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Background: Various options are available for the provision of analgesia following major surgical procedures including systemic opioids and regional anesthetic techniques. Regional anesthetic techniques offer the advantage of providing analgesia while avoiding the deleterious adverse effects associated with opioids including nausea, vomiting, sedation and respiratory depression. Although used commonly in infants and children, there is a paucity of experience with the use of caudal epidural blockade in adolescents. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the perioperative care of adolescents undergoing major urologic or orthopedic surgical procedures for whom a caudal epidural block was placed for postoperative analgesia. Results: The cohort for the study included 5 adolescents, ranging in age from 13 to 18 years and in weight from 42 to 71 kilograms. Caudal epidural analgesia was accomplished after the induction of anesthesia and prior to the start of the surgical procedure using 20-25 mL of either 0.25% bupivacaine or 0.2% ropivacaine with clonidine (1 μg/kg). The patients denied pain the recovery room. The time to first request for analgesia varied from 12 to 18 hours with the patients requiring 1-3 doses of analgesic agents during the initial 24 postoperative hours. Conclusions: Our preliminary experience demonstrates the efficacy of caudal epidural block in providing analgesia following major urologic and orthopedic surgical procedures. The applications of this technique as a means of providing postoperative analgesia are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Study Objective: To compare the femoral nerve block with the fascia iliaca block for postoperative analgesia in adolescents undergoing reconstructive knee surgery. Design: Randomized, single-blinded study. Setting: Full-service pediatric medical center. Patients: 23 ASA physical status I and II patients, aged 8 to 16 years, undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair. Interventions: Patients received either fascia iliaca or femoral nerve block prior to reconstructive surgery. Measurements: Pain scores by visual analog scale (VAS; 0-10) and morphine use were routinely recorded through to discharge from the hospital. Pain scores were assessed on days 1 and 2 at home post-discharge. Main results: There was no difference between the femoral nerve block and the fascia iliaca nerve block in VAS pain scores or postoperative morphine consumption. Conclusion: Either the femoral nerve block or the fascia iliaca block, followed by patient-controlled analgesia with morphine, provides efficacious analgesia for adolescents undergoing ACL reconstruction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: We aimed the investigate of the effect of iv paracetamol on hemodynamic indices, liver functions in the patients underwent major orthopaedic surgery. Material and Methods: This study was performed on 120 patients with ASA I-II risk group underwent major ortopaedic surgery. The patients are randomly divided into there groups: Group I (only iv meperidine), Group II (Parasetamol in doses 1g is intravenously given by infusion during the 30 mins ago end of the operation, and this dose is repeated in every 6 hours.) and Group III: Parasetamol iv 1gr is given by infusion during the 30 mins ago from the anesthesia induction, and this dose is repeated in every 6 hours. Patient Control Anaestesia (PCA) method; meperidin was administered via PCA as loading dose 0.5mg/kg, set bolus dose 0.1mg/kg and standing locked term 10 mins. Blood for ALT and AST taken on preoperative and postoperative 24th hour is examined. Results: In control group, compared with parasetamol and preemptive groups, SAP in postop 60th, DAP in postop 30. and 60th mins, HR in postop 15th mins were recorded higher. The preop and postop examined ALT and AST were similar. Conclusion: We concluded that iv paracetamol administration to the patients underwent to major ortopaedic surgery did not cause negative hemodynamic results and liver functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shoulder arthroplasty procedures are seldom performed on an ambulatory basis. Our objective was to examine postoperative analgesia, nausea and vomiting, patient satisfaction and complications of ambulatory shoulder arthroplasty performed using interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB). Materials and Methods: We prospectively examined 82 consecutive patients undergoing total and hemi-shoulder arthroplasty under ISB. Eighty-nine per cent (n=73) of patients received a continuous ISB; 11% (n=9) received a single-injection ISB. The blocks were performed using a nerve stimulator technique. Thirty to 40 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine with 1:400,000 epinephrine was injected perineurally after appropriate muscle twitches were elicited at a current of less than 0.5% mA. Data were collected in the preoperative holding area, intraoperatively and postoperatively including the postanesthesia care unit (PACU), at 24h and at seven days. Results: Mean postoperative pain scores at rest were 0.8 ± 2.3 in PACU (with movement, 0.9 ± 2.5), 2.5 ± 3.1 at 24h and 2.8 ± 2.1 at seven days. Mean postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) scores were 0.2 ± 1.2 in the PACU and 0.4 ± 1.4 at 24h. Satisfaction scores were 4.8 ± 0.6 and 4.8 ± 0.7, respectively, at 24h and seven days. Minimal complications were noted postoperatively at 30 days. Conclusions: Regional anesthesia offers sufficient analgesia during the hospital stay for shoulder arthroplasty procedures while adhering to high patient comfort and satisfaction, with low complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The effects of intra-operative magnesium sulphate on pain relief after major lumbar surgery were investigated in 24 patients. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either an infusion of 50 mg.kg-1 magnesium sulphate or an equivalent volume of saline at induction of anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and remifentanil. Tracheal intubation was facilitated using rocuronium. Maintenance was achieved with remifentanil and sevoflurane in nitrous oxide/ oxygen. Intra-operative monitoring included standard equipment and neuromuscular transmission. During surgery, neuromuscular block recovery was longer in the magnesium group. Postoperative opioid consumption and pain scores were lower in the magnesium group. The first night's sleep and the global satisfaction scores were better in the magnesium group. The results of the study support magnesium sulphate as a useful adjuvant for postoperative analgesia after major lumbar surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the rate of manipulation under anaesthesia (MUA) following distension arthrogram for adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. Thirty-nine patients (42 shoulders) between 1998 and 2004 were treated with distension arthrogram for adhesive capsulitis diagnosed by the clinical picture of progressive pain and stiffness. Capsular disruption into the subscapular bursa was demonstrated in 40 of the 42 shoulders (95%). Thirty-seven of 42 (88%) shoulders were painfree following distension arthrogram. 15 of 42 (36%) shoulders underwent MUA following distension arthrogram for stiffness although 10 of these (67%) were painfree. Prior to distension arthrogram, the range of external rotation (ER) was no different between those that had MUA and those that did not ( P = 0.36). The improvement in ER was 33% ( P = 0.28) in those that had MUA and 50% ( P = 0.001) in those that did not. The only complication was a vasovagal episode during the procedure. Distension arthrogram can be used as a therapeutic procedure for achieving symptomatic pain relief in the majority of adhesive capsulitis and decrease the rate of MUA of the shoulder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]