Anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The effects of general anaesthesia on memory in children: a comparison between propofol and sevoflurane.
We studied the effects of general anaesthesia on memory 7 days and 3 months following elective hernia surgery. Sixty children aged between 7 and 13 years were randomly allocated to receive either propofol or sevoflurane. ⋯ Neither general anaesthetic affected immediate or long-term memory. We conclude that propofol impairs short-term memory postoperatively in children.
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J waves appear on an electrocardiogram as an elevation of the J point in the terminal portion of the QRS complex. J waves are often benign, but may be associated with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. ⋯ When early repolarisation (as shown by electrocardiographic J waves) is observed in the inferior ventricular wall pre-operatively, patients should be carefully monitored. Myocardial ischaemia and the use of drugs that might worsen J waves should be avoided.
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To maximise the effect of a small fluid load, it is occasionally desirable to bolus manually with multiple depressions of a large-capacity syringe. This is usually achieved by placing the syringe on the side port of a three-way tap. ⋯ The piston pump appears to have potential for both tight control of fluid delivery and major high-volume resuscitation. The lightweight nature of the pump and its lack of reliance on gravity may also make it suitable for the pre-hospital setting.