British journal of anaesthesia
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Review Meta Analysis
Neuromuscular monitoring and postoperative residual curarisation: a meta-analysis.
We conducted a meta-analysis to examine the effect of intraoperative monitoring of neuromuscular function on the incidence of postoperative residual curarisation (PORC). PORC has been considered present when a patient has a train-of-four (TOF) ratio of < 0.7 or < 0.9. We analysed data from 24 trials (3375 patients) that were published between 1979 and 2005. ⋯ A simple peripheral nerve stimulator was used in 543 patients, and an objective monitor was used in 280. The incidence of PORC was found to be significantly lower after the use of intermediate neuromuscular blocking drugs. We could not demonstrate that the use of an intraoperative neuromuscular function monitor decreased the incidence of PORC.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Randomized, double-blind comparison of patient-controlled epidural infusion vs nurse-administered epidural infusion for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing colonic resection.
There is little published evidence of the analgesic efficacy of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) for postoperative pain relief. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of epidural infusion of bupivacaine 0.125% and fentanyl 4 microg ml(-1) administered by either PCEA with a background infusion or nurse-administered continuous epidural infusion (CEI) after major intra-abdominal surgery. ⋯ PCEA provides greater analgesic efficacy than CEI for postoperative analgesia after major intra-abdominal surgery, and a decreased requirement for physician or nurse intervention.
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Little information is available regarding the neuromuscular effects of sevoflurane in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). We evaluated the neuromuscular effects of sevoflurane alone in patients with MG and in those with normal neuromuscular transmission. ⋯ During sevoflurane anaesthesia, concentration-dependent inhibition of neuromuscular transmission was observed in MG and control patients. The inhibitory effects of sevoflurane were more prominent in MG patients with baseline T4/T1 <0.90.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Hypothermia during laparotomy can be prevented by locally applied warm water and pulsating negative pressure.
Conflicting results have been obtained when using heat and constant negative pressure applied to the arm to induce re-warming in patients with mild hypothermia due to surgery. We hypothesized that pulsating negative pressure would increase skin blood flow and thus heat transfer. The purpose of this study was to compare a new method of applying heat and pulsating negative pressure to the skin with conventional forced-air warming for preventing perioperative hypothermia. ⋯ Warm water and pulsating negative pressure was significantly better at treating hypothermia during laparotomy than forced-air warming.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Rectal acetaminophen does not reduce morphine consumption after major surgery in young infants.
The safety and value of acetaminophen (paracetamol) in addition to continuous morphine infusion has never been studied in newborns and young infants. We investigated the addition of acetaminophen to evaluate whether it decreased morphine consumption in this age group after major thoracic (non-cardiac) or abdominal surgery. ⋯ Acetaminophen, as an adjuvant to continuous morphine infusion, does not have an additional analgesic effect and should not be considered as standard of care in young infants, 0-2 months of age, after major thoracic (non-cardiac) or abdominal surgery.