Prospective audit of emergency department transit times associated with entonox analgesia for reduction of the acute, traumatic dislocated shoulder

Which factors influence the ED length-of-stay after anterior shoulder dislocations: a retrospective chart review in 716 cases

Background

Anterior shoulder dislocations (ASD) are commonly seen in Emergency Departments (ED). ED overcrowding is increasingly burdening many healthcare systems. Little is known about factors influencing ED length-of-stay (LOS) for ASD. This study defines the factors influencing ED LOS for ASD patients.

Methods

Retrospective chart reviews were performed on all patients ≥12 years admitted with an anterior shoulder dislocation at two regional hospitals in the Netherlands between 2010 and 2016. The electronic patient records were reviewed for baseline patient characteristics, trauma mechanism, reduction methods, medication used, complications and the LOS at the ED. The main objective was determining factors influencing the LOS in patients with an anterior shoulder dislocation at the ED.

Results

During the study period, 716 ASD occurred in 574 patients, 374 (65.2%) in males. There were 389 (54.3%) primary ASD; the remainder (327, 45.7%) were recurrent. Median LOS was 92 min (IQR 66 min), with a significantly shorter LOS in those with recurrent dislocations (p < 0.001), younger age group (p < 0.03) and in patients who received no medications in the ED (p < 0.001). Traction-countertraction and leverage techniques were associated with a significant more use of ED medication compared to other techniques. Although the use of more medication might suggest the LOS would be longer for these techniques, we did not find a significant difference between different reduction techniques and LOS.

Conclusion

To our knowledge this study is the largest of its kind, demonstrating ED LOS in ASD patients is influenced by age, the need for medication and dislocation history, primary versus recurrent. Notably, we found that biomechanical reduction techniques, which are not primarily traction-countertraction or leverage techniques, e.g. scapular manipulation and Cunningham, were associated with less ED medication use. Further research is needed to define how reduction methods influence ED medication use, patient satisfaction and ED throughput times.

European Society of Anaesthesiology Task Force on Nitrous Oxide: a narrative review of its role in clinical practice

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is one of the oldest drugs still in use in medicine. Despite its superior pharmacokinetic properties, controversy remains over its continued use in clinical practice, reflecting in part significant improvements in the pharmacology of other anaesthetic agents and developing awareness of its shortcomings. This narrative review describes current knowledge regarding the clinical use of N₂O based on a systematic and critical analysis of the available scientific literature. The pharmacological properties of N₂O are reviewed in detail along with current evidence for the indications and contraindications of this drug in specific settings, both in perioperative care and in procedural sedation. Novel potential applications for N₂O for the prevention or treatment of chronic pain and depression are also discussed. In view of the available evidence, we recommend that the supply of N₂O in hospitals be maintained while encouraging its economic delivery using modern low flow delivery systems. Future research into its potential novel applications in prevention or treatment of chronic conditions should be pursued to better identify its role place in the developing era of precision medicine.

A fixed nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture as an analgesic for trauma patients in emergency department: study protocol for a randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Acute pain is always the most common complaint in Emergency Department admissions and options for analgesia are limited. Nitrous oxide/oxygen possess many properties showing it may be an ideal analgesic method for the Emergency Department; it is quick-acting, well-tolerated, and does not mask signs and symptoms. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and analgesic effect of the fixed nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture for trauma patients in a busy emergency environment.

METHODS

The randomized, double-blind, prospective, placebo-controlled study will be carried out in the Emergency Department of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University. The target research objects are trauma patients who present to the Emergency Department and report moderate to severe intensities of acute pain. A total of 90 patients will be recruited and randomly assigned into the treatment and control group. The treatment group will receive conventional pain treatment plus nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture and the control group will receive conventional pain treatment plus oxygen. Neither patients, nor investigators, nor data collectors will know the nature of the gas mixture in each cylinder and the randomization list. Outcomes will be monitored at baseline(T0), 5 min (T1), and 15 min (T2) after the beginning of intervention and at 5 min post intervention (T3) for each group. The primary outcome is the level of pain relief after the initial administering of the intervention at T1, T2, and T3. Secondary outcomes include adverse events, physiological parameters, total time of the gas administration, satisfaction from both patients and healthcare professionals, and the acceptance of patients.

