Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Sep 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe enhancement of sensory blockade by clonidine selectively added to mepivacaine after midhumeral block.
Clonidine added to local anesthetics results in an increased duration of anesthesia or analgesia after brachial plexus block. We investigated the effect of selective application of clonidine to the median and musculocutaneous nerves during midhumeral block, a technique allowing selective nerve blocks with the use of different local anesthetics. Initially, 58 patients scheduled for hand surgery were prospectively enrolled to receive a midhumeral block. ⋯ Adding 50 microg clonidine to the median and musculocutaneous nerves resulted in a significant increase in the duration of sensory block in these nerves (P < 0.0001). Recovery of motor block was not different between the two groups. No significant difference was found between the two groups in the mean plasma mepivacaine concentration.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Sep 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe effect of preoperative epidural morphine on postoperative analgesia in children.
We examined the effects of preoperative epidural morphine associated with general anesthesia on postoperative morphine requirements. Twenty-one children older than 6 yr scheduled for major surgery were randomly assigned to two groups, a control group and an epidural group that received a single epidural morphine injection.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Sep 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialA comparison of epidural levobupivacaine 0.5% with or without epinephrine for lumbar spine surgery.
Levobupivacaine, the S(-) isomer of bupivacaine, is less cardiotoxic than racemic bupivacaine. In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study of epidural anesthesia, we compared the onset, extent, and duration of sensory and motor blockade produced by plain 0.5% levobupivacaine (15 mL, 75 mg) with that of 0.5% levobupivacaine with the addition of 1:400,000 or 1:200,000 epinephrine in 117 patients undergoing elective spine surgery. The time to onset of adequate sensory block (T10 dermatome) was similar in all groups (12.4 +/- 6.6 min for plain levobupivacaine, 13.9 +/- 7.9 min for levobupivacaine with 1:400,000 epinephrine, and 12.7 +/- 4.9 min for levobupivacaine with 1:200,000 epinephrine), with an average peak block height of T5. ⋯ Peak serum levobupivacaine levels were reduced in each of the epinephrine-containing groups. We conclude that 0.5% levobupivacaine with or without 1:200,000 or 1:400,000 epinephrine produced effective epidural anesthesia in patients having lumbar spine surgery. Epinephrine 1:400,000 is as effective as 1:200,000 in reducing the resultant serum levobupivacaine levels after epidural anesthesia.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Sep 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe pressor response and airway effects of cricoid pressure during induction of general anesthesia.
Cricoid pressure (CP) has been used to protect the patient from regurgitation and gastric insufflation. Because the hemodynamic effects of CP have not been evaluated independently, we designed this prospective study. Eighty ASA I adult patients were prospectively included in the study. ⋯ Peak inspiratory pressure increased and tidal volume decreased significantly after the application of CP compared with the Control group and baseline values. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate increased significantly after the application of CP compared with the baseline values and with those of the Control group. The result of this study shows that CP can cause a relatively strong pressor response.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Sep 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialWhat constitutes an effective but safe initial dose of lidocaine to test a thoracic epidural catheter?
To investigate the effects of age and dose on the spread of thoracic epidural anesthesia, we placed thoracic epidural catheters in 50 surgical patients divided into groups by age (Group I [young], 18-51 yr; Group II [old], 56-80 yr) and randomly assigned patients to receive either 5 mL (A) or 9 mL (B) of 2% lidocaine (plain) injected via the epidural catheter. Hemodynamic variables were measured (heart rate, mean arterial blood pressure, noninvasive impedance cardiac index) at baseline and every 5 min for 30 min. Detectable blockade occurred within 8 min after injection of 3 + 2 mL or 3 + 6 mL in 48 of 50 patients. ⋯ Minor decreases in mean arterial blood pressure (8%-17%) and heart rate (4%-11%) were noted. Two patients in the Old 9 group required IV ephedrine or ephedrine/atropine to treat hypotension and bradycardia. We conclude that given the rapid onset (3-8 min), extensive spread (11-14 dermatomal segments), and consistent hemodynamic stability, thoracic epidural anesthesia should be initiated with lidocaine 100 mg (5 mL 2% lidocaine) to establish proper location of the catheter in the epidural space in both younger and older patients.