Ultrasound-Guided Single-Injection Infraclavicular Block Versus Ultrasound-Guided Double-Injection Axillary Block: A Noninferiority Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Single-injection ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block is a simple, reliable, and effective technique. A simplified double-injection ultrasound-guided axillary block technique with a high success rate recently has been described. It has the advantage of being performed in a superficial and compressible location, with a potentially improved safety profile.

Comparison of a single- or double-injection technique for ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block: a prospective, randomized, blinded controlled study.

Background: Despite good success rates reported with ultrasound-guided supraclavicular block using 1 or multiple injections, no consensus exists on the best technique to use. We designed this study to test the hypothesis that a double-injection technique would hasten the onset of sensory block.

Methods: Adult patients undergoing hand, wrist, or elbow surgery were enrolled in this prospective double-blind randomized study.

Brief reports: a comparison of an injection cephalad or caudad to the division of the sciatic nerve for ultrasound-guided popliteal block: a prospective randomized study.

Background: The optimal site for local anesthetic injection during ultrasound-guided sciatic popliteal block remains controversial.

Methods: Patients were randomized to receive 25 mL ropivacaine 0.75% around the sciatic nerve cephalad to the peroneal-tibial division in group A (n = 51) or caudad to the division in group B (n = 51).

Perioperative intravenous lidocaine infusion for postoperative pain control: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Various strategies have been proposed for postoperative pain control. Among those, intravenous lidocaine infusion (IVLI) has gained in interest. However, its clinical benefit remains unclear.

A comparison of a single or triple injection technique for ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block: a prospective randomized controlled study.

Background: Good success rates have been reported with ultrasound-guided infraclavicular block using one or multiple injections of local anesthetic. We hypothesized that a separate injection of local anesthetics on each cord enhances the onset of complete sensory block. We designed this prospective randomized study to compare the rate of complete sensory block using one or three injections of local anesthetic.

Effect of manual in-line stabilization of the cervical spine in adults on the rate of difficult orotracheal intubation by direct laryngoscopy: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Although manual in-line stabilization (MILS) is commonly used during endotracheal intubation in patients with either known or suspected cervical spine instability, the effect of MILS on orotracheal intubation is poorly documented. This study evaluated the rate of failed tracheal intubation in a fixed time interval with MILS.

Methods: Two hundred elective surgical patients were randomized into two groups.

Effect of epidural analgesia in patients with traumatic rib fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: A consensus group recently proposed epidural analgesia as the optimal analgesic modality for patients with multiple traumatic rib fractures. However, its beneficial effects are not consistently recognized in the literature. We performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) of epidural analgesia in adult patients with traumatic rib fractures.

Stability of norepinephrine infusions prepared in dextrose and normal saline solutions.

Purpose: Norepinephrine (NE) infusions are commonly used in the intensive care unit and in the operating room. Data on long term stability of NE solutions are lacking. This prospective study was designed to evaluate the stability of NE, in dextrose (5%) in water (D5W) and in normal saline (NS) solutions, for a period up to seven days.

Postoperative complications in patients with oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy: a retrospective study.

Purpose: Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a genetic disease with autosomal dominant transmission particularly common in Quebec where its prevalence is about 1:1000. The main features are bilateral ptosis of the eyelids and dysphagia. These symptoms are frequently treated surgically by levator palpebrae resection (LPR) and cricopharyngeal myotomy (CPM).

Complications associated with the Esophageal-Tracheal Combitube in the pre-hospital setting.

Purpose: The Esophageal-Tracheal Combitube (Combitube) is widely used for the management of the airway during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the pre-hospital setting. Although serious complications have been reported with the Combitube, there is a paucity of data relative to the frequency and nature of such complications. The objective of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence and the nature of complications associated to the Combitube in the pre-hospital setting.

Efficacy of a T-piece system and a continuous positive airway pressure system for apnea testing in the diagnosis of brain death.

Objective: To prospectively compare three methods of apnea testing for the confirmation of brain death.

Design: Prospective, randomized, crossover study.

Setting: Intensive care unit of a tertiary care university hospital.

Cricoid pressure does not increase the rate of failed intubation by direct laryngoscopy in adults.

Background: Cricoid pressure (CP) is applied during induction of anesthesia to prevent regurgitation of gastric content and pulmonary aspiration. However, it has been suggested that CP makes tracheal intubation more difficult. This double-blind randomized study evaluated the effect of CP on orotracheal intubation by direct laryngoscopy in adults.

Nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic surgery are not associated with an increased peripheral release of serotonin.

Purpose: To determine whether patients suffering postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) present a different serotonin release pattern from those who do not present this complication.

Methods: Forty-eight consecutive women undergoing outpatient laparoscopic tubal ligation were enrolled in this prospective, cumulative case-control study. The study compared serotonin activity in 15 patients totally free of emetic symptoms (asymptomatic group) and, among patients with PONV (n = 33), those 15 who presented the most severe symptoms (PONV group).