Anaesthesia and intensive care
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Dec 1994
Comparative StudyThe incendiary characteristics of the laryngeal and reinforced laryngeal mask airway to CO2 laser strike--a comparison with two polyvinyl chloride tracheal tubes.
The incendiary characteristics of the laryngeal and reinforced laryngeal mask airway to the CO2 laser have been compared with two polyvinyl chloride tracheal tubes. Three different power densities (2.35, 4.7 and 9.8 x 10(3) watt/cm2) were used, with either oxygen or a 30% oxygen/70% nitrous oxide mixture flowing down the tube. The laryngeal mask airway (and reinforced model) was shown to be more resistant than the polyvinyl chloride tracheal tubes. ⋯ At this power density the polyvinyl chloride tube ignited in 2 to 8 seconds and the cuff was penetrated in 0.1 seconds. At the highest power density the tubes of all airways ignited within 0.2 seconds. The possibilities for improving the incendiary characteristics of the laryngeal mask airway are discussed.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Dec 1994
Patterns of coagulopathy during liver transplantation: experience with the first 75 cases using thrombelastography.
Using both conventional laboratory clotting profile and thrombelastography, coagulation status was monitored intraoperatively during liver transplantation in the first 75 cases performed at the Austin Hospital between June 1988 and October 1992. Superimposed on a baseline coagulopathy due to liver disease is a specific pattern of coagulation disturbance which occurs during a liver transplant. Fibrinolysis occurs in the anhepatic stage, worsens with early reperfusion and then spontaneously resolves. ⋯ It is particularly useful in liver transplant surgery. In combination with clinical bleeding assessment it facilitates selective use of component therapy (fresh frozen plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate) and specific drug treatment only when it is appropriate. It also acts as a liver function test, being especially useful in assessing the graft after reperfusion.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Dec 1994
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of patient-controlled analgesia and nurse-controlled infusion analgesia after cardiac surgery.
A randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted on 72 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery to compare patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) to nurse-titrated infusion of morphine. Pain and nausea scores were assessed at 5, 20, 32 and 44 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass. Serum cortisol estimations were performed at 24 and 48 hours, and morphine consumption was measured at 0-24 and 24-48 hours. ⋯ There was a significant association between pain and serum cortisol at 48 hours (P = 0.023). This study also found a tenfold difference in the amount of morphine used (range = 11 to 108 mg), with no significant association with patient age or sex. We could find no significant benefit from the routine use of PCA in cardiac surgical patients.
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Anaesth Intensive Care · Dec 1994
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialP6 acupressure and nausea and vomiting after gynaecological surgery.
We studied the effect of P6 acupressure on 46 women undergoing laparotomy for major gynaecological surgery who received patient-controlled analgesia. Half the patients received acupressure at the P6 site, the remainder received acupressure at a "sham" site. There was a reduction in the requests for anti-emetic therapy in the group receiving P6 acupressure but there was no difference in the incidence of nausea and vomiting. There was no difference in total morphine consumption between the two groups.