Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2009
Propofol produces immobility via action in the ventral horn of the spinal cord by a GABAergic mechanism.
We investigated the actions of propofol and isoflurane on nociceptive responses of neurons in the spinal cord. ⋯ Propofol acts in the spinal cord to produce immobility. This depressive effect occurs in the ventral horn and is mediated mainly by GABA(A) receptors. Isoflurane also depresses neurons in the ventral horn; however, isoflurane actions at the GABA(A) receptor are either weak or overridden by other effects in the ventral horn.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2009
The effect of amitriptyline on ectopic discharge of primary afferent fibers in the L5 dorsal root in a rat model of neuropathic pain.
The sodium channel blocker amitriptyline has been shown to inhibit ectopic discharge in injured nerves. In the present study, we characterized ectopic discharges of afferent fibers following L5/L6 spinal nerve ligation (SNL) by their electrophysiological properties and sensitivities to inhibition by amitriptyline in the decentralized L5 dorsal root in SNL rats. ⋯ These results provide direct evidence that amitriptyline, which is used clinically for the treatment of neuropathic pain, selectively inhibits ectopic discharge of low frequency and bursting discharge in the rat neuropathic pain model.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · May 2009
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA comparison of cervical spine motion during orotracheal intubation with the trachlight(r) or the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope.
Tracheal intubation of an unstable cervical spine (c-spine) patient with the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope (FOB) is thought to minimize c-spine movement but may be technically difficult in certain patients. Intubation using a luminous stylet, such as the Trachlight(R) (TL), also produces minimal motion of the c-spine and may be an interesting alternative technique for patients with an unstable c-spine. In this study, we compared the cervical motion caused by the TL and the FOB during intubation. ⋯ In patients under general anesthesia with neuromuscular blockade and manual in-line stabilization, we found no difference in the segmental c-spine motion produced during endotracheal intubation using the FOB and the TL.