Acta anaesthesiologica Belgica
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Acta Anaesthesiol Belg · Jan 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of the addition of rocuronium to local anesthetics for peribulbar block.
To test the hypothesis that rocuronium added to a mixture of local anaesthetics could improve akinesia in Peribulbar Block (PB) we designed this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study. Sixty ASA physical status I and II patients presenting for cataract surgery (manual extracapsular lens extraction) under PB were included. Patients were randomized to 2 groups: rocuronium group (n = 30) received PB with a local anesthetic mixture (Lidocaine 2% + Bupivacaine 0.5%) to which was added 0.06 mg/Kg of rocuronium and control group (n = 30) received PB with the same mixture to which was added saline. ⋯ Supplementary injection was necessary in 4 patients (13%) in rocuronium group versus 12 patients (40%) in control group (p = 0.039). No significant complications were recorded. Rocuronium added to a mixture of local anaesthetics at a dose of 0.06 mg/Kg improved the quality of akinesia in PB and reduced the need for supplementary injections.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Belg · Jan 2010
Review Case ReportsIntracranial subdural hematoma following spinal anesthesia: case report and review of the literature.
Postdural puncture headaches represent one of the main complications of spinal anesthesia. Sometimes, they can reveal the presence of an intracerebral hemorrhage or intracranial subdural hematoma. ⋯ We here report the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with an intracranial subdural hematoma following spinal anesthesia for hallux valgus surgery performed 48 hours earlier. The implications of such a diagnosis are then discussed, in the light of the existing literature.
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Hemorrhage is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. The increasing shortage of blood and blood products, and growing anxiety about the use of donor blood, is leading to investigation and use of several blood conservation techniques. ⋯ The safety of cell salvage in obstetrics has been questioned, therefore the experience in this field is limited. The aim of this article is to review the medical literature about the prevalence of obstetric hemorrhage, the principles of cell salvage and its safety profile in the obstetric setting.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Belg · Jan 2010
Randomized Controlled TrialGabapentin premedication: assessment of preoperative anxiolysis and postoperative patient satisfaction.
Gabapentin reduces anxiety in psychiatric patients. In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, we investigated whether a single dose of gabapentin as a premedicant reduces preoperative anxiety, and improves patient satisfaction. ⋯ A single dose of gabapentin has proven to be an effective premedication to reduce preoperative anxiety.
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Acta Anaesthesiol Belg · Jan 2010
ReviewNear-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring in contemporary anesthesia and critical care.
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive technology that continuously monitors regional tissue oxygenation. Originally used for assessment of oxygen saturation of the brain, its use has now been expanded to evaluation of oxygenation of tissues other than the brain. ⋯ New and promising advances may further this technology to become part of our standard armamentarium, in order to optimize patient care in daily anesthesia practice. The present paper briefly reviews the basic principles of operation, the inherent limitations of the technology and the clinical data that have been acquired with NIRS monitoring in the broad field of acute clinical medicine.