Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · May 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyAnti-emetic effect of midazolam added to morphine patient-controlled analgesia after total abdominal hysterectomy.
Nausea and vomiting are frequent adverse effects of patient-controlled analgesia with opioids. This study was designed to compare the effect of midazolam to that of ondansetron for prevention of nausea and vomiting during morphine patient-controlled analgesia. In a randomised, double-blind, prospective trial, 90 patients were allocated to one of three groups of 30 each, to receive one of three patient-controlled analgesia regimens to manage postoperative pain: a combination of midazolam and morphine (group M), a mixture of ondansetron and morphine (group O) or morphine alone (group C). ⋯ The frequency of nausea and vomiting was significantly lower in groups M (27%) and O (37%) compared with group C (70%) (P < 0.05). The incidence of mild sedation in group M was significantly higher than that in groups O or C (P < 0.05). We conclude that midazolam is as effective as ondansetron in preventing opioid-induced nausea and vomiting following total abdominal hysterectomy and has acceptable side-effects.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · May 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of gabapentin on pain after cardiac surgery: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
This study evaluated whether perioperative administration of gabapentin in cardiac surgery patients could reduce postoperative opioid consumption, postoperative sleep or perceived quality of recovery. This randomised controlled trial assigned 60 patients undergoing cardiac surgery to receive 1200 mg of gabapentin or placebo two hours preoperatively, and then 600 mg of gabapentin or placebo twice a day for the next two postoperative days. Postoperative opioid use was measured by the amount of fentanyl used in the first 48 hours postoperatively. ⋯ Fentanyl use, visual analog pain scores, sleep scores, adjunctive pain medication use and number of anti-emetics given were not significantly different between the gabapentin and placebo groups. The incidence of side-effects was similar between the gabapentin and placebo groups, and no difference was found between groups in relation to quality of recovery. These findings indicate that preoperative use of gabapentin followed by postoperative dosing for two days did not significantly affect the postoperative pain, sleep, opioid consumption or patient-perceived quality of recovery for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · May 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyCaudal epidural block in children: comparison of needle insertion parallel with caudal canal versus conventional two-step technique.
This study compared the technique of inserting the needle for caudal epidural blockade in a single pass parallel to the caudal canal versus the conventional technique of approaching the caudal canal with the needle at a steeper angle. Seventy-five patients, aged 0 to 72 months, scheduled for urological surgery were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: a conventional method group (caudal block performed with conventional needle insertion, n=40) and a new method group (needle inserted into the skin at an angle of 200 and into the caudal space without redirection, n=35). ⋯ Subcutaneous placement of the needle after the first attempt occurred in two cases in the conventional method group and three cases in the new method group. Bloody tap occurred in four cases, all in the conventional method group and none in the new method group. When required, the second pass was successful in all cases.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · May 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialEffects of clonidine on recovery after sevoflurane anaesthesia in children undergoing cataract surgery.
This trial assessed the effects of two doses of clonidine compared with placebo on the quality and speed of recovery in children premedicated with oral midazolam and anaesthetised with sevoflurane for cataract surgery. One hundred and twenty American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I to II children (aged one to six years), premedicated with oral midazolam 0.5 mg/kg and undergoing elective unilateral cataract surgery with sevoflurane anaesthesia were studied. Children were randomised to intravenous clonidine 1 microg/kg (group C1, n=39), 2 microg/kg (group C2, n=41) or normal saline (group NS, n=40). ⋯ There were no significant effects on blood pressure and heart rate. Intravenous clonidine 1 microg/kg is effective for reducing agitation after sevoflurane anaesthesia and midazolam premedication in children undergoing cataract surgery. Intravenous clonidine 2 microg/kg was also effective and for a longer period, but was associated with a longer time to discharge.