Postoperative analgesia and flap perfusion after pedicled TRAM flap reconstruction - continuous wound instillation with ropivacaine 0.2%. A pilot study.

Transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap surgery is a complex procedure characterised by an extensive wound site. We present a pilot study with 17 patients receiving continuous wound instillation with ropivacaine or isotonic saline. Patients undergoing TRAM flap surgery were included in the study and randomised to the ropi group or the control group.

The human error: delayed diagnosis of intravascular loss of guidewires for central venous catheterization.

We report three recent cases in which there was intravascular loss of the entire guide wire. In one case, this loss was discovered more than three months after the patient's procedure. In another case, the loss was detected one month later, and in the third case, four days was the interval of the loss.

The continuous epidural infusion of ropivacaine 0.1% with 0.5 microg x mL(-1) sufentanil provides effective postoperative analgesia after total hip replacement: a pilot study.

Purpose: To assess the analgesic efficacy and functional outcome of postoperative epidural infusion of ropivacaine combined with sufentanil in a randomized, controlled trial.

Methods: Thirty-two ASA I-III patients undergoing elective total hip replacement (THR) were included. Lumbar epidural block using 0.