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Anatomical variations of the brachial plexus are very common. Knowledge of the possible anatomical variations encountered in ultrasound imaging is crucial for the safe and effective practice of regional anesthesia. The interscalene block (ISB) targets the brachial plexus roots in the interscalene groove, between the anterior and middle scalene muscles (MSM), at the level of the sixth cervical vertebra. Blockade of the brachial plexus roots anesthetizes the shoulder region, making the ISB one of the preferred regional anesthesia options in shoulder surgeries. Abnormalities of the muscular structures surrounding the brachial plexus roots can pose a challenge while performing an ultrasound-guided ISB. We present a case of an unanticipated anatomical variation of the anterior scalene muscle (ASM) encountered on ultrasound imaging when performing an ISB. Our patient was found to have a small redundant ASM, which necessitated an alternative scanning approach and the use of a nerve stimulator to properly identify the brachial plexus roots. Based on our findings, we recommend placing the ultrasound probe parallel to the clavicle in the supraclavicular area and scanning in a cranial direction, tracing the brachial plexus back to the roots, and then confirming the needle placement by using a traditional nerve stimulator before local anesthetic deposition., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Fayed et al.)

Patients admitted to the intensive care unit with moderate to severe acute pancreatitis carry significant morbidity and mortality. A few unfortunate patients in whom the initial line of treatment fails to show clinical improvement develop multiorgan dysfunction involving lungs (adult respiratory distress syndrome), renal failure, intra-abdominal infections, sepsis, and septic shock, which ultimately leads to prolonged hospitalization and a substantial cost of treatment. The acute abdominal pain experienced by these patients is excruciating and requires multimodal analgesia. Continuous epidural analgesia has been found to provide good quality, opioid-sparing analgesia in these patients. A few studies have also demonstrated that segmental sympathectomy resulting from epidural blockade could lead to lowering of serum amylase and lipase levels improve paralytic ileus, and thus hastens the process of recovery. The present paper aims to discuss the advantages of continuous epidural analgesia in patients with acute pancreatitis of varying severity and to review the existing literature using specific keywords., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Nair et al.)

Ultrasound (US) guided serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) is a fascial plane block that has been utilized for managing pain after thoracotomy, mastectomy, and fractured ribs. We conducted this qualitative review to investigate the analgesic efficacy of US-guided SAPB in patients who sustained multiple rib fractures (MRFs). We registered our review proposal in a prospective register of systematic reviews, PROSPERO, with identifier CRD42020177145. This review adheres to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for the identification, screening, and inclusion of relevant articles. Two authors independently searched Pubmed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Web of Science to identify available randomized controlled trials (RCT), case reports, case series reports where SAPB was used for managing pain due to MRFs. Out of the 66 articles identified by the search strategy, 23 articles were assessed for eligibility, and 16 articles were included in the qualitative review. Due to significant heterogenicity, the presence of only one RCT, the presence of case report or series, availability of only retrospective studies for review, a quantitative analysis using statistical tests were not done. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) assessment was not done as there was only one RCT in the review which had limitations like allocation concealment and blinding. US-guided SAPB is a safe and effective fascial plane block for managing pain in patients who sustain MRFs. Further research in the form of well-designed and adequately powered RCTs is needed to confirm its use in patients with MRFs., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Nair et al.)

The sciatic nerve block in the popliteal fossa is a popular lower extremity block for below-knee surgeries. Here the sciatic nerve is targated at or just above the point of its divergence into the tibial and common peroneal nerves. Amongst the described techniques, the supine approach of popliteal fossa block offers greatest patient comfort but has a few challenges accessing the nerve. We describe a novel ultrasound-guided distal transverse or crosswise approach to popliteal sciatic (CAPS) block performed in five patients in the supine position without unsteadiness of the knee or hip joint., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Mistry et al.)

