Journal of clinical anesthesia
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To determine the accuracy of body surface area (BSA) calculations proposed in the literature and their applicability to patient populations such as neonates and parturients. ⋯ Several BSA formulas, including the DuBois and DuBois formulas adequately predict measured BSA over a wide range of patient populations. Although the original subjects studied by Dubois and DuBois excluded extremes of height and weight, their formula appears to be a valid predictor.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Do heated humidifiers and heat and moisture exchangers prevent temperature drop during lower abdominal surgery?
To compare the effects of using a heated humidifier (HH), a heat and moisture exchanger (HME), or no warming device in maintaining body temperature during surgical procedures of 1 to 4 hours' duration. ⋯ Results indicate that these warming devices provide little benefit in preventing a temperature drop during procedures of 1 to 4 hours' duration, although patients with an HH tended to have a higher temperature than those with an HME or no device.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Variability of onset times within and among relaxant regimens.
To evaluate the consistency of times to 95% twitch height depression (T95%) in groups of patients receiving identical induction and relaxant regimens. ⋯ The wide variability in onset times among subjects receiving the same regimen indicates that monitoring of neuromuscular response, preferably to a relatively slow rate of neurostimulation, is essential if one elects to use moderate to high doses of atracurium and/or vecuronium for rapid-sequence induction in a patient in whom movement or coughing is unacceptable. Since onset times were not symmetrical about the mean, the magnitude and frequency of unacceptable onset times would not be fully appreciated unless the individual data points were displayed. Such information may be critical when reporting the suitability of a neuromuscular blocking drug for rapid intubation.
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We describe the first case report of an epidural autologous blood patch used for the treatment of a durocutaneous fistula caused by a surgical dural tear. The epidural blood patch cured the patient's headache and was followed by a sequelae of back pain that responded to conservative therapy.