Archive for December, 2009

It’s cold and snowing in many parts of the US right now.  Here’s something sunny to think about: The International Spine Intervention Society is hosting its 18th Annual Scientific Meeting in Maui, Hawaii in July, 2010 at the Wailea Resort.  According to ISIS president Way Yin, MD, the ”…plenary sessions will highlight many commonly encountered and controversial clinical scenarios including disease specific interventions for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar disc disease, spinal stenosis, and spondylosis.”

For more information, click here.

New research shows that the core needle biopsy procedure is as effective in diagnosing breast cancer as open surgical procedure.  Fewer complications arise with core needle biopsy, which is less invasive.  Also, women who received their diagnosis after having had the core needle biopsy were “more likely to be treated with just one surgical procedure.

The study will be published in the January 5th issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.  To read more, click here.

A technique that may lower side effects and improve patient satisfaction during continuous nerve blocks is discussed in the recent issue of Journal of Anesthesia.  The procedure is reported to “…provide better analgesia and motor function for lower-extremity pain.” 

To read the abstract, click here.

A recent JAMA study reveals that two of three older adults experience chronic pain, and that chronic pain may be more hazardous than previously thought.  Pain is not considered a normal part of the aging process, but is found to be undertreated. 

To learn more, click here.

Havel’s Incorporated is proud to support the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine’s “Excellence in Regional Anesthesia” workshops in 2010.  Havel’s has been a past supporter of these workshops, and is pleased to continue their support of the ASRA educational programs.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists has released a document listing frequently asked questions (and the answers) regarding anesthetic considerations for elderly patients.

To read the document, click here.

A study published in the November issue of Psychological Science states that thinking about a loved one can help reduce physical pain. Researchers at UCLA studied 25 young women in loving relationships that had lasted longer than six months. Heat was applied to their forearms as they looked at photos of their boyfriends, a stranger, and a chair.

When they looked at pictures of their boyfriends, the women reported feeling less pain.

To find out more, click here.

In the case of postoperative rehabilitation, several of the techniques used in perioperative pain management can be utilized to reduce recovery time and hospital stays.  An article in the recent issue of Acute Pain, Dr. Joshi Girish from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center reviews the options for multimodal techniqes and argues that the integration of such techniques into rehabilitation practices will enhance patient recovery.

To read the abstract or purchase the article, click here.

The recent issue of Techniques in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Management is dedicated to the study of Epidural Steroid Injections. Of particular interest is the article on pages 217-228 regarding Techniques for Epridural Injections. Routinely used for a variety of spinal ailments, ESIs are administered using an array of techniques (including flouroscopic guidance and transforanimal injection in the cervical spine.) Read the article to learn various technical considerations for those techniques.

To read the abstract, click here.

The European Journal of Pain has published a review and discussion of ultrasound and peripheral nerve blocks for acute and chronic pain. The procedure has become the standard in postoperative pain management due to the safety of the procedure. Its use in more invasive pain medicine procedures is further discussed in the article.

To read the abstract, click here.