Background and objectivesQuadratus lumborum (QL) block is a new regional analgesic technique for upper and lower abdominal surgeries as part of a multimodal analgesic regime. It has also been reported to relieve pain after total hip arthroplasty (THA). In this prospective, randomized, double-blind study, we compared QL block with control (no block) in patients undergoing primary THA.MethodsEighty patients undergoing primary THA surgery under spinal anesthesia were randomized into two groups, one with and one without QL block. The patients in both groups were randomized after sedation, positioning and ultrasound scanning. Both the patient and the researcher collecting data were blinded to the patient’s group assignment. Opioid consumption and visual analog scores (VAS) pain scores were measured at 12, 24, and 48 hours after surgery. Also, the ambulation distance, patient satisfaction, and length of stay were recorded.ResultsThe study analysis included 36 patients in the QL group and 35 patients in the control group. Both VAS pain score at 24 hours (difference −1.76, 95% CI −2.87 to −0.64) and cumulative opioid consumption were significantly lower in the QL group at 12, 12–24, 24, 24–48, and 48 hours after surgery as compared with the control group (difference at 48 hours −36.13, 95% CI −62.89 to −9.37) (p<0.05). However, there was no difference in pain score at 12 and 48 hours, nor in the ambulation distance and duration of hospital stay between the two groups. The patient satisfaction score was significantly higher in the QL group.ConclusionsOur preliminary data show that the QL block provided effective analgesia and decreased opioid requirements up to 48 hours after primary THA.Trial registration numberNCT03408483

BackgroundAccording to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education residents “should participate in scholarly activity.” The development of a sustainable, successful resident scholarship program is a difficult task faced by graduate medical education leadership.MethodsA medical librarian conducted a systematic literature search for English language articles published on scholarly activities initiatives in Graduate Medical Education (GME) between January 2003 and March 31 2017. Inclusion criteria included implementing a graduate medical education research curriculum or initiative designed to enhance intern, resident, or fellow scholarly activities using a control or comparison group. We defined major outcomes as increases in publications or presentations. Random effects meta-analysis was used to compare the rate of publications before and after implementation of curriculum or initiative.ResultsWe identified 32 relevant articles. Twenty-nine (91%) reported on resident publications, with 35% (10/29) reporting statistically significant increases. Fifteen articles (47%) reported on regional, national, or international presentations, with only 13% (2/15) reporting a statistically significant increase in productivity. Nineteen studies were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis; for these studies, the post-initiative publication rate was estimated to be 2.6 times the pre-intervention rate (95% CI: 1.6 to 4.3; p < 0.001).ConclusionsOur systematic review identified 32 articles describing curricula and initiatives used by GME programs to increase scholarly activity. The three most frequently reported initiatives were mentors (88%), curriculum (59%), and protected time (59%). Although no specific strategy was identified as paramount to improved productivity, meta-analysis revealed that the publication rate was significantly higher following the implementation of an initiative. Thus, we conclude that a culture of emphasis on resident scholarship is the most important step. We call for well-designed research studies with control or comparison groups and a power analysis focused on identifying best practices for future scholarly activities curricula and initiatives.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12909-018-1407-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The innervation of the hip joint is complex and it is challenging to provide effective analgesia after hip surgery utilizing any single regional anesthesia technique. The pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block is an interfascial plane block aiming to block articular branches supplied by femoral, obturator, and accessory obturator nerves. In this case series, we compare the efficacy of the PENG block to provide analgesia in primary and revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). The ultrasound-guided PENG block technique is described and post-operative pain scores and opioid requirements are reported. The PENG block was successfully used in primary THA as a solo block, and it may be used in combination with other regional blocks for any hip surgery. The PENG block is an easy regional technique to perform in the supine position with motorsparing benefits.

The clavipectoral fascial plane block (CPB) is a novel regional anesthesia technique that has been utilized for clavicular fracture surgery. While the cutaneous innervation of the skin above the clavicle is well-known to be supplied by the supraclavicular nerve of the superficial cervical plexus (SCP), the sensory innervation of the clavicle itself is somewhat controversial. Despite this controversy, it has been hypothesized that the CPB is an effective regional anesthesia technique for peri-operative analgesia since the terminal branches of many of the sensory nerves like suprascapular, subclavian, lateral pectoral, and long thoracic nerves pass through the plane between the clavipectoral fascia and the clavicle itself.

Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a valuable bedside diagnostic tool for a variety of expeditious clinical assessments or as guidance for a multitude of acute care procedures. Varying aspects of nearly all organ systems can be evaluated using POCUS and, with the increasing availability of affordable ultrasound systems over the past decade, many now refer to POCUS as the 21 st-century stethoscope. With the current available and growing evidence for the clinical value of POCUS, its utility across the perioperative arena adds enormous benefit to clinical decisionmaking. Cardiothoracic anesthesiologists routinely have used portable ultrasound systems for nearly as long as the technology has been available, making POCUS applications a natural extension of existing cardiothoracic anesthesia practice. This narrative review presents a broad discussion of the utility of POCUS for the cardiothoracic anesthesiologist in varying perioperative contexts, including the preoperative clinic, the operating room (OR), intensive care unit (ICU), and others. Furthermore, POCUS-related education, competence, and certification are addressed.

The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) is an interfascial plane block that has been used to provide perioperative analgesia for a variety of indications. This case report describes the novel use of the sacral ESPB on a transgender patient undergoing male-to-female gender reassignment surgery for perioperative pain control. The sacral ESPB technique was described and post-operative pain score and opioid requirements were reported. The sacral ESPB was successfully used as an alternative to neuraxial, caudal, or peripheral nerve blocks for gender reassignment surgery.

Objective To compare analgesia and opioid consumption for patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty with preoperative posterior quadratus lumborum block with patients who did not receive quadratus lumborum block.Methods The medical records of patients undergoing unilateral total hip arthroplasty between January 1st, 2017 and March 31, 2018 were reviewed, and 238 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome was postoperative opioid consumption in the first 24 postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes were intraoperative, post anesthesia care unit, and 48-hour opioid consumption, postoperative pain Visual Analog Scale scores, and post-anesthesia care unit length of stay. Primary and secondary endpoint data were compared between patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty with preoperative posterior quadratus lumborum block with patients who did not receive quadratus lumborum block.Results For the patients who received quadratus lumborum block, the 24-hour total oral morphine equivalent (milligram) requirements were lower (53.82mg±37.41), compared to the patients who did not receive quadratus lumborum block (77.59mL±58.42), with p=0.0011. Opioid requirements were consistently lower for the patients who received quadratus lumborum block at each additional assessment time point up to 48 hours. Pain Visual Analog Scale scores were lower up to 12 hours after surgery for the patients who received a posterior quadratus lumborum block, and the post-anesthesia care unit length of stay was shorter for the patients who received quadratus lumborum block.Conclusion Preoperative posterior quadratus lumborum block for primary total hip arthroplasty is associated with decreased opioid requirements up to 48 hours, decreased Visual Analog Scale pain scores up to 12 hours, and shorter post-anesthesia care unit length of stay. Level of evidence: III

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