Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialPostoperative patient-controlled thoracic epidural analgesia: importance of dose compared to volume or concentration.
This randomised and blinded study evaluated the quality of analgesia and the incidence of side-effects of two concentrations of levobupivacaine (0.15% and 0.5%) given as an equal mg-bolus-dose (5 mg) via patient-controlled epidural analgesia after lower abdominal surgery. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either 0.15% levobupivacaine as a 3.3 ml bolus on demand, with a lockout interval of 30 minutes (n=30), or 0.5% levobupivacaine as a 1 ml bolus on demand, with a similar lockout interval (n=30). For both groups we combined the bolus on demand with a background infusion of 5 mg/hour levobupivacaine, i.e. 3.3 ml/hour 0.15% or 1 ml/hour 0.5% of levobupivacaine. ⋯ The following variables were registered in the 48 hours after surgery: upper and lower sensory block, pain scores at rest and after coughing, rescue morphine consumption, motor blockade, haemodynamic (arterial blood pressure and heart rate), nausea and vomiting, and patient satisfaction ratings. The two groups had similar sensory block, quality of analgesia, rescue morphine consumption requirement, motor blockade and side-effects, and both had a high satisfaction rate. These findings indicate that administering the same dose of levobupivacaine in either a low or high concentration via the patient-controlled epidural analgesia mode, combined with a background infusion, provides an equal quality of analgesia for low thoracic level epidurals with no difference in the incidence of side-effects.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyAcid-base effects of a bicarbonate-balanced priming fluid during cardiopulmonary bypass: comparison with Plasma-Lyte 148. A randomised single-blinded study.
Fluid-induced metabolic acidosis can be harmful and can complicate cardiopulmonary bypass. In an attempt to prevent this disturbance, we designed a bicarbonate-based crystalloid circuit prime balanced on physico-chemical principles with a strong ion difference of 24 mEq/l and compared its acid-base effects with those of Plasma-Lyte 148, a multiple electrolyte replacement solution containing acetate plus gluconate totalling 50 mEq/l. Twenty patients with normal acid-base status undergoing elective cardiac surgery were randomised 1:1 to a 2 litre prime of either bicarbonate-balanced fluid or Plasma-Lyte 148. ⋯ We conclude that a bicarbonate-based crystalloid with a strong ion difference of 24 mEq/l is balanced for cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with normal acid-base status, whereas Plasma-Lyte 148 triggers a surge of unmeasured anions, persisting throughout bypass. These are likely to be gluconate and/or acetate. Whether surges of exogenous anions during bypass can be harmful requires further study.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 2008
Comparative StudyContinuous interscalene analgesia for rotator cuff repair: a retrospective comparison of effectiveness and cost in 205 patients from a multi-provider private practice setting.
Several barriers exist to the routine use of continuous interscalene block (CISB) for postoperative analgesia following rotator cuff repair There is a perception that the technique is feasible only for single operators exposed to a high volume case load. The aim of this retrospective review was to compare the three commonly employed analgesic techniques following rotator cuff repair in a multi-provider setting. The techniques studied were CISB, combined single injection interscalene block with postoperative intermittent intra-articular local anaesthetic infiltration (SSISB/IA) and intermittent intra-articular only local anaesthetic infiltration (IA). ⋯ The proportion of subjects requiring more than one antiemetic for the same period was 1.9% in the CISB group, 16.4% for the SSISB/IA group and 36.1% for the IA group (P < 0.0001). Costs related to the analgesic technique were similar in each group. CISB following rotator cuff repair in a multi-provider setting was associated with reduced total opioid/tramadol and antiemetic consumption, and occurred without a significant increase in the monetary cost.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialEvaluation of the efficacy of magnesium sulphate as an adjuvant to lignocaine for intravenous regional anaesthesia for upper limb surgery.
Several additives have been combined with local anaesthetics for intravenous regional anaesthesia to improve block quality, analgesia and to decrease tourniquet pain. Magnesium sulphate is one potential additive. This prospective, randomised, double-blinded study was conducted in 30 ASA physical status I or II patients undergoing upper limb surgery under tourniquet. ⋯ There was a statistically significant difference in visual analogue scale for tourniquet pain at 10 and 30 minutes after tourniquet inflation (lower in group M). These findings indicate that magnesium sulphate added as an adjuvant to lignocaine hastens the onset of sensory and motor block and decreases tourniquet pain. However there is increased incidence of transient pain on injection if magnesium sulphate is added.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Nov 2008
Review Case ReportsPalatopharyngeal wall perforation during Glidescope intubation.
We report a case of palatopharyngeal wall perforation during intubation with a GlideScope laryngoscope. The likely mechanism was advancing and rotating the endotracheal tube against a taut palatopharyngeal fold. This was missed during the initial laryngoscopy, because there is a potential blind-spot in the oropharynx when attention is focused on the GlideScope" monitor Fortunately, there were no sequelae other than minor bleeding and a mild sore throat and no surgical intervention was necessary. The use of unnecessary force during the endotracheal tube insertion, the use of too large a laryngoscope blade and the use of a rigid stylet could possibly also have been contributory factors to this complication.