BackgroundOpen inguinal hernia repair is associated with moderate postoperative pain, but optimal... more BackgroundOpen inguinal hernia repair is associated with moderate postoperative pain, but optimal analgesia remains controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the available literature on the management of pain after open hernia surgery.MethodsRandomized studies, in English, published between January 1966 and March 2009, assessing analgesic and anaesthetic interventions in adult open hernia surgery, and reporting pain scores, were retrieved from the Embase and MEDLINE databases. In addition to published evidence, clinical practice was taken into account to ensure that the recommendations had clinical validity.ResultsOf the 334 randomized studies identified, 79 were included. Quantitative analysis suggested that regional anaesthesia was superior to general anaesthesia for reducing postoperative pain. Spinal anaesthesia was associated with a higher incidence of urinary retention and increased time to home-readiness compared with regional anaesthesia.ConclusionFiel...
Study Objectives: Previous studies have demonstrated pronounced reduction of REM sleep on the fi ... more Study Objectives: Previous studies have demonstrated pronounced reduction of REM sleep on the fi rst nights following major surgery which may infl uence pain, analgesic use, and recovery. This placebo-controlled, randomized, doubleblind study set out to evaluate the effect of zolpidem on sleep architecture in an elderly population undergoing fast-track total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA) with length of stay < 3 days. Methods: Twenty patients (≥ 60 years) undergoing THA or TKA in a standardized setup with spinal anesthesia and multimodal opioid-sparing postoperative analgesia were included. Polysomnography measures were performed for 2 nights, 1 night at home prior to surgery and on the fi rst night after surgery, when the patient received placebo or zolpidem 10 mg. Analgesic use, pain levels, and subjective measures of fatigue and sleep quality were recorded. Analysis of sleep data was performed according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine manual. Results: Objective sleep data did not show a signifi cant difference between groups in any of the sleep stages. However, subjective data on sleep quality and fatigue showed signifi cantly less fatigue and better sleep quality in the zolpidem group (p < 0.05), and reduced objectively recorded number of arousals (p = 0.004). Levels of pain and opioid use were similar in the 2 groups. Conclusions: Our objective data did not support the primary hypothesis that one night's treatment with zolpidem would signifi cantly improve sleep architecture following major surgery, although there was improved feeling of sleep quality and fatigue associated with fewer postoperative arousals.
Multi-modal rehabilitation with an emphasis on preoperative information, reduction of surgical st... more Multi-modal rehabilitation with an emphasis on preoperative information, reduction of surgical stress responses, optimized dynamic pain relief with continuous epidural analgesia and early mobilization and oral nutrition may reduce hospital stay, morbidity, convalescence, and costs (fast-track surgery). Current results from fast-track colonic surgery suggest that postoperative pulmonary, cardiovascular, and muscle function are improved and body composition preserved as well as a normal oral intake of energy and protein can be achieved. Consequently, hospital stay is reduced to about 2-4 days, with decreased fatigue and need for sleep in the convalescence period. Despite a higher risk for readmissions, overall costs and morbidity seem to be reduced. Existing data from several institutions support the concept of fast-track colonic surgery to improve postoperative organ functions, thereby allowing for early rehabilitation with decreased hospital stay, convalescence, and costs. Further data are needed from multinational institutions on morbidity, safety, and costs.
BACKGROUND: Improving perioperative efficiency and throughput has become increasingly important i... more BACKGROUND: Improving perioperative efficiency and throughput has become increasingly important in the modern practice of anesthesiology. Fast-track surgery represents a multidisciplinary approach to improving perioperative efficiency by facilitating recovery after both minor (i.e., outpatient) and major (inpatient) surgery procedures. In this article we focus on the expanding role of the anesthesiologist in fast-track surgery. METHODS: A multidisciplinary group of clinical investigators met at McGill University in the Fall of 2005 to discuss current anesthetic and surgical practices directed at improving the postoperative recovery process. A subgroup of the attendees at this conference was assigned the task of reviewing the peer-reviewed literature on this topic as it related to the role of the anesthesiologist as a perioperative physician. RESULTS: Anesthesiologists as perioperative physicians play a key role in fast-track surgery through their choice of preoperative medication, anesthetics and techniques, use of prophylactic drugs to minimize side effects (e.g., pain, nausea and vomiting, dizziness), as well as the administration of adjunctive drugs to maintain major organ system function during and after surgery. CONCLUSION: The decisions of the anesthesiologist as a key perioperative physician are of critical importance to the surgical care team in developing a successful fast-track surgery program.
