative patient characteristics and treatment modalities (eg, vasopressor use and volume of fluid administration) with complications and failure rates in patients undergoing head and neck free tissue transfer (FTT).

Study Design: A retrospective review of medical records.

Setting: Perioperative hospitalization for head and neck FTT at 1 tertiary care medical center between January 1, 2009, and October 31, 2011.

Regional anesthesia in patients with pre-existing neurologic disease.

Purpose Of Review: Regional anesthesia is controversial in patients with pre-existing neurologic disease. This study reviews the published evidence regarding the utilization and outcomes of regional anesthetics in this population.

Recent Findings: Although publications are sparse, neuraxial and peripheral regional techniques have been successfully described in patients with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barre disease, neurofibromatosis, diseases of the neuromuscular junction, and Charcot-Marie Tooth disease without neurologic complications.