Epidural blood patch is commonly used for management of post-dural puncture headache after accidental dural puncture. The primary aim was to determine factors associated with failed epidural blood ...patch.
In this prospective, multicentre, international cohort study, parturients ≥18 yr receiving an epidural blood patch for treatment of post-dural puncture headache were included. Failed epidural blood patch was defined as headache intensity numeric rating scale (NRS) score ≥7 in the upright position at 4, 24, or 48 h, or the need for a second epidural blood patch, and complete success by NRS=0 at 0–48 h after epidural blood patch. All others were considered partial success. Multinominal logistic regression was used for statistical analyses with P<0.01 considered statistically significant.
In all, 643 women received an epidural blood patch. Complete data to classify failure were available in 591 (91.9%) women. Failed epidural blood patch occurred in 167 (28.3%) patients; 195 (33.0%) were completely successful and 229 (38.7%) partially successful. A total of 126 women (19.8%) received a second epidural blood patch. A statistically significant association with failure was observed in patients with a history of migraine, when the accidental dural puncture occurred between lumbar levels L1/L3 compared with L3/L5 and when epidural blood patch was performed <48 h compared with ≥48 h after accidental dural puncture. In patients having radiological investigations, three intracranial bleeds were diagnosed.
Failed epidural blood patch occurred in 28.3% of women. Independent modifiable factors associated with failure were higher lumbar level of accidental dural puncture and short interval between accidental dural puncture and epidural blood patch. A history of migraine was associated with a higher risk of second epidural blood patch.
NCT02362828.
Central venous catheters (CVCs) can help with diagnosis and treatment of the critically ill. The catheter may be placed in a large vein in the neck (internal jugular vein), upper chest (subclavian ...vein) or groin (femoral vein). Whilst this is beneficial overall, inserting the catheter risks arterial puncture and other complications and should be performed with as few attempts as possible. Traditionally, anatomical 'landmarks' on the body surface were used to find the correct place in which to insert catheters, but ultrasound imaging is now available. A Doppler mode is sometimes used to supplement plain 'two-dimensional' ultrasound.
The primary objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of two-dimensional (imaging ultrasound (US) or ultrasound Doppler (USD)) guided puncture techniques for insertion of central venous catheters via the internal jugular vein in adults and children. We assessed whether there was a difference in complication rates between traditional landmark-guided and any ultrasound-guided central vein puncture.Our secondary objectives were to assess whether the effect differs between US and USD; whether the effect differs between ultrasound used throughout the puncture ('direct') and ultrasound used only to identify and mark the vein before the start of the puncture procedure (indirect'); and whether the effect differs between different groups of patients or between different levels of experience among those inserting the catheters.
We searched the Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2013, Issue 1), MEDLINE (1966 to 15 January 2013), EMBASE (1966 to 15 January 2013), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) (1982 to 15 January 2013 ), reference lists of articles, 'grey literature' and dissertations. An additional handsearch focused on intensive care and anaesthesia journals and abstracts and proceedings of scientific meetings. We attempted to identify unpublished or ongoing studies by contacting companies and experts in the field, and we searched trial registers. We reran the search in August 2014. We will deal with identified studies of interest when we update the review.
We included randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials comparing two-dimensional ultrasound or Doppler ultrasound with an anatomical 'landmark' technique during insertion of internal jugular venous catheters in both adults and children.
Three review authors independently extracted data on methodological quality, participants, interventions and outcomes of interest using a standardized form. A priori, we aimed to perform subgroup analyses, when possible, for adults and children, and for experienced operators and inexperienced operators.