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to establish noninferiority of 10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine as compared to 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine; for choosing right dose in adductor canal block (ACB) after knee arthroplasty (KA), this trial was conducted., Material and Methods: Forty patients undergoing bilateral KA with postoperative ultrasound-aided ACB were randomized: Group A patients received 20 mL 0.5% ropivacaine in the right limb and 10 mL 0.5% ropivacaine in the left limb. Group B patients received 10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine in the right limb and 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine in the left limb. Catheter is positioned for intermittent boluses every 12-h up to 48 h., Results: In the final analysis (excluding six patients) based on split-body design between Group I (comprising 34 limbs which received 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine) and Group II (comprising 34 limbs which received 10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine), baseline demographic data were collected. Length of the limb from anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the base of the patella was comparable between two groups: Group I (in cm; 149 ± 1.63) versus Group II (in cm; 149.5 ± 1.51) ( P = 0.49, 95% CI of - 1.98 to 0.98). Primary outcomes, that is, quadriceps muscle strength, show a significant difference ( P < 0.025) at various timeline. Secondary outcome pain scores and degree of knee flexion at various time intervals showed no significant difference. There was zero incidence of fall of the patient and no significant complication due to catheter was reported leading to discontinuation of catheter use in both groups., Conclusion: 10 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine is noninferior to 20 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine in providing postoperative analgesia with preserved quadriceps muscle strength., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology.)

While stellate ganglion blockade (SGB) is commonly used in the treatment and management of patients who suffer from chronic pain, we are reporting a case where an ultrasound-guided SGB was used for management of acute perioperative pain for a patient undergoing upper extremity surgery. The patient was classified as the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 1, without any significant past medical history, including no history of chronic pain, opioid use, or peripheral neuropathy. The patient was scheduled for tendon repair of the hand following trauma with subsequent lacerations. While general anesthesia, a brachial plexus blockade, or combination of the two are generally used in current practice for upper extremity surgery, these typically do not allow for intraoperative evaluation of motor function. In our case, an ultrasound-guided SGB was used to provide analgesia while still allowing for intraoperative assessment of motor function during the critical components of the repair. This case illustrates the potential advantages of an ultrasound-guided SGB for decreasing acute postoperative pain scores, decreasing overall postoperative pain medication use, as well as maintaining intraoperative motor function in cases where such monitoring may be advantageous and allow for optimal surgical repair., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2021, Cho et al.)

Pain is one of the most common complaints that general practitioners encounter in everyday practice. The swift and effective management of pain is a medical mandate, not only to fulfil an ethical obligation to the patient, but also to prevent long-term complications, such as chronic pain. General practitioners are often required to manage mild-to-moderate pain, and have multiple pain management treatments available to them. The challenge is to tailor a treatment plan to suit the individual requirements of each patient. In this paper, we will explore how best to manage acute mild-to-moderate pain in general practice in a logical stepwise approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pain is one of the most common complaints that general practitioners encounter in everyday practice. The swift and effective management of pain is a medical mandate, not only to fulfil an ethical obligation to the patient, but also to prevent long-term complications, such as chronic pain. General practitioners are often required to manage mild-to-moderate pain, and have multiple pain management treatments available to them. The challenge is to tailor a treatment plan to suit the individual requirements of each patient. In this paper, we will explore how best to manage acute mild-to-moderate pain in general practice in a logical stepwise approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Objectives: To evaluate if using regional anesthesia for post-operative pain control for patients who underwent ankle ORIF is associated with a decrease in length of stay.Design: Multicenter retrospective cohort study.Setting: Inpatient perioperative.Patients: 12,468 inpatients (2007 to 2016) who received ankle ORIF with and without regional anesthesia for pain control.Interventions: Regional Anesthesia for postoperative pain control.Measurements: Hospital length of stay along with multiple covariates.Main Results: The median [quartiles] hospital length of stay of the non-regional anesthesia and regional anesthesia cohorts were 1 day [0, 2 days] and 0 days [0, 1 day], respectively (p < 0.0001). On multivariable Cox regression analysis, the use of regional anesthesia was associated with decreased time to hospital discharge (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.14, p = 0.002). Using 1:2 propensity score matching, the median [quartiles] hospital length of stay between the non-regional anesthesia and regional anesthesia matched cohorts were 0 days [0, 1 day] (range = 0-56 days) and 0 day [0, 1 day] (range = 0-33 days), respectively (p = 0.013).Conclusion: The use of regional anesthesia for post-operative pain control was associated with a decreased length of stay for patients undergoing ankle ORIF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Objective: We aimed to determine the magnitude of peri-operative opioid sparing effect when general anesthesia is combined with spinal analgesia for laparoscopic gynecological surgery.Design: A