Anaesthesia and intensive care
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Apr 1999
Review Case ReportsRecurrent laryngeal nerve injury caused by a laryngeal mask airway.
Although there have been few reports of serious complications with the laryngeal mask airway, we record a case of permanent unilateral vocal cord paralysis following the use of a laryngeal mask airway and review the literature describing injuries, not only to the recurrent laryngeal nerves but also to the hypoglossal and lingual nerves.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Apr 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialAlfentanil co-induction for laryngeal mask insertion.
We assessed the effect of two different doses of alfentanil (5 and 10 micrograms.kg-1) on the conditions for laryngeal mask airway insertion in ASA 1 and 2 patients who received propofol for induction of anaesthesia. One hundred and fifty unpremedicated patients were randomly allocated to receive either propofol 2.5 mg.kg-1 only (Group P), alfentanil 5 micrograms.kg-1 and propofol 2.5 mg.kg-1 (Group A5), or alfentanil 10 micrograms.kg-1 and propofol 2.5 mg.kg-1 (Group A10). The addition of alfentanil to propofol resulted in a greater ease of insertion and a better quality of airway patency. ⋯ Patients in Group P were apnoeic for a mean (+/- SD) time of 3.3(+/- 1.9) min, 4.71 (+/- 2.2) min in Group A5, and 7.32(+/- 4.3) min in Group A10. The use of alfentanil 10 micrograms.kg-1 with propofol, however, led to a significant decrease in mean arterial pressure and heart rate. We concluded that pretreatment with intravenous alfentanil 5 micrograms.kg-1 prior to propofol provides excellent conditions for insertion of laryngeal mask with minimal adverse haemodynamic changes.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Apr 1999
Case ReportsChronic subdural haematoma following caesarean section under spinal anaesthesia.
Intracranial subdural haematoma is a rare complication of spinal anaesthesia. This report describes the case of a 31-year-old woman who presented with post partum headache following spinal anaesthesia for caesarean section. Bilateral haematomata were evacuated via burr-holes performed under total intravenous anaesthesia and the patient made a complete and uneventful recovery. The recognized causes of subdural haematoma are discussed.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Apr 1999
Biography Historical ArticleThe Coxeter Boyle Gas Anaesthesia Apparatus.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Apr 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialClonidine and cardiac surgery: haemodynamic and metabolic effects, myocardial ischaemia and recovery.
Clonidine may have beneficial effects in patients undergoing major surgery. We enrolled 156 patients having elective CABG surgery in a double-blind, randomized trial. Patients were randomized to receive either two doses of placebo (Group PP) or clonidine 5 micrograms/kg (Group CC). ⋯ Clonidine resulted in a number of significant (P < 0.05) haemodynamic changes, particularly pre-CPB: less tachycardia and hypertension, more bradycardia and hypotension. Clonidine was associated with a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in anaesthetic drug usage, higher creatinine clearance, lower cortisol excretion and improvement in some aspects of quality of life. This study lends support to consideration of clonidine therapy in patients undergoing CABG surgery.