Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d'anesthésie
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Ideally, preoxygenation is performed using a tight fitting mask either by breathing normally for three to five minutes or with four to eight vital capacity (VC) breaths in 0.5 to one minute, but in practice leaks are frequent and sometimes unavoidable. This study was designed to determine which breathing method provided the best oxygenation in the presence of leak. ⋯ Preoxygenation with tidal volume breathing for three minutes yields higher F(EO(2)) in comparison to four VCs. If a small leak (4 mm internal diameter) is introduced, the F(EO(2)) decreases significantly with both breathing methods to approximately 60%.
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The significance of intraoperative somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) monitoring is well known during spinal surgery. This technology could be beneficial during peripheral nerve surgery as well. In order to illustrate potential applications, two cases of successful peripheral nerve release demonstrated by on-line, intraoperative, SSEP are reported. Clinical and technical features: The first case presents a complex brachial plexus lesion involving two mixed sensory-motor nerves: median and ulnar. The second case involved an entrapment neuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, a pure sensory nerve (meralgia paresthetica). For each patient we elicited specific peripheral nerve SSEP (recorded using bipolar cephalic montage) by stimulating each nerve independently. In each case, during difficult nerve dissection and after having excluded other possible factors of intraoperative SSEP variations, an increase of the SSEP amplitude was observed, and later correlated with favourable patient clinical outcome. ⋯ Two cases demonstrate that intraoperative SSEP monitoring may provide an effective tool to guide surgical dissection during peripheral nerve release. This technique has potentially beneficial clinical applications and warrants further investigation.
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Comparative Study
Audio spectrum and sound pressure levels vary between pulse oximeters.
The variable-pitch pulse oximeter is an important intraoperative patient monitor. Our ability to hear its auditory signal depends on its acoustical properties and our hearing. This study quantitatively describes the audio spectrum and sound pressure levels of the monitoring tones produced by five variable-pitch pulse oximeters. ⋯ There is considerable variance in the sound pressure and audio spectrum of commercially-available pulse oximeters. Further studies are warranted in order to establish standards.
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Case Reports
Management of acute respiratory distress syndrome using pumpless extracorporeal lung assist.
To describe the use of a pumpless extracorporeal lung assist device in the treatment of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). ⋯ In this case of a severely damaged lung, an arteriovenous pumpless extracorporeal lung assist was a helpful device to remove elevated CO(2) and reduce mechanical stress by applying minimal ventilation. This device is simple to operate and has the potential of being used routinely in the treatment of severe ARDS.