Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 1980
Assessment of vaporizer performance in low-flow and closed-circuit anesthesia.
The performance of five of the most commonly used halothane vaporizers and three enflurane vaporizers was tested under conditions encountered in low-flow and closed-circuit anesthesia. Anesthetic gas concentrations were measured continuously with a mass spectrometer connected to a circle system. ⋯ One should be aware, however, that the concentration of nitrous oxide affects vaporizer output, that changes in output occur during positive-pressure ventilation, and that the output of some of the vaporizers may increase when a change from high flow to low flow is made. It is also strongly recommended that upstream oxygen flushing be abandoned in the practice of low-flow or closed-circuit anesthesia.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 1980
Assessment of block of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa.
Success of block of the sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa in 130 patients was assessed by an anesthesiologist at the time of surgery. The patients were evaluated for complications by the anesthesiologist during postoperative rounds and by the orthopedic surgeon at the 1-month follow-up visit. Acceptance of the block by the patient was judged by answers on a questionnaire filled out by the patients after they had gone home. ⋯ Two patients described sensations compatible with postoperative paresthesias, and two others described sensations that may have been paresthesias; in none did the sensations last longer than 1 month. Assessment of the blocks by the anesthesiologist in all 130 patients in the study revealed that anesthesia satisfactory for completion of the operative procedure was achieved in 107 (82.3%). General anesthesia was needed in eight patients (6.2%), and in 15 patients (11.5%) intravenous sedation or injection of the site of surgical incision with local anesthesia (or both) was needed.