British journal of anaesthesia
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Recent studies suggest that implicit memory (especially perceptual implicit memory) persists during adequate general anaesthesia in adults. Studies in children, however, have failed to demonstrate implicit memory during general anaesthesia, possibly because of differences in methodological design. We therefore designed a prospective study with the aim of evaluating implicit memory in children undergoing general anaesthesia, using a perceptual memory test based on the mere exposure effect, previously tested in a control group. ⋯ The use of a perceptual implicit memory test based on the mere exposure procedure in children failed to reveal any evidence of implicit memory under general anaesthesia.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Ultrasound guidance compared with electrical neurostimulation for peripheral nerve block: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Despite the growing interest in the use of ultrasound (US) imaging to guide performance of regional anaesthetic procedures such as peripheral nerve blocks, controversy still exists as to whether US is superior to previously developed nerve localization techniques such as the use of a peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS). We sought to clarify this issue by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials that have compared these two methods of nerve localization. ⋯ US improves efficacy of peripheral nerve block compared with techniques that utilize PNS for nerve localization. Larger studies are needed to determine whether or not the use of US can decrease the number of complications such as nerve injury or systemic local anaesthetic toxicity.
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Review Meta Analysis
Systematic review of spinal anaesthesia using bupivacaine for ambulatory knee arthroscopy.
The use of lidocaine in spinal anaesthesia is associated with transient neurological syndrome (TNS). Bupivacaine has a lower incidence of TNS as an alternative but it may have a prolonged action. This study systematically reviews the literature about the recovery profile of patients undergoing spinal anaesthesia, using bupivacaine for arthroscopic knee surgery. ⋯ The results of our systematic review suggest that 4-5 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine can effectively produce spinal anaesthesia for knee arthroscopy with unilateral positioning. Ropivacaine or the addition of adjuvants did not improve the recovery time. There is a need for tighter RCTs with more consistent endpoints.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Advance of age decreases the minimum alveolar concentrations of isoflurane and sevoflurane for maintaining bispectral index below 50.
We investigated age-related differences in the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane and sevoflurane for maintaining bispectral index (BIS) below 50 (MAC(BIS50)). ⋯ Advance in age significantly decreased the concentrations of isoflurane and sevoflurane required to maintain BIS below 50. BIS correctly reflected age-associated decrease of end-tidal concentrations of isoflurane and sevoflurane required for maintaining adequate depth of anaesthesia during resting state.