Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialIntrathecal clonidine added to a bupivacaine-morphine spinal anesthetic improves postoperative analgesia for total knee arthroplasty.
Postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is severe and can complicate early physical therapy. We tested the hypothesis that intrathecal clonidine would improve postoperative analgesia for TKA using a hyperbaric bupivacaine spinal anesthetic. In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled protocol, 81 ASA physical status I-III patients undergoing either a single or bilateral TKA were randomized into 4 groups with the following 2-mL solutions added to 15 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine: 1) sterile saline, 2) morphine (250 microg), 3) morphine (250 microg) with clonidine (25 microg), and 4) morphine (250 microg) with clonidine (75 microg). At 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 h postoperatively, we measured visual analog scales (VAS), cumulative IV morphine consumption, hemodynamics, nausea, ancillary drugs, and side effects. Our primary comparison was between the clonidine with morphine groups versus the morphine group. We found that the combined administration of intrathecal clonidine and morphine decreased 24 h IV morphine consumption by 13 mg (P = 0.028) when compared with intrathecal morphine alone. This corresponded to a decrease in the VAS score of 1.3 cm at 24 h postoperatively (P = 0.047). Adverse side effects were similar among all groups with the exception of more relative hypotension in the clonidine groups through postoperative hour 6. We conclude that the coadministration of intrathecal clonidine and morphine decreases the 24-h IV morphine consumption and improves the 24-h VAS score when compared with intrathecal morphine alone. ⋯ In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled trial, we identify an effective postoperative analgesic approach in total knee replacement surgery. Intrathecal morphine (250 microg) combined with clonidine (25 or 75 microg) provided superior analgesia compared with intrathecal morphine alone.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialSingle-dose tranexamic acid reduces postoperative bleeding after coronary surgery in patients treated with aspirin until surgery.
Tranexamic acid reduces postoperative bleeding after coronary artery bypass grafting. We evaluated the effects of a single dose of tranexamic acid given immediately before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in patients treated with aspirin until the day before surgery. The study was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial. Eighty patients were included and divided into two groups: one group received tranexamic acid 30 mg/kg, and one group received placebo (0.9% NaCl) as a bolus injection before CPB. Postoperative blood loss was recorded for 16 h. Transfusions of blood products were recorded for the whole hospital stay. Transfusions of packed red cells were given when the hematocrit value was less than 20% during CPB and less than 25% after surgery. The patients in the tranexamic acid group had significantly less postoperative bleeding compared with the patients in the placebo group (mean [SD]) (475 [274] mL versus 713 [243] mL; P < 0.001). An effective inhibition of fibrinolysis was found in patients receiving tranexamic acid. Tranexamic acid reduces postoperative bleeding in coronary artery bypass grafting patients treated with aspirin until the day before surgery. ⋯ Continuation of aspirin medication until the day before coronary artery bypass grafting may increase postoperative bleeding. The administration of a single dose of tranexamic acid (30 mg/kg) immediately before cardiopulmonary bypass significantly reduced postoperative bleeding and inhibited fibrinolysis in these patients.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialSuprascapular nerve block prolongs analgesia after nonarthroscopic shoulder surgery but does not improve outcome.
Suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) reportedly improves analgesia and 24-h outcomes after arthroscopic shoulder surgery performed under general anesthesia. In this study, we assessed the analgesic and clinical outcome efficacy of SSNB as an adjunct to interscalene brachial plexus block (ISB) for ambulatory nonarthroscopic shoulder surgery. Fifty patients were randomized to receive either a SSNB or sham injection as part of a standardized ISB-general anesthesia regimen. Time to first significant pain (the primary outcome measure) was significantly delayed in the SSNB group (594 +/- 369 min versus 375 +/- 273 min, respectively; P = 0.02). There were no other differences between groups with regard to postanesthesia recovery unit measures, 24-h assessment of pain, supplemental analgesic use, or quality of life outcomes. We conclude that adjunctive SSNB adds minimal value to a primary ISB anesthetic for nonarthroscopic shoulder surgery. ⋯ When used as an adjunct to an interscalene block combined with general anesthesia, suprascapular nerve block with bupivacaine moderately prolongs analgesia without improving other outcome measures after ambulatory nonarthroscopic shoulder surgery.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialClinical results with the acoustic puncture assist device, a new acoustic device to identify the epidural space.
Sixty patients scheduled for lumbar epidural anesthesia were included in a study in which we evaluated the efficacy of localizing the epidural space by means of an acoustic signal. A prototype of an acoustic puncture assist device, connected to the epidural needle by an extension tube, generated the pressure needed to perform the epidural puncture and translated this pressure into corresponding acoustic and visible signals. The device frees the anesthesiologist to handle the epidural needle with both hands and to detect the epidural space by means of these signals. In all 60 patients (100%), the epidural space was successfully located by using the acoustic signal. In all cases, this was confirmed by the pressure measurement, which proved to be a reliable indicator for correct identification of the epidural space. We conclude that it is possible to locate the epidural space by means of the acoustic puncture assist device. The method proved to be reliable, safe, and simple in this study. The benefits of this new epidural puncture technique include better needle control, teaching, control of correct catheter placement, and documentation. The last can be an important adjunct to anesthesia practice. ⋯ The authors demonstrate that it is possible to identify the epidural space by an acoustic and visible signal. An experimental setup constructed for this purpose makes the epidural puncture procedure audible and visible.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Apr 2003
Parental intervention choices for children undergoing repeated surgeries.
No studies have examined parental preference for a preoperative intervention in healthy children undergoing subsequent surgeries. We collected data prospectively from 83 children who previously underwent surgery and were part of an investigation by our study group, then returned for a subsequent surgery. At the initial surgery, children were assigned (no parental intervention) to receive oral midazolam (n = 13), or parental presence during the induction of anesthesia (PPIA, n = 27), or PPIA + midazolam (n = 10) or no intervention (n = 33). At a subsequent surgery, parents chose the preoperative intervention. We found that >80% of all parents chose PPIA (with or without midazolam) at the subsequent surgery regardless of the intervention they received previously. Of parents whose children received PPIA at the initial surgery, 70% chose PPIA again. In contrast, only 23% of the patients who received midazolam at the initial surgery requested midazolam at the subsequent surgery and only 15% of the patients who received no intervention at the initial surgery requested no intervention at the subsequent surgery. All parents of very anxious children at the initial surgery chose some intervention at the subsequent surgery (P = 0.022). Parents of children who underwent a subsequent surgery preferred PPIA regardless of any previous intervention. Also, parents' intervention preferences at the subsequent surgery were influenced by children's anxiety at the initial surgery. ⋯ Parents of children who undergo a subsequent surgery prefer to be present during the induction of anesthesia regardless of whether the child was medicated or had parents present or did not receive anything at the initial surgery. Also, parents' preference for medication or parental presence at the subsequent surgery was influenced by the child's anxiety at the initial surgery.