prospective randomized controlled study; a three-group trial with two comparisons (each intervention group to control).Setting: Operating room and postoperative recovery area.Patients: Patients aged between 18 and 65 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 or 2 who were scheduled for inpatient elective laparoscopic gynecological surgery with expected pneumoperitoneum duration of at least 20 min. Of 102 randomized patients, 99 completed the study.Interventions: Patients were randomized to general anesthesia alone (control group) or combined with very-low-dose (levobupivacaine 3.75 mg; sufentanil 2.5 μg) or low-dose (levobupivacaine 7.5 mg; sufentanil 2.5 μg) spinal analgesia.Measurements: Primary endpoints were perioperative opioid consumption and pain scores (11-point numeric rating scale) at 30 min, 1 h, 2 h, 4 h and 24 h post-surgery. Secondary endpoints were patient satisfaction with anesthetic care and participation in research, sevoflurane consumption and adverse effects.Main Results: Intra-operative sufentanil (median [95% CI]) consumption was 16.1 (10.5-22.6) μg/h in the control group versus 4.7 (3.2-9.2) μg/h in the very-low-dose and versus 2.9 (0.0-4.0) μg/h in the low-dose spinal analgesia groups (p < 0.001, for both comparisons). Median (95% CI) piritramide consumption at 24 h post-surgery was 7.5 (3-8) mg in the control group versus 5 (0-7.5) mg in the very-low dose spinal analgesia group (p = 0.182) and versus 2 (0-2.5) mg in the low-dose spinal analgesia group (p = 0.001). Postoperative pain scores were consistently <3 only in the low dose spinal analgesia group. Patient satisfaction with anesthetic care and participation in research was very high in all groups.Conclusions: Low-dose spinal analgesia in combination with general anesthesia reduces peri-operative opioid consumption in laparoscopic gynecological surgery in immediate postoperative period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst the opioid crisis, acute pain management in pediatric trauma is complicated by the fact that children respond differently to pain than adults. This is largely due to incomplete development of neural networks and immature mechanisms in verbalizing distress. Much of the literature emphasizes that adequate and timely analgesic relief in pediatric patients is necessary to avoid complications of chronic pain. This article analyzes current strategies in nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic alternatives to opioid management in the setting of pediatric trauma. We also acknowledge that, albeit having a lower incidence than in the adult population, opioid use disorders (OUD) are a serious consequence of narcotic prescriptions in adolescent patients, and emergency and primary care providers must remain vigilant of the signs and symptoms of OUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Most patients with amputation (up to 80%) suffer from phantom limb pain postsurgery. These are often multimorbid patients who also have multiple risk factors for the development of chronic pain from a pain medicine perspective. Surgical removal of the body part and sectioning of peripheral nerves result in a lack of afferent feedback, followed by neuroplastic changes in the sensorimotor cortex. The experience of severe pain, peripheral, spinal, and cortical sensitization mechanisms, and changes in the body scheme contribute to chronic phantom limb pain. Psychosocial factors may also affect the course and the severity of the pain. Modern amputation medicine is an interdisciplinary responsibility., Methods: This review aims to provide an interdisciplinary overview of recent evidence-based and clinical knowledge., Results: The scientific evidence for best practice is weak and contrasted by various clinical reports describing the polypragmatic use of drugs and interventional techniques. Approaches to restore the body scheme and integration of sensorimotor input are of importance. Modern techniques, including apps and virtual reality, offer an exciting supplement to already established approaches based on mirror therapy. Targeted prosthesis care helps to obtain or restore limb function and at the same time plays an important role reshaping the body scheme., Discussion: Consequent prevention and treatment of severe postoperative pain and early integration of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions are required to reduce severe phantom limb pain. To obtain or restore body function, foresighted surgical planning and technique as well as an appropriate interdisciplinary management is needed., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of The International Association for the Study of Pain.)

Background/aim: Concurrent application of ultrasound-guided pectoral type 1 (PECS I) and serratus plane block (SPB) is one of the most appropriate multimodal analgesic strategies for reducing acute post-mastectomy pain. The purpose of the present study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of SPB alone, or in combination with PECS I block for post-mastectomy pain following breast cancer surgery., Materials and Methods: Sixty participants undergoing breast cancer surgery were randomly assigned to two groups. After anesthesia induction, group S (n =30) received SPB alone, whereas the SPECS group (n =30) received a combination of PECS I and SPB. Pain scores at 0, 1, 2, 6, 12, 24 h postoperatively, intra-operative fentanyl consumption, postoperative time to first rescue analgesia, nausea, vomiting, patient satisfaction, and anesthesia-related complications were recorded., Results: Pain scores in the SPECS group were significantly lower than group S throughout the follow-up period (p <0.001). A significant reduction in postoperative rescue morphine consumption (p =0.01, median difference 7 mg, 95 % confidence interval: 5.1-7.9 mg) and intraoperative fentanyl consumption (p =0.01) in the SPECS group compared with group S. Moreover, postoperative nausea and vomiting were lower, and patient satisfaction was higher in the SPECS group compared with that of the group S., Conclusions: These results suggest that SPB application and PECS I provide more effective and reliable perioperative analgesia and increase patient satisfaction in breast cancer surgery. HIPPOKRATIA 2021, 25 (1):8-14., Trial Registration Number: NCT03899545., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright 2021, Hippokratio General Hospital of Thessaloniki.)

