Der Anaesthesist
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The frequency of perioperative allergic responses to latex has markedly increased over the last 10 years. High risk groups to develop sensitivity to latex include healthcare workers, workers in the latex industry, children suffering from congenital malformations such as spina bifida or urogenital deformities and patients who have undergone multiple surgical procedures. ⋯ To prevent anaphylactic reactions, all hospitals have to develop strategies to identify and manage patients sensitised to latex or belonging to high risk groups. The aim of this paper is to describe safe perioperative management in a latex-free environment.
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Comparative Study
[Patient surgical masks during regional anesthesia. Hygenic necessity or dispensable ritual?].
The use of surgical face masks (SFM) is believed to minimize the transmission of oro- and nasopharyngeal bacteria to wounds and surgical instruments. However, there are disadvantages for patients undergoing regional anaesthesia and wearing masks: deficient assessment of lip cyanosis, anxiety, retention of CO2, costs. Up to now no studies have been published investigating whether or not SFMs, worn by patients during regional anaesthesia, will reduce bacterial convection. ⋯ Surgical face masks worn by patients during regional anaesthesia, did not reduce the concentration of airborne bacteria over the operation field in our study. Thus they are dispensable. A higher airborne germ concentration has been detected in patients during general anaesthesia. The reasons for this finding are unknown, but it may be discussed as being a result of a higher activity and number of staff involved during general anaesthesia causing more air turbulence.
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Just three months after the first application of sulphuric ether to a patient in german-speaking countries the monography Die Wirkung des Schwefeläthers in chemischer und physiologischer Beziehung was published. In this book Ernst von Bibra and Emil Harless presented their experimental research on the effects of ether on humans and compared it to those on animals. ⋯ The authors "Theory on the action of ether" will be discussed in the context of contemporary criticism. Their hypothesis affected the discussion on the mechanisms of anaesthetic action up to the twentieth century.