British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Intrapartum epidural catheter migration: a comparative study of three dressing applications.
We compared three types of catheter fixation application for their ability to minimize the incidence and magnitude of epidural catheter movement during labour. Patients were randomized to have their epidural catheter secured by a Tegaderm dressing (group T; n = 35), a Tegaderm dressing plus filter-shoulder fixation (group F; n = 39), or a Niko Epi-Fix dressing (group N; n = 37). ⋯ Outward movement of the catheter was greatest when a Niko Epi-Fix was used (P < 0.01). Concerning minimization of displacement of the epidural catheter per se, only a Tegaderm dressing with additional filter-shoulder fixation proved more effective than using a Niko Epi-Fix dressing (P < 0.05).
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Antinociceptive properties of neurosteroids IV: pilot study demonstrating the analgesic effects of alphadolone administered orally to humans.
Fourteen patients scheduled for orthopaedic knee reconstruction surgery were enrolled in a prospective, double-blind, randomized study in which they received alphadolone (25-500 mg, n = 9) or placebo (lactose, n = 5) given orally 1 h after operation. All the subjects received a standardized general anaesthetic and the same type of surgery followed by physiotherapy using a continuous passive movement machine. Morphine was administered intravenously after operation by patient-controlled analgesia. ⋯ The experiences of these side-effects were all rated as none, mild or moderate. Orally administered alphadolone caused statistically significant reductions in morphine use and simultaneous highly significant reductions in pain scores. We conclude that alphadolone is a useful analgesic in humans when given by the oral route.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Reduced haemostatic factor transfusion using heparinase-modified thrombelastography during cardiopulmonary bypass.
We set out to determine if the heparinase-modified thrombelastogram using anticoagulated blood from patients during cardiac surgery could guide treatment with haemostatic components. In 60 patients a simple algorithm predicted a possible 60-80% decrease in the use of haemostatic components. ⋯ Ten patients in the clinical group received a total of 16 units of fresh frozen plasma and nine platelet concentrates compared with five patients transfused with five units of fresh frozen plasma and one platelet concentrate in the algorithm group. Twelve-hour chest tube losses [algorithm group 470 (295-820) ml, clinically managed group 390 (240-820) ml (median, quartile values)] were not different between groups despite the threefold reduction in the use of haemostatic products, showing that intra-operative monitoring of coagulation in the anticoagulated patient can be used to guide treatment.
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We present an unusual case of hypercapnia and surgical emphysema during transanal endoscopic microsurgery, which led to delayed post-operative ventilatory failure. The hypercapnia and surgical emphysema were secondary to rectal insufflation with carbon dioxide used to facilitate visualization and resection of a rectal tumour. Despite a return to wakefulness after surgery, the patient's level of consciousness deteriorated in the recovery area as a result of hypercapnia. ⋯ On close examination, surgical emphysema was identified in unusual areas, including the anterior abdominal wall, both loins, both groins and the left thigh. Reventilation was required until these unusual carbon dioxide stores had dissipated. We discuss the need for prolonged post-operative vigilance in patients with surgical emphysema secondary to carbon dioxide insufflation, and the risk of delayed ventilatory failure.
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We investigated the relationship between the latency of the Nb wave of the auditory evoked response (AER) and periods of awareness during propofol anaesthesia. In the anaesthetic room before cardiac surgery the AER was recorded continuously in 14 patients. Awareness was measured by the ability of the patient to respond to command using the isolated forearm technique (IFT). ⋯ None of the patients had any recollection of events after the initial induction of anaesthesia as measured by explicit and implicit memory tests. These results suggest that the Nb latency of the AER may represent an indication of awareness in individual patients, but wide inter-patient variability limits its practical usefulness. In addition, because no evidence of memory was demonstrated, even when patients were known to be awake, the relationship between AER and memory processing remains unclear.