Rejected

Pain and depression are associated, but it is uncertain if effective pain relief during labor by labor analgesia reduces the incidence of postpartum depression (PPD). This randomized, controlled study assessed whether combined spinal-epidural (CSE) labor analgesia is associated with a decreased risk of PPD. Other reported risk factors for PPD were also assessed.

Although nitrous oxide (NO) has been used since the 1880s for labor analgesia, its popularity has only recently increased in the United States. In 2011, only 3 centers in the country offered NO, but as of 2020, several hundred labor units have adopted its use. We reviewed the literature and summarize the mechanism of action, clinical uses, and efficacy of NO for labor analgesia, as well as patient satisfaction related to its use. NO has several proposed mechanisms of action that make it a viable option for all 3 stages of labor and postpartum procedures. NO has been shown to be a safe option for both mom and baby during labor and delivery. Studies support NO as an analgesic for laboring. Even though 40% to 60% of women who use NO convert to a labor epidural analgesia, satisfaction surveys indicate that analgesia is not the only factor contributing to the use of NO during labor. The use of NO has increased in labor and delivery units across the United States since 2011. Despite inferior analgesic properties compared to epidural analgesia, NO offers a safe alternative for many parturients who want a greater sense of control and mobility.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is the most common muscular dystrophy in adults. Anaesthetic management should take into consideration the numerous body systems affected, including the musculoskeletal; respiratory; cardiovascular; gastro-intestinal; and central nervous systems. A 42-year-old man with myotonic dystrophy presented for septoplasty and bilateral inferior turbinate reductions. He had severe upper and lower extremity myotonia and weakness, pulmonary impairment with non-obstructive patterns and first-degree atrioventricular block with reduced ejection fraction. He used bilevel positive airway pressure, a cough assist device and was paced 3% of the time with a single-chamber pacemaker. To reduce potential complications associated with opioid use and general anaesthetics, an opioid-free technique was planned using local anaesthetic infiltration and sedation with a dexmedetomidine infusion. The patient maintained spontaneous ventilation and haemodynamic stability, and had an uneventful postoperative course. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective α2-adrenergic receptor agonist that has the ability to provide sedation, analgesia and anxiolysis with a stable haemodynamic profile. Avoiding both opioids and general anaesthetics in these patients may decrease the risk of peri-operative complications.

We share the case of a 86-year-old male patient, followed up for recent left hip pain. Interrogation revealed a fever, nocturnal shivering, and bone pains. Standard radiographs and computed tomography centered on both shoulders and pelvis showed osteoarthritis of the left hip and multiple lytic lesions in both humeral heads and clavicles, suggestive of chronic infectious, metabolic, or secondary disease. Bone scan with radiobiphosphonates showed intense and diffuse uptake in the clavicles, the two humeral heads, and at the cervical and dorsal spine. Biopsy of the left humeral head confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculous osteomyelitis, showing an aspect of caseo-follicular tuberculosis. Bone scan with radiobiphosphonates can be used in our context to search other localizations falling within the framework of a polystotic form, and also to guide nonrisk biopsy in such group of patients.

Chronic pain is a common postcollision consequence. Wherein, a clearer understanding of acute pain can help stem the acute-to-chronic pain transition. However, the variability of acute pain is only partially explained by psychophysical pain characteristics as measured by quantitative sensory testing. The Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ) may reflect inherent psychocognitive representations of patient's sensitivity and thus may reveal less-explored pain dimensions. In the vein of the biopsychosocial approach, this study aimed to explore whether PSQ holds additive value in explaining head and neck pain reports in very early acute-stage mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) after collision, above the use of psychophysical assessment.

An ossified variant of meningioma in the intracranial region is very rare. We report a case of a 28-year-old female who presented with headache for 4 years. Imaging revealed an extra-axial calcified mass in the left parieto-occipital lobe. The differential diagnosis included osteoblastoma both intracranial and periosteal, calcifying pseudotumor of the neural axis, hyperostosis of the cranium, and ossifying fibroma. She underwent excision of the calcified space occupying lesion. Histopathology was suggestive of an ossified meningioma. At the end of 2-year follow-up, she was asymptomatic with no signs of recurrence.

Complete extrusion of the talus is rare and associated with high rates of complications including infection, osteonecrosis, persistent pain and stiffness, and post-traumatic arthritis. Less well described is associated midfoot instability. We report a case of a complete extruded missing talus that resulted in significant midfoot instability treated with a modified triple arthrodesis of the tibiocalcaneal, tibionavicular, and calcaneocuboid joints.

Total knee replacement (TKR) is associated with post-operative pain. Femoral nerve block can relieve the pain but also affects the post-operative mobility. Saphenous nerve block (SNB) can improve analgesia without interfering mobilisation. However, there is no consensus on the ideal mode of administration of SNB. We aim to compare the effects of single shot versus continuous SNB on patients undergoing TKR.

The aim of this study was to explore physiotherapists' and occupational therapists' perspectives on how the implementation of a new model of care in the acute medicine setting has affected their practice and patient care outcomes. A qualitative case study was used to gain an in-depth understanding of therapists' experiences. Semi-structured, in-person interviews (45-60 min long) were conducted with eight clinicians (four occupational therapists and four physiotherapists). We used an iterative process of discussion and questioning to interpret the themes emerging from the data. The findings are grouped into four categories – change in the therapist-patient relationship, change in therapists' access to first-hand patient information, developing processes to enhance information exchange, and developing processes to support patient care delivery – and two themes – therapists' expectations of patient care outcomes and redefining the value of the occupational therapists' and physiotherapists' role in contributing to patient care. Participants described the process of adapting their professional skills and behaviours as they evolved into the role of manager of therapy care. Occupational therapists and physiotherapists recognized the potential for occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) and physiotherapist assistants (PTAs) to provide more frequent and consistent care. The therapists highlighted the necessity of ensuring that effective working processes and interactions between the therapist and the OTAs and PTAs were in place to ensure high-quality patient care.