Accuracy of pilot balloon palpation for cuff pressure assessment in small versus large sized tubes: a prospective non-randomized observational study.

Pilot balloon palpation is still a commonly used method to evaluate cuff pressure of the endotracheal tube after intubation. This study determined whether the size of the tracheal tube influenced the accuracy of pilot balloon palpation. A prospective observational analysis of 208 patients intubated with an endotracheal tube of internal diameter (ID) 6.

Neuropathic pain component and its association with time elapsed since pain onset in patients with low back pain.

Background: Time elapsed since pain onset might affect the likelihood of neuropathic component in low back pain. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between neuropathic pain component and pain duration in patients with low back pain and to identify factors associated with neuropathic pain component.

Methods: Patients with low back pain who received treatment at our clinic were enrolled.

Evaluation of Sagittal Spinopelvic Alignment on Analgesic Efficacy of Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection in Geriatric Patients.

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of sagittal imbalance based on pelvic incidence−lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) mismatch on the analgesic efficacy of epidural steroid injection in geriatric patients. Materials and Methods: Patients aged 65 years or older who received lumbar epidural steroid injections under fluoroscopy were enrolled. The cutoff of PI-LL mismatch >20° was used as an indicator of a marked sagittal imbalance.

Neuropathic-like Pain Symptoms and Their Association with Muscle Strength in Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain.

The relationship between sarcopenia and pain remains unclear; thus, this study evaluated whether muscle strength is independently associated with neuropathic-like pain symptoms in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain. A cut-off score of painDETECT ≥13 was used to indicate a possible neuropathic component. Handgrip strength was measured, and muscle mass was estimated.

Analgesic Effect of Intrathecal Morphine Combined with Low-Dose Bupivacaine on Postoperative Analgesia after Liver Resection: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Although intrathecal morphine and bupivacaine are increasingly implemented in effective postoperative pain control, there is a lack of consensus on the dosage as high doses of bupivacaine may inadvertently cause unwanted side effects. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of intrathecal morphine injection and low-dose bupivacaine with morphine injection. In total, 90 patients were divided into 3 groups: (1) sham injection for the control group; (2) morphine 400 mcg for the morphine group (M); and (3) morphine 400 mcg and bupivacaine 5 mg for the morphine and bupivacaine group (M + B).

The Effects of Dexmedetomidine on Myocardial Function Assessed by Tissue Doppler Echocardiography During General Anesthesia in Patients With Diastolic Dysfunction: A CONSORT-Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

Dexmedetomidine is a commonly used sedative and adjuvant agent to general anesthesia. The present was designed to evaluate the effects of dexmedetomidine on myocardial function by using tissue Doppler echocardiography during general anesthesia in patients with diastolic dysfunction.Forty patients undergoing orthostatic surgery with ejection fraction preserved diastolic dysfunction grade 2 or 3 were randomly allocated to the Control and Dex group (n = 20, each).

Effects of dexmedetomidine on oxygenation and lung mechanics in patients with moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease undergoing lung cancer surgery: A randomised double-blinded trial.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a risk factor that increases the incidence of postoperative cardiopulmonary morbidity and mortality after lung resection. Dexmedetomidine, a selective α2-adrenoreceptor agonist, has been reported previously to attenuate intrapulmonary shunt during one-lung ventilation (OLV) and to alleviate bronchoconstriction.

Objective: The objective is to determine whether dexmedetomidine improves oxygenation and lung mechanics in patients with moderate COPD during lung cancer surgery.