A comparative study of patient satisfaction about anesthesia with dexmedetomidine for ambulatory dental surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Intranasal administration of dexmedetomidine for monitored anesthesia care (MAC) appears to be an effective, safe, and appropriate alternative to general anesthesia (GA) for ambulatory dental surgery. Based on the available evidence we evaluated a new MAC protocol with intranasal dexmedetomidine as the primary choice. To assess a difference in patient satisfaction and anesthesia-related discomfort between GA and MAC in ambulatory dental surgery, a study was conducted among patients undergoing various dental procedures. Patient satisfaction and anesthesia-related discomfort were assessed on the first postoperative day using the Bauer patient satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: Although the differences were small, patients in the MAC group were overall more satisfied with the general care compared to the GA group (p < 0.02). Patients in the MAC group reported more postoperative drowsiness compared to the GA group (p < 0.05), but less postoperative hoarseness and sore throat (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively). Moreover, postoperative thirst was more common in the GA group (p = 0.002). In conclusion, the differences in patient satisfaction and anesthesia-related discomfort between GA and MAC in this implementation study were small but appeared to favor MAC with intranasal dexmedetomidine over GA as anesthesia method during dental ambulatory surgery.

From emergency department to operating room: interventional analgesia techniques for hip fractures.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an update on pain management options with regional anesthesia for patients with hip fractures at the emergency department (ED). RECENT FINDINGS: Patients who sustain a hip fracture are typically admitted and diagnosed in the ED before being transferred to the operating room for surgery. Studies have clearly demonstrated the ability of the fascia iliaca compartment blocks (FICBs) and femoral nerve blocks (FNBs) to reduce pain and the risk of an acute confusional state. Their administration at an early stage of the patient's trajectory in the ED is beneficial. Recent anatomical studies contributed new knowledge of nociception in the hip joint, which allowed the development of more specific infiltration analgesia techniques without muscle weakness (e.g., pericapsular hip blocks). Further research on the timing of nerve blocks and an evaluation of new motor sparing techniques is indicated. SUMMARY: FICB and FNB are established and recommended techniques in pain management for hip fracture patients. Their use early on in the ED may improve patient comfort and outcome. Pericapsular nerve hip blocks could provide a relevant alternative in future pain management in this group of patients.