Journal of anesthesia
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Journal of anesthesia · Apr 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialEpidrum(®): a new device to identify the epidural space with an epidural Tuohy needle.
Epidrum(®) is an optimal pressure, loss of resistance device for identifying the epidural space. We investigated the usefulness of Epidrum versus the loss of resistance or hanging drop techniques while performing epidural anesthesia. Eighty adult patients who were scheduled for elective surgery under lumbar epidural anesthesia were randomized into two groups. ⋯ The time required to perform epidural anesthesia was significantly shorter in the Epidrum group than in the control group [28 s (10-76) vs. 90 s (34-185); median (interquartile range)] (p < 0.05). Tuohy needle control was significantly easier in the Epidrum group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Epidrum is useful for performing epidural anesthesia quickly while obtaining good Tuohy needle control.
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The caudal epidural space is a popular site for analgesia in pediatrics. High variation in blind needle placement is common during caudal epidurals, increasing the risk of intravascular and intrathecal spread. Knowledge of safe distances and angles for accessing the caudal epidural space in premature infants can improve the safety of caudal epidural blocks. ⋯ Distances and angles for accessing the caudal epidural space in fetuses do not provide all parameters for safe performance of caudal epidural blocks in premature and low birth weight infants because the apex of the sacral hiatus and the termination of the dura show wide variation in location.
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Journal of anesthesia · Apr 2012
Case ReportsHypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass for minimally invasive mitral valve plasty in adult moyamoya disease.
A 43-year-old man underwent minimally invasive mitral valve plasty of a flail mitral valve. Four years previously, he had been diagnosed with moyamoya disease (MMD) by cerebral magnetic resonance imaging/angiography findings. ⋯ However, hypothermia during CPB can decrease cerebral oxygen consumption and have a cerebral protective effect. We performed a minimally invasive mitral valve plasty, using hypothermic CPB, in a patient with MMD, without any neurological deficits.
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We encountered three cases of lung disorders caused by drowning in the recent large tsunami that struck following the Great East Japan Earthquake. All three were females, and two of them were old elderly. All segments of both lungs were involved in all the three patients, necessitating ICU admission and endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. ⋯ In at least two cases, misswallowing of oil was suspected from the features noted at the time of the detection. Sputum culture for bacteria yielded isolation of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Legionella pneumophila, Burkholderia cepacia, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The cause of tsunami lung may be a combination of chemical induced pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia.