Anesthesia and analgesia
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Laser surgery offers several advantages to the surgeon and patient: microscopic precision, a bloodless operative field, and complete sterility. While the majority of procedures pose few problems beyond protection of the eyes of operating room personnel and patients, microlaryngeal surgery with the CO2 laser requires very careful anesthetic management. A preoperative visit to determine the degree of existing airway obstruction is mandatory in deciding the safest anesthetic technique. ⋯ We have reviewed selected aspects of the management of the patient undergoing laser surgery, outlined the principles of laser technology, and listed the many surgical procedures employing lasers. Also, recommendations on anesthetic management of microlaryngeal surgery with the CO2 laser with emphasis on currently available measures to prevent problems were reviewed in light of our own experience with this technique along with a summary of the literature on laser surgery. An understanding of the fundamental principles and applications of lasers will hopefully lead to safer patient care.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Feb 1983
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialThromboembolism after total hip replacement: role of epidural and general anesthesia.
The effects of continuous epidural anesthesia and of general anesthesia on the incidence of thromboembolism following total hip replacement were studied. Sixty patients were randomly allotted to one of two groups receiving either epidural or general anesthesia. Epidural anesthesia (N = 30) consisted of 0.5% bupivacaine with epinephrine intraoperatively; for pain relief in the postoperative period (24 h), 0.25% bupivacaine with epinephrine was given every 3 h. ⋯ Possible explanations for these differences include increased circulation in the lower extremities, less tendency for intravascular clotting to occur, and more efficient fibrinolysis in association with continuous epidural anesthesia. The decrease in blood loss associated with epidural anesthesia with lower transfusion requirements also might play a role. Epidural analgesia prolonged into the postoperative period, in addition to other appropriate thromboprophylactic measures, should be of value in patients undergoing operations associated with a high risk of thromboembolic complications.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 1983
Attitudes of patients, housestaff, and nurses toward postoperative analgesic care.
A survey was carried out among housestaff and nurses involved with postoperative patient care to assess their knowledge of analgesics and their attitudes toward postoperative analgesic care. Only one-fifth of the respondents prescribed for complete pain relief. There were some misconceptions about adding other drugs to narcotic analgesics as well as fear of the addictive properties of these narcotics. ⋯ Seventy-five percent of the patients reported that their overall postoperative pain relief had been adequate. There was no correlation between the amount of analgesic required postoperatively and either the degree to which patients believed pain builds character or the degree to which they rated themselves sensitive to pain. This study emphasizes the need for better and more comprehensive training of housestaff and nurses in analgesic care.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 1983
Comparative StudyThe extent of blockade following various techniques of brachial plexus block.
The extent of sensory and motor blockades was examined in 195 patients 5 and 20 min after four different techniques of brachial plexus block using 50 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine. The interscalene technique of Winnie (N = 50) resulted in a preferential blockade of the caudad portions of the cervical plexus and the cephalad portions of the brachial plexus. The supraclavicular approach of Kulenkampff (N = 55) and the subclavian perivascular approach of Winnie (N = 56) each resulted in a homogeneous blockade of the nerves of the brachial plexus. ⋯ With all four techniques, motor blockade developed faster than sensory blockade. The difference in results suggests that the approach to be used should depend primarily upon the site of the operation. The perineural space enclosing the brachial plexus greatly facilitates the spread of a local anesthetic when injected; however, it is usually not filled completely or evenly.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Jan 1983
Combined high-frequency ventilation for management of terminal respiratory failure: a new technique.
Seven patients with severe adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) developed terminal respiratory failure and severe hypoxemia (PaO2 below 50 mm Hg) with death imminent despite maximal ventilatory support with intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). High-frequency positive-pressure ventilation (HFPPV) was used in these patients for one day at a rate of 250 breaths/min, with slight improvement of PaO2 to a mean of 80 mm Hg. High-frequency oscillatory (HFO) ventilation was used during the second day at a rate of 2000 breaths/min; this provided adequate oxygenation with a mean PaO2 of 244 mm Hg. ⋯ Moreover, CHFV was well tolerated in our patients, allowing them to communicate with their families and nurses. CHFV successfully treated the hypoxemia of respiratory failure in all the patients. However, five patients (71%) died of cardiac arrest as a result of multisystem failure despite adequate oxygenation (PaO2 above 80 mm Hg).