Anaesthesia
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
SCOTI vs. Wee. An assessment of two oesophageal intubation detection devices.
The SCOTI (Sonomatic Confirmation of Tracheal Intubation) is a newly marketed electronic device that relies on recognition of a resonating frequency for detection of tracheal intubation. It was compared with the modified Wee oesophageal intubation detection device, which works on a mechanical principle, in 50 elective surgical patients. All had simultaneous tracheal and oesophageal intubations. ⋯ The SCOTI device incorrectly identified 1 of 50 tracheal intubations and was unable to identify the position of another. It correctly identified all 50 oesophageal intubations. The SCOTI is no better than the simple, cheap and reliable Wee device.
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Comment Letter Comparative Study
Comparison of the Macintosh and McCoy laryngoscope blades.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
A non-rebreathing coaxial anaesthesia system: dependence of end-tidal gas concentrations on fresh gas flow and tidal volume.
A non-rebreathing adaptation of the Bain coaxial anaesthesia circuit was developed in Nepal as a simple and economical anaesthetic system for underdeveloped countries. It was made by inserting a coaxial (Bain) tubing between an Ambu-E valve and an Ambu self-inflating bag. The present study examined the dependence of end-tidal gas concentrations on fresh gas flow and tidal volume during halothane/oxygen/air inhalation anaesthesia. ⋯ With increasing fresh gas flow rates, there were proportionate increases in the end-tidal concentrations of oxygen and halothane; with decreasing tidal volume and therefore less air dilution, there were proportionate increases in the end-tidal concentrations of carbon dioxide, oxygen and halothane. Both effects were statistically and clinically significant. Thus, when this system is used as described, the end-tidal concentrations of oxygen and halothane are highly dependent upon both the fresh gas flow and the tidal volume.
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The Short Form 36 was used to compare critically ill patients' premorbid quality of life with normal values and investigate any changes following 6 months convalescence. One hundred and sixty-six survivors completed the Short Form 36 at discharge from intensive care. The answers given by survivors were significantly lower than normal for all dimensions. ⋯ After 6 months, 95 questionnaires were returned. Patients who had suffered acute pathologies reported significant decreases in quality of life whilst other patients with pre-existing ill health reported significant improvement with reduced pain and better mental health, vitality and social function. This study suggests that quality of life of most patients admitted to intensive care is not as good as in the normal population but does not deteriorate except for those patients admitted after acute life-threatening events.
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We report the findings of a study on exposure of operating room staff to sevoflurane, halothane and nitrous oxide during induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in children. Concentrations of anaesthetic agents in the operating theatre were measured directly by highly sensitive, photoacoustic infrared spectrometer during 20 anaesthetics. ⋯ The threshold values of 100 ppm N2O, 50 ppm isoflurane and 10 ppm halothane recommended by the United Kingdom Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) were exceeded in several cases for a short time during mask induction. After tracheal intubation, trace concentrations of sevoflurane, halothane and N2O were mostly under the recommended levels and comparable to levels measured during adult anaesthesia.