Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2003
Case ReportsSciatic nerve palsy after total hip arthroplasty in a patient receiving continuous lumbar plexus block.
We report a case of late-onset postoperative sciatic palsy after total hip arthroplasty in a 30-yr-old man with congenital hip dysplasia. The patient was receiving continuous lumbar plexus blockade and had received low-molecular-weight heparin 3 h before the onset of symptoms. Anatomic distinction between the nerve block and the sciatic palsy facilitated rapid diagnosis and treatment of a periarticular hematoma, with resulting neurologic recovery. This case illustrates that, with the expanded role of regional anesthetic techniques in acute pain management, the finding of a new postoperative deficit must be jointly investigated by both anesthesiologists and surgeons. Timely and open communication between services is critical because rapid intervention may be essential to achieving full recovery of an affected nerve. ⋯ A case is presented of sciatic palsy developing after total hip arthroplasty in a patient receiving a continuous lumbar plexus block. The case highlights various issues in the use of continuous peripheral nerve blocks for postoperative analgesia.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2003
Early identification of bacteria leading to central venous catheter contamination.
Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) are a common problem in patients after central venous catheterization. Using DNA analysis we compared bacteria found on the tip of central venous catheters removed because of clinical signs of CRBSI with bacteria found on needle, dilator, and guidewire used for insertion of these catheters. In five of seven central venous catheters removed because of clinical signs of CRBSI, bacteria on the catheter tip were genetically identical to bacteria found on the insertion device, proving that catheter contamination in these cases was caused by contacting bacteria during the initial puncture. These findings may be important for antibiotic prophylaxis or therapy in patients at risk for CRBSI. ⋯ In five of seven central venous catheters removed because of clinical signs of catheter-related blood infections, DNA analysis showed bacteria found on the catheter tip to be identical with bacteria found on the puncture kits used for insertion of these catheters.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2003
Comment Letter Comparative StudyAirway responses to sevoflurane vs. desflurane: comparing apples to oranges?
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2003
Can determining the minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration of volatile anesthetic be used as an objective tool to assess antinociception in animals?
We intended to evaluate the reliability of the minimum anesthetic alveolar concentration (MAC)-sparing effect as an objective measure of the antinociceptive properties of a drug. For this purpose, we tested different variables and analyzed the significance of the results obtained. In a first set of experiments, we studied rats under mechanical ventilation and sevoflurane anesthesia. Outcome variables such as gross purposeful movements consecutive to tail clamping, paw withdrawal consecutive to increasing pressure, and cardio-circulatory reactivity (MACBAR) after these stimuli were recorded. In a second set of experiment, sevoflurane-anesthetized rats under spontaneous breathing conditions were used. Thermal stimuli were compared with pressure. The MAC-sparing effect of several doses of sufentanil and clonidine was evaluated in both anesthetized and awake rodents. When considering the stimulus applied, larger concentrations of sevoflurane were required to suppress reactivity after tail clamp than after paw pressure or radiant heat (1.81 +/- 0.28 versus 1.45 +/- 0.22 and 1.53 +/- 0.26; P < 0.05). For the two first stimuli, no significant differences were noted between the concentrations that suppress motor or cardio-circulatory reactions. All doses of sufentanil tested significantly reduced (P < 0.05) the different MAC values except the smallest one (0.005 micro g x kg(-1) x min(-1)) that significantly increased MACBAR in ventilated animals and both MAC and MACBAR in spontaneously breathing rodents (P < 0.05). Clonidine, at its optimal dose (10 micro g/kg), significantly reduced both MAC and MACBAR to the same degree. In awake animals submitted to radiant heat or pressure challenge, none of the clonidine doses nor sufentanil doses (0.005 and 0.07) were active. In conclusion, the MAC-sparing effect provides several reliable and quantifiable variables that allow comparison between different analgesic substances. However, the observations made are not simply the result of antinociceptive effects of the tested drugs but rather that of complex interactions between these drugs and a halogenated vapor. ⋯ The MAC-sparing effect provides several variables that allow comparison between different analgesic substances. However, the observations made are not simply the result of the antinociceptive effects of the tested drugs but rather the result of complex interactions between these drugs and a halogenated vapor.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Oct 2003
Comment Letter Comparative StudyClinical manifestations of latex anaphylaxis during anesthesia differ from those not anesthesia/surgery-related.