The practice of anesthesia and pain management, including perioperative care, regional anesthesia, critical care, chronic pain treatment, and the development of new analgesic approaches
6 papersThis mouse study found a subset of regulatory T cells in the skin produce enkephalins, natural painkillers, which help control inflammation by dampening pain signals from sensory neurons. Specifically, these enkephalin-producing T cells reduced IL-23 production and other inflammatory responses in a mouse model of psoriasis.
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) for predicting and managing difficult airways. It found that several ultrasound measurements of the upper airway (tongue, epiglottis, vocal cords, hyoid bone) can be helpful in predicting difficult facemask ventilation, laryngoscopy, and tracheal intubation, and can improve first-pass success rates for surgical airways like cricothyrotomy and tracheostomy.
This review summarizes the different ways bone, joint, and muscle pain become chronic. It describes how nerves, inflammation, glial cells, and even social and emotional factors can contribute to long-lasting pain.
This study found that the chemical composition of medical cannabis, particularly the levels of specific terpenoids, can predict pain relief in chronic pain patients. Surprisingly, well-known cannabinoids like THC and CBD were less predictive of treatment outcomes. These findings suggest that lesser-known cannabis compounds may play a more significant role in pain management than previously thought.
Acupuncture is recommended for aromatase inhibitor-related joint pain. Acupuncture, reflexology, acupressure, and massage may be offered for other types of cancer pain, particularly in palliative care. Evidence for other integrative therapies and natural products for cancer pain is currently inconclusive, warranting further research.
The review argues that the WHO analgesic ladder isn't suitable for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) and proposes a revised four-step ladder emphasizing integrative medicine and minimally invasive interventions before resorting to strong opioids. It highlights the need for a more comprehensive approach to CNCP management that goes beyond simply escalating opioid doses.