British journal of anaesthesia
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Observational Study
Platelet count and function in paediatric cardiac surgery: a prospective observational study.
Platelet deficiency, impaired platelet function, or both increase the risk of bleeding complications. We assessed platelet count and function during and after paediatric cardiac surgery. Secondary aims included the effect of modified ultrafiltration, identification of factors associated with platelet dysfunction, and to assess associations between platelet function and transfusion requirements. ⋯ Platelet count and platelet aggregation are markedly reduced during and immediately after paediatric cardiac surgery, especially in neonates. The recovery in aggregation is faster than that in platelet count. Intraoperative platelet dysfunction is associated with increased transfusion requirements.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Perioperative gabapentin reduces 24 h opioid consumption and improves in-hospital rehabilitation but not post-discharge outcomes after total knee arthroplasty with peripheral nerve block.
This study was designed to determine whether a 4 day perioperative regimen of gabapentin added to celecoxib improves in-hospital rehabilitation and physical function on postoperative day 4 and 6 weeks and 3 months after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). ⋯ In the context of celecoxib, spinal anaesthesia, femoral and sciatic nerve blocks, a dose of gabapentin 600 mg before operation followed by 4 days of gabapentin 200 mg TID decreased postoperative analgesic requirements and improved knee range of motion after TKA. Gabapentin provided no improvement in pain or physical function on POD4 and 6 weeks or 3 months after surgery.
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The aim of this study was to compare intubation depth using the Microcuff paediatric endotracheal tube (PET) placed with the intubation depth mark between the vocal cords with that of different published formulae/recommendations for nasotracheal intubation depth in children. ⋯ This study indicates that nasal intubation with the intubation depth mark placed between the vocal cords was superior to formula-based nasotracheal tube positioning. The latter would result in a high rate of endobronchial intubations, excessively high cuff positions and even tracheal extubations.
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Review Meta Analysis
Indications and management of mechanical fluid removal in critical illness.
The Acute Dialysis Quality Initiative (ADQI) dedicated its Twelfth Consensus Conference (2013) to all aspects of fluid therapy, including the management of fluid overload (FO). The aim of the working subgroup 'Mechanical fluid removal' was to review the indications, prescription, and management of mechanical fluid removal within the broad context of fluid management of critically ill patients. ⋯ Mechanical fluid removal should be considered as a therapy for FO, but more research is necessary to determine its exact role and clinical application.