Opioid addiction has reached epidemic proportions in the United States and it is thought that the problem started with the prescription for legal pain medications by health care professionals, particularly for treating patients who had undergone surgery. To reduce the reliance on opioids in dental pain management, increase use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other adjunctive techniques have emerged. The use of NSAIDs, transdermal and transmucosal patches are presented. Understanding the rational for these different approaches requires a basic knowledge of the molecular biology of dental pain., Competing Interests: Disclosure The author has nothing to disclose., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Regional anesthesia and acute pain management in otolaryngology uses multimodal techniques for perioperative pain control. Multiple methods for regional anesthesia and acute pain management are discussed, including indications and techniques for decreasing perioperative opioid requirements and enhancing recovery., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Substance use and abuse may have the significant, but unanticipated, consequence of lessening the efficacy of opioid analgesics for acute pain management. We hypothesized that pre-injury substance use increases opioid analgesic consumption following traumatic injury., Methods: This retrospective multi-institutional pilot study included admitted patients to four level 1 trauma centers with vehicular trauma over four months (n = 176). We examined the effect of positive urine drug screen (UDS; 7-drug panel, examined individually and combined, yes/no) and positive blood alcohol content (BAC, ≥80 mg/dL) on pain management with opioid analgesics over the hospital stay. Average daily opioid consumption was examined using a repeated measures mixed model, by positive UDS and BAC findings, adjusting for age, injury severity score, and non-opioid analgesia. Opioid analgesics were converted to milligram morphine equivalents (MME) and analyzed with a square-root transformation due to non-normality., Results: A positive drug or alcohol test was reported in 33.5% (59/176), including 12.5% (n = 22) with positive UDS and 26% (n = 45) with a positive BAC. There were no differences in gender, injury severity scores, Glasgow coma scores, or cause of vehicular trauma between substance users and non-users; only age was significantly different. Patients with a positive UDS consumed significantly more opioids compared to those with a negative UDS (34.7 MME vs. 24.7 MME, p = 0.04), after adjustment. Individually, detection of opiates, THC, cocaine, and amphetamines were associated with increased opioid consumption compared to their UDS negative counterparts; on the other hand, benzodiazepines and alcohol intoxication were associated with reduced opioid consumption during the course of hospitalization. However, none of the individual UDS results reached statistical significance. The largest effect of all the individual drugs was with opiates, which was associated with a borderline significant increase in opioid analgesic consumption (p = 0.06)., Conclusions: Our preliminary data suggest drug use may significantly alter acute pain management following traumatic injury, corresponding to 40% increase in opioid analgesia for substance users than non-users. These results may have broad reaching implications because of the high prevalence of substance use in the trauma population., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Widespread legislative efforts to legalize marijuana have increased the prevalence of marijuana use and abuse. The effects of marijuana on pain tolerance and analgesic pain management in the acute pain setting have not been reported. Although marijuana has been shown to have antinociceptive effects and is approved for medical use to treat chronic pain, anecdotal evidence suggests marijuana users admitted with traumatic injuries experience poorer pain control than patients who do not use marijuana. We hypothesized that marijuana users would report higher pain scores and require more opioid analgesia following traumatic injury. Methods: This retrospective pilot study included all patients involved in motor vehicle crashes, consecutively admitted to four trauma centers from 1/1/2016–4/30/2016. Marijuana status was examined as non-use and use, and was further categorized as chronic and episodic use. We performed a repeated measures mixed model to examine the association between marijuana use and a) average daily opioid consumption and b) average daily pain scores (scale 0–10). Opioid analgesics were converted to be equianalgesic to 1 mg IV hydromorphone. Results: Marijuana use was reported in 21% (54/261), of which 30% reported chronic use (16/54). Marijuana use was reported more frequently in Colorado hospitals (23–29%) compared to the hospital in Texas (6%). Drug use with other prescription/street drugs was reported in 9% of patients. Other drug use was a significant effect modifier and results were presented after stratification by drug use. After adjustment, marijuana users who did not use other drugs consumed significantly more opioids (7.6 mg vs. 5.6 mg, p < 0.001) and reported higher pain scores (4.9 vs. 4.2, p < 0.001) than non-marijuana users. Conversely, in patients who used other drugs, there were no differences in opioid consumption (5.6 mg vs. 6.1 mg, p = 0.70) or pain scores (5.3 vs. 6.0, p = 0.07) with marijuana use compared to non-use, after adjustment. Chronic marijuana use was associated with significantly