Der Anaesthesist
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
[The clinical significance of drug interactions between opiates and calcium antagonists. A randomized double-blind study using fentanyl and nimodipine within the framework of postoperative intravenous on-demand analgesia].
It is widely accepted that the nociceptive state and opiate-induced nociception are regulated at least in part by calcium ions. Animal experiments suggest that systemically or intracerebroventricularly applied calcium antagonizes analgesic effects, whereas calcium chelating agents or calcium channel blockers enhance them. Recently, von Bormann et al. [3] reported a fentanyl-saving effect in cardiovascular patients who had received an intraoperative infusion of nimodipine; this finding was discussed as a possible synergistic analgesic interaction. ⋯ Fentanyl consumption, pain scores (actual and retrospective), blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and side-effects were monitored. The mean duration of patient-controlled analgesia was 16 (P) to 19 (N) h, during which time 0.64 +/- 0.46 (N) to 0.79 +/- 0.43 (P) micrograms fentanyl/kg/h was demanded. Pain relief was very satisfactory in 92.5% of the patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Patients scheduled for operation of an abdominal aortic aneurysm are a challenge to the anesthesiologist due to multiple coexisting diseases and serious intraoperative hemodynamic changes caused by cross-clamping. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of intra- and postoperative complications and to analyze the coexisting diseases in order to estimate complications and risks.
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Colonization of the oropharynx with potentially pathogenic microorganisms (PPM) is a highly significant factor in the pathogenesis of bacterial pneumonia in intensive care patients. Via colonization of the oropharynx, bacteria pass into the tracheobronchial tree, where they can give rise to pneumonia after overcoming pulmonary resistance mechanisms. By a new, prophylactic antibiotic treatment schedule consisting in selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) with locally applied nonabsorbable antibiotics, Stoutenbeek achieved drastic lowering of the colonization and infection rate in trauma patients. ⋯ The SDD schedule proved to be effective with regard to the rate of infection. In the control group, 35 patients developed pneumonia (42%) as against 5 patients receiving SDD prophylaxis (6%). The duration of mechanical ventilation in the patients with pneumonia was 5 days longer than in patients without pneumonia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
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A patient (ASA class I) scheduled for an elective gynecological operation, could not be intubated by conventional means, as no part of the glottis could be seen on direct laryngoscopy. Endotracheal intubation was successful on the first attempt using a lighted intubation stylet (Tube-Stat, Concept Corporation, Clearwater, Florida, USA). Transillumination of the neck tissues acted as a guide for correct placement of the endotracheal tube. ⋯ We employed the Tube-Stat light-wand in a series of routine surgical cases with encouraging results. Our case report documents our first patient intubated with the light-wand after failure of conventional larnygoscopy. The first lighted stylet was described some 30 years ago, and the method of transillumination as an aid in difficult intubation developed over the following years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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We describe our experience with a new orotracheal tube with low-pressure cuff for anesthesia during endoscopic laryngeal surgery. Twelve consecutive patients (ASA groups II and III) undergoing microlaryngoscopy for diagnostic or operative reasons were intubated orotracheally with the tube. No complications associated with intubation or anesthesia occurred. ⋯ Woodbridge tubes), the microlaryngeal tube gives the surgeon better operating conditions and still permits conventional intermittent positive pressure ventilation without excessive increases in ventilation pressure. The advantages from the low-pressure cuff could only be seen in 7 patients. With this foregoing restriction, we recommend the use of the new microlaryngeal tube for anesthesia during microlaryngoscopy.