Is the use of dextrose-containing solution in the PACU associated with less PONV?

By in Ambulatory Anesthesiology

Is the use of dextrose-containing solution in the PACU associated with less PONV?

When your patient arrives in the PACU, what kinds of fluid do you ask the PACU nurse to administer?  Does the fluid contain dextrose?  Maybe it should! There’s evidence that dextrose administration decreases postoperative nausea and vomiting.  However, the story isn’t completely clear. For example, last month, AA2day summarized a study that showed dextrose administered […]

A practical preoperative smoking cessation program effectively reduced smoking incidence before surgery

By in Ambulatory Anesthesiology

A practical preoperative smoking cessation program effectively reduced smoking incidence before surgery

Preoperative clinics can do more than prepare patients for surgery: they can also teach healthy habits, such as smoking cessation.  In the article “The Effectiveness of a Perioperative Smoking Cessation Program: A Randomized Clinical Trial” published in the current issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, Dr. Susan M. Lee, Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, University […]

Is it detrimental to warm platelets during infusion?

By in Cardiovascular Anesthesiology

Is it detrimental to warm platelets during infusion?

Do you warm platelets while they are being infused?  If so, you are violating guidelines published by the AABB, formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks.  But does warming platelets affect platelet function? In the study “Stored Platelet Functionality Is Not Decreased After Warming with a Fluid Warmer,” Dr. Gerhardt Konig, Department of […]

Cancer recurrence: epidural analgesia compared to use of PCA

By in Patient Safety

Cancer recurrence: epidural analgesia compared to use of PCA

Since epidural anesthesia is known to reduce immunosuppression, should it be preferred in patients with cancer who are undergoing surgery? Additionally, do systemic opioids contribute to cancer recurrence, metastasis, and biochemical progression, further encouraging the use of epidural anesthesia for patients with cancer? In the article featured in this month’s issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia, […]

A lower dose of epidural morphine is as effective as the standard dose but with fewer side effects

By in Obstetric Anesthesiology

A lower dose of epidural morphine is as effective as the standard dose but with fewer side effects

For patients experiencing pain after cesarean delivery, pain is better relieved after administration of epidural morphine rather than parenteral opioids. How much epidural morphine is appropriate? The question is addressed in “The Efficacy of 2 Doses of Epidural Morphine for Postcesarean Delivery Analgesia: A Randomized Noninferiority Trial” by Dr. Sudha I. Singh and colleagues from […]

Spinal anesthesia is reasonable for patients with severe preeclampsia for caesarean delivery.

By in Obstetric Anesthesiology

Spinal anesthesia is reasonable for patients with severe preeclampsia for caesarean delivery.

Should spinal anesthesia be used for caesarean delivery in a patient with preeclampsia,? Spinal anesthesia was once considered contraindicated because the ensuing hypotension would compromise uteroplacental blood flow. This has not been supported by evidence, and indeed spinal anesthesia is a reasonable treatment method. Dr. Vanessa G. Henke, Department of Anesthesia, Stanford University School of […]

«< 35 36 37 38 39 >»