higher opioid consumption compared to episodic marijuana use in concomitant drug users (11.3 mg vs. 4.4 mg, p = 0.008) but was similar in non-drug users (p = 0.41). Conclusion: These preliminary data suggest that marijuana use, especially chronic use, may affect pain response to injury by requiring greater use of opioid analgesia. These results were less pronounced in patients who used other drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the context of improving perioperative pain management and shortening hospital stays, potent oral analgesics, such as slow release opioids, are gaining increasingly in importance., Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the use and effectiveness of different opioids in postoperative pain treatment in Germany., Materials and Methods: Using data from the QUIPS database, the records of 5249 patients were evaluated. The total study population was divided into four groups: group 1 (10 mg oxycodone with or without naloxone 5 mg), group 2 (20 mg oxycodone with or without naloxone 10 mg), group 3 (piritramide) and group 4 (tramadol). Maximum pain intensity, pain-related interference with sleep and respiration, vomiting, postoperative fatigue, desire for more pain treatment and satisfaction with pain management were evaluated., Results and Discussion: The differences in pain intensity were statistically significant between groups. Patients with piritramide reported more pain, more interference with sleep and respiration and more fatigue compared to those from the other groups. In the group with 10 mg oxycodone, the desire for additional pain medication was the lowest. Postoperative vomiting and satisfaction with pain management differed significantly between the four groups. Procedure-specific analysis has shown that differences between sub-groups were also significant following cholecystectomy and total knee arthroplasty., Conclusions: In summary, our findings suggest that postoperative pain treatment with slow release oral oxycodone does not show disadvantages compared to tramadol or piritramide with regard to pain-related impairments and opioid-induced side effects. This hypothesis needs to be further analyzed in controlled studies.

Medical pain management is in crisis; from the pervasiveness of pain to inadequate pain treatment, from the escalation of prescription opioids to an epidemic in addiction, diversion and overdose deaths. The rising costs of pain care and managing adverse effects of that care have prompted action from state and federal agencies including the DOD, VHA, NIH, FDA and CDC. There is pressure for pain medicine to shift away from reliance on opioids, ineffective procedures and surgeries toward comprehensive pain management that includes evidence-based nonpharmacologic options. This White Paper details the historical context and magnitude of the current pain problem including individual, social and economic impacts as well as the challenges of pain management for patients and a healthcare workforce engaging prevalent strategies not entirely based in current evidence. Detailed here is the evidence-base for nonpharmacologic therapies effective in postsurgical pain with opioid sparing, acute non-surgical pain, cancer pain and chronic pain. Therapies reviewed include acupuncture therapy, massage therapy, osteopathic and chiropractic manipulation, meditative movement therapies Tai chi and yoga, mind body behavioral interventions, dietary components and self-care/self-efficacy strategies. Transforming the system of pain care to a responsive comprehensive model necessitates that options for treatment and collaborative care must be evidence-based and include effective nonpharmacologic strategies that have the advantage of reduced risks of adverse events and addiction liability. The evidence demands a call to action to increase awareness of effective nonpharmacologic treatments for pain, to train healthcare practitioners and administrators in the evidence base of effective nonpharmacologic practice, to advocate for policy initiatives that remedy system and reimbursement barriers to evidence-informed comprehensive pain care, and to promote ongoing research and dissemination of the role of effective nonpharmacologic treatments in pain, focused on the short- and long-term therapeutic and economic impact of comprehensive care practices., (Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background Pain after cardiac surgery traditionally has been controlled by intravenous opioids and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. An intravenous analgesic with fewer adverse effects is needed. Therefore, we tested the primary hypothesis that intravenous acetaminophen is more effective than placebo for pain management, which was defined a priori as superior on either pain intensity score and/or opioid consumption and not worse on either. Methods In this single-center, double-blind trial, 147 patients having cardiac surgery via median sternotomy were randomized to receive either 1 g of intravenous acetaminophen (73 patients) every 6 hours for 24 hours or comparable placebo (74 patients) starting in the operating room after sternal closure. Cumulative opioid consumption (in morphine equivalents) and pain intensity scores (on a 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale) were measured at 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours after surgery. We estimated ratio of mean opioid consumption by using multivariable linear regression (noninferiority delta = 1.15) and pain score difference by using repeated measures