Of 735 identified citations, 35 studies enrolling 5108 participants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The quality of evidence was very low for most of the outcomes and was moderate at best for four of the outcomes. Most trials had an unclear risk of bias across the six domains, and heterogeneity among the studies was significant.Use of two-dimensional ultrasound reduced the rate of total complications overall by 71% (14 trials, 2406 participants, risk ratio (RR) 0.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.17 to 0.52; P value < 0.0001, I² = 57%), and the number of participants with an inadvertent arterial puncture by 72% (22 trials, 4388 participants, RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.44; P value < 0.00001, I² = 35%). Overall success rates were modestly increased in all groups combined at 12% (23 trials, 4340 participants, RR 1.12, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.17; P value < 0.00001, I² = 85%), and similar benefit was noted across all subgroups. The number of attempts needed for successful cannulation was decreased overall (16 trials, 3302 participants, mean difference (MD) -1.19 attempts, 95% CI -1.45 to -0.92; P value < 0.00001, I² = 96%) and in all subgroups. Use of two-dimensional ultrasound increased the chance of success at the first attempt by 57% (18 trials, 2681 participants, RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.36 to 1.82; P value < 0.00001, I² = 82%) and reduced the chance of haematoma formation (overall reduction 73%, 13 trials, 3233 participants, RR 0.27, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.55; P value 0.0004, I² = 54%). Use of two-dimensional ultrasound decreased the time to successful cannulation by 30.52 seconds (MD -30.52 seconds, 95% CI -55.21 to -5.82; P value 0.02, I² = 97%). Additional data are available to support use of ultrasound during, not simply before, line insertion.Use of Doppler ultrasound increased the chance of success at the first attempt by 58% (four trials, 199 participants, RR 1.58, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.43; P value 0.04, I² = 57%). No evidence showed a difference for the total numbers of perioperative and postoperative complications/adverse events (three trials, 93 participants, RR 0.52, 95% CI 0.16 to 1.71; P value 0.28), the overall success rate (seven trials, 289 participants, RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.25; P value 0.20), the total number of attempts until success (two trials, 69 participants, MD -0.63, 95% CI -1.92 to 0.66; P value 0.34), the overall number of participants with an arterial puncture (six trials, 213 participants, RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.21 to 1.73; P value 0.35) and time to successful cannulation (five trials, 214 participants, each using a different definition for this outcome; MD 62.04 seconds, 95% CI -13.47 to 137.55; P value 0.11) when Doppler ultrasound was used. It was not possible to perform analyses for the other outcomes because they were reported in only one trial.
Based on available data, we conclude that two-dimensional ultrasound offers gains in safety and quality when compared with an anatomical landmark technique. Because of missing data, we did not compare effects with experienced versus inexperienced operators for all outcomes (arterial puncture, haematoma formation, other complications, success with attempt number one), and so the relative utility of ultrasound in these groups remains unclear and no data are available on use of this technique in patients at high risk of complications. The results for Doppler ultrasound techniques versus anatomical landmark techniques are also uncertain.
Objective
To determine what importance is given to the puncture and assistive technologies in percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL) in the current urological literature.
Methods
PubMed was searched for ...English publications and reviews for the keywords: ‘percutaneous nephrolithotomy’, ‘percutaneous nephrostomy’, ‘puncture’. The search was limited to the last 5 years, January 2016 until February 2021. Based on 183 s, 121 publications were selected, read, and reviewed. References, older or seminal papers were read and cited if they contributed to a better understanding. A total of 198 references form the basis of this narrative review.
Results
The puncture is frequently referred to as the most crucial part of PNL. In contrast, the influence of the puncture on the failure rate of PNL and the specific puncture‐related complications seems to be low in the single‐digit percentage range. However, there are no universally accepted definitions and standards measuring the quality of puncture. Consequently, the impact of the puncture on general PNL complications, on stone scores predicting success rates and on learning curves evaluating surgeons’ performance have not been systematically studied. Assistive technologies rely on fluoroscopy and ultrasonography, the latter of which is becoming the preferred imaging modality for monitoring the entire procedure. Needle bending, a problem relevant to all puncture techniques, is not addressed in the urological literature.
Conclusions
The importance attached to puncture in PNL in the current urological literature is subjectively high but objectively low. Some basics of puncture are not well understood in urology. Disciplines other than urology are more actively involved in the development of puncture techniques.
Transseptal punctures (TSPs) are widely used in left atrium and left ventricle surgery. Accidental puncture of the puncture needle into the aorta is a rare complication that is rarely reported but ...has serious consequences. The appropriate management of this complication remains unclear.
This report describes a case of a male with the chief complaint: paroxysmal palpitation for 1 year, aggravated for 1 month.
The electrophysiological diagnosis was atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia caused by left-side bypass.
Radiofrequency ablation of the heart was a necessary treatment and a TSP operation was needed, in which a puncture was mistakenly believed to have entered the aorta, a series of measures were taken urgently. Although the surgical procedure in this case was a false alarm, we still initiated a series of emergency plans. Emergency measures to address the complications were effectively implemented, and the emergency measures were promptly terminated after it was clear that complications had been misjudged.
At last, it was confirmed that the angiogram was a pulmonary artery image, not an aorta image. Then the atrial septal puncture operation was successfully completed, and under the guidance of the Carto system, the ablation was successfully completed. Postoperative fluoroscopy showed no complications, such as pericardial effusion. After 2 years of follow-up, there was no reoccurrence of tachycardia, and there were no complications. It is crucial that emergency procedures are terminated in a timely manner after a clear miscarriage of performance. Although accidental puncture into the aorta is urgent and serious, performing a blockage or even thoracotomy in an emergency if complications are not clearly confirmed can cause further damage to the patient and would be a definitively wrong strategy.
