Anaesthesia
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A patient with Friedreich's ataxia was anaesthetised on two occasions. The neuromuscular blocking agent was atracurium 0.5 mg/kg on the first occasion and tubocurarine 0.5 mg/kg on the second. ⋯ This patient did not demonstrate an abnormal response to either relaxant; the operating conditions were satisfactory and recovery was not delayed. These drugs may be safely used in this condition provided that monitoring is adequate.
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Blood glucose levels were measured immediately after induction of anaesthesia and again intraoperatively in 26 children fasted overnight for operations in the morning and 28 children fasted from 8.00 a.m. for afternoon surgery. The mean post-induction glucose concentration of the afternoon surgery group was significantly lower than that of the morning group. ⋯ Anesthesia and surgery caused significant increases in blood glucose levels. It is concluded that pre-operative fasting is well tolerated in healthy pre-school children, regardless of the timing of surgery.