Phenol neurolysis for severe chronic nonmalignant pain: is the old also obsolete?

Objective: Our purpose was to reassess the effectiveness of phenol 4% in aqueous solution for neurolysis in patients with severe chronic nonmalignant pain syndromes who did not achieve adequate pain control (visual analog scale [VAS]
Design: Forty-two patients with severe nonmalignant pain persisting for 6 months or longer were followed for more than 6 months after phenol neurolysis in this prospective observational study. All patients had previously received narcotic drugs, with or without nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents or adjuvants, without adequate pain relief.

Laryngeal mask in prone position: pure exhibitionism or a valid technique.

Aim: The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is used worldwide during general anesthesia with controlled or spontaneous breathing. Normally its use is limited to patients undergoing surgery in the supine but not the prone position.

Methods: A prospective study of 50 consecutive ASA 1 and 2 patients who underwent ambulatory surgery in the prone position.

Controlled-release oxycodone-induced seizures.

Background: The use of the opioid oxycodone hydrochloride in the management of chronic pain is gaining popularity principally because of its tolerability. However, opioid-related seizure in patients with epilepsy or other conditions that may decrease seizure threshold has been described in the literature; in particular, oxycodone has been associated with seizure in a patient with acute renal failure.

Objective: The aim of this article was to report a patient with a history of seizures but normal renal and hepatic function who developed seizure on 2 occasions after oxycodone ingestion.

The effect of early epidural block administration on the progression and outcome of labor.

This study was undertaken to prospectively evaluate the effect of early administration of epidural bupivacaine (0.25%) on the progression and outcome of labor in 60 nulliparous patients. Patients were randomly divided into two groups.