Sympathetic nerve blocks for the management of postherpetic neuralgia - 19 years of pain clinic experience.

Background: Sympathetic system involvement in postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) has been targeted using peripheral sympathetic nerve blocks for a number of years with variable efficacy. The aim of this report is to present the outcomes of PHN management with concomitant use of pharmacological treatment and sympathetic nerve blocks.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated clinical data on 563 patients with PHN symptoms treated in the pain clinic and identified cases in which sympathetic nerve blocks were implemented in the years 1992-2010.

Prospective evaluation of pain control and quality of life in patients with chronic pancreatitis following bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy.

Background: Abdominal pain in chronic pancreatitis (CP) is the most common symptom with a highly unfavorable impact on the quality of life. It has been shown that bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy (BTS) may produce marked pain relief for the majority of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of BTS in pain control and quality-of-life improvement in patients with a severe form of CP.

A new endotracheal tube for infants--laboratory and clinical assessment: a preliminary study.

Background: Conventional endotracheal pediatric tubes offer high resistance due to their small diameters and relatively high flow during ventilation. Any increase of the diameter of the tube lumen decreases the airway resistance and subsequently, the work of breathing (WOB). We compared ventilation mechanics using a new, cone-shaped endotracheal tube of our design to the Cole and standard tubes.

Development of an electronic manometer for intrapleural pressure monitoring.

Background: Measurement of intrapleural pressure is useful during various pleural procedures. However, a pleural manometer is rarely available.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to (1) construct an electronic pleural manometer, (2) assess the accuracy of the measurements done with the new device, (3) calculate the costs of the manometer construction and (4) perform an initial evaluation of the device in a clinical setting.