Referred Pain Patterns of the Infraspinatus Muscle Elicited by Deep Dry Needling and Manual Palpation.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the most common referred pain (ReP) pattern of the infraspinatus myofascial trigger point (MTrP) and compare its coincidence with the original ReP pattern, to verify whether there are any significant differences by sex and types of technique and to determine the observed signs and symptoms evoked by deep dry needling (DDN) and manual palpation (MPal). DESIGN: A cohort study of patients randomized to two different examination methods (July and August 2016). SETTINGS: Students and staff recruited from Miguel Hernandez University (Southeast Spain). PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-three participants (70.7% women) with shoulder complaints were randomly assigned to either an MPal (n = 67) or DDN group (n = 66). INTERVENTIONS: The same physiotherapist carried out the techniques on all participants, and the same protocol was followed for both the DDN and MPal groups. The physiotherapist did not ask participants about their pain features or other relevant issues. OUTCOME MEASURES: Local twitch response (LTR) and ReP assessed through a visual analogue scale and features of ReP of the infraspinatus muscle. RESULTS: The areas with the highest percentage of ReP were the front (area 3; 27.1%) and back (area 11; 21.1%) of the arm, anterior (area 4; 36.1%) and posterior (area 12; 42.1%) shoulder, and infraspinatus muscle area. DDN proved to be significantly easier than MPal in evoking an LTR (p ≤ 0.001). There were significant differences between sexes in zone 2 (p = 0.041) and no statistically significant differences were found by technique. CONCLUSIONS: The ReP pattern of the infraspinatus muscle coincides with the original pattern described by Travell and Simons, although the neck area should be questioned. The study found no significant differences in the ReP pattern by sex and when comparing MPal with DDN of MTrP of the infraspinatus muscle. DDN proved to be significantly easier than MPal in evoking an LTR.

The impact of a pulmonary recruitment maneuver to reduce post-laparoscopic shoulder pain: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: A pulmonary recruitment maneuver (PRM) can effectively reduce post-laparoscopic shoulder pain (PLSP). However, a high-pressure PRM may cause pulmonary barotrauma. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a PRM using two different maximum inspiratory pressures (40 and 60cmH2O) for reducing PLSP. STUDY DESIGN: Patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopy were randomly allocated to a control group (n=30), a 40 cmH2O PRM group (n=30), and a 60 cmH2O PRM group (n=30). In the control group, residual carbon dioxide was removed by passive exsufflation through the port site. In the two intervention groups, the PRM consisting of five manual pulmonary inflations was performed at the end of surgery with a maximum pressure of 40 cmH2O or 60 cmH2O, respectively. Shoulder pain and wound pain were recorded using a visual analogue scale at 24 and 48h postoperatively. RESULTS: Wound pain scores at 24 and 48h post-surgery were not different between the three groups. The PLSP scores in the two intervention groups were significantly lower than that seen in the control group at 24 and 48h postoperatively (P=0.006 and P<0.001, respectively). However, there were no statistically significant differences in the PLSP scores between the two intervention groups. CONCLUSION: A low-pressure PRM (40cmH2O) is as effective as a high-pressure PRM (60cmH2O) for removing residual gas from the peritoneal cavity. PRM using a maximal inspiratory pressure of 40cmH2O is safe and efficacious for the reduction of PLSP.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral pregabalin for relief of shoulder pain after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of pregabalin for the relief of postoperative shoulder pain after laparoscopic gynecologic surgery. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: Tertiary referral center, university hospital. PATIENTS: Fifty-six women undergoing elective laparoscopic gynecologic surgery between June 2012 and March 2013. INTERVENTIONS: Women in the study group received 75 mg pregabalin 2 hours before surgery and then every 12 hours for 2 doses, and women in the control group received an identical capsule and the same dosage of placebo. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Visual analog scale (VAS) scores for shoulder pain and surgical pain at 24 and 48 hours after surgery were evaluated as primary outcome. Postoperative analgesics used and drug-related adverse events were also monitored. Patients in the pregabalin group had significantly lower postoperative VAS scores for shoulder pain at 24 hours, compared with the placebo group (median, 23.14 [range, 13.67-32.61] vs. 37.22 [27.75-46.64]; p = .04), and required less analgesic (p = .01). There were no significant differences in VAS scores for surgical pain and adverse events between the 2 groups (p = .56). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative administration of 75 mg pregabalin significantly reduced postoperative laparoscopic shoulder pain and amount of analgesic used.

Intraperitoneal instillation of saline and local anesthesia for prevention of shoulder pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The laparoscopic technique has many advantages compared with open surgery for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. Despite these advantages, many patients complain about shoulder pain (SP) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The purpose of this review was to evaluate intraperitoneal instillation (IPI) of saline and local anesthesia (LA) to minimize SP. METHODS: A search of the literature was conducted using PubMed and Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE). Eligibility criteria were: randomized clinical trials (RCT) evaluating IPI of saline and/or LA to minimize incidence or severity of SP after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Only papers published in English were included. Data extracted were year of publication, number of participants and allocation, timing of IPI, and nonsignificant or significant effect on incidence or severity of SP. RESULTS: A total of 24 RCTs were included in the review. Four RCTs reported results on IPI saline as intervention versus nothing as control. Seven RCTs reported results on IPI LA as intervention versus nothing as control. Sixteen RCTs reported results on IPI LA as intervention versus saline as control. IPI saline resulted in a significant reduction in SP severity compared with nothing. IPI LA was associated with an overall significant reduction of SP severity compared with nothing. Results regarding the effect IPI LA versus saline showed contradictory results in regards to both SP incidence and severity. CONCLUSIONS: Both IPI of saline and LA can be used to reduce SP severity after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It is not possible to conclude whether the incidence of SP can be reduced with saline or LA, due to contradictive results.

