Anesthesia for Hip Arthroscopy: A Narrative Review
(Abstracted from Can J Anesth, 63:1277–1290, 2016) The purpose of this narrative review was to examine anesthetic regimens for hip arthroscopy after an overview of the indications for the procedure and preoperative assessment with emphasis on anesthetic technique, analgesic adjuncts, and potential complications. The findings and conclusions were arrived at after reading of text chapters and analyzing 45 of 63 peer-reviewed articles discussing anesthetic techniques in patients undergoing hip arthroscopy. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Techniques and Monitoring Source Type: research

Metabolic Acidosis Assessment in High-Risk Surgeries: Prognostic Importance
(Abstracted from Anesth Analg, 123(5):1163–1171, 2016) High-risk surgical patients frequently exhibit metabolic acidosis during the postoperative period, the clinical significance of which remains unclear. An observational multicenter study was carried out to determine the role of metabolic acidosis in high-risk postoperative patients and to determine the relationship between different types of acidosis and postoperative complications as well as 30-day mortality. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Techniques and Monitoring Source Type: research

Spine Surgery and Blood Loss: Systematic Review of Clinical Evidence
(Abstracted from Anesth Analg, 123(5):1307–1315, 2016) The incidence of spine surgery (SS) and spine fusion procedures has increased enormously over the years. However, reconstructive and multilevel spine procedures are frequently complicated by intraoperative blood loss (IBL) and the need for allogeneic blood transfusions, which have both been reported to increase postoperative morbidity and adverse outcomes. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Techniques and Monitoring Source Type: research

Transesophageal Lung Ultrasound: To Boldly Go…
(Abstracted from Can J Anaesth, 63(11):1211–1214, 2016) This editorial reviews the study of transesophageal lung ultrasound (TELU) by Cavayas et al.1 The author examines TELU in the context of many successful “point-of-care ultrasound” (POCUS) techniques such as transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and transthoracic echocardiography, which are frequently used to examine various organs and tissue, as well as establish diagnoses. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Techniques and Monitoring Source Type: research

Transesophageal Lung Ultrasonography: A Novel Technique for Investigating Hypoxemia
This article gives an overview of transesophageal lung ultrasonography (TELU) as an alternative to prevailing techniques for examining hypoxemia. As acute deterioration in respiratory status happens regularly in patients who cannot be transported for imaging studies in perioperative or critical care settings, ultrasound (US) can be used to allow rapid diagnosis of respiratory conditions at the bedside. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Techniques and Monitoring Source Type: research

Education in Ultrasound-Guided Regional Anesthesia: Lots of Learning Left to Do
(Abstracted from Reg Anesth Pain Med, 41(6):663–664, 2016) This editorial focuses on the importance of the teaching and learning of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA). Regional anesthesia is crucial for patients, and its administration is a core competency for anesthesiologists. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Regional Anesthesia and Pain Control Source Type: research

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Ultrasound Versus Nerve Stimulator Guidance for Axillary Brachial Plexus Block
(Abstracted from Reg Anesth Pain Med, 41(6):671–677, 2016) This randomized controlled trial compared the sensory and motor block achieved with ultrasound-guided (UG) versus nerve stimulator–guided (NSG) techniques for axillary brachial plexus regional anesthesia when performed by novices. In addition, the authors compared the participants’ speed in acquiring the skill. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Regional Anesthesia and Pain Control Source Type: research

Preclinical Pain Research: Can We Do Better?
(Abstracted from Anesthesiology, 125(5):846–849, 2016) This special review article addressed the current state of acute and chronic pain research and treatment. A recent survey suggested that more than 60% of patients experience moderate to extreme levels of pain postoperatively and 25% of the US population suffers from chronic pain, a problem costing the economy hundreds of billions of dollars annually. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Regional Anesthesia and Pain Control Source Type: research

Potent Opioid Analgesia Without Respiratory Depression: Could It Be Possible?
(Abstracted from Anesthesiology, 125(5):841–843, 2016) The first use of opioids for analgesia dates back to 4000 BC, and opioids remains one of the most potent drugs for pain management even today. Despite their continued efficacy, the adverse effects remain a matter of grave concern and can be life threatening. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Regional Anesthesia and Pain Control Source Type: research

STR-324, a Stable Analog of Opiorphin, Causes Analgesia in Postoperative Pain by Activating Endogenous Opioid Receptor-dependent Pathways
(Abstracted from Anesthesiology, 125(5):1017–1029, 2016) Opiorphin is a natural human peptide with strong analgesic properties. These analgesic effects thought to result in a reduction in enkephalin hydrolysis secondary to the compound inhibition of enkephalinase. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Regional Anesthesia and Pain Control Source Type: research

The Optimal Analgesic Block for Total Knee Arthroplasty
This article discusses the ideal analgesic block for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The optimal peripheral nerve block technique can be identified with the use of surgical dissection techniques, examining the distribution of nociceptive generators, sensory innervation of the knee, and nerve topography in the thigh. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Regional Anesthesia and Pain Control Source Type: research

Evidence Basis for Using Perineural Dexmedetomidine to Enhance the Quality of Brachial Plexus Nerve Blocks: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
(Abstracted from Br J Anaesth, 118:167–181, 2017) The purpose of this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic review is to reassess the effectiveness of perineural dexmedetomidine, used as an adjunct to local anesthetic (LA), in prolonging and improving brachial plexus block (BPB) considering new studies that have emerged since the prior meta-analysis. In this analysis, 34 full-text RCTs looking at the effect of dexmedetomidine on duration of single-shot BPB were analyzed in a systematic way. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Regional Anesthesia and Pain Control Source Type: research

Intravenous Air: The Partially Invisible Phenomenon
(Abstracted from Anesth Analg, 123(5):1149–1155, 2016) Venous air embolisms, which bypasses or overwhelms the pulmonary capillary system, is of clinical concern, and a zero-tolerance approach to avoid air/bubbles introduction during intravenous (IV) fluid administration is paramount in preventing significant clinical complications. Attention is mostly focused on eliminating visible air from the IV tubing through priming and avoiding the introduction of air with injectates. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Perioperative Complications Source Type: research

Remifentanil Tolerance and Hyperalgesia: Short-term Gain, Long-term Pain?
(Abstracted from Anaesthesia, 71(11):1347–1362, 2016) Remifentanil is a popular short-acting opioid. However, the drug has been associated with both acute opioid tolerance and/or opioid-induced hyperalgesia. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Perioperative Complications Source Type: research

The Effect of Preoperative Pregabalin on Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Meta-analysis
(Abstracted from Anesth Analg, 123(5):1100–1107, 2016) The purpose of this article is to present a formal review and meta-analysis of all available randomized controlled trials involving the use of preoperative pregabalin to reduce the instances of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). The use of nonopioid adjuvant medications as part of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocol improves postoperative pain and limits reliance on opioid analgesia. (Source: Survey of Anesthesiology)
Source: Survey of Anesthesiology - June 1, 2017 Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Preoperative and Postoperative Care Source Type: research