Anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A prospective, randomised clinical evaluation of a new safety-orientated injectable drug administration system in comparison with conventional methods.
Fifteen anaesthetists were observed while providing anaesthesia for 15 pairs of adult cardiac surgical operations, using conventional methods for one of each pair and a new drug administration system designed to reduce error for the other. Aspects of each method were rated by users on 10-cm visual analogue scales (10 being best). ⋯ The new system saved preparation time both before anaesthesia (median [range] = 180 [32-480] vs. 360 [120-600] s; p=0.013) and during anaesthesia (10 [2-38] vs. 12 [10-60] s; p=0.009). Prefilled syringes for the new system increased costs by euro 23.00 per anaesthetic (p = 0.041), but this increase is likely to be offset by the potential of the new system to decrease costly iatrogenic harm by preventing drug error.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Bougie-assisted difficult airway management in a manikin - the effect of position held on placement and force exerted by the tip.
In a randomised cross-over study, 50 anaesthetists attempted to place a multiple-use bougie in the trachea of a manikin, when holding it at either 20 cm or 30 cm from the tip. A grade 3 laryngoscopic view was simulated. The anaesthetists were blinded to success (tracheal placement) or failure (oesophageal placement). ⋯ The peak force exerted by the single-use bougies was two to three times greater than that which could be exerted by the multiple-use bougies (p < 0.0001). Holding the bougie at either 20 or 30 cm distance from the tip is unlikely to influence bougie placement. The single-use bougie is much more likely to cause trauma to tissue during placement, particularly if held close to the tip.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A comparison of 8% and 12% sevoflurane for inhalation induction in adults.
Sevoflurane is a non-pungent volatile anaesthetic agent with a low blood-gas solubility coefficient. It has been studied in concentrations of up to 8% for induction of anaesthesia. Previous work has suggested that there may be a ceiling effect with increasing concentration of sevoflurane above 6%, but there are no published studies using 12% sevoflurane. ⋯ Sevoflurane was administered using two adapted datum vaporisers with the interlock removed. Induction with 12% sevoflurane compared to 8% sevoflurane produced a significant decrease in the time to achieve central pupils, corresponding to surgical anaesthesia and the third part of Guedel's stage 3 of anaesthesia (mean time (SD) 201 s (81) and 247 s (39), respectively, p < 0.05). Twelve-percent sevoflurane produced a similar stable cardiovascular profile to 8% sevoflurane, and there was no increase in respiratory complications.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of four different emergency airway access equipment sets on a human patient simulator.
This study used a patient simulator to study the ease of use and efficacy of four currently available cricothyroidotomy sets. We assessed the success of insertion of each piece of equipment and measured the subsequent adequacy of oxygenation and ventilation. ⋯ There was an unacceptably high failure rate in achieving a patent airway when using the 'Transtracheal airway catheter with ENK-flow modulator' and 'Patil's airway'. The pre-assembled and user-friendly 'Quiktrach' set provided the fastest and most effective means of oxygenation in the simulated patient requiring an emergency surgical airway.