Anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Laparoscopy--a stressful procedure.
The metabolic and hormonal response to laparoscopy was investigated in 22 patients, in whom nitrous oxide-oxygen anaesthesia was supplemented with either 150 micrograms fentanyl or an Althesin infusion. There were significant increases in plasma cortisol (p less than 0.05) from 303 to 458 mmol/litre and prolactin from 1869 to 3918 mU/litre (p less than 0.01) at the end of laparoscopy in both groups of patients; these were sustained during the first hour of the recovery period. ⋯ The blood glucose concentration increased significantly (p less than 0.05) from 4.43 to 5.36 mmol/litre in the fentanyl patients only during the recovery period. There was no significant difference between the metabolic and hormonal changes observed with the two anaesthetic techniques.
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A survey of nurses and anaesthetists in a 500-bed teaching hospital set out to discover how they located a drug container in order to read its label and verify its contents. Members of each group assessed the value of seven factors thought to help in this location and answered questions on personal errors in drug administration. ⋯ This preference for colour and a distinctive container can be used to reduce the chance of confusing drugs locally. A scheme for colour-coding ampoules in broad groups to reduce gross mistakes in the future is presented.
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A simple suction device is described, suitable for portable resuscitation kits. It can be made cheaply, from parts already available in most hospitals and is reliable and effective.