BackgroundOpen inguinal hernia repair is associated with moderate postoperative pain, but optimal... more BackgroundOpen inguinal hernia repair is associated with moderate postoperative pain, but optimal analgesia remains controversial. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the available literature on the management of pain after open hernia surgery.MethodsRandomized studies, in English, published between January 1966 and March 2009, assessing analgesic and anaesthetic interventions in adult open hernia surgery, and reporting pain scores, were retrieved from the Embase and MEDLINE databases. In addition to published evidence, clinical practice was taken into account to ensure that the recommendations had clinical validity.ResultsOf the 334 randomized studies identified, 79 were included. Quantitative analysis suggested that regional anaesthesia was superior to general anaesthesia for reducing postoperative pain. Spinal anaesthesia was associated with a higher incidence of urinary retention and increased time to home-readiness compared with regional anaesthesia.ConclusionFiel...
Study Objectives: Previous studies have demonstrated pronounced reduction of REM sleep on the fi ... more Study Objectives: Previous studies have demonstrated pronounced reduction of REM sleep on the fi rst nights following major surgery which may infl uence pain, analgesic use, and recovery. This placebo-controlled, randomized, doubleblind study set out to evaluate the effect of zolpidem on sleep architecture in an elderly population undergoing fast-track total hip and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA) with length of stay < 3 days. Methods: Twenty patients (≥ 60 years) undergoing THA or TKA in a standardized setup with spinal anesthesia and multimodal opioid-sparing postoperative analgesia were included. Polysomnography measures were performed for 2 nights, 1 night at home prior to surgery and on the fi rst night after surgery, when the patient received placebo or zolpidem 10 mg. Analgesic use, pain levels, and subjective measures of fatigue and sleep quality were recorded. Analysis of sleep data was performed according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine manual. Results: Objective sleep data did not show a signifi cant difference between groups in any of the sleep stages. However, subjective data on sleep quality and fatigue showed signifi cantly less fatigue and better sleep quality in the zolpidem group (p < 0.05), and reduced objectively recorded number of arousals (p = 0.004). Levels of pain and opioid use were similar in the 2 groups. Conclusions: Our objective data did not support the primary hypothesis that one night's treatment with zolpidem would signifi cantly improve sleep architecture following major surgery, although there was improved feeling of sleep quality and fatigue associated with fewer postoperative arousals.
Multi-modal rehabilitation with an emphasis on preoperative information, reduction of surgical st... more Multi-modal rehabilitation with an emphasis on preoperative information, reduction of surgical stress responses, optimized dynamic pain relief with continuous epidural analgesia and early mobilization and oral nutrition may reduce hospital stay, morbidity, convalescence, and costs (fast-track surgery). Current results from fast-track colonic surgery suggest that postoperative pulmonary, cardiovascular, and muscle function are improved and body composition preserved as well as a normal oral intake of energy and protein can be achieved. Consequently, hospital stay is reduced to about 2-4 days, with decreased fatigue and need for sleep in the convalescence period. Despite a higher risk for readmissions, overall costs and morbidity seem to be reduced. Existing data from several institutions support the concept of fast-track colonic surgery to improve postoperative organ functions, thereby allowing for early rehabilitation with decreased hospital stay, convalescence, and costs. Further data are needed from multinational institutions on morbidity, safety, and costs.
BACKGROUND: Improving perioperative efficiency and throughput has become increasingly important i... more BACKGROUND: Improving perioperative efficiency and throughput has become increasingly important in the modern practice of anesthesiology. Fast-track surgery represents a multidisciplinary approach to improving perioperative efficiency by facilitating recovery after both minor (i.e., outpatient) and major (inpatient) surgery procedures. In this article we focus on the expanding role of the anesthesiologist in fast-track surgery. METHODS: A multidisciplinary group of clinical investigators met at McGill University in the Fall of 2005 to discuss current anesthetic and surgical practices directed at improving the postoperative recovery process. A subgroup of the attendees at this conference was assigned the task of reviewing the peer-reviewed literature on this topic as it related to the role of the anesthesiologist as a perioperative physician. RESULTS: Anesthesiologists as perioperative physicians play a key role in fast-track surgery through their choice of preoperative medication, anesthetics and techniques, use of prophylactic drugs to minimize side effects (e.g., pain, nausea and vomiting, dizziness), as well as the administration of adjunctive drugs to maintain major organ system function during and after surgery. CONCLUSION: The decisions of the anesthesiologist as a key perioperative physician are of critical importance to the surgical care team in developing a successful fast-track surgery program.
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