Anaesthesia and intensive care
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The atypical opioid, tramadol, has recently been introduced into Australia and New Zealand. Tramadol's efficacy in a wide range of acute and chronic pain states, its multi-formulation availability, and its low serious side-effect potential at high doses and in prolonged therapy, combine to bestow on it a user-friendly profile, for short- and long-term use in hospitals and communities. This paper reviews the following: its formulation and routes of administration; its unique enantiomeric biochemistry and metabolism; its triple mechanisms of action; its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; its analgesic efficacy compared with other opioids; the indications for its clinical use in a variety of acute and chronic (including cancer) painful states; its specific use in the elderly, in paediatric and in obstetric patients; its adverse event (including drug interaction) and safety profile; its advantages in terms of its relative lack of respiratory depression, major organ toxicity and histamine release, and dependence and abuse potential. The review looks at new uses for this drug and what can be expected in this area in the future.
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Damage to teeth is the most common complaint against anaesthetists. A dental history and oral examination are important before anaesthesia. Pre-existing dental pathology or the presence of prostheses makes damage more likely but sound teeth may be affected. ⋯ Custom mouthguards can be useful. A management plan can help control losses if damage does occur. Patients should be warned about the possibility of dental trauma.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Dec 1999
Meta AnalysisThe effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on postoperative renal function: a meta-analysis.
The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on post-operative renal function. Eight randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded trials (n = 345) were identified from searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register databases. The summary effect size and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated by a weighted mean difference analysis using a random-effects model. ⋯ Urine volume did not change significantly at any time. There was therefore a clinically unimportant transient reduction in renal function. NSAIDs should not be withheld from patients with normal preoperative renal function because of concerns about postoperative renal impairment.
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Prone positioning to improve oxygenation in acute lung injury was first reported over 20 years ago. Although this and several subsequent studies have shown that prone positioning improved oxygenation in the majority of patients, it has failed to become common practice in intensive care units. This paper reviews the mechanism by which prone positioning improves oxygenation and the clinical studies of its use to date.
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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.