Background: Duloxetine is an antidepressant that is also useful in chronic neuropathic and central origin pain. In this study, the role of duloxetine in decreasing acute postoperative pain after lumbar canal stenosis surgery is explored. Methods: In this single center, triple blinded, and placebo-controlled trial, 96 patients were randomized for statistical analysis. The intervention group received oral duloxetine 30 mg once a day (OD) for 2 days before surgery, 60 mg OD from the day of surgery to the postoperative second day and 30 mg OD for the next 2 days (a total duration of 7 days). A placebo capsule was given in the other group for a similar time and schedule. The same standard perioperative analgesia protocols were followed in both groups. Results: Total morphine consumption up to 24 hours was significantly decreased in the duloxetine group (p < 0.01). The time to the first analgesia requirement was similar in both groups but the time to the second and third dose of rescue analgesia increased significantly in the duloxetine group. The time to ambulation was decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in the duloxetine group as compared to the placebo group. Pain scores remained similar during most of the time interval. No significant difference was observed in the complication rate and patient satisfaction score recorded. Conclusions Duloxetine reduces postoperative pain after lumbar canal stenosis surgery with no increase in adverse effects.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a large number of deaths along with severe socio-economic effects. The vaccine is considered to be the last hope to control viral transmission. This study aimed to explore the determinants of health care workers’ (HCWs) willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: A structured, pre-validated, and pre-tested questionnaire was administered online to 599 HCWs including physicians, residents, and nurses from different types of healthcare set-ups across India. Information was collected regarding vaccine acceptability, attitude toward vaccination, and reasons for hesitancy. The chi-square test, followed by multinomial regression analysis, was applied to determine the factors associated with HCWs’ vaccination willingness. Results: It was found that 73 % (n=437) of HCWs were willing to accept the vaccines, while 10.85% (n=65) refused and 16.2% (n=96) needed more time to decide. Gender (P<0.001), occupation (P=0.040), working as front-line workers (P=0.008), vaccine manufacturing country preferences (P<0.001), and perceived risk of catching COVID-19 in the next 6 months (P=0.005) had a significant association with intent to receive vaccination (the response were “yes” vs. “no” and “not sure”). The reasons for vaccine hesitancy were vaccine safety and efficacy concerns, antivaccine attitude and beliefs, personal choice, and not wanting to take a vaccine before others. Conclusion The majority of HCWs agreed to take COVID-19 vaccines once available. Nevertheless, providing support to manage evolving vaccine environments will help change the perception of HCWs who refuse or are reluctant to take the vaccines.

Cervicogenic headache (CeH) is caused by the disorder of the cervical spine and its anatomical structures. Patients who fail to respond to conservative therapies can undergo interventional treatment. The purpose of this review is to describe the various interventions and compare their relative efficacies. Although a few reviews have been published focusing on individual interventions, reviewing studies on other available treatments and establishing the most efficacious approach is still necessary. We performed a systematic review of studies available on the various interventions for CeH. The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for literature published between January 2001 and March 2021. Based on the inclusion criteria, 23 articles were included. Two reviewers independently extracted the data from the studies and summarized them in a table. Eleven of twenty-three studies evaluated the effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA), 5 evaluated occipital nerve blocks, 2 each for facet joint injections and deep cervical plexus blocks, and 1 study each evaluated atlantoaxial (AA) joint injections, cervical epidural injection, and cryoneurolysis. Most of the studies reported pain reduction except 2 studies on RFA. In conclusion, based on the available literature, occipital nerve blocks, cervical facet joint injection, AA joint injection, deep cervical plexus block, cervical epidural injection may be reasonable options in refractory cases of CeH. RFA was found to have favorable long-term outcomes, while better safety has been reported with pulsed therapy. However, our review revealed only limited evidence, and more randomized controlled trials are needed to provide more conclusive evidence.

