Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Mar 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA prospective comparison of continuous wound infiltration with ropivacaine versus single-injection paravertebral block after modified radical mastectomy.
The efficacy of continuous wound infiltration with local anesthetic has not been compared with that of thoracic paravertebral block (PVB) after breast surgery. In this study, we evaluated the analgesic efficacy and morphine consumption of the two techniques after mastectomy. ⋯ Continuous wound infiltration of local anesthetics is an effective alternative to paravertebral analgesia after mastectomy with axillary dissection.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Mar 2008
Comparative StudyCardiac output derived from arterial pressure waveform analysis in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: validity of a second generation device.
The performance of a recently introduced, arterial waveform-based device for measuring cardiac output (CO) without the need of invasive calibration (FloTrac/Vigileo) has been controversial. We designed the present study to assess the validity of an improved version of this monitoring technique compared with intermittent thermodilution CO measurement using a pulmonary artery catheter in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. ⋯ CI values obtained by the improved, second generation semiinvasive arterial waveform device showed good intraoperative and postoperative agreement with intermittent pulmonary artery thermodilution CI measurements in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Mar 2008
Case ReportsCar accidents after ambulatory surgery in patients without an escort.
Occasionally, ambulatory surgical patients present without an escort for their procedure. This creates a dilemma for caregivers, and allowing patients to drive may have an impact on their safety. The Canadian Medical Protective Association is a mutual defense organization for 95% of Canadian physicians. ⋯ Both had a car accident and sustained serious injuries. Based on this we do not recommend discharge without an escort after general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, monitored anesthesia or sedation. Driving after ambulatory surgery cannot be considered safe and caregivers need to verify a safe ride home.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Mar 2008
Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialA simplified approach to vertical infraclavicular brachial plexus blockade using hand-held Doppler.
In this observational study, we used Doppler ultrasound during the performance of vertical infraclavicular brachial plexus blockade. The success rate at inserting the needle at the point where the sound of the subclavian artery via Doppler reached its maximum audibility was compared with that of the classical insertion point. In 89 of the 100 patients, the medial or posterior cord was found at first needle pass. Using the Doppler point for insertion resulted in a significantly more lateral entry point compared with the classical point (P < 0.001) and was associated with a high success rate of infraclavicular block.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Mar 2008
Comparative Study Clinical TrialDehydration induced by bowel preparation in older adults does not result in cognitive dysfunction.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction occurs in a proportion of patients after noncardiac surgery. Older patients are particularly vulnerable. We hypothesized that dehydration, a common perioperative problem in the elderly, may provoke cognitive dysfunction. We used a clinical scenario free of surgical/anesthetic intervention to determine whether dehydration caused by bowel preparation results in cognitive changes. ⋯ Dehydration alone does not result in cognitive dysfunction.