Anaesthesia and intensive care
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialSafety and efficacy of target controlled infusion (Diprifusor) vs manually controlled infusion of propofol for anaesthesia.
In this multi-centre, randomized trial, we compared the safety and efficacy of Diprifusor TCI with manually controlled infusion (MCI) of propofol for anaesthesia. With approval, 123 adult male and female patients were studied. Firstly, each investigator anaesthetized five patients to familiarize themselves with Diprifusor TCI. ⋯ There were statistically but not clinically significant differences in mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate. Quality of anaesthesia and ease of control of anaesthesia were similar. We conclude that Diprifusor TCI and MCI are similar in terms of safety and efficacy.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Oct 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical TrialA comparison of 0.5% ropivacaine and 0.5% bupivacaine for axillary brachial plexus anaesthesia.
The purpose of this study was to compare the use of 0.5% ropivacaine with 0.5% bupivacaine for axillary brachial plexus anaesthesia. Sixty-six patients undergoing upper limb surgery were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, multicentre trial. Five patients were subsequently excluded for various reasons. ⋯ These parameters were not statistically different. The duration of partial motor block at the wrist (6.8 v 16.4h) and hand (6.7 v 12.3h) was significantly longer with bupivacaine. Ropivacaine 0.5% and bupivacaine 0.5% appeared equally efficacious as long-acting local anaesthetics for axillary brachial plexus block.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Aug 1998
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialTracheal intubation through the intubating laryngeal mask airway (LMA-Fastrach) in patients with difficult airways.
The intubating laryngeal mask airway was used in 31 adult patients in whom tracheal intubation was known or suspected to be difficult. The intubating laryngeal mask airway was successfully inserted in 30 patients and provided a clinically patent airway. ⋯ Tracheal intubation through the device was successful in 28 of 30 patients (93%). These results suggest that the intubating laryngeal mask airway has a potential role for tracheal intubation in adult patients with difficult airways.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Oct 1997
Multicenter StudyAnalgesia following thoracotomy: a survey of Australian practice.
This survey examines pain management after thoracotomy in Australian hospitals. Questionnaires were sent to senior thoracic anaesthetists at 27 hospitals (16 public and 11 private) with thoracic surgical units. Twenty-six anaesthetists replied and 24 responses were included in the analyses. ⋯ Over half of the respondents reported that post-thoracotomy patients are nursed in a high-dependency area. Seventy-nine percent of respondents selected epidural analgesia as the best available analgesia technique, whereas 21% consider IVPCA to be the best. Only 75% of respondents reported that the type of analgesia they consider best is also the type which they use most frequently.
-
Anaesth Intensive Care · Jun 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical TrialComparison of 0.5% ropivacaine and 0.5% bupivacaine in lumbar epidural anaesthesia for lower limb orthopaedic surgery.
The purpose of this study was to compare the epidural use of 0.5% ropivacaine and 0.5% bupivacaine in patients undergoing lower limb orthopaedic surgery. In a double-blind, randomized, multi-centre study involving 67 patients, thirty-two patients received 20 ml of 0.5% ropivacaine and 35 patients received 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine at the L2,3 or L3,4 interspace. Parameters measured were the onset time, duration and spread of sensory block, the onset time, duration and degree of motor block, the quality of anaesthesia and the heart rate and blood pressure profile during block onset. ⋯ In the bupivacaine group, motor and sensory block were judged to be satisfactory in 71% and 62% of patients respectively. Cardiovascular changes were similar in both groups. No statistical differences were found between the two groups regarding any of the study parameters.