Anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Epidural catheter fixation: subcutaneous tunnelling with a loop to prevent displacement.
A method of fixing the epidural catheter by subcutaneous tunnelling and looping was devised. A prospective, randomised, double-blind, clinical trial was conducted in 68 adult patients, where postoperative pain relief was planned by thoracic epidural analgesia. In the tunnelled group (n = 34), the epidural catheter was fixed with a subcutaneous tunnel and loop, whereas in controls (n = 34), a simple loop of epidural catheter was left over the skin without tunnelling. ⋯ The method described allows the catheter to lie flat on the skin and outward traction of the catheter during movement of patients is dampened by the interposed loop which protects it against dislodgement. At the time of removal, both ends of the catheter can be removed under direct vision. In conclusion, we recommend this fixation method in cases where epidural analgesia is to be used for postoperative pain relief.
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Comparative Study
Costing anaesthetic practice. An economic comparison of regional and general anaesthesia for varicose vein and inguinal hernia surgery.
A computerised database of operating theatre activity was used to estimate the costs of regional and general anaesthesia for varicose vein and inguinal hernia surgery. Data retrieved for each procedure included the anaesthetic technique and drugs used, and the duration of anaesthesia, surgery and recovery. The costs of anaesthetic drugs and disposables, salary costs of the anaesthetic personnel and maintenance costs for anaesthetic equipment were considered. ⋯ Anaesthetic times were 5 min longer for regional anaesthesia, but recovery times were 10 min shorter following regional anaesthesia for varicose vein surgery. Staff costs were dependent on the length of time each staff member spent with the patient. Although the number of cases was small, provision of a field block and sedation for inguinal hernia repair was considerably cheaper than other anaesthetic techniques.
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We studied the efficacy of the laryngeal tube (VBM, Germany) during intermittent positive-pressure ventilation in 50 patients. After induction of anaesthesia and neuromuscular blockade, a size 4 laryngeal tube was inserted for patients of height 155 cm or greater. After insertion of the laryngeal tube, its pharyngeal and oesophageal balloons were inflated to an intracuff pressure of 60 cmH(2)O. ⋯ Median [interquartile range (range)] leak pressure was 30 [20-30 (6 to > 30)] cmH(2)O. Median [interquartile range (range)] tidal volume was 587 [533-653 (133-800)] ml or 8.8 [8.2-10.6 (1.9-12.6)] ml.kg(-1). We conclude that the laryngeal tube has a potential role in airway management during intermittent positive-pressure ventilation for anaesthesia or cardiopulmonary resuscitation.