Articles tagged with Anesthesia
A University of Pittsburgh study found that effective postoperative pain control using continuous peripheral nerve block reduced average hospital stay length by nearly a day. The study analyzed data from over 1,500 patients and showed a significant economic benefit in reducing hospital-acquired infections and complications.
A new study published in Nursing Research found that obstetrical anesthesia is extremely safe, with no difference in safety between hospitals staffed by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) or anesthesiologists. The study analyzed data from over 134,000 patients and found similar complication rates for both groups.
A new UCLA study found that pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomies can be safely discharged after a short post-operative recovery period at an outpatient surgery center. The study, which reviewed nearly 800 patient records, showed no increased complications with average discharge times of 1 hour and 47 minutes.
A new study from Michigan Medicine found that managing early pregnancy failures in an office setting is an acceptable option for many women, with lower costs and longer procedures compared to operating room procedures. Women opted for the office procedure reported higher pain levels but no major complications.
Researchers at UI Hospitals and Clinics discovered a fundamental problem in predicting case durations for diagnostic scans under anesthesia. By analyzing experts' estimates, they implemented a solution that significantly improved accuracy and reduced pre-anesthesia fasting times for young patients.
A randomized, double-blind study found that morphine and topical local anesthesia (tetracaine) combination reduced pain during catheter placement more effectively than either alone or no analgesia. Local anesthesia was found to be a weak analgesic.
Facial plastic surgeons have found that complication rates are unaffected by the length of anesthesia, contradicting existing guidelines. The study analyzed 1,200 patients and found only three cases of major complications across all patient groups.
A study of 1,200 facial plastic surgery patients found no correlation between longer anesthesia duration and increased complications. The authors conclude that regulatory bodies need data-driven guidelines to avoid over-regulation.
A study found that fat surrounding internal thoracic arteries produces a factor that can relax the artery, alleviating contraction during CABG surgery. Retaining this fat tissue may help improve blood flow, providing an alternative to drugs that cause cellular damage.
A new CT-guided injection treatment has been found to be highly effective in treating palmar hyperhidrosis, a condition that affects up to three out of every 100 people in the US. The procedure involves injecting medication into nerve tracts and nodes, resulting in immediate successful results for 47 out of 50 patients.
A study published in JAMA finds that rapid heroin detox under anesthesia can lead to death, psychosis, and increased stress. Alternative methods such as buprenorphine and clonidine are more effective and less expensive, highlighting the need for safer treatment options.
A study published in JAMA found that anesthesia-assisted rapid opioid detoxification is not more effective than other treatment methods and can be associated with health risks. Only 11% of patients continued in treatment for 12 weeks, highlighting the need for effective relapse prevention strategies.
A study of 157 head and neck surgery cases found that time under general anesthesia (TUGA) was a significant predictor of surgical complications and hospital length of stay. Despite initial concerns, age alone did not increase the risk of complications, contrary to previous assumptions.
A nationwide Canadian study found that 5.5% of surveyed Canadians are very afraid of visiting the dentist, leading to over 400,000 people missing annual appointments and 1.5 million cancelled or avoided appointments at some point in their lives. Increased use of general anesthesia or sedation may be a potential remedy for this issue.
A new genetic test detects malignant hyperthermia susceptibility in 25-50% of cases, improving patient safety during general anesthesia. The test requires only a blood sample and can substitute other anesthesia drugs to prevent the rare but life-threatening condition.
Research from Mayo Clinic Proceedings reveals that patients traveling long distances prior to surgery are at increased risk of postoperative blood clots, which can be life-threatening. The study also found a threshold for anesthesia duration that increases the risk of blood clots in veins after surgery.
Researchers at Yale University found that playing a patient's favorite music during surgery reduces the need for sedatives. In contrast, using white noise or no headphones did not decrease sedative requirements. The study involved 36 patients at Yale-New Haven Hospital and 54 patients at the American University of Beirut Medical Center.
