Regional anesthesia and pain management have experienced advances in recent years, especially with the advent of fascial plane blocks. The erector spinae plane block is one of the newest techniques to be described. In the past two years, publications referring to ESP block have increased significantly. The objective of this review is to analyze the articles about ESP block that have been published to date. We performed a search in the main databases and identified 368 articles. After a selection of the relevant articles, 125 studies were found eligible and were included in the review. The ESP block is performed by depositing the local anesthetic in the fascial plane, deeper than the erector spinae muscle at the tip of the transverse process of the vertebra. Many cases of its use have been described with satisfactory results in the treatment of both acute pain and chronic pain. The applicability of the technique covers many clinical scenarios. Of the 98 case reports reviewed, 12 and 87 articles, respectively described the technique as a treatment for chronic pain and acute pain. The single-shot was the most frequently used technique. As described in the articles published to date, the technique is easy to perform and has a low rate of complications. However, despite the effectiveness of the technique, further studies are necessary to obtain more evidence of its actions.

Regional anesthesia and pain management have experienced advances in recent years, especially with the advent of fascial plane blocks. The erector spinae plane block is one of the newest techniques to be described. In the past two years, publications referring to ESP block have increased significantly. The objective of this review is to analyze the articles about ESP block that have been published to date. We performed a search in the main databases and identified 368 articles. After a selection of the relevant articles, 125 studies were found eligible and were included in the review. The ESP block is performed by depositing the local anesthetic in the fascial plane, deeper than the erector spinae muscle at the tip of the transverse process of the vertebra. Many cases of its use have been described with satisfactory results in the treatment of both acute pain and chronic pain. The applicability of the technique covers many clinical scenarios. Of the 98 case reports reviewed, 12 and 87 articles, respectively described the technique as a treatment for chronic pain and acute pain. The single-shot was the most frequently used technique. As described in the articles published to date, the technique is easy to perform and has a low rate of complications. However, despite the effectiveness of the technique, further studies are necessary to obtain more evidence of its actions.
Acute Pain ; Anesthesia, Conduction ; Chronic Pain ; Pain Management ; Spine

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the frequency of abnormalities in the newborn oral cavity and to evaluate the association with prenatal and perinatal factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 2,216 newborns. Oral findings were assessed in the first 24 hours of life using visual examination. Sex, weight, length, gestational age, and medical disorders at birth were recorded. Maternal demographic and medical information was also obtained. RESULTS: The most common oral findings were Bohn’s nodules, Epstein’s pearls, and dental lamina cysts. Other intraoral findings included odontogenic cysts, ankyloglossia, and natal teeth, among others. In logistic regression analyses, folic acid consumption during pregnancy was significantly associated with Bohn’s nodules (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–2.55; P=0.002), Epstein’s pearls (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.14–2.33; P=0.007), and dental lamina cysts (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.02–2.05; P=0.038). Moreover, preterm births were negatively associated with prevalence of Bohn’s nodules (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.50–0.80; P≤0.0001). Comparison between newborns with and without oral inclusion cysts showed that maternal folic acid and iron intake were significantly different (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Maternal folic acid and iron intake were associated with the prevalence of oral inclusion cysts.
Cross-Sectional Studies ; Folic Acid ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Iron ; Logistic Models ; Mouth ; Mouth Abnormalities ; Natal Teeth ; Odontogenic Cysts ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; Prevalence

Objective: To compare the antimicrobial effects of locally available multipurpose contact lens solutions (MPS) on the growth of standard strains of contact lens-related ocular pathogens and to establish the recommended duration of exposure to these solutions to achieve maximal antimicrobial efficacy. Methods: This study, a single-blind controlled experiment, evaluated five locally available MPS in terms of their antimicrobial efficacy towards common contact lens-related ocular pathogens, such as P. aeroginosa, S. aureus, E. coli, F. solani, and C. albicans, using the stand alone criteria. Microbial viability counts were obtained at serial durations: after 1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, and 12 hours of exposure. Results: MPS containing polyquaternium-1 and myristamidopropyl dimethylamine (MAPD) and polyhexamide reduced the bacterial concentrations by 3 log and fungal concentrations by 1 log, enabling them to fulfill the stand alone criteria for disinfecting solutions as mandated by ISO/CD 14729. This antimicrobial efficacy was most evident at 6 hours of exposure to the challenge organisms. MPS containing polyquaternium-1 and MAPD also have the broadest spectrum of effectivity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, and C. albicans. All MPS tested have poor microbial activity against F. solani. Conclusion Multipurpose contact lens solutions demonstrated variability in their antimicrobial activity. MPS with broad spectrum efficacy and effectivity, such as those containing polyquaternum and MAPD, are preferred to prevent contact lens-related ocular infections.
Contact Lenses

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have spread globally and reached the Philippines in late January 2020. This study is the first local and nationwide research on admitted COVID-19 adult patients: their clinic-demographic profiles, managements, and clinical outcomes. We aim to determine the associated factors with mortality among COVID-19 patients. Methods: This was a retrospective, multicenter, observational cohort study of rt-PCR confirmed and admitted COVID-19 adult patients in 89 hospitals in the Philippines from February to July, 2020. The data on admission of patient’s demographic, clinical, laboratory, pre-hospital and during hospital treatment management and in-hospital clinical outcomes were gathered. The data were described and analyzed using multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: There were 2884 rt-PCR confirmed and admitted COVID-19 adult patients included in the study. Majority were Filipinos (99·4%), with slightly more males (54.4%) than females. 21% were healthcare workers (HCWs). Mortality was higher among non-HCWs at 16% versus 2% among HCWs. 63% of the patients had a co-morbidity, which included hypertension (69%), diabetes mellitus (48%) and chronic kidney disease (26%). The significantly associated factors with mortality in this Philippine cohort were: age >60 years, hypertension as co-morbidity, tachypnea (> 22/minute), WBC count > 10 x 109 /L, and elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (all p<0.05). Elevated serum LDH was the strongest factor associated with mortality (OR of 8.74, p=0.004). Conclusion This study identified that age, hypertension, tachypnea, elevated WBC count, and elevated serum LDH were associated with mortality among COVID-19 adult patients and results were consistent with results from studies done in other countries. We recommend that early detection and awareness of exposures and symptoms will improve the management and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 adult patients. Also, a long follow-up of the outcomes of COVID-19 to determine the effectiveness of treatment is recommended for further study.
Philippines ; Mortality