Test sensitivos cuantitativos («Quantitative Sensory Testing») en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del dolor. Breve revisión y propuesta de protocolización de empleo / Quantitative Sensory Testing in pain assesment and treatment. Brief review and algorithmic management proposal

Los estudios sensitivos cuantitativos, más conocidos por sus siglas en inglés QST (Quantitative Sensory Testing), son un conjunto de pruebas que permiten evaluar de forma integral el sistema nociceptivo y obtener información más objetiva de cómo se percibe el dolor. En los últimos años se ha convertido en una herramienta de uso común en muchas Unidades del Dolor y Departamentos de Anestesiología de muchos países. En 2013, el Grupo de Dolor Neuropático de la IASP propuso las primeras recomendaciones para su aplicación en la práctica clínica y en investigación. No obstante, existen multitud de variantes metodológicas publicadas, con estándares no armonizados, que hacen que resulte complejo introducirse en este campo y generalizar su uso. En este trabajo intentamos presentar los fundamentos, tipos de test y dispositivos, metodología de aplicación y su utilidad en Anestesiología y Tratamiento del Dolor

Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) is used to globally analyze the nociceptive system in order to obtain a more objective understanding of pain perception. In recent years, QST has become a common tool in many pain clinics and anesthesiology departments worldwide. In 2013, the Neuropathic Pain Special Interest Group of the IASP put forward the first recommendations for conducting QST in clinical practice and research. However, the wide variety of QST methodologies and standards in the literature make it difficult to generalize the used of this tool in clinical practice. In this study, we present the basic concepts of QST, the type of tests and devices used, how they are applied, and the role of QST in anesthesiology and pain management

Quantitative Sensory Testing in pain assesment and treatment. Brief review and algorithmic management proposal. / Test sensitivos cuantitativos («Quantitative Sensory Testing¼) en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del dolor. Breve revisión y propuesta de protocolización de empleo.

Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) is used to globally analyze the nociceptive system in order to obtain a more objective understanding of pain perception. In recent years, QST has become a common tool in many pain clinics and anesthesiology departments worldwide. In 2013, the Neuropathic Pain Special Interest Group of the IASP put forward the first recommendations for conducting QST in clinical practice and research. However, the wide variety of QST methodologies and standards in the literature make it difficult to generalize the used of this tool in clinical practice. In this study, we present the basic concepts of QST, the type of tests and devices used, how they are applied, and the role of QST in anesthesiology and pain management.

Tapentadol vs. pregabalina asociada a otros opioides en dolor crónico. Análisis de coste-efectividad / Tapentadol vs. pregabalin associated with other opioids in chronic pain management. Cost-effectiveness analysis

Fundamento: el tapentadol es un nuevo analgésico con mecanismo de acción dual como agonista opioide m e inhibidor de la recaptación de noradrenalina. El coste del tratamiento puede suponer un problema a la hora de prescribirlo. Objetivo: analizar si el tratamiento con tapentadol puede resultar coste-efectivo frente a otros opioides asociados a pregabalina. Pacientes y método: se incluyeron 21 pacientes en tratamiento por dolor crónico con opioides asociados a pregabalina y mal control analgésico (EVA > 4). Se les propuso rotar a tratamiento con tapentadol en dos fases: primero sustituyendo el opioide por tapentadol y posteriormente retirando progresivamente la pregabalina. Se registraron el dolor (EVA), el coste diario del tratamiento y la incidencia de efectos adversos antes y tras la introducción del nuevo tratamiento. Resultados: cuatro pacientes abandonaron el tratamiento y volvieron al previo por mayor incidencia de efectos secundarios. En el grupo restante el dolor mejoró de 5,7 (EVA) a 3,4 (EVA) (p < 0,001), mientras que el coste de tratamiento pasó de 4,57 Euros/día a 3,78 Euros/día (p < 0,05). Conclusión: el tratamiento con tapentadol puede resultar coste-efectivo frente a la combinación de otros opioides con pregabalina en pacientes con dolor crónico moderado-grave. Se requieren estudios más amplios que confirmen estos hallazgos (AU)

