Reversal of mivacurium-induced neuromuscular blockade with a cholinesterase inhibitor: A systematic review.

Background: Mivacurium is a short-acting non-depolarizing muscle relaxant, which is hydrolyzed by butyrylcholinesterase. The neuromuscular block (NMB) can be antagonized with cholinesterase inhibitors (CHEI), but the short duration of action of mivacurium questions the need. This systematic review evaluated if the use of CHEIs (neostigmine, pyridostigmine or edrophonium) facilitates reversal of mivacurium-induced NMB.

Deep neuromuscular blockade and low insufflation pressure during laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Introduction: Establishment of sufficient muscle relaxation is essential in laparoscopic surgery. During laparoscopy, surgeons can experience abdominal contractions in their patients. Deep neuromuscular block (NMB) has the potential to prevent such episodes.

Mapping of Primary Instructional Methods and Teaching Techniques for Regularly Scheduled, Formal Teaching Sessions in an Anesthesia Residency Program.

In this study, we examined the regularly scheduled, formal teaching sessions in a single anesthesiology residency program to (1) map the most common primary instructional methods, (2) map the use of 10 known teaching techniques, and (3) assess if residents scored sessions that incorporated active learning as higher quality than sessions with little or no verbal interaction between teacher and learner. A modified Delphi process was used to identify useful teaching techniques. A representative sample of each of the formal teaching session types was mapped, and residents anonymously completed a 5-question written survey rating the session.

[When muscle relaxants have unexpected prolonged duration during anaesthesia].

Muscle relaxation facilitates tracheal intubation and improves surgical conditions during anaesthesia. However, unexpected prolonged muscle relaxation may occur. This article describes important causes of prolonged muscle relaxation and gives suggestions for its prevention.

Analysis of Resident Case Logs in an Anesthesiology Residency Program.

Our goal in this study was to examine Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education case logs for Stanford anesthesia residents graduating in 2013 (25 residents) and 2014 (26 residents). The resident with the fewest recorded patients in 2013 had 43% the number of patients compared with the resident with the most patients, and in 2014, this equaled 48%. There were residents who had 75% more than the class average number of cases for several of the 12 case types and 3 procedure types required by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.

Neuromuscular blockade for improvement of surgical conditions during laparotomy: protocol for a randomised study.

Introduction: During laparotomy, surgeons frequently experience difficult surgical conditions if the patient's abdominal wall or diaphragm is tense. This issue is particularly pertinent while closing the fascia and placing the intestines into the abdominal cavity. Establishment of a deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB), defined as a post-tetanic-count (PTC) of 0-1, paralyses the abdominal wall muscles and the diaphragm.

[Challenges when improving surgical conditions by use of neuromuscular blockade].

Neuromuscular blockade (NMB) may pose a clinical dilemma between surgeons' requirements of muscle relaxation and the risk of residual blockade. This review has aimed at describing the challenges when using NMB for optimizing surgical conditions and reasons for inadequate relaxation despite use of NMB. Interdisciplinary collaboration, proper neuromuscular monitoring, knowledge on differences in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of NMB are essential factors when optimizing surgical conditions by use of NMB.

Influence of intense neuromuscular blockade on surgical conditions during laparotomy: a pig model.

Purpose: Intense neuromuscular block may improve surgical conditions in ileus laparotomies; however, it is difficult to evaluate. The aim of this study was to investigate if neuromuscular block improved surgical conditions in pigs with artificial ileus laparotomy.

Methods: Six pigs were endotracheally intubated, mechanically ventilated, anesthetized with propofol and fentanyl, and randomized into two groups in a cross-over assessor-blinded design.

Acupuncture treatment for pain: systematic review of randomised clinical trials with acupuncture, placebo acupuncture, and no acupuncture groups.

Objectives: To study the analgesic effect of acupuncture and placebo acupuncture and to explore whether the type of the placebo acupuncture is associated with the estimated effect of acupuncture.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of three armed randomised clinical trials.

Data Sources: Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, Biological Abstracts, and PsycLIT.