ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT00273377.

Sto(2) measured at the upper arm only 75 minutes after colorectal surgery predicted development of postoperative SSI, although the infections were typically diagnosed more than a week later. Although further testing is required, Sto(2) measurements may be able to predict SSI and thus allow earlier preventive measures to be implemented.

Annual increases in daily opioid dosage were higher among patients with neuropathic pain than among patients with other modalities; we also found no evidence of difference in annual pain reduction.

Additional inspired oxygen improved Pao(2) and sternal wound PsqO(2) after bypass and may, consequently, reduce infection risk. However, oxygen insufflated locally into an occlusive dressing did not improve wound PsqO(2) and, therefore, does not appear to be useful clinically in cardiac surgery patients to reduce sternal wound infections.

Differential neural block is fairly predictive of subsequent visceral block success in patients with chronic abdominal pain of visceral origin. An initial VAS ≥ 5 provides a sensitivity of 93%, which implies that VAS < 5 may predict unsuccessful visceral block. Contrarily, a value of ≥ 8 would provide a specificity of 92% and may be used to predict success of subsequent visceral block.