British journal of anaesthesia
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of the adductor pollicis, orbicularis oculi, and corrugator supercilii as indicators of adequacy of muscle relaxation for tracheal intubation.
The purpose of this study was to verify which muscle among the adductor pollicis (AP), orbicularis oculi (OO), and corrugator supercilii (CS) is a better predictor of optimal intubating conditions after administration of rocuronium. ⋯ After administration of rocuronium, twitch monitoring at the OO allows a faster intubation but is associated with an unacceptable incidence of inadequate intubating conditions. Excellent intubating conditions are observed most frequently with AP monitoring but with the longest delay before intubation is attempted. Monitoring of the CS allows intubation earlier than that of AP with fewer patients having excellent but no patients having inadequate intubating conditions.
-
Vasopressor agents are commonly used to increase mean arterial pressure (MAP) in order to secure a pressure gradient to perfuse vital organs. The influence of norepinephrine on cerebral oxygenation is not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the infusion of norepinephrine on cerebral oxygenation in healthy subjects. ⋯ This study suggests that infusion of norepinephrine at 0.1 microg kg(-1) min(-1) or higher may negatively affect cerebral oxygenation.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of four intraoperative ventilatory strategies on respiratory compliance and gas exchange during laparoscopic gastric banding in obese patients.
Respiratory function is impaired in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery. This study was performed to determine whether repeated lung recruitment combined with PEEP improves respiratory compliance and arterial partial pressure of oxygen (Pa(O2)) in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric banding. ⋯ Group RRP recruitment strategy was associated with the best intraoperative respiratory compliance and Pa(O2) in obese patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric banding.
-
A key element in enhanced postoperative recovery is early mobilization which, however, may be hindered by orthostatic intolerance, that is, an inability to sit or stand because of symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion as intolerable dizziness, nausea and vomiting, feeling of heat, or blurred vision. We assessed orthostatic tolerance in relation to the postural cardiovascular responses before and shortly after open radical prostatectomy. ⋯ The early postoperative postural cardiovascular response is impaired after radical prostatectomy with a risk of orthostatic intolerance, limiting early postoperative mobilization. The pathogenic mechanisms include both impaired TPR and CO responses.
-
Bupivacaine concentrations in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid in patients with failed spinal anaesthesia.
Spinal anaesthesia (SA) has high success rates. However, inadequate block after SA has been reported even in the absence of technical problems. Various mechanisms for failed SA (FSA) have been proposed, but reports of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of local anaesthetics (LA) after FSA are scarce. We report lumbar CSF concentrations of bupivacaine in 20 patients in whom adequate block after subarachnoid injection failed to develop. ⋯ Inadequate CSF concentration of LA is a common reason for FSA. However, in 12 of our 20 patients, concentrations were above 73 microg ml(-1), a concentration that should lead to an adequate block. In these patients, maldistribution of bupivacaine could be responsible for FSA. In view of the absence of sufficient block, despite adequate lumbar CSF concentrations of bupivacaine, concerns about neurotoxicity with repeat injections may be warranted.