regression (noninferiority delta = 1). Results Acetaminophen was superior to placebo on mean pain intensity scores and noninferior on opioid consumption, with estimated difference in mean pain (95% confidence interval) of −0.90 (−1.39, −0.42), P < .001 (superior), and estimated ratio of means in opioid consumption (90% confidence interval) of 0.89 (0.73-1.10), P = .28 (noninferior; not superior). Conclusions Intravenous acetaminophen reduced pain after cardiac surgery, but not opioid consumption. Intravenous acetaminophen can be an effective analgesic adjunct in patients recovering from median sternotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this randomized study was to compare the effects of pregabalin with epidural analgesia on early phase post-thoracotomy pain., Methods: This study was conducted on 90 adult patients who underwent thoracotomy. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, an epidural analgesia group, where 45 patients received 0.2% ropivacaine hydrochloride and fentanyl through a thoracic epidural catheter, and a pregabalin group, where 45 patients received 75 mg pregabalin orally twice daily. Both groups were also administered orally with celecoxib along with each treatment. Numerical rating scale (NRS) and sleep interference rate (SIR) were evaluated on the first day, third day, and fifth day after surgery. Anesthetic induction time, operation time, recovery time, the use of additional analgesic drugs and adverse effects were also examined., Results: NRS and SIR were significantly lower in the pregabalin group at all time points (P<0.05). The number of patients requiring additional analgesic drugs within 24 hours after surgery showed no difference between the two groups; however, the number was significantly decreased in the pregabalin group after post-operative day 1 (P<0.001). Adverse effects including pneumonia, dysuria, constipation and nausea were identified among many patients in the epidural analgesia group (P<0.05). Operation time and recovery time were the same for both groups, while the epidural analgesia group showed a significantly longer anesthetic induction time (P<0.001)., Conclusions: Pregabalin is considered to be a safe and effective treatment method which is an alternative to epidural analgesia for acute post-thoracotomy pain., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Background and Objectives: While previous studies have shown that elderly patients require lower dosages of opioids, the literature suggests that pain is undertreated in the geriatric population, which may lead to postoperative pain and high rescue analgesia requirements. The purpose of this study is to determine whether elderly patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty require higher levels of postoperative rescue opioids than their younger counterparts early after emergence from anesthesia., Methods: Using a nonconcurrent retrospective cohort study design, patients who underwent hip or knee arthroplasty under general anesthesia at a tertiary academic hospital from 2007 to 2012 were identified. Demographic information and data regarding patients' anesthetic care were obtained from the institution's anesthesia information management system. To assess the presence of pain after the emergence of anesthesia, we used, as a proxy, opioid administration by the anesthesia provider after leaving the operating room and before the end of anesthesia care., Results: A total of 2731 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 487 (17.8%) received rescue opioids. Patients older than 80 years were less likely to receive opioids after leaving the operating room (odds ratio, 0.57; 95% confidence interval, 0.37-0.88; P = .01) and received 1.37 mg less of hydromorphone equivalent opioid compared to patients younger than the age of 50 years (95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.55; P < .001). The proportion of patients who received rescue opioids varied significantly between anesthesia providers from 0% to 38% (P < .001)., Conclusions: While elderly patients received lower doses of opioids intraoperatively, they were less likely to require rescue analgesia. The variability among providers in rescue opioid administration after emergence presents an opportunity for further research., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) represents a challenge in the perioperative period for both physicians and the health care system alike. A number of studies have associated OSA with increased risk for postoperative complications. This is of particular concern in the face of this disease remaining vastly underdiagnosed. In this context, current guidelines and established concepts such as the use of continuous positive airway pressure or the level of postoperative monitoring, lack strong scientific evidence. Other interventions such as the use neuraxial/regional anesthesia may however offer added benefit. This review aims to address considerations for physicians in charge of OSA patients in the perioperative setting and to give an outlook for current and future research on this topic.

This article updates acute pain management in ambulatory surgery and proposes a practical three-step approach for reducing the impact and incidence of uncontrolled surgical pain. By identifying at-risk patients, implementing multimodal analgesia, and intervening promptly with rescue therapies, the anesthesiologist may improve outcomes, reduce cost, and optimize the patient's experience and quality of recovery., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)