Background: Tapentadol is a new oral analgesic with a dual mode of action as a mu-opioid receptor agonist and as norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. The cost of treatment can be argued as a problem for prescribing it. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of tapentadol to that of associations of other opioids with pregabalin. Patients and methods: 21 patients suffering chronic pain under treatment with opioids and pregabalin for more than 3 months and pain poorly controlled (VAS > 4) were proposed to change to tapentadol in a progressive manner: First changing the opioid to tapentadol and then removing pregabalin. Pain(VAS), daily cost of treatments and adverse effects incidence were registered. Results: Four patients returned to prior treatment becauseof higher incidence of adverse effects. In the group of 17 patients who completed the change of treatment pain improved from 5.7 (VAS) to 3.4 (VAS) (p < 0.001), and the cost of treatment from 4.57 Euros/day to 3.78 Euros/day (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Tapentadol treatment may be cost-effective when compared with associations of other opioids and pregabalin in patients suffering moderate to severe chronic pain. More extensive studies must be done in this sense (AU)

[Epiduroscopy]. / Epiduroscopia.

Epiduroscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic technique used in patients with chronic low back pain with or without radiculopathy. Epiduroscopic procedures are particularly indicated in cases of failed spinal surgery. This review discusses the indications, contraindications, and complications of the technique, describing in detail the sacral (caudal) and interlaminar approaches and noting their advantages and disadvantages. Practical recommendations are made, along with an attempt to assess future prospects for epiduroscopy.

Interlaminar approach for epiduroscopy in patients with failed back surgery syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Epiduroscopy is a relatively new diagnostic and therapeutic technique used in patients with chronic low back pain with or without radiculopathy. We present our experience with a new interlaminar approach in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). METHODS: Patients with severe symptoms of FBSS who did not respond to other treatments were included. Lumbar epiduroscopy was performed via interlaminar approach through a 14 G epidural needle under fluoroscopy. A flexible, 0.77 mm, endoscope was introduced through a 4F catheter into the epidural space and advanced in a cephalad direction. Flushes of normal saline through the catheter (via a Y-adapter/haemostasis valve) enabled distension of the space. Adhesions were mechanically mobilized under direct vision. A mixture of triamcinolone 60 mg, hyaluronidase 600 IU, and bupivacaine 0.0625% was instilled. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were included. The mean number of operations at lumbar level was 2.26. Major findings included adhesions, inflammation, stenosis, and nerve root hypotrophia. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7.89 at baseline, 5.95 (P<0.001) 3 months later, and 6.05 (P<0.001) 6 months later. Six patients (31.6%) did not show any improvement, and six other patients showed a very significant improvement (at least three points reduction in the VAS) 3 months later. We had four cases of dural puncture, but only one patient required hospital admission. CONCLUSIONS: We have described a new procedure for epiduroscopy with approximately 50% reduced outer diameter of the catheter, which allows interlaminar approach. Its diagnostic efficacy is clear and there were a significant number of patients who had improved outcome.

Trigeminal nerve palsy and Horner's syndrome following epidural analgesia for labor: a subdural block?

Horner's syndrome is a rare complication of epidural analgesia for labor. Much more uncommon is trigeminal nerve palsy. Both complications may be attributed to a subdural localization of the catheter, as we demonstrated clinically by a repeat injection and patchy sympathetic block and with the typical image on epidurography.

