British journal of anaesthesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Intravenous oxytocin bolus of 2 units is superior to 5 units during elective Caesarean section.
The optimal dose of oxytocin at Caesarean section is unclear. Oxytocin may cause adverse cardiovascular effects, including tachycardia and hypotension, whereas an inadequate dose can result in increased uterine bleeding. We compared the effects of two doses of oxytocin in a randomized double-blind trial. ⋯ In elective Caesarean section, a 2 u bolus of oxytocin results in less haemodynamic change than 5 u, with less nausea and no difference in the need for additional uterotonics.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparison of hyperbaric and plain articaine in spinal anaesthesia for open inguinal hernia repair.
Fast onset and short duration are prominent properties of the amide-type local anaesthetic articaine. Similar to bupivacaine, a hyperbaric solution of articaine may produce faster onset and shorter duration of spinal anaesthesia than a plain solution. ⋯ Hyperbaric articaine 84 mg had a faster onset and shorter duration of spinal anaesthesia than the plain solution.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effectiveness of continuous wound infusion of 0.5% ropivacaine by On-Q pain relief system for postoperative pain management after open nephrectomy.
Block of parietal nociceptive afferent nerves using continuous wound infiltration with local anaesthetics may be beneficial in multimodal postoperative pain management. The effectiveness of continuous wound infusion of ropivacaine for postoperative pain relief after open nephrectomy was analysed in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. ⋯ Continuous surgical wound infusion with ropivacaine improved pain relief and accelerated recovery and discharge reducing overall costs of care.
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Patients experiencing massive haemorrhage are at high risk of developing coagulopathy through loss, consumption, and dilution of coagulation factors and platelets. It has been reported that plasma fibrinogen concentrations may reach a critical low level relatively early during bleeding, calling for replacement fibrinogen therapy. Cryoprecipitate has been widely used in the past, but more recently, a pasteurized fibrinogen concentrate has become available. We audited the effects of fibrinogen concentrate therapy on laboratory and clinical outcome in patients with massive haemorrhage. ⋯ Off-label substitution therapy with a fibrinogen concentrate generally improved global laboratory coagulation results and as supplementary intervention, appeared to diminish the requirements for RBC, FFP, and platelet substitution in this patient cohort.