Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 2024
GFAP palmitoylcation mediated by ZDHHC23 in spinal astrocytes contributes to the development of neuropathic pain.
Cancer pain has a significant impact on patient's quality of life. Astrocytes play an important role in cancer pain signaling. The direct targeting of astrocytes can effectively suppress cancer pain, however, they can cause many side effects. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify the specific signaling pathways or proteins involved within astrocytes in cancer pain as targets for treating pain. ⋯ In a rodent model, targeting GFAP palmitoylation appears to be an effective strategy in relieving cancer pain and morphine tolerance. Human translational research is warranted.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 2024
Prolonged administration of intrathecal baclofen in a patient with generalized grade 4 tetanus.
This case report presents the management of a 62-year-old woman with generalized grade 4 tetanus, focusing on the innovative use of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy. The patient initially presented with a laceration and subsequently developed severe tetanic spasms, necessitating interventions beyond standard tetanus immunoglobulin and antibiotics due to the condition's progressive and life-threatening nature. The preference for ITB over oral baclofen is highlighted, considering ITB's enhanced bioavailability in the central nervous system and its efficacy in reducing spinal cord reflexes, which is critical for managing severe spasticity.On her return to the emergency department with symptoms of tetanus, the patient received ITB following the failure of oral baclofen to control the spasms. ITB administration necessitated a lumbar drain, which was later substituted with a tunneled intrathecal catheter due to the extended requirement for baclofen infusion and the unavailability of suitable infusion pumps. This scenario represented a significant application of a CADD-Solis external pump for continuous ITB infusion.Transitioning the patient from ITB to oral baclofen was a crucial management step to facilitate discharge and recovery, underscoring the importance of a careful approach to prevent withdrawal symptoms and maintain care continuity. Despite initial complications, including an infection signaled by leucocytosis and confirmed through cerebrospinal fluid culture, the patient was effectively treated and discharged. ⋯ This report contributes to the sparse literature on prolonged ITB use for generalized grade 4 tetanus treatment, underlining the need for interdisciplinary collaboration for the best patient outcomes. It showcases the potential of ITB in spasticity management, in reducing the need for sedation, and in shortening the duration of mechanical ventilation, advocating for a tailored approach that utilizes a full spectrum of pharmacological and supportive therapies.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 2024
Comparative anatomical study of digital block with the WALANT, interdigital, and transthecal techniques.
Interdigital block and transthecal block through the flexor sheath are commonly used techniques for the anesthesia of isolated fingers. The wide-awake local anesthetic no-tourniquet technique is a relatively new approach for local anesthesia during finger procedures. The anatomical spread of local anesthetics with the wide-awake local anesthetic no tourniquet technique has not been described adequately.This anatomical study aimed to assess the distribution of a local anesthetic dye solution to the digital nerves. The study was designed to compare the nerve staining effect using the wide-awake local anesthetic no tourniquet and the transthecal and interdigital techniques in cadavers. We hypothesized that the wide-awake local anesthetic no tourniquet technique stains digital nerves more effectively than the interdigital and transthecal digital injection techniques. ⋯ The wide-awake local anesthetic no tourniquet technique was as effective as conventional techniques in the digital blockade, achieving specific spread on the targeted nerves.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · May 2024
Pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block: what have we learned in the last 5 years?
This educational article discusses the current understanding of the pericaspular nerve group block (PENG) of the hip regarding its mechanism of action and spread patterns, as well as plausible explanations for postblock quadriceps weakness. Finally, we will discuss the recent evidence of PENG block as an analgesic block in hip fractures and in different hip surgeries.