Background: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is the most common type of pain experienced by amputees and is chronic and complex, with manifestations including pain in a limb that no longer exists. To date, treatments that are pharmaceutical or surgical in nature are relatively ineffective at bringing much relief as the pathophysiology of PLP is somewhat obscure. Chronic pain syndromes such as PLP may benefit from sympathetic nervous system modulation through the stellate ganglion.Case Ten refractory PLP patients treated with ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion pulsed radiofrequency ablation (SG PRF) after a diagnostic stellate ganglion block took effect: A case series Patients were assessed before and after the treatment at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Significant reductions in pain as measured using a numerical rating scale; Pain Disability Indexwas improved, and Medication Quantification Scale also was improved. Minimal side effects. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided SG PRF has provided promising results for PLP by giving the patient with sustained pain relief and functional improvement without much side effects. Further studies need to be done to validate this finding.

Background: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is the most common type of pain experienced by amputees and is chronic and complex, with manifestations including pain in a limb that no longer exists. To date, treatments that are pharmaceutical or surgical in nature are relatively ineffective at bringing much relief as the pathophysiology of PLP is somewhat obscure. Chronic pain syndromes such as PLP may benefit from sympathetic nervous system modulation through the stellate ganglion.Case Ten refractory PLP patients treated with ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion pulsed radiofrequency ablation (SG PRF) after a diagnostic stellate ganglion block took effect: A case series Patients were assessed before and after the treatment at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Significant reductions in pain as measured using a numerical rating scale; Pain Disability Indexwas improved, and Medication Quantification Scale also was improved. Minimal side effects. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided SG PRF has provided promising results for PLP by giving the patient with sustained pain relief and functional improvement without much side effects. Further studies need to be done to validate this finding.

Background: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is the most common type of pain experienced by amputees and is chronic and complex, with manifestations including pain in a limb that no longer exists. To date, treatments that are pharmaceutical or surgical in nature are relatively ineffective at bringing much relief as the pathophysiology of PLP is somewhat obscure. Chronic pain syndromes such as PLP may benefit from sympathetic nervous system modulation through the stellate ganglion.Case Ten refractory PLP patients treated with ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion pulsed radiofrequency ablation (SG PRF) after a diagnostic stellate ganglion block took effect: A case series Patients were assessed before and after the treatment at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Significant reductions in pain as measured using a numerical rating scale; Pain Disability Indexwas improved, and Medication Quantification Scale also was improved. Minimal side effects. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided SG PRF has provided promising results for PLP by giving the patient with sustained pain relief and functional improvement without much side effects. Further studies need to be done to validate this finding.

Background: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is the most common type of pain experienced by amputees and is chronic and complex, with manifestations including pain in a limb that no longer exists. To date, treatments that are pharmaceutical or surgical in nature are relatively ineffective at bringing much relief as the pathophysiology of PLP is somewhat obscure. Chronic pain syndromes such as PLP may benefit from sympathetic nervous system modulation through the stellate ganglion.Case Ten refractory PLP patients treated with ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion pulsed radiofrequency ablation (SG PRF) after a diagnostic stellate ganglion block took effect: A case series Patients were assessed before and after the treatment at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Significant reductions in pain as measured using a numerical rating scale; Pain Disability Indexwas improved, and Medication Quantification Scale also was improved. Minimal side effects. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided SG PRF has provided promising results for PLP by giving the patient with sustained pain relief and functional improvement without much side effects. Further studies need to be done to validate this finding.

Background: Phantom limb pain (PLP) is the most common type of pain experienced by amputees and is chronic and complex, with manifestations including pain in a limb that no longer exists. To date, treatments that are pharmaceutical or surgical in nature are relatively ineffective at bringing much relief as the pathophysiology of PLP is somewhat obscure. Chronic pain syndromes such as PLP may benefit from sympathetic nervous system modulation through the stellate ganglion.Case Ten refractory PLP patients treated with ultrasound-guided stellate ganglion pulsed radiofrequency ablation (SG PRF) after a diagnostic stellate ganglion block took effect: A case series Patients were assessed before and after the treatment at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months. Significant reductions in pain as measured using a numerical rating scale; Pain Disability Indexwas improved, and Medication Quantification Scale also was improved. Minimal side effects. Conclusions Ultrasound-guided SG PRF has provided promising results for PLP by giving the patient with sustained pain relief and functional improvement without much side effects. Further studies need to be done to validate this finding.