Of the 100 cases, no long-term complications were reported.
Conclusions. This prospective 100 consecutive PNFS patient outcome study demonstrates that PNFS can be a safe and effective treatment option for, otherwise, intractable chronic pain conditions. PNFS has the potential to fundamentally change the way we think about pain management.”
“Objective. We performed an open-label Phase I/II trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in patients with treatment-resistant fibromyalgia (FM) as well as to determine preliminary measures of efficacy in these patients.
Methods.
Of 14 patients implanted with the VNS stimulator, 12 patients completed the initial 3-month study of VNS; 11 patients
returned for follow-up visits 5, 8, and 11 months after start of stimulation. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed with a composite measure WH-4-023 mw requiring improvement in pain, overall wellness, and physical function. Loss of both pain and tenderness criteria for the diagnosis of FM was added as a secondary outcome measure because of results found at the end of 3 months of stimulation.
Results. Side effects were similar to those reported in patients treated with VNS for epilepsy or depression and, in addition, dry mouth and fatigue were reported. Two patients did not tolerate stimulation. At 3 months, five patients had attained efficacy criteria; of these, two patients no longer met widespread pain or tenderness criteria for the diagnosis of FM. The therapeutic effect seemed to increase over time in that additional participants
attained selleck products both criteria Dibutyryl-cAMP at 11 months.
Conclusions. Side effects and tolerability were similar to those found in disorders currently treated with VNS. Preliminary outcome measures suggested that VNS may be a useful adjunct treatment for FM patients resistant to conventional therapeutic management, but further research is required to better understand its actual role in the treatment of FM.”
“Background. In literature, there is controversy on the use of ketamine for management of postoperative pain. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of pre-incisional intravenous or subcutaneous infiltration of ketamine on postoperative pain relief after open cholecystectomy.
Methods. One hundred twenty patients, aged 18-60 years, scheduled for open cholecystectomy was enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were divided into four groups of 30 each and received subcutaneous infiltration of ketamine 1 mg/kg (group KS1), subcutaneous infiltration of ketamine 2 mg/kg (group KS2), intravenous ketamine 1 mg/kg (group KI), or subcutaneous infiltration of normal saline 20 mL (group C) before surgery. Visual analog scale (VAS) values and analgesic consumption were evaluated for 24 hours after operation.
Results.