DISCUSSION

Our previous studies suggested that a fixed nitrous oxide/oxygen mixture was an efficacious analgesic for the management of burning dressing pain and breakthrough cancer pain. The results of this study will provide a more in-depth understanding of the effect of this gas. If this treatment proves successful, it could help to generate preliminary guidelines and be implemented widely in trauma patients with pain in Emergency Departments.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Register, ChiCTR-INR-16007807 . Registered on 21 January 2016.

Anesthesia and Analgesia in the Patient with an Unstable Shoulder

Introduction:

The patient with an unstable shoulder represents a challenge for the anesthesiologist. Most patients will be young individuals in good health but both shoulder dislocation reduction, a procedure that is usually performed under specific analgesia in an urgent setting, and instability surgery anesthesia and postoperative management present certain peculiarities.

Material and Methods:

For the purpose of the article, 78 references including clinical trials and reviews were included. The review was organized considering the patient that presents an acute shoulder dislocation and the patient with chronic shoulder instability that requires surgery. In both cases the aspects like general or regional anesthesia, surgical positions and postoperative pain management were analyzed.

Conclusion:

The patient with an acutely dislocated shoulder is usually managed in the emergency room. Although reduction without analgesia is often performed in non-medical settings, an appropriate level of analgesia will ease the reduction procedure avoiding further complications. Intravenous analgesia and sedation is considered the gold standard but requires appropriate monitorization and airway control. Intraarticular local analgesic injection is considered also a safe and effective procedure. General anesthesia or nerve blocks can also be considered. The surgical management of the patient with shoulder instability requires a proper anesthetic management. This should start with an exhaustive preoperative evaluation that should be focused in identifying potential respiratory problems that might be complicated by local nerve blocks. Intraoperative management can be challenging, especially for patients operated in beach chair position, for the relationship with problems related to cerebral hypoperfusion, a situation related to hypotension events directly linked to patient positioning. Different nerve blocks will help attaining excellent analgesia both during and after the surgical procedure. An interescalene nerve block should be considered the best technique, but in certain cases, other blocks can be considered.

Biomechanical reposition techniques in anterior shoulder dislocation: a randomised multicentre clinical trial- the BRASD-trial protocol

INTRODUCTION

Glenohumeral (shoulder) dislocations are the most common large joint dislocations seen in the emergency department (ED). They cause pain, often severe, and require timely interventions to minimise discomfort and tissue damage. Commonly used reposition or relocation techniques often involve traction and/or leverage. These techniques have high success rates but may be painful and time consuming. They may also cause complications. Recently, other techniques-the biomechanical reposition techniques (BRTs)-have become more popular since they may cause less pain, require less time and cause fewer complications. To our knowledge, no research exists comparing the various BRTs. Our objective is to establish which BRT or BRT combination is fastest, least painful and associated with the lowest complication rate for adult ED patients with anterior glenohumeral dislocations (AGDs).

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Adults presenting to the participating EDs with isolated AGDs, as determined by radiographs, will be randomised to one of three BRTs: Cunningham, modified Milch or scapular manipulation. Main study parameters/endpoints are ED length of stay and patients' self-report of pain. Secondary study parameters/endpoints are procedure times, need for analgesic and/or sedative medications, iatrogenic complications and rates of successful reduction.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Non-biomechanical AGD repositioning techniques based on traction and/or leverage are inherently painful and potentially harmful. We believe that the three BRTs used in this study are more physiological, more patient friendly, less likely to cause pain, more time efficient and less likely to produce complications. By comparing these three techniques, we hope to improve the care provided to adults with acute AGDs by reducing their ED length of stay and minimising pain and procedure-related complications. We also hope to define which of the three BRTs is quickest, most likely to be successful and least likely to require sedative or analgesic medications to achieve reduction.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NTR5839.

Comparison of four different reduction methods for anterior dislocation of the shoulder

Background

Shoulder dislocations account for almost 50 % of all major joint dislocations and are mainly anterior.

Objective

The aim is a comparative retrospective study of different reduction maneuvers without anesthesia to reduce the dislocated shoulder.