Strict and standardized TSP operations can avoid complications. Correct judgment of the authenticity of complications is crucial, and remedial measures that may cause further damage should not be blindly adopted. The retention of the aortic guide wire can provide convenient access for further differential diagnosis and remedial treatment.
Physiological changes brought about by pain may contribute to the development of morbidity in neonates. Clinical studies have shown reduction in changes in physiological parameters and pain score ...measurements following pre-emptive analgesic administration in situations where the neonate is experiencing pain or stress. Non-pharmacological measures (such as holding, swaddling and breastfeeding) and pharmacological measures (such as acetaminophen, sucrose and opioids) have been used for this purpose.
The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of breastfeeding or supplemental breast milk in reducing procedural pain in neonates. The secondary objective was to conduct subgroup analyses based on the type of control intervention, gestational age and the amount of supplemental breast milk given.
We performed a literature search using the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2011, Issue 10), MEDLINE (1966 to February 2011), EMBASE (1980 to February 2011), CINAHL (1982 to February 2011), abstracts from the annual meetings of the Society for Pediatric Research (1994 to 2011), and major paediatric pain conference proceedings. We did not apply any language restrictions.
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or quasi-RCTs of breastfeeding or supplemental breast milk versus no treatment/other measures in neonates were eligible for inclusion in this review. The study must have reported on either physiologic markers of pain or validated pain scores.
We assessed the methodological quality of the trials using the information provided in the studies and by personal communication with the authors. We extracted data on relevant outcomes, estimated the effect size and reported this as a risk ratio (RR), risk difference (RD) and weighted mean difference (MD) as appropriate.
Of twenty eligible studies, ten evaluated breastfeeding and ten evaluated supplemental breast milk. Sixteen studies analysed used heel lance and four used venepuncture as procedure. We noted marked heterogeneity in control intervention and pain assessment measures among the studies. Neonates in the breastfeeding group had statistically a significantly lower increase in heart rate, reduced proportion of crying time and reduced duration of first cry and total crying time compared to positioning (swaddled and placed in a crib), holding by mother, placebo, pacifier use, no intervention or oral sucrose group, or both.Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) scores were significantly lower in the breastfeeding group compared to positioning, placebo or oral sucrose group, or both. However, there was no statistically significant difference in PIPP scores when compared to no intervention. Douleur Aigue Nouveau-ne scores (DAN) were significantly lower in the breastfeeding group compared to the placebo group and the group held in mother's arms, but not when compared to the glucose group. Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) was significantly lower in the breastfeeding group compared to the no intervention group, but there was no difference when compared to the oral sucrose group. The Neonatal Facial Coding System (NFCS) was significantly lower in the breastfeeding group when compared to oral glucose, pacifier use, holding by mother and no intervention, but no difference was found when compared to formula feeding.Supplemental breast milk yielded variable results. Neonates in the supplemental breast milk group had a significantly lower increase in heart rate, a reduction in duration of crying and a lower NFCS compared to the placebo group. Neonates in the supplemental breast milk group had a significantly higher increase in heart rate changes when compared to the sucrose group. Sucrose (in any concentration, i.e. 12.5%, 20%, 25%) was found to reduce the duration of cry when compared to breast milk, as did glycine, pacifier use, rocking, or no intervention. Breast milk was found not to be effective in reducing validated and non-validated pain scores such as NIPS, NFCS, and DAN; only being significantly better when compared to placebo (water) or massage. We did not identify any study that has evaluated safety/effectiveness of repeated administration of breastfeeding or supplemental breast milk for pain relief.
If available, breastfeeding or breast milk should be used to alleviate procedural pain in neonates undergoing a single painful procedure rather than placebo, positioning or no intervention. Administration of glucose/sucrose had similar effectiveness as breastfeeding for reducing pain. The effectiveness of breast milk for painful procedure should be studied in the preterm population, as there are currently a limited number of studies in the literature that have assessed it's effectiveness in this population.