Surgical techniques to minimize shoulder pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the treatment of choice for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. Despite the many advantages over open surgery, many patients complain about referred pain to the shoulder during the postoperative course. The purpose of this review was to evaluate different intraoperative surgical methods to minimize shoulder pain (SP). METHODS: A search of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), and Cochrane database of systematic reviews. Eligibility criteria were: randomized clinical trials or meta-analysis evaluating intraoperative surgical methods applied to minimize incidence or severity of SP after LC. Only papers published in English were included. Data extracted were year of publication, number of participants and allocation, nonsignificant or significant effect on incidence or severity of SP. RESULTS: A total of 31 papers where included in the review. Seven, 8, and 12 papers investigated the effect of drains, abdominal wall lift (AWL), and low-pressure pneumoperitoneum respectively. Four papers investigated drain suction, active gas aspiration, low insufflation flow or N2O insufflation respectively. The interventions that overall showed a significant reduction on either the incidence or severity of SP were low-pressure pneumoperitoneum, low insufflation rate, and active gas aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: Drainage and AWL are not recommended to reduce SP after LC. Low-pressure pneumoperitoneum with carbon dioxide is the best documented intraoperative surgical method to minimize both the incidence and severity of SP after LC.

[Reduction of omalgia in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: clinical randomized trial ketorolac vs ketorolac and acetazolamide]. / Reducción de omalgia en colecistectomía laparoscópica: ensayo clínico aleatorizado con ketorolaco vs ketorolaco y acetazolamida.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy cholecystectomy for the surgical treatment of cholelithiasis has been considered the gold standard. The referred pain to the shoulder (omalgia) may be present to 63% of the patients and limits outpatient management. OBJECTIVE: The study was to evaluate the usefulness of acetazolamide associated with ketorolac for reduction of the omalgia to minimally invasive treatment. METHODS: We performed a clinical trial, randomized, double blind in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy to assess the reduction of post-operative omalgia comparing ketorolac and ketorolaco+acetazolamida. 31 patients in each group were studied. The study group: 250 mg of acetazolamide before anesthetic induction and 30 mg of ketorolac in the immediate postoperative period. CONTROL GROUP: one tablet of placebo prior to the anesthetic induction and 30 mg of ketorolac in the immediate postoperative. The presence of omalgia was assessed using the analog visual scale. The variables recorded included: age, sex, flow of carbon dioxide intra-abdominal pressure, surgical time, urgent or elective surgery, omalgia, severity of pain evaluated by analog visual scale, addition analgesia. RESULTS: Both groups were homogeneous and statistical analysis showed no differences in the variables studied. The omalgia in the study group was presented at 9.67% and in the group control was the 58.06% (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: 250 mg oral acetazolamide associated 30 mg of ketorolac reduces significantly the development of omalgia in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Antecedentes: la colecistectomía laparoscópica es el patrón de referencia del tratamiento de la colelitiasis sintomática. El 63% de los pacientes operados sufre dolor postquirúrgico referido al hombro (omalgia), circunstancia que limita el tratamiento ambulatorio. Objetivo: evaluar la utilidad de la acetazolamida asociada con ketorolaco para disminuir la omalgia consecutiva al tratamiento de mínima invasión. Material y métodos: ensayo clínico, aleatorizado, doble ciego realizado en pacientes a quienes se efectuó colecistectomía laparoscópica para evaluar la reducción de la omalgia postoperatoria y comparar el efecto de ketorolaco y ketorolaco más acetazolamida. En cada grupo se estudiaron 31 pacientes. El grupo de estudio recibió 250 mg de acetazolamida antes de la inducción anestésica, y 30 mg de ketorolaco en el postoperatorio inmediato. El grupo control recibió una tableta de placebo antes de la inducción anestésica, y 30 mg de ketorolaco en el postoperatorio inmediato. La omalgia se evaluó con la escala visual análoga. Las variables estudiadas incluyeron: edad, sexo, flujo de dióxido de carbono, presión intrabdominal, tiempo quirúrgico, cirugía electiva o urgente, omalgia, intensidad del dolor evaluada con la escala visual análoga y analgesia de rescate. Resultados: los grupos estudiados fueron homogéneos, el análisis estadístico no mostró diferencias en las variables estudiadas. En el grupo de estudio la omalgia coexistió en 9.67% de los pacientes y en el grupo control en 58.06% (p < 0.001). Conclusión: la administración por vía oral de 250 mg de acetazolamida y 30 mg de ketorolaco redujo significativamente la omalgia en los pacientes a quienes se realizó colecistectomía laparoscópica.

Pain and anxiety control: an online study guide.

The Editorial Board of the Journal of Endodontics has developed a literature-based study guide of topical areas related to endodontics. This study guide is intended to give the reader a focused review of the essential endodontic literature and does not cite all possible articles related to each topic. Although citing all articles would be comprehensive, it would defeat the idea of a study guide. This section will cover pain theories and dentin hypersensitivity, referred pain, oral pain not of dental origin, barodontalgia, local anesthetics, long-acting local anesthetics, intrapulpal anesthesia, intraligamentary anesthesia, intraosseous anesthesia, inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia, Gow-Gates anesthesia technique, Vazirani-Akinosi anesthesia technique, second-division block anesthesia technique, endodontic postoperative pain, effect of occlusal adjustment on endodontic pain, paresthesia associated with periradicular pathosis, analgesics, sedation, and endodontic flare-ups.