Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Feb 1996
ReviewThe laryngeal mask airway--anatomical and physiological implications.
The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is a relatively new general purpose airway which fills a niche between the face mask and tracheal tube, both in terms of anatomical location and degree of invasiveness. It sits in the hypopharynx at the interface between the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, where it forms a circumferential low pressure seal around the glottis. ⋯ This review deals briefly with the concepts behind LMA design and insertion, and focuses on the anatomical and physiological implications of the LMA with respect to the swallowing reflex, the oesophagus, the pharyngeal mucosa, pulmonary defences, pulmonary mechanics and the cardiovascular system. The possible role of the LMA as a monitor of anaesthetic depth and areas of future research are also discussed.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Feb 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialControl of body temperature during abdominal aortic surgery.
Careful control of body temperature during anesthesia aims to prevent cardiocirculatory complications during the phase of recovery from anesthesia. Numerous studies have examined methods for warming the gases breathed by the patient, but the question of whether low flow anesthesia or heat and moisture exchanges can also influence the pattern of body temperature remains unresolved. ⋯ This study shows that anesthesia carried out using low fresh gas flow rates and heat moisture exchanger is able to reduce the fall in mean body temperature, when compared with anesthesia carried out using high fresh gas flow rates and heat moisture exchanger.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Feb 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialPostoperative complaints after spinal and thiopentone-isoflurane anaesthesia in patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Spinal versus general anaesthesia.
The present prospective study investigates the impact of a standardized technique of spinal and general anaesthesia on the incidence and consequences of postanaesthetic complaints dependent on age and sex of patients. ⋯ Spinal anaesthesia was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative complaints and treatments and a shorter surveillance compared to general anaesthesia. Specific complications related to spinal anaesthesia did not depend on age or sex and may allow for recommendation of this technique even in younger and female patients undergoing orthopaedic surgery.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Feb 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe influence of alfentanil pre-treatment on ventilatory effects of doxapram following induction of anaesthesia with propofol.
Hypoventilation may occur following induction of anaesthesia with propofol and is potentiated by concurrent use of opioid drugs. This effect is undesirable in patients who will continue to maintain spontaneous respiration during anaesthesia and surgery. The analeptic drug doxapram is known to have selective respiratory stimulatory effects but its action during induction of anaesthesia has been inconsistent. ⋯ We conclude that doxapram 0.5 mg.kg-1 is effective in augmenting ventilation that has been obtunded following induction of anaesthesia with propofol in patients pre-treated with alfentanil.
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Although several epidural catheterizations in small animals have been reported, all of them were performed surgically and no percutaneous method has been reported. We have established a technique for percutaneous chronic epidural catheterization in rabbits. ⋯ This rabbit model can be used to investigate the effects of epidurally administered drugs.