European journal of anaesthesiology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Therapeutic suggestions given during neurolept-anaesthesia decrease post-operative nausea and vomiting.
A double-blind randomized study was performed in 100 patients undergoing thyroidectomy to evaluate the effect of positive therapeutic suggestions made during neurolept-anaesthesia. The classic droperidol-fentanyl-N2O technique was used as these drugs preserve the neurophysiological functions required to process the information in the therapeutic suggestions given during general anaesthesia. Patients in the suggestion group heard positive non-affirmative suggestions during the whole operation. ⋯ Both groups were comparable with respect to demographic variables, anaesthetic technique, drug dosage, duration of anaesthesia and surgery. Patients in the suggestion group suffered significantly less from post-operative nausea or vomiting (suggestion: 47.2% vs. control: 85.7%) and required less anti-emetic treatment (suggestion: 30.6% vs. control: 68.6%). We conclude that therapeutic suggestions heard during neurolept-anaesthesia are processed and decrease post-operative nausea and vomiting in patients after thyroidectomy.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
An evaluation of intercostal nerve blockade for analgesia following renal transplantation.
In a double-blinded study we examined the effect of supplementing patient-controlled morphine analgesia with intercostal nerve blockade to identify if this improved analgesia and reduced morphine requirements following renal transplantation. Fifty patients were randomized to receive unilateral intercostal nerve block with either 0.5% bupivacaine or saline to the lower five intercostal nerves. ⋯ Two patients developed a pneumothorax, neither of which were clinically apparent at the time of diagnosis, and only detected by chest radiography. A chest radiograph should therefore be considered mandatory after intercostal nerve blockade.
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The brachial plexus was identified by electrical stimulation before interscalene block with 30 mL 0.5% bupivacaine and adrenaline 1:200,000. During injection, compression was applied with a finger proximal to the injection site. Spirometric measurements were made before the block, and then at 5 min, 10 min, 20 min and 4 h after the injection. ⋯ Twenty minutes after the injection, the forced vital capacity was 27% less, forced expiratory volume at 1 s 34% less and peak expiratory flow rate 15% less (all P < 0.05). Right diaphragmatic excursion decreased from 4.5 cm (SD 1.2 cm) to 1.8 cm (0.6 cm) at 15 mins and to 1.1 cm (0.6 cm) at 4 h (P < 0.05). Identification of the plexus by electric stimulation combined with finger compression above the injection site did not prevent diaphragmatic paresis.
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We report a case of post-operative rhabdomyolysis following transmandibular buccopharyngectomy without reconstruction in a patient remaining in the supine position throughout the procedure. Muscle compression induced by a cushion used during the procedure had probably contributed to the rhabdomyolysis. Outcome was favourable without acute renal failure. Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment are the keys to a successful recovery.
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Ringer's solution expands blood volume by between 20% and 25% in awake volunteers, but little is known about its volume effect during general anaesthesia. In 35 men with a mean age of 70 years, the power of various intra-operative factors to change blood volume as estimated by the haemoglobin dilution method were analysed by multiple linear regression every 10 min during transurethral resection of the prostate performed under enflurane anaesthesia. ⋯ There was no correlation between systolic pressure and blood volume changes. This suggests that the volume effect of Ringer's solution in the blood is greater than generally believed during general anaesthesia.