Anaesthesia
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Propofol auto-co-induction as an alternative to midazolam co-induction for ambulatory surgery.
We propose the use of an intravenous propofol/propofol auto-co-induction technique as an alternative to propofol/midazolam for induction of anaesthesia. We have studied 54 unpremedicated ASA 1 or 2 patients undergoing day-stay anaesthesia for minor orthopaedic surgery. All received 10 micrograms.kg-1 or alfentanil before induction, followed by either midazolam 0.05 mg.kg-1, propofol 0.4 mg.kg-1 or saline, and 2 min later, a propofol infusion at a rate of 50 mg.kg-1.h-1 until loss of eyelash reflex. ⋯ Both co-induction techniques showed less postinduction hypotension and significant reduction of the total induction dose of propofol when compared to the control group. In the propofol/propofol group there was a decreased incidence of apnoea during induction of anaesthesia. These patients were discharged from hospital 2 h after the end of anaesthesia whereas patients in the midazolam/propofol group were discharged after 2 1/2 h (p < 0.001).
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Safe pre-operative fasting times after milk or clear fluid in children. A preliminary study using real-time ultrasound.
Gastric emptying of orange-flavoured glucose (group I), low-fat milk (group II) and breast milk (group III) was evaluated in 45 ASA grade I children of < or = 5 years of age by using real-time ultrasonography and residual gastric volume and pH was then measured. In 15 more children, residual gastric volume and pH was measured after a midnight fast (group IV). Mean (SD) gastric emptying time in group I was 1.53 (0.25) h (range 1.00-1.75), group II 2.32 (0.31) h (range 1.75-2.75) and group III 2.43 (0.27) h (range 2.00-2.75). ⋯ The incidence of 'at risk' children in group IV was 33.3%. It was concluded that 3% fat milk or 17.5% glucose in a volume of 10 ml.kg-1 (maximum volume of 100 ml) can be given in children safely 3 h and 2 h, respectively, before anaesthesia. More real-time studies are required on breast milk to establish guidelines for its potential use as a pre-operative feed 3 h before anaesthesia.
-
Eighty-three cases of brain stem death referred to the South Thames Transplant Co-ordination Service were audited to determine the quality of brain stem death test records. Documentation of brain stem death tests were complete in only 41 (44%) cases at the time of referral. ⋯ There is a necessity to improve the quality of brain stem death test documentation in order to facilitate organ donation and safeguard the integrity of brain stem death testing. This requires a commitment by clinicians to improve the quality of documentation, which can be accomplished by recording all aspects of brain stem death tests, including the conclusion on a single designated checklist.