Bolus application of remifentanil with propofol for dilatation and curettage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine which single bolus dose of remifentanil in combination with propofol and nitrous oxide is best to control the haemodynamic, autonomous and somatic responses in patients scheduled for dilatation and curettage of the uterine cervix. We evaluated the adequacy of different bolus doses of remifentanil, associated with propofol and nitrous oxide, for dilatation and curettage in a prospective double-blind study. METHODS: After institutional approval and informed consent, 34 healthy females undergoing curettage to remove material from the uterus after spontaneous abortion were randomized to receive remifentanil 0.5 microg kg(-1) intravenously (i.v.) (Group A; n = 4), 1 microg kg(-1) i.v. (Group B; n = 15) or 1.5 microg kg(-1) i.v. (Group C; n = 15), with propofol 2 mg kg (-1) i.v. in all groups. Anaesthesia was maintained with 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen. Haemodynamic, somatic and autonomic signs of light anaesthesia were registered to assess the response to surgical stress. Recovery times and Aldrete score were recorded at the end of the procedure. RESULTS: The groups were similar with regard to biometric data and duration of surgery. The poor results using the lowest dose of remifentanil obliged us to abandon this dose. The total dose of remifentanil was larger in Group C (100 +/- 5.7 microg vs. 65 +/- 4.1 microg in Group B; P < 0.05), but more patients required extra bolus injections in Group B (69% vs. 38% in Group C; P < 0.01). Recovery times were significantly shorter in Group C. Aldrete scores when leaving the operation room was similar. CONCLUSIONS: Remifentanil 1.5 microg kg(-1) i.v. with propofol 2 mg kg(-1) i.v. and 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen provided the best anaesthetic control with the fastest recovery times.

Vertebroplastia percutánea en el tratamiento del dolor debido a fractura del cuerpo vertebral / Percutaneous vertebroplasty in the management of pain caused by vertebral body fracture

Objetivo: Describir nuestra experiencia en la realización de vertebroplastias en el tratamiento agudo y crónico del dolor de origen raquídeo secundario a fractura del cuerpo vertebral de diferentes orígenes. Material y métodos: Treinta y siete procedimientos en 31 pacientes, la mayoría con fracturas osteoporóticas (25 casos). Vía transpedicular en 23 pacientes, posterolateral en 8 y anterior en 1. En todos los casos se utilizó inyección de cemento acrílico con visualización mediante escopia de alta resolución y control de la presión de inyección. Resultados: En todos los casos alivio significativo del dolor con disminución de los requerimientos de analgesia e incluso re t irada de los mismos. Ausencia de complicaciones significativas. Conclusión: La VP es una técnica percutánea mínimamente invasiva que se realiza con control radioscópico y que ha demostrado su eficacia en el tratamiento del dolor de origen vertebral secundario a fracturas del cuerpo vertebral, con morbilidad mínima y mejores resultados cuanto más precozmente se realice. (AU)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for students of odontology: skills acquisition after two periods of learning.

INTRODUCTION: Although life threatening emergencies in dental practice are not frequent, dentists have to be competent in providing basic life support (BLS). OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to study the level of skills acquisition among dentistry students in two different periods of one rescuer-BLS training, a first short practice training of 2 h followed by 8 h of practice over a period of 2 months. METHODS: One hundred and sixteen second-year undergraduate students of Anesthesiology at the Dental School of the Complutense University in Madrid were tested at the end of the two periods of learning using a recording manikin with a validated scoring system (Laerdal Resusci-Anne). This manikin recorded the percentage of adequate chest compressions and insuflations, rate of chest compressions and the causes of error in each case. RESULTS: Final global results were, 51.66+/-3.0% adequate chest compressions; and 54.44+/-3.61% adequate insuflations. The kinds of errors where different in both tests were, wrong hand position (26.92+/-2.96 vs. 12.29+/-2.40%, P<0.001); excessive compressions (27.71+/-2.90 vs. 16.02+/-2.33%, P<0.05); and weak compressions (23.28+/-3.24 vs. 16.77+/-2.57%, P<0.05). Regression analysis found a positive correlation among excessive compression, height and weight (P<0.001) and a negative correlation between weak compression, height and weight (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The poor overall results, although similar to those shown in the literature, have made us question the validity of our methods of teaching BLS. We were able to establish a correlation between demographic and sociocultural variables with the typical errors, and to begin the process of improving our teaching methods.

Continuous monitoring of oesophageal pH during general anaesthesia with laryngeal mask airway in children.

