Annales françaises d'anesthèsie et de rèanimation
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Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Jan 1997
Case Reports[A low dose of nalbuphine reverses respiratory depression but not analgesia induced by intraspinal morphine].
Postoperative pain management after scoliosis surgery is based in our institution on intrathecal morphine administration. This case report describes an immediate and major postoperative respiratory depression that occurred in the recovery room, requiring the maintenance of the endotracheal tube. This respiratory depression was reversed by i.v. administration of a low dose of nalbuphine, which allowed tracheal extubation without suppression of morphine-induced analgesia.
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Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Jan 1997
Case Reports[Fatal hepatitis in a young child: probable role of halothane].
A 3-year-old boy, who underwent multiple anaesthetics including halothane in a short period of time, developed 3 days after the last operation abdominal pain, jaundice and fever. Laboratory tests showed hepatic failure, with cytolysis, cholestasis and eosinophilia. Tests for hepatitis A, B, C, CMV and EBV were negative. ⋯ Despite symptomatic treatment, the child died 5 days after the last anaesthetic. Post mortem liver biopsy showed massive hepatic necrosis. The authors discuss factors increasing the risk for halothane-hepatitis, especially multiple exposures.
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Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Jan 1997
[Defective gas mixers, a cause of retro-pollution of medical gas distribution pipelines].
A defective Air/O2 mixer of a ventilator located downstream of the gas outlets of two pipelines is a potential cause of retropollution. Retropollution of O2 with Air or vice versa carries a risk of either a) a hypoxic gas mixture delivery during anaesthesia, including O2-N2O administration, when the O2 pipeline supplies Air instead of O2, or b) a hyperoxic gas mixture delivery in the intensive therapy unit for neonates during administration of a O2-Air mixture, when the Air pipeline supplies O2 instead of Air. A defective O2/N2O flowmeter-mixer of an anaesthesia machine, with N2O flow control by O2 through a differential pressure manometer, can cause retropollution of O2 supply pipeline with N2O or vice versa. ⋯ The mixer or flowmeter-mixer responsible for retropollution can be recognized in plunging successively the various quick couplers underwater into a glass, while the others remain connected to their outlets and the mixer set at a O2 concentration of 50 vol% or the flowmeters set at a similar flow. In case of retropollution, the gas reflow produces bubbles. It is recommended: a) in anaesthetic areas to set the O2 pressure at about 0.2 bar above that of Air and the latter at a pressure of about 0.2 bar above that of N2O; b) in intensive therapy units for neonates, to set the Air pressure at about 0.2 bar above that of O2; c) in all areas to disconnect from the gas outlets the devices equipped with a mixer or a flowmeter-mixer when not in use.
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Ann Fr Anesth Reanim · Jan 1997
[Dental accidents in relation to general anesthesia. Experience of mutual medical insurance group].
This article reviewed retrospectively 511 cases of dental damage reported to the French group for medical insurances from 1990 to 1995, and representing 40% of all accidents related to anaesthesia. The mean incidence rate was 9.5 accidents/100 anaesthetists/year and tended to decrease over time. The part of cases qualified as being linked to a fault was high and mainly due to the lack of dental examination and of informed consent during the preanaesthetic assessment. Although the mean cost of a dental accident is low compared with other anaesthetic accidents, the global cost is substantial considering their high incidence.
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Neural damage is a possible complication of central nerve blockade and regional anaesthesia. Damage may be caused by ischaemic, mechanical or chemical mechanisms, which may occur either alone or in combination. ⋯ Neurological complications may also result from a direct neurotoxic effect of local anaesthetic agents which is concentration and dose-dependent. Better understanding of these mechanisms will permit the establishment of reliable bases for new preventive strategies.