Establishing modifiable risk factors for UDP will guide the development of strategies to avoid complications during the placement of epidural anesthetics and allow clinicians to provide more accurate ...and thorough consent when counseling their patients.4 Proposal for future research Most studies on UDP and PDPH are retrospective and should be used to generate hypotheses, design prospective counterparts, and confirm suspected risk factors for UDP. Expanding our understanding of the modifiable risk factors for UDP with prospective, adequately powered studies, and utilization of emerging technology when appropriate will equip providers with the knowledge and tools to mitigate inherent risk and prevent chronic downstream effects. Objectives Examples Expand Upon Clinical Trial Design -Prospective, observational cohort studies-Large, multi-center studies may be needed to increase sample size due to a low baseline outcome rate-Meta-analyses to increase statistical power of a detected effect Greater Focus on Identifying Modifiable Risk Factors -Cervical dilation at the time of epidural placement-LOR technique-Reducing large gaps in obstetric anesthesia experience in trainee schedule Integration of Simulation-Based Education -Structured practice with task trainers prior to initial attempts on live patients-Careful curriculum planning to ease into blind procedure Technological Advancements -Ultrasound-guided landmark identification-Pressure detection syringe technology-Fiberoptic epidural needles Table 1 Proposed Research Agenda
Introduction. Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common cause of adult meningitis in sub-Saharan Africa. Raised intracranial pressure (ICP) is common in cryptococcosis. Prior studies suggest ...elevated ICP is associated with mortality, and guidelines recommend frequent lumbar punctures (LPs) to control ICP. However, the magnitude of the impact of LPs on cryptococcal-related mortality is unknown. Methods. In sum, 248 individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated cryptococcal meningitis, screened for the Cryptococcal Optimal ART Timing (COAT) trial in Uganda and South Africa, were observed. Individuals received an LP to diagnose meningitis, and subsequent therapeutic LPs were recommended for elevated ICP (>250 mmH2O) or new symptoms. We compared survival, through 11 days, between individuals receiving at least 1 therapeutic LP with individuals not receiving therapeutic LPs. The COAT trial randomized subjects at 7–11 days; thus, follow-up stopped at time of death, randomization, or 11 days. Results. Seventy-five (30%) individuals had at least 1 therapeutic LP. Individuals receiving therapeutic LPs had higher cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressures, higher CSF fungal burdens, and were more likely to have altered mental status at baseline than those with no therapeutic LPs. Thirty-one deaths (18%) occurred among 173 individuals without a therapeutic LP and 5 deaths (7%) among 75 with at least 1 therapeutic LP. The adjusted relative risk of mortality was 0.31 (95% confidence interval: .12–.82). The association was observed regardless of opening pressure at baseline. Conclusions. Therapeutic LPs were associated with a 69% relative improvement in survival, regardless of initial intracranial pressure. The role of therapeutic LPs should be reevaluated.
Administration of oral sucrose with and without non-nutritive sucking is the most frequently studied non-pharmacological intervention for procedural pain relief in neonates.
To determine the ...efficacy, effect of dose, method of administration and safety of sucrose for relieving procedural pain in neonates as assessed by validated composite pain scores, physiological pain indicators (heart rate, respiratory rate, saturation of peripheral oxygen in the blood, transcutaneous oxygen and carbon dioxide (gas exchange measured across the skin - TcpO2, TcpCO2), near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), electroencephalogram (EEG), or behavioural pain indicators (cry duration, proportion of time crying, proportion of time facial actions (e.g. grimace) are present), or a combination of these and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.
We used the standard methods of the Cochrane Neonatal. We performed electronic and manual literature searches in February 2016 for published randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2016), MEDLINE (1950 to 2016), EMBASE (1980 to 2016), and CINAHL (1982 to 2016). We did not impose language restrictions.
RCTs in which term or preterm neonates (postnatal age maximum of 28 days after reaching 40 weeks' postmenstrual age), or both, received sucrose for procedural pain. Control interventions included no treatment, water, glucose, breast milk, breastfeeding, local anaesthetic, pacifier, positioning/containing or acupuncture.
Our main outcome measures were composite pain scores (including a combination of behavioural, physiological and contextual indicators). Secondary outcomes included separate physiological and behavioural pain indicators. We reported a mean difference (MD) or weighted MD (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the fixed-effect model for continuous outcome measures. For categorical data we used risk ratio (RR) and risk difference. We assessed heterogeneity by the I(2) test. We assessed the risk of bias of included trials using the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool, and assessed the quality of the evidence using the GRADE system.
