Bupivacaine to Reduce Pain and Narcotic Use After Mohs Micrographic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exists for bupivacaine injection after Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). OBJECTIVE: Evaluate how bupivacaine affects postoperative pain and narcotic use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicenter, single-blinded, prospective randomized controlled trial, patients received bupivacaine or saline (placebo) immediately after MMS with flap reconstructions identified by American Academy of Dermatology expert consensus as high-risk for pain and narcotic use. For 48 hours postoperatively, patients logged analgesic use, pain scores (0-10), and whether pain was controlled. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-four patients were included. Narcotic analgesic use was higher in the placebo group during the first 24 hours (odds ratio 2.18; confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-4.41; p = .03), second 24 hours (odds ratio 2.18; CI: 0.91-5.29; p = .08), and 48 hours combined (odds ratio 2.58; CI: 1.28-5.24; p < .01). Pain scores were lower in the bupivacaine group during the first 8 hours (mean difference 1.6; CI: 0.73-2.38; p < .001). Overall analgesic use (narcotic and non-narcotic) and percentage of patients reporting pain under control were similar between groups. There were no significant differences in demographics or surgical characteristics. No adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: Single-dose bupivacaine decreased postoperative pain and narcotic analgesic use after MMS with reconstructions likely to cause significant pain. Bupivacaine may have a role in postoperative pain management and reducing narcotic use in this population.

Perioperative Gabapentin Does Not Reduce Postoperative Delirium in Older Surgical Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain and opioid use are associated with postoperative delirium. We designed a single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-arm, double-blinded trial to determine whether perioperative administration of gabapentin reduced postoperative delirium after noncardiac surgery. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo (N = 347) or gabapentin 900 mg (N = 350) administered preoperatively and for the first 3 postoperative days. The primary outcome was postoperative delirium as measured by the Confusion Assessment Method. Secondary outcomes were postoperative pain, opioid use, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Data for 697 patients were included, with a mean ± SD age of 72 ± 6 yr. The overall incidence of postoperative delirium in any of the first 3 days was 22.4% (24.0% in the gabapentin and 20.8% in the placebo groups; the difference was 3.20%; 95% CI, 3.22% to 9.72%; P = 0.30). The incidence of delirium did not differ between the two groups when stratified by surgery type, anesthesia type, or preoperative risk status. Gabapentin was shown to be opioid sparing, with lower doses for the intervention group versus the control group. For example, the morphine equivalents for the gabapentin-treated group, median 6.7 mg (25th, 75th quartiles: 1.3, 20.0 mg), versus control group, median 6.7 mg (25th, 75th quartiles: 2.7, 24.8 mg), differed on the first postoperative day (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Although postoperative opioid use was reduced, perioperative administration of gabapentin did not result in a reduction of postoperative delirium or hospital length of stay.

Concurrent pityriasis rosea and Bell's palsy.

Pityriasis rosea is a dermatological disease with a well-documented clinical appearance, but less is known about causes and treatment. Bell's palsy is a neurological condition leading to acute idiopathic hemifacial paralysis. Recent studies indicate that human herpesvirus (HHV) 6-7 reactivation may be a contributing factor to both conditions. We report a case of the 2 concurrent diagnoses that supports a common contributing factor and suggests further awareness and research into the role HHV 6-7 may play in the aetiology of both conditions.