Methods

Patients were treated with different reduction maneuvers, including various forms of traction and external rotation, in the emergency departments of four training hospitals between 2009 and 2012. Each of the four hospitals had different treatment protocols for reduction and applying one of four maneuvers: Spaso, Chair, Kocher, and Matsen methods. Thirty-nine patients were treated by the Spaso method, 47 by the Chair reduction method, 40 by the Kocher method, and 27 patients by Matsen’s traction-countertraction method. All patients’ demographic data were recorded. Dislocation number, reduction time, time interval between dislocation and reduction, and associated complications, pre- and post-reduction period, were recorded prospectively. No anesthetic method was used for the reduction.

Results

All of the methods used included traction and some external rotation. The Chair method had the shortest reduction time. All surgeons involved in the study agreed that the Kocher and Matsen methods needed more force for the reduction. Patients could contract their muscles because of the pain in these two methods. The Spaso method includes flexion of the shoulder and blocks muscle contraction somewhat. The Chair method was found to be the easiest because the patients could not contract their muscles while sitting on a chair with the affected arm at their side.

Conclusions

We suggest that the Chair method is an effective and fast reduction maneuver that may be an alternative for the treatment of anterior shoulder dislocations. Further prospective studies with larger sample size are needed to compare safety of different reduction techniques.

The effectiveness of a specially designed shoulder chair for closed reduction of acute shoulder dislocation in the emergency department: a randomised control trial

STUDY OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of a specially designed chair for closed reduction of acute shoulder dislocations.

METHOD

This was a prospective, non-blinded randomised controlled trial conducted in a university affiliated emergency department (ED). The inclusion criteria were (1) age ≥18 years; (2) anterior or posterior shoulder dislocation without fracture of the surgical neck of the humerus; (3) patient who is able to communicate and cooperate. Participants were randomly assigned using a computer generated random number sequence into one of two groups--either the traditional practice group or Oxford chair group. Administration of intravenous sedation was only permitted in the traditional practice group due to the concerns of sedation use in the sitting position while unsupported on the chair. The primary outcome measure was length of ED stay. The secondary outcome measures were length of time for the procedure, successful reduction rate, levels of pain experienced by patients in different time periods before and after the reduction.

RESULT

Sixty eligible patients were recruited, 30 in each group. The median lengths of stay in the ED in Oxford chair group (n=30) and traditional method group (n=30) were 152 min and 173 min respectively (p=0.183). The median procedure time was 3 min for the Oxford chair group compared to 5 min in the traditional method group (p=0.179). The success rate for the Oxford chair method was 77% (23/30). There were no statistically or clinically significant differences of pain score at any point.

CONCLUSIONS

The chair method had a 77% success rate in reducing acute shoulder dislocations without sedation. There was no difference in pain level experienced by patients between the chair method and the traditional method. Patient factors, including patients who have had previous shoulder surgery and patients who have fracture dislocations, contribute to the reduced efficacy of the chair method. It remains possible that the chair method may reduce patient length of stay in the ED in uncomplicated patients.

Reduction of anterior shoulder dislocation in emergency department; is entonox(®) effective?

INTRODUCTION

An appropriate procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) is crucial to reduce a dislocated shoulder successfully in emergency department. This study compares sedative effect of inhalational Entonox(®) (En) to intra-venous (IV) Midazolam plus Fentanyl (F+M).

METHODS

120 patients with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation were randomly assigned into two groups. 60 patients (group F+M) received 0.1 mg/kg IV Midazolam plus 3µg/kg IV Fentanyl and 60 patients (group En) received Entonox(®) with self administration face mask on an on-demand basis. Traction/counter-traction method was used to reduce the dislocated shoulder joint in both groups.

RESULTS

48 out of 60 (80%) patients in group F+M and 6 out of 60 (10%) patients in group En had successful reduction (p < 0.0001). The mean pain score reduction was 6.3 ± 1.2 for group F+M and 3 ± 0.9 for group En (p < 0.0001). There was a statistically significant difference in mean patient satisfaction (assessed with Likert score) between two groups (4.45 ± 0.6 for group F+M and 2.3 ± 1 for group En; p < 0.0001). Duration of entire procedure (since the beginning of PSA up to the end of successful or unsuccessful reduction) was shorter in Group F+M, but successful reductions occurred earlier in group En. No major side effect such as airway compromise, retracted respiratory depression, or circulatory failure was occurred in any group.

CONCLUSION

Entonox(®) may not be an appropriate agent to help reducing a dislocated shoulder.