Anaesthesia
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The effect of a heat and moisture exchanger on intra-operative aural canal (core) and mean skin temperatures was investigated in elderly patients who had elective total hip arthroplasty under general anaesthesia with artificial ventilation of the lungs. Group 1 (n = 20) did not receive any form of artificial humidification while in group 2 (n = 20) a heat and moisture exchanger was inserted in the breathing system and in group 3 (n = 20) the inspired gases were humidified and warmed at 40 degrees C by means of a heated humidifier. Time of surgery, intravenous fluid administration and operating theatre temperature were standardised. ⋯ Mean skin temperature decreased during anaesthesia and surgery in both groups 1 and 2 (p less than 0.05), while it increased in group 3. There was a significantly greater loss of body heat in groups 1 and 2 compared with group 3 intra-operatively (p less than 0.001). We conclude tha a heat and moisture exchanger did not prevent the decrease in intra-operative body temperature in elderly patients.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Comparison of epidural sufentanil plus clonidine with sufentanil alone for postoperative pain relief.
Sufentanil 25 micrograms plus clonidine 1 microgram/kg administered epidurally was compared with epidural sufentanil 50 micrograms alone in a double-blind fashion for pain relief in 40 patients after abdominal surgery. The duration of complete pain relief was significantly longer in those who received the mixture. Oxygen saturation was reduced 10 and 20 minutes after sufentanil alone, but remained stable after sufentanil and clonidine. There were significant decreases in arterial blood pressure in the latter group that were maximum between 20 and 120 minutes after administration.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of intramuscular ketorolac and morphine in pain control after laparotomy.
Ketorolac, a prostaglandin synthetase-inhibiting analgesic, was compared with morphine for relief of pain after laparotomy for gynaecological surgery. Eighty patients were studied; they were given either ketorolac 30 mg intramuscularly followed by 10 mg 4-hourly as required, or morphine 10 mg intramuscularly 4-hourly as required, administered in a double-blind, randomised fashion. Pain scores (verbal and visual analogue) were recorded at baseline and assessed at 30 and 60 minutes and then hourly for 6 hours. ⋯ A considerable number of patients suffered postoperative nausea and vomiting but there was no difference between the groups. One patient in the ketorolac group had unexplained hypotension. It is concluded that ketorolac can provide effective postoperative analgesia.