We studied the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) during general anaesthesia with the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in a paediatric population with two ventilatory regimes: spontaneous breathing and controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV). Thirty children between 6 months and 15 years, ASA I-II, for routine surgery, were randomly assigned in two groups: spontaneous ventilation (n=14), and CMV (n=16). A pH probe was situated in the central third of the oesophagus. Some 66% of the patients breathing spontaneously had GOR episodes vs. 92% of the patients with CMV (P < 0,01). Reflux took place mainly after LMA removal (21% vs. 68%; P < 0,01) and in the Postanaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) (29% vs. 43%; P < 0,05). There was a high incidence of GOR during general anaesthesia and in the PACU in paediatric patients anaesthetized with the LMA. GOR episodes were significantly more evident in the CMV group, mainly after LMA removal, but without clinical significance.

Fatal paradoxical air embolism during liver transplantation.

We describe a case of fatal paradoxical coronary air embolism during liver transplantation. The literature on the diagnosis and prophylaxis of paradoxical air embolism during liver transplantation is reviewed and discussed.

Presence of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor in the graft efflux during reperfusion in human liver transplantation.

Involvement of the nitric oxide (NO) system in complications following human orthotopic liver transplants (OLT) has been reported, but the contribution of the graft to the modulation of the NO system during reperfusion in normal OLT has not been characterized. We have studied the contribution of the graft efflux to the modulation of the NO system in 20 consecutive OLT. We evaluated its effects on isolated vascular reactivity of the rabbit and on rat cultured macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In none of the donor liver biopsies was expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) activity by Northern or Western blot analysis found. Graft efflux after the onset of liver reperfusion, but not pre-transplant patient plasma, reversibly inhibited the acetylcholine-induced relaxation of norepinephrine-contracted rabbit aortic rings. Moreover, graft efflux reversibly inhibited NO production in rat macrophages treated with LPS, as evidenced by both a decrease in nitrite plus nitrate formation and a decrease in the production of [14C]citrulline from [14C]arginine. Addition of a 10% dilution of graft efflux to cultured rat macrophages incubated with LPS increased iNOS mRNA levels, suggesting direct inhibition of the enzyme but not of its expression. These results cannot be ascribed to the depletion of arginine the iNOS substrate since they can be reproduced even in the presence of an excess (10 mM) of exogenously added arginine. No correlation was found between the iNOS inhibitory activity in each sample and the corresponding clinical parameters related to either the graft function after the OLT or the existence of post-reperfusion syndrome. Our results indicate the existence of a soluble factor in the graft efflux from human OLT that reversibly and unspecifically inhibits NOS activity. Its involvement in the physiology and/or pathology of human liver diseases deserves further study.

Protective effects of cyclopiazonic acid on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rabbit hearts.

The cardioprotective effects on myocardial ischemia of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), were studied. We used the isolated arterially perfused interventricular septum of the rabbit heart submitted to 30-min global ischemia/30-min reperfusion. Mechanical [maximal increase in resting tension (MIRT), and the recovery of developed tension (RDT)], and biochemical parameters [creatine phosphokinase activity (CPK) in the effluent] were analyzed. CPA, 1 microM, perfused 30 min before the ischemia intervention significantly increased RDT by 54% and lessened MIRT by 66%. CPA also decreased CPK in the perfusate by 67.7 and 71.4% at 0-2 and 5-7 min of reperfusion, respectively. No additional benefits were shown either when the drug was perfused, both during ischemia and reperfusion, or with higher CPA concentrations (10-30 microM). The CPA cardioprotection was lost when the drug was present only during the reperfusion period. CPA exhibits functional and biochemical cardioprotective effects on myocardial ischemia. We postulated a decreased SR calcium contribution to the initial cytoplasmic calcium overload as the most probable mechanism involved.

Pourfour du Petit syndrome: a case following a traffic accident with severe cranioencephalic trauma.

Poufour du Petit syndrome is an extraordinarily unusual clinical condition produced by hyperactivity of the sympathetic cervical chain as a consequence of irritation of these nerves. It causes an ipsilateral mydriasis, which, in patients suffering a head injury as in the case reported here, can confuse the diagnosis and disconcert physicians.