Acta anaesthesiologica Taiwanica : official journal of the Taiwan Society of Anesthesiologists
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Acta Anaesthesiol Taiwan · Mar 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA comparison between the Airtraq and Macintosh laryngoscopes for routine airway management by experienced anesthesiologists: a randomized clinical trial.
The Airtraq Optical Laryngoscope is a new type of laryngoscope that provides a direct view of the glottis without alignment of the mouth, pharynx and trachea. Data show that it has advantages over the Macintosh laryngoscope. ⋯ The Airtraq laryngoscope is easier to use but it does not have any significant advantages compared with the Macintosh laryngoscope for routine airway management. More studies are needed to evaluate its use in patients with a difficult airway, and in emergency procedures.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Taiwan · Mar 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyComparison of atracurium and "mini-dose" succinylcholine for preventing succinylcholine-induced muscle fasciculations: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Several drugs have been used to prevent or attenuate succinylcholine- induced muscle fasciculations. There are possible advantages to succinylcholine pretreatment. We designed the present study to compare the effectiveness of atracurium versus "mini-dose" (5 mg) succinylcholine pretreatment for the prevention of muscle fasciculations. ⋯ Our results showed that the incidence and severity of fasciculations were significantly decreased by atracurium pretreatment but not by pretreatment with succinylcholine or placebo (p<0.0001 and p=0.0003 respectively). However, atracurium did not exert significant effects on POM.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Taiwan · Mar 2010
Case ReportsButterfly-like knotting of a lumbar epidural catheter.
We report a female patient with osteoarthritis of both knees, who was scheduled for bilateral total knee arthroplasty under spinal and lumbar (L) epidural anesthesia. An epidural catheter was inserted at the L3-L4 intervertebral space and threaded 9 cm cephalad beyond the tip of the Tuohy needle. Attempts to remove the catheter met with resistance. ⋯ After explaining to the patient and her family the need for surgical removal of the catheter and its associated risks, the catheter was successfully removed by an orthopedist by laminectomy. A butterfly-like knot was found about 5 cm away from the tip of the epidural catheter. She experienced no complications during surgery and no neurological sequelae were observed during her stay in hospital.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Taiwan · Mar 2010
Bloodless and non-inotropic cardiac surgery under closed-circuit anesthesia.
The safety of homologous blood transfusion has become a major concern for patients and physicians. Current transfusion practice is highly variable and may be associated with inappropriate blood use. Inotropic agents have been almost routinely administered perioperatively to patients undergoing cardiac surgery to overcome low cardiac output due to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and cardioplegia-induced cardiac ischemic arrest. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of bloodless and non-inotropic open-heart surgery. ⋯ In conclusion, bloodless and non-inotropic cardiac surgery is feasible with the aid of a cell-saver and closed-circuit anesthesia in combination with new practice guidelines.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Taiwan · Mar 2010
Intramuscular bupivacaine injection dose-dependently increases glutamate release and muscle injury in rats.
Local anesthetics may cause reversible skeletal muscle injury, which is most common with bupivacaine. Glutamate is present in most skeletal muscles and may regulate muscular metabolic pathways. The aim of study was to examine the changes in intramuscular glutamate level and the severity of myopathy after intramuscular administration of bupivacaine. ⋯ A single intramuscular injection of bupivacaine induced dose-dependent increases in intramuscular glutamate levels and muscular damage.