Erector Spinae Plane Blocks With Liposomal Bupivacaine for Pediatric Scoliosis Surgery.

Pain management in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) undergoing posterior spinal fusion can be challenging. Various analgesic techniques are currently used, including enhanced recovery after surgery principles, spinal opioids or continuous epidural infusion, intravenous methadone, or surgical site infiltration of local anesthetic. Another recently developed technique, ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane blockade (ESPB), has been used successfully in spine surgery and may offer advantages because of its ease of placement, excellent safety profile, and opioid sparing qualities.

Sexual Health in Women Affected by Cancer: Focus on Sexual Pain.

As cancer therapies improve, the number of women surviving or living long lives with cancer continues to increase. Treatment modalities, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy, affect sexual function and may cause sexual pain through a variety of mechanisms, depending on treatment type. Adverse sexual effects resulting from ovarian damage, anatomic alterations, and neurologic, myofascial, or pelvic organ injury may affect more than half of women affected by cancer.

Hiker Fatality From Severe Hyponatremia in Grand Canyon National Park.

We present the case of a hiker who died of severe hyponatremia at Grand Canyon National Park. The woman collapsed on the rim shortly after finishing a 5-hour hike into the Canyon during which she was reported to have consumed large quantities of water. First responders transported her to the nearest hospital.

Prospective comparison of packed red blood cell-to-fresh frozen plasma transfusion ratio of 4: 1 versus 1: 1 during acute massive burn excision.

Background: Acute burn excision results in at least 2% blood volume loss per percent excised; hence, massive blood loss (>50% total blood volume) occurs during major burn excisions. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess safety and prospectively compare the impact of a 4:1 versus a 1:1 packed red blood cell-fresh frozen plasma (PRBC/FFP) transfusion strategy on outcomes in children with burns greater than 20% total body surface area (TBSA).

Methods: Children with greater than 20% TBSA burn were randomized to a 1:1 or 4:1 PRBC/FFP ratio during burn excision.

Factors related to successful completion of a 161-km ultramarathon.

Purpose: Despite increased 161-km ultramarathon participation in recent years, little is known about those who pursue such an activity. This study surveyed entrants in two of the largest 161-km trail ultramarathon runs in North America to explore demographic characteristics and issues that affected race performance.

Methods: All entries of the 2009 Western States Endurance Run and the Vermont 100 Endurance Race were invited to complete a postrace questionnaire.

Visual assessment of hemolysis in red blood cell units and segments can be deceptive.

Background: Blood components that appear hemolyzed are discarded. However, visual inspection is subjective and criteria for excessive hemolysis are poorly defined.

Study Design And Methods: Packed RBCs (10 CPDA-1, 10 Adsol) were collected.

Vasculopathies of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (von Recklinghausen Disease).

Vasculopathies are the least publicized but most important manifestation of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1, or, von Recklinghausen disease) as the cause of morbidity and mortality in children and young adults afflicted with the disease. Occlusive or aneurysmal disease of arteries of all sizes may occur almost anywhere in the body. Coarctation or segmental hypoplasia of the abdominal aorta with or without renal artery ostial stenosis is a common cause of renovascular hypertension.