Der Anaesthesist
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Cannulation of the axillary vein is claimed to be an effective and relatively safe access to the central venous (CV) system [2, 4, 5, 8]. However, anatomical landmarks recommended for venous location (Muskulus pectoralis minor, processus coracoideus) are probably hard to identify in the majority of intensive care (ICU) patients. This investigation evaluated unidirectional 8 MHz Doppler ultrasound (US) in locating the axillary vein. ⋯ Although ethical reasons did not allow a randomised comparison with the standard technique, location of the axillary vein by Doppler US is likely to improve cannulation results and reduce complications induced by "blind" needle probing. With a low US intensity score, the rate of successful punctures is lower and complication rates increase. In some patients, e.g., those with extended tumour operations involving the head and neck, CV access via the axillary vein may be of high clinical value.
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We report an oesophageal foreign body in a patient with a seizure disorder secondary to encephalitis disseminata who was transferred to our department of neurosurgery because of rising intracranial pressure. He presented with confusion, motor aphasia, and dysphagia. However, the diagnosis of increased intracranial pressure could not be confirmed clinically or by computed tomography. ⋯ Therefore, an oesophagopharyngotomy was performed and the foreign body extracted. The postoperative course was complicated by pneumonia, which responded well to antibiotic treatment. The patient made an otherwise uneventful recovery and was able to eat without difficulty.
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The advantages of the addition of low-dose sufentanil to local anaesthetics in epidural analgesia during labour (improvement of analgesia, reduction of total dose of local anaesthetic, reduction of rate of instrumental delivery outweigh) far the disadvantages (pruritus, sedation, potential maternal and neonatal respiratory depression). In over 8000 cases, the addition of incremental sufentanil (7.5 micrograms) up to 30 micrograms has not caused any negative effects on newborns, and hence, the addition of sufentanil is justified; it may even be indicated. Sufentanil has not yet been registered for epidural analgesia in Germany, in contrast to other countries. ⋯ Pain during labour is no absolute indication for the addition of sufentanil, but there are considerable arguments for its superiority in comparison to other standard procedures: the side effects and complications are very limited. Justification of this method is relatively easy in view of the fact that sufentanil has already been registered for peridural analgesia in obstetrics in many other countries. Last but not least, the patient must give informed consent before any procedure can be performed.