Seventy-four studies enrolling 7049 infants were included. Results from only a few studies could be combined in meta-analyses and for most analyses the GRADE assessments indicated low- or moderate-quality evidence. There was high-quality evidence for the beneficial effect of sucrose (24%) with non-nutritive sucking (pacifier dipped in sucrose) or 0.5 mL of sucrose orally in preterm and term infants: Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) 30 s after heel lance WMD -1.70 (95% CI -2.13 to -1.26; I(2) = 0% (no heterogeneity); 3 studies, n = 278); PIPP 60 s after heel lance WMD -2.14 (95% CI -3.34 to -0.94; I(2) = 0% (no heterogeneity; 2 studies, n = 164). There was high-quality evidence for the use of 2 mL 24% sucrose prior to venipuncture: PIPP during venipuncture WMD -2.79 (95% CI -3.76 to -1.83; I(2) = 0% (no heterogeneity; 2 groups in 1 study, n = 213); and intramuscular injections: PIPP during intramuscular injection WMD -1.05 (95% CI -1.98 to -0.12; I(2) = 0% (2 groups in 1 study, n = 232). Evidence from studies that could not be included in RevMan-analyses supported these findings. Reported adverse effects were minor and similar in the sucrose and control groups. Sucrose is not effective in reducing pain from circumcision. The effectiveness of sucrose for reducing pain/stress from other interventions such as arterial puncture, subcutaneous injection, insertion of nasogastric or orogastric tubes, bladder catherization, eye examinations and echocardiography examinations are inconclusive. Most trials indicated some benefit of sucrose use but that the evidence for other painful procedures is of lower quality as it is based on few studies of small sample sizes. The effects of sucrose on long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes are unknown.
Sucrose is effective for reducing procedural pain from single events such as heel lance, venipuncture and intramuscular injection in both preterm and term infants. No serious side effects or harms have been documented with this intervention. We could not identify an optimal dose due to inconsistency in effective sucrose dosage among studies. Further investigation of repeated administration of sucrose in neonates is needed. There is some moderate-quality evidence that sucrose in combination with other non-pharmacological interventions such as non-nutritive sucking is more effective than sucrose alone, but more research of this and sucrose in combination with pharmacological interventions is needed. Sucrose use in extremely preterm, unstable, ventilated (or a combination of these) neonates needs to be addressed. Additional research is needed to determine the minimally effective dose of sucrose during a single painful procedure and the effect of repeated sucrose administration on immediate (pain intensity) and long-term (neurodevelopmental) outcomes.
Introduction
Mechanical force to achieve transseptal puncture (TSP) using a standard needle may lead to overshooting and injury, and can potentially be avoided using a radiofrequency (RF)‐powered ...needle or wire. Applying electrocautery to needles and guidewires as an alternative to purpose‐built RF systems has been associated with safety risks, such as tissue coring and thermal damage. The commercially available AcQCross needle‐dilator system (Medtronic) features a sharp open‐ended needle for mechanical puncture, as well as a built‐in connector to enable energy delivery for RF puncture. This investigation compares the safety and efficacy of the AcQCross needle to the dedicated VersaCross RF wire system and generator (Baylis Medical/Boston Scientific).
Methods
In an ex vivo porcine model, VersaCross wire punctures were performed using 1 s, constant mode (approx. 10 W) with maximum two attempts. AcQCross punctures were performed by applying energy for 2 s using a standard electrosurgical generator at 10 W (max. five attempts), 20 W (max. two attempts), and 30 W (max. two attempts). Efficacy was assessed in terms of puncture success and a number of energy applications required for TSP. Safety was assessed quantitatively as force required for TSP, energy required to puncture, and incidence of tissue coring, as well as by qualitative assessment of puncture sites. Additional qualitative observation of tissue cores and debris were obtained from TSP performed in live swine.
Results
RF TSP was 100% successful using the VersaCross wire with 1.0 ± 0.0 attempts. When power was used with the AcQCross needle, it failed to puncture at low (10 and 20 W) power settings; TSP was achieved with 30 W of energy with 91% success using 1.53 ± 0.51 attempts (p < .05 vs. VC) with greater variability (F1,33 = 9223.5, p < .0001). Compared to RF puncture using the VersaCross system, mechanical puncture, alone, using the AcQcross needle required six times more force (8 mm additional forward device displacement) to perforate the septum. Qualitative assessment of puncture sites revealed larger defects and more tissue charring with the AcQCross needle at 30 W compared to punctures with VersaCross wire. Tissue coring with the open‐ended AcQCross needle was observed in vivo and measured to occur in 57% of punctures using the ex vivo model; no coring was observed with the closed‐tip VersaCross wire.
Conclusions
The AcQCross needle frequently required higher energy of 30 W to achieve RF TSP and was associated with tissue coring and charring, which have been, previously, reported when electrifying a standard open‐ended mechanical needle or guidewire. These findings may limit safety and effectiveness compared to the VersaCross system.
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