Anaesthesia and intensive care
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Oct 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialPain during injection of propofol: the effect of prior administration of ephedrine.
Propofol causes pain on intravenous injection in 28 to 90% of patients. A number of techniques have been tried to minimize propofol-induced pain, with variable results. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we compared the efficacy of ephedrine 30 microg/kg pretreatment to lignocaine 40 mg for prevention of propofol-induced pain. ⋯ In the lignocaine group, propofol-induced pain was observed in only 13 (42%) when compared with other study groups (P<0.05). Pretreatment with ephedrine 30 microg/kg did not attenuate pain associated with intravenous injection of propofol, nor did it improve haemodynamic stability during induction. However, pretreatment with 2% lignocaine (40 mg) was effective in attenuating propofol-associated pain.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Oct 2004
Review Comparative StudyThe single-connector technique for initial placement of double-lumen tubes.
Due to the presence of major lung or extra-pulmonary pathology, which may be unilateral or bilateral, the initial placement of a double-lumen tube is not always straightforward. Although fibreoptic bronchoscopy is often used to confirm "correct" placement, a "blind" technique is frequently used for the initial insertion. ⋯ On a purely "number of steps" basis, the single-connector approach has several advantages. Furthermore, use of a technique that involves bronchial cuff inflation and single-lung ventilation as a first manoeuvre may reduce the risk of a temporarily malplaced double-lumen tube creating a potentially harmful ball-valve effect in a partially obstructed lobe or lung.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Oct 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialGum elastic bougie-guided insertion of the ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway.
We tested the hypothesis that gum elastic-bougie-guided insertion of the ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway is more frequently successful than introducer tool guided insertion after failed digital insertion. One hundred anaesthetized patients (ASA 1-2, aged 18 to 80 years) were randomized for the second insertion attempt using either the gum elastic bougie-guided or introducer tool techniques. The bougie-guided technique involved priming the drain tube with the bougie, placing the bougie in the oesophagus using laryngoscope guidance, digital insertion along the palato-pharyngeal curve, and bougie removal. ⋯ The aetiology of failed insertion was similar for the digital and introducer tool techniques in 94% (33/35) of patients. There was no blood staining on the bougie, laryngoscope or introducer tool at removal, but blood staining was more common on the ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway with the introducer tool technique (9/50 vs 2/50, P=0.03). We conclude that the gum elastic bougie-guided insertion has a higher success rate and causes less trauma than the insertion tool insertion technique after failed digital insertion of the ProSeal Laryngeal Mask Airway.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Oct 2004
Comparative StudyDelayed epidural catheter removal: the impact of postoperative coagulopathy.
A retrospective analysis of 413 patients who received postoperative epidural analgesia under a standardized protocol found that 84 (20%) had a duration of epidural catheterization of greater than four days. The most common reasons were significant pain (n=64, 15%) and coagulopathy (n=26, 6%). Risk factor analysis for coagulopathy showed an odds ratio of 10.1 (95% confidence interval 4.2-24.5) for prolonged epidural catheterization among patients undergoing hepatectomy. ⋯ The signs soon resolved in all except two, one of whom had neuropathy related to intraoperative positioning and the other preoperative weakness. Accidental epidural catheter dislodgement occurred in 29 patients (7%) and is potentially hazardous if coagulopathy is unresolved. The risk-benefit ratio and factors complicating catheter removal, especially coagulopathy, should be considered when deciding whether to use epidural techniques.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Oct 2004
Comparative StudyEarly experience with magnesium administration in Irukandji syndrome.
The administration of magnesium sulphate is a proposed novel therapy for Irukandji syndrome'. In this non-randomized, unblinded case series, data from ten patients who received magnesium salts are reviewed. Magnesium sulphate boluses of 10 to 20 mmol, in the six patients for which there was adequate data, reduced pain scores immediately after administration from 8.7+/-1.5 to 2.8+/-2.8 (Wilcoxon rank-sum test, P=0.03). ⋯ Magnesium requirements in individual patients varied markedly. Pain on injection occurred in four patients, three of whom had received peripherally administered magnesium chloride, and one patient reported transient ptosis after administration of magnesium sulphate 166 mmol over 18 hours in the setting of severe Irukandji syndrome. Magnesium sulphate administration appears to attenuate pain and hypertension in Irukandji syndrome and warrants further evaluation in this setting.