Journal of clinical monitoring and computing
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J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 2015
Controlled Clinical TrialThe effect of endotracheal tube cuff pressure change during gynecological laparoscopic surgery on postoperative sore throat: a control study.
Postoperative respiratory complications related to endotracheal intubation usually present as cough, sore throat, hoarseness. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of endotracheal tube cuff pressure changes during gynecological laparoscopic surgery on postoperative sore throat rates. Thirty patients who underwent gynecological laparoscopic surgery and 30 patients who underwent laparotomy under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation were included. ⋯ In both groups, the endotracheal tube cuff pressure and peak airway pressure were significantly correlated (R=0.9431, P<0.01; R=0.8468, P<0.01). Compared to patients who had undergone laparotomy, patients who had undergone laparoscopic surgery showed significantly higher sore throat scores at both 2 and 24 h after surgery (P<0.01). Pneumoperitoneum and Trendelenburg position may increase airway pressure and cuff pressure, resulting in increased incidence of postoperative sore throat.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 2015
Observational StudyThe use of a clinical database in an anesthesia unit: focus on its limits.
Anesthesia information management system (AIMS) can be used a part of quality assurance program to improve patient care, however erroneous or missing data entries may lead to misinterpretation. This study assesses the accuracy of information extracted for six consecutive years from a database linked to an automatic anesthesia record-keeping system. An observational study was conducted on a database linked AIMS system. ⋯ However exhaustivity/completeness of some other variable, such as nausea and vomiting started as low as 50% to reach 20% at 2008. After cross analysing pain and post-operative nausea and vomiting scores with related medication consumption, (morphine and ondansetron) we conclude that missing data was due to omission of a zero score rather than human error. The follow-up of quality assurance program may use data from AIMS provided that missing or erroneous values be mentioned and their impact on calculations accurately analysed.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 2015
The use of a noninvasive hemoglobin monitor for determining fluid distribution and elimination in pediatric patients undergoing minor surgery.
In pediatric fluid therapy it would be preferable to describe distribution and elimination a fluid bolus based on repetitive hemoglobin (Hb) according to kinetic principles. Pulse CO-Oximetry is a recent advancement in patient monitoring that allows for the continuous noninvasive measurement of Hb (SpHb). The aim of this study was to describe the distribution and elimination of hydroxyethylstarch (HES) 130/0.4 in combination with crystalloids using a noninvasive Hb monitor in two cohorts of young children undergoing minor surgeries under general anesthesia. ⋯ A non invasive Hb analyzer could be used to calculate fluid distribution. The variability in the data can probably be explained by reactions to anesthetic drugs, variability in measurement technique, variability in generating the complex capillary signals, and individual variability in baseline fluid status. The latter finding is important because this is a prerequisite for perioperative fluid planning for each individual.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 2015
Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring during spine surgery with total intravenous anesthesia or balanced anesthesia with 3 % desflurane.
Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and opioids is frequently utilized for spinal surgery when somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and transcranial motor evoked potentials (tcMEPs) are monitored. Many anesthesiologists would prefer to utilize low dose halogenated anesthetics (e.g. 1/2 MAC). We examined our recent experience using 3% desflurane or TIVA during spine surgery to determine the impact on propofol usage and on the evoked potential responses. ⋯ The data from these cases indicates that 1/2 MAC (3%) desflurane can be used in conjunction with SSEP and tcMEP monitoring for some adult patients undergoing spine surgery. Further studies are needed to confirm the relative benefits versus negative effects of the use of desflurane and other halogenated agents for anesthesia during procedures on neurophysiological monitoring involving tcMEPs. Further studies are also needed to characterize which patients may or may not be candidates for supplementation such as those with neural dysfunction or who are opioid tolerant from chronic use.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 2015
Detection of endobronchial intubation by monitoring the CO2 level above the endotracheal cuff.
Early detection of accidental endobronchial intubation (EBI) is still an unsolved problem in anesthesia and critical care daily practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of monitoring above cuff CO2 to detect EBI (the working hypothesis was that the origin of CO2 is from the unventilated, but still perfused, lung). Six goats were intubated under general anesthesia and the ETT positioning was verified by a flexible bronchoscope. ⋯ Withdrawal of the ETT and repositioning of its distal tip in mid-trachea caused the disappearance of CO2 above the cuff in a maximum of 3 min, confirming the absence of air leak and the correct positioning of the ETT. Our results suggest that measurement of the above-the-cuff CO2 level could offer a reliable, on-line solution for early identification of accidental EBI. Further studies are planned to validate the efficacy of the method in a clinical setup.