The Efficacy and Safety of Regional Nerve Blocks in Total Hip Arthroplasty: Systematic Review and Direct Meta-Analysis

BackgroundRegional nerve blocks may be used as a component of a multimodal analgesic protocol to manage postoperative pain after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of regional nerve blocks after THA in support of the combined clinical practice guidelines of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Hip Society, Knee Society, and American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for studies published prior to March 24, 2020 on fascia iliaca, lumbar plexus, and quadratus lumborum blocks in primary THA. All included studies underwent qualitative and quantitative homogeneity testing followed by a systematic review and direct comparison meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of the regional nerve blocks.ResultsAn initial critical appraisal of 3,382 publications yielded 11 publications representing the best available evidence for an analysis. Fascia iliaca, lumbar plexus, and quadratus lumborum blocks demonstrate the ability to reduce postoperative pain and opioid consumption. Among the available comparisons, no difference was noted between a regional nerve block or local periarticular anesthetic infiltration regarding postoperative pain and opioid consumption.ConclusionLocal periarticular anesthetic infiltration should be considered prior to a regional nerve block due to concerns over the safety and cost of regional nerve blocks. If a regional nerve block is used in primary THA, a fascia iliaca block is preferred over other blocks due to the differences in technical demands and risks associated with the alternative regional nerve blocks.     

多层螺旋CT定量评估慢性阻塞性肺疾病病情的价值

目的探讨多层螺旋CT(MSCT)定量评估慢性阻塞性肺疾病病情的价值。方法选取2017年8月～2018年7月在湖州市第一人民医院就诊的73例慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者作为研究对象,按照病情轻重分为Ⅰ组(轻度患者17例)、Ⅱ组(中度患者32例)、Ⅲ组(重度患者24例),并选取同期于该院体检的健康者20例为对照组。所有研究对象均行MSCT低剂量扫描,观察比较各组管腔面积(Ai)、支气管壁面积百分比(WA%)、管壁厚度与体表面积比值(T/BSA)、壁厚度与直径比值(TDR),同时予以肺功能检查,采用定量CT气道分析软件分别测量气道相关参数,并用Siemens Pulmo软件Pearson定量分析其相关性。结果对照组、Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组的FEV1均呈逐渐下降趋势,FEV1/FVC呈逐渐上升趋势,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。对照组、Ⅰ组、Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组的WA%、T/BSA、TDR比较,均呈逐渐上升趋势,Ai呈下降趋势,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。FEV1与WA%、TDR之间呈负相关(r=-0.291,P=0.000;r=-0.473,P=0.000),FEV1/FVC与WA%、TDR之间呈正相关(r=0.285,P=0.000;r=0.472,P=0.000)。结论 MSCT扫描及定量分析可为COPD患者气道病变情况提供可靠的评估信息。     

Silicone-based simulation models for peripheral nerve microsurgery

Background

There is a need for a peripheral nerve model on which surgeons-in-training can simulate the repair of nerve injuries at their own pace. Although practicing on animal models/cadavers is considered the “gold standard” of microsurgical training, the proposed model aims to provide a platform for improving the technical skills of surgical trainees prior to their practice on cadaver/animal models. In addition, this model has the potential to serve as a standardized test medium for assessing the skill sets of surgeons.

Dexamethasone as an adjuvant for peripheral nerve blockade: a randomised,triple-blinded crossover study in volunteers

Background

The efficacy of dexamethasone in extending the duration of local anaesthetic block is uncertain. In a randomised controlled triple blind crossover study in volunteers, we tested the hypothesis that neither i.v. nor perineurally administered dexamethasone prolongs the sensory block achieved with ropivacaine.

Frequency of Automatic Stimulations in Responsive Vagal Nerve Stimulation in Patients With Refractory Epilepsy

BackgroundIn vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy, the release of VNS model 106 (AspireSR) allowed for responsive VNS (rVNS). rVNS utilizes a cardiac-based seizure detection algorithm to detect seizure-induced tachycardia to trigger additional stimulation. There are some studies suggesting clinical benefits of rVNS over traditional VNS, but the performance and significance of autostimulation mode in clinical practice are poorly understood.ObjectivesTo assess the effect of initiation of rVNS therapy and altered stimulation settings on the number of daily stimulations and energy consumption in VNS therapy and to compare autostimulation performance in different epilepsy types.Materials and MethodsRetrospective follow-up of 30 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy treated with rVNS including 17 new implantations and 13 battery replaces at a single center in Finland. Our data consist of 208 different stimulation periods, that is, episodes with defined stimulation settings and both autostimulation and total stimulation performance-related data along with clinical follow-up.ResultsThe variation in autostimulation frequency was highly dependent on the duration of the OFF-time and autostimulation threshold (p < 0.05). There was a large additional effect of autostimulation mode on therapy time and energy consumption with longer OFF-times, but a minor effect with shorter OFF-times. Significantly more autostimulations were triggered in the temporal lobe and multifocal epilepsies than in extratemporal lobe epilepsies.ConclusionsThe initiation of autostimulation mode in VNS therapy increased the total number of stimulations. Shortening the OFF-time leads to a decreased number and share of automatic activations. Epilepsy type may affect autostimulation activity.