Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Aug 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialHemodynamic responses to tracheal intubation with laryngoscope versus lightwand intubating device (Trachlight) in adults with normal airway.
Lightwand devices are effective and safe as an aid to tracheal intubation. Theoretically, avoiding direct-vision laryngoscopy could allow for less stimulation by intubation than the conventional laryngoscopic procedure. We designed this prospective randomized study to assess the cardiovascular changes after either lightwand or direct laryngoscopic tracheal intubation in adult patients anesthetized with sevoflurane. Sixty healthy adult patients with normal airways were randomly assigned to one of three groups according to intubating procedure under sevoflurane/nitrous oxide anesthesia (fraction of inspired oxygen = 0.33) (n = 20 each). The lightwand group received tracheal intubation with Trachlight, the laryngoscope-intubation group received tracheal intubation with a direct-vision laryngoscope (Macintosh blade), and the laryngoscopy-alone group received the laryngoscope alone. Heart rate and systolic blood pressure were recorded continuously for 5 min after tracheal intubation or laryngoscopy with enough time to intubate. All procedures were successful on the first attempt. The maximum heart rate and systolic blood pressure values obtained after intubation with Trachlight (114 +/- 20 bpm and 143 +/- 30 mm Hg, respectively) did not differ from those with the Macintosh laryngoscope (114 +/- 20 bpm and 138 +/- 23 mm Hg), but they were significantly larger than those in the laryngoscopy-alone group (94 +/- 19 bpm and 112 +/- 21 mm Hg) (P < 0.05). Direct stimulation of the trachea appears to be a major cause of the hemodynamic changes associated with tracheal intubation. ⋯ The magnitude of hemodynamic changes associated with tracheal intubation with the Trachlight is almost the same as that which occurs with the direct laryngoscope. Hemodynamic changes are likely to occur because of direct tracheal irritation rather than direct stimulation of the larynx.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Aug 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialA double-blinded, randomized comparison of intrathecal and epidural morphine for elective cesarean delivery.
We randomized 150 parturients into a double-blinded trial to receive intrathecal (IT) 100 microg (IT 100 group) or 200 microg (IT 200 group) or epidural 3 mg (Epidural group) of morphine for elective cesarean delivery with a combined spinal/epidural technique. The patients additionally received ketoprofen 300 mg/d. Postoperative pain relief and side effects were registered every 3 h up to 24 h, and all patients were interviewed on the first postoperative day. Pain control was equally good, but the parturients in the IT 100 group requested rescue analgesics more often compared with the other groups (P < 0.05). Itching was a common complaint and was reported by 74% of the parturients in the Epidural group and 65% and 91% in the IT 100 and IT 200 groups, respectively (P < 0.01). Medication for itching was requested by 44%, 24%, and 45% of the patients, respectively (P < 0.05). There was no difference in postoperative nausea or vomiting. The pain relief was perceived as good by >90% of the patients in all groups. In conclusion, because of the decreased incidence of and lesser requirements of medication for itching, IT morphine 100 microg with ketoprofen is recommended in cesarean deliveries. Rescue analgesics nevertheless need to be prescribed. ⋯ Spinal morphine is an effective analgesic after cesarean delivery, but it has several side effects. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of side effects and the level of analgesia of epidural morphine with two different doses of spinal morphine after elective cesarean delivery. Although rescue analgesics may be required, intrathecal morphine 100 microg is suggested for postoperative analgesia after cesarean delivery.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Aug 2002
Comparative Study Clinical TrialPerioperative gastric emptying is not a predictor of early postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
It is not known whether patients with postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) have delayed gastric emptying compared with patients without PONV. We compared the perioperative rate of gastric emptying in patients experiencing PONV with the rate in those without PONV immediately after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Gastric emptying was studied by the acetaminophen method. Acetaminophen is not absorbed from the stomach but is rapidly absorbed from the small intestine, and the rate of gastric emptying therefore determines the rate of absorption of acetaminophen administered into the stomach. Forty patients (ASA physical status I and II) were included in the study. After the induction of anesthesia, a gastric tube was positioned in the stomach and 1.5 g of acetaminophen dissolved in 200 mL of water was administered. Venous blood samples for the determination of serum acetaminophen concentrations were taken before and at 15-min intervals during a period of 180 min after the administration of acetaminophen. Twenty-six patients experienced nausea during the first 4 h postoperatively. The other 14 patients had no nausea. There were no statistically significant differences in the maximal acetaminophen concentration, the time taken to reach the maximal concentration, or the area under the serum acetaminophen concentration time curves from 0 to 60, 0-120, and 0-180 min between the groups of patients with or without PONV. We did not find any relationship between postoperative gastric emptying and PONV, and therefore gastric emptying is not a predictor of PONV. ⋯ The incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting is frequent after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study has shown that perioperative gastric emptying is not a predictor of early postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Aug 2002
Comparative StudyDistal nerve blocks at the wrist for outpatient carpal tunnel surgery offer intraoperative cardiovascular stability and reduce discharge time.
Carpal tunnel release is often performed as an outpatient procedure. We designed this retrospective study to assess the effect of different anesthesia techniques on intraoperative cardiovascular stability and discharge time. According to the anesthesia technique received, 62 consecutive patients were categorized in Group BIER (IV regional anesthesia), Group BLOCK (distal nerve blocks), and Group GENERAL (general anesthesia). Incidences of intraoperative periods of tachycardia or bradycardia and hyper- or hypotension were studied, as were tourniquet, surgical, operating room, and discharge times. Cardiovascular stability was better achieved in Group BLOCK, as indicated by a significantly smaller incidence of periods of hypertension compared with Group BIER (5% vs 25%) and a significantly less frequent incidence of periods of hypotension compared with Group GENERAL (14% vs 42%). Patients in Group BLOCK spent significantly less time in the hospital after surgery than patients in Group BIER (65 vs 88 min) or patients in Group GENERAL (65 vs 133 min). We conclude that distal nerve blocks for outpatient carpal tunnel surgery are associated with greater intraoperative cardiovascular stability than general anesthesia. After surgery, patients in Group BLOCK could be discharged earlier than patients who received IV regional anesthesia or general anesthesia; this could be related to the superior postoperative analgesia provided by this technique. ⋯ This retrospective analysis of three different anesthetic techniques for ambulatory carpal tunnel surgery shows that nerve blocks performed at the wrist provided excellent intraoperative cardiovascular stability and allowed for earlier discharge.