A study finds that opioid medications are safe and effective for long-term pain relief in older patients, but pose risks for younger patients. Older patients experience significant relief with minimal dose escalation, while younger patients show no long-term benefit despite high doses.
A new study suggests that breastfeeding mothers can safely resume nursing after undergoing surgery with the anesthetic propofol. The research found that less than 0.1% of the drug's dose is present in breast milk within 24 hours, minimizing infant exposure and justifying uninterrupted breastfeeding.
A study by Duke University researchers found that moderate inhalation anesthetic exposure during pregnancy may not be deleterious to the fetus. The exposure improved cerebral oxygenation in the developing fetus, suggesting a potential benefit for pregnant women undergoing general anesthesia.
The demand for outpatient dental anesthesia and sedation services remains high despite a decline in training programs and an evidence-based foundation. Dr. Raymond Dionne calls for a scientific agenda to develop a safe and effective approach for dental outpatients.
Researchers at the University of Michigan Health System found that medical students who have not yet completed their OB/GYN clerkship place more value on securing consent before performing pelvic examinations under anesthesia. This suggests a decline in the importance of obtaining patient consent for these procedures.
A new approach to brain angioplasty using local anesthesia with mild sedation safely performed on 10 patients, showing promising results in minimizing complications. The study found that the procedure was technically successful but resulted in three minor complications related to stenting and bleeding.
Researchers found moderate cell death in brain regions involved in learning and memory, as well as significant learning and memory deficits in infant rats exposed to common pediatric anesthesia drugs. The study suggests that prolonged exposure to these anesthetics may be problematic for developing brains.
Researchers found that maternal temperatures only slightly increased after epidural anesthesia, regardless of patient size or length of anesthesia. Epidural fever was experienced by 25 patients, but the risk was not correlated with body mass index or surface area.
A study predicts a significant shortfall of anesthesiologists in the US, with estimates ranging from 1,000 to 4,500. The authors suggest solutions to address the shortage, including increasing diversity in training programs and revising government immigration policies.
A study of 16 'awareness' patients found that over half had PTSD, while control subjects showed no memory recall. Patients experienced intense emotions, helplessness, and dissociation after surgery.
A study of 217,000 Medicare patients found that mortality rates were significantly lower for patients whose anesthesia was directed by an anesthesiologist. The researchers found that higher nurse-to-bed ratios, larger hospital size, and direct involvement of the anesthesiologist were independently associated with better patient survival.
A two-year study of 741 elderly patients found that those receiving general anesthesia had improved mobility and daily functioning compared to those with spinal anesthesia. The researchers are unclear about the underlying reason for this difference, but suggest potential nerve damage may be involved.
A new study led by UCSF scientists found that giving patients more oxygen during and after anesthesia can cut the rate of surgical wound infections in half. The increased oxygen improves immune cells' ability to fight infections, reducing hospitalization time and costs.
Researchers found that providing more oxygen during and after surgery can cut in half the number of patients experiencing nausea. This simple procedure is effective, risk-free, and inexpensive, offering a promising alternative to expensive anti-nausea medications.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that boys circumcised in a doctor's office fare equally well as those circumcised in a hospital operating room. The cost savings of having the procedure done in an office setting were estimated at $1,609 per procedure, resulting in an annual savings of $184,713.
Eating foods high in solanaceous glycoalkaloids (SGAs) like potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants days before surgery may delay the metabolism of anesthetic drugs, leading to unpredictable responses. SGAs inhibit two enzymes responsible for breaking down anesthetics, causing them to act longer than expected.
Research suggests that anesthesia during labor and delivery may cause temporary delays in nursing, but has no long-term effects. Breastfeeding is strongly recommended by the AAP, with newborns being nursed frequently to promote immune system development.
A University of Chicago study found that 15-40% of outpatient surgery patients using short-acting anesthetics can bypass the recovery room, with annual savings ranging from $50,000 to $158,000 per site. This trend is expected to shift from academic centers to community hospitals and private offices.