Acta anaesthesiologica Scandinavica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jul 1998
Incidence of venous and paradoxical air embolism in neurosurgical patients in the sitting position: detection by transesophageal echocardiography.
Venous air embolism (VAE) and paradoxical air embolism (PAE) are serious complications associated with the sitting position for neurosurgery. Although PAE is the result of VAE, the incidence of PAE according to the severity of VAE has not been investigated systematically in humans. ⋯ VAE detected by TEE appeared in all patients undergoing neurosurgery in the sitting position and PAE only occurred following the most severe grade of VAE. To prevent growth of VAE is an important prophylactic for PAE.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jul 1998
Comparative StudySpinal cord blood flow after intrathecal injection of ropivacaine and bupivacaine with or without epinephrine in rats.
Ropivacaine is a new local anaesthetic available for spinal and epidural anaesthesia. When new drugs are being introduced for spinal application, their effect on spinal cord blood flow (SCBF) should be studied for safety and toxicological aspects. In the present study, SCBF was studied after intrathecal (i.t.) application of ropivacaine and bupivacaine with and without epinephrine. ⋯ Ropivacaine and bupivacaine produce a dose-related, transient decrease in SCBF following i.t. administration in anaesthetized rats. However, the decrease in SCBF produced by both ropivacaine, when epinephrine was added in a concentration of 5 micrograms/ml. These results suggest that ropivacaine, like bupivacaine, may be used for spinal anaesthesia without important effects on SCBF.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jul 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialNausea and vomiting after dexamethasone versus droperidol following outpatient laparoscopy with a propofol-based general anesthetic.
The purpose of this randomized, double-blinded study was to compare the incidence and severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after dexamethasone versus droperidol following gynecologic laparoscopy, a group at high risk for developing PONV. ⋯ We conclude that PONV is similar with dexamethasone and droperidol, but dexamethasone may have a longer duration of action in patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopy.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jul 1998
ReviewEpidural abscess complicating epidural anesthesia and analgesia. An analysis of the literature.
Epidural abscess is a serious complication of epidural block. Because of its low incidence, the risk factors and the symptoms and cause of epidural abscess related to epidural anesthesia and analgesia are not well known by anesthesiologists. ⋯ The index of suspicion among anesthesiologists, other physicians and nurses taking care of patients with epidural catheters must be increased for this complication; this should shorten the interval from symptoms to treatment and lower the incidence of neurological sequelae.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Scand · Jul 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialNo inhibition of gastro-intestinal propulsion after propofol- or propofol/ketamine-N2O/O2 anaesthesia. A comparison of gastro-caecal transit after isoflurane anaesthesia.
Gastrointestinal motility may be considerably reduced by anaesthesia and or surgery resulting in postoperative ileus. Inhibition of propulsive gut motility is especially marked after an opioid-based technique. Little, however, is known of the gastrointestinal effects of the hypnotic propofol when given continuously over a longer period of time, which is the case in total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) and in intensive care sedation. We therefore set out to study the effects of a propofol-based nitrous oxide/oxygen anaesthesia (group PO) on gastro-caecal transit time. The results were compared with a propofol-ketamine technique (group PK) and an isoflurane-based anaesthesia (group I; each group n = 20). ⋯ The data suggest that propofol, even when given as a continuous infusion, does not alter gastrointestinal tract motility more than a standard isoflurane anaesthesia. The data may be particularly relevant to patients who are likely to develop postoperative ileus. They also suggest that in an ICU setting propofol does not alter gut motility more than a sedation technique with the analgesic ketamine.