A randomized comparison between Accuro and palpation-guided spinal anesthesia for obese patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.

Background: Although obese patients benefit from neuraxial anesthesia, technical difficulties often discourage its use. The current randomized trial compared Accuro, a hand-held, battery-operated ultrasound (US) device, and conventional palpation for spinal anesthesia in obese patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. We hypothesized that Accuro would decrease the number of needle redirections.

Treatment of recent onset low back pain with periradicular injections of meloxicam: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled cross-over study.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common and costly illness. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study tested the hypothesis that periradicular injections of meloxicam would reduce LBP and improve physical activity compared to a saline injection at 3 months follow-up.

Methods: After IRB approval, 80 consenting patients suffering LBP of <6 months duration were randomly assigned to the control (C-group, N.

Ventilator associated pneumonia following liver transplantation: Etiology, risk factors and outcome.

Aim: To determine the incidence, etiology, risk factors and outcome of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Methods: This retrospective study considered 242 patients undergoing deceased donor OLT. VAP was diagnosed according to clinical and microbiological criteria.

In-Plane Ultrasound-Guided Lumbar Plexus Block Using Catheter-Over-Needle Technique in a 14-Month-Old Baby.

This case report details the feasibility of a continuous lumbar plexus block obtained with a paramedian transverse scan of the lumbar paravertebral region, using a catheter-over-needle system, as a main postoperative orthopedic analgesia, in a 14-month-old patient undergoing surgical treatment of a localized Ewing family tumor of the right proximal femur. After surgery, the patient remained in the intensive care unit for 3 days; pain was assessed regularly using the Children's and Infants' Postoperative Pain Scale, and comfort was monitored. Analgesia was provided with continuous levobupivacaine 0.

Treatment of chronic cervicobrachial pain with periradicular injection of meloxicam.

Background: Cervicobrachial pain (CBP) is often resistant to conventional oral analgesics. We hypothesized that the periradicular injection of meloxicam would produce a significant reduction in their intractable CBP. The secondary objective was to assess the impact of the treatment on functional recovery.

Anesthesia for the elderly outpatient.

Purpose Of Review: As the number of ambulatory surgery procedures continues to grow in an aging global society, the implementation of evidence-based perioperative care programs for the elderly patients will assume increased importance.

Recent Findings: Increasing evidence supports the expanded use of ambulatory surgery for managing elderly patients undergoing elective surgery procedures.

Summary: This review article describes the demographics of ambulatory surgery in the elderly population.

Post-reperfusion syndrome during isolated intestinal transplantation: outcome and predictors.

Background: Post-reperfusion syndrome (PRS) during isolated intestinal transplantation (ITx) is characterized by decreased systemic blood pressure, systemic vascular resistance, and cardiac output and by a moderate increased pulmonary arterial pressure. We hypothesize that the more severe PRS causes a poorer long-term outcome. The primary aim of this study was to determine the independent clinical predictors of intra-operative PRS, as well as to investigate the link between the severity of PRS and the intra-operative profiles and to examine the post-operative complications and their relationship with transplant outcome.

Intravenous injection of leconotide, an omega conotoxin: synergistic antihyperalgesic effects with morphine in a rat model of bone cancer pain.

Objective: Leconotide (CVID, AM336, CNSB004) is an omega conopeptide similar to ziconotide, which blocks voltage sensitive calcium channels. However, unlike ziconotide, which must be administered intrathecally, leconotide can be given intravenously because it is less toxic. This study investigated the antihyperalgesic potency of leconotide given intravenously alone and in combinations with morphine-administered intraperitoneally, in a rat model of bone cancer pain.