Cahiers d'anesthésiologie
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The advantages of regional over general anaesthesia have led to an increased use of peripheral nerve blocks. Among the few risks of regional anaesthesia are those of overdosage, systemic and neural toxicity. Techniques have been proposed to improve the success of peripheral nerve blocks and to avoid nerve damage or systemic toxicity. Nerve stimulator, anatomic landmarks, needles and anaesthetic solutions are discussed.
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Cahiers d'anesthésiologie · Jan 1995
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial[Effects of preoxygenation methods on the course of PaO2 and PaCO2 in anesthetic post-induction apnea].
This study compares two preoxygenation techniques by blood gases measurements during induction of anaesthesia. After hospital ethics committee approval, 17 adult surgical patients, ASA I, all free of cardiac or lung disease were randomly assigned to two groups. Before preoxygenation, venous and radial artery canulations were performed. ⋯ The group I had significantly higher PaO2 immediately after preoxygenation (397 +/- 49 vs 293 +/- 86 mmHg) and the time for SaO2 to decrease to 95% was significantly shorter in group II (3 +/- 1 vs 1.87 +/- 0.99 min). PaCO2 was not different after preoxygenation in group II. In summary, healthy and young patients receive better protection against hypoxia with normal breathing of 100% for 4 minutes.
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Cahiers d'anesthésiologie · Jan 1995
Review[Analgesia after surgery of the spine in adults and adolescents].
Postoperative pain after spinal surgeries is highly dependent on the number of vertebrae included in the operation and on its invasiveness, opposing two extremes, discectomies and cyphoscoliosis corrections. Opiates by intravenous route remain the reference, either continuously given in predetermined doses, or better using a patient-controlled device. Nonsteroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely popular for medical approach of sciatalgia and it is quite logical to use them for reducing, even to suppress, opiates after spinal surgeries. ⋯ Also, epidural clonidine results in excellent pain relief, but is associated with hypotension and marked sedation. In discectomy, injection of dexamethasone into the operative field has been proposed. Whatever the technique used, early diagnosis of neurological complications of spinal surgery should be not ruled out by postoperative analgesia.
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Cahiers d'anesthésiologie · Jan 1995
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial[Efficacy of propacetamol in postoperative pain based on two modes of intravenous administration].
The analgesic and antipyretic efficacy of propacetamol is identical to paracetamol. Because the propacetamol is injectable and its side effects are uncommon and mild, it is the drug commonly used in France for postoperative pain relief. The aim of this prospective study was to compare the analgesic efficacy of propacetamol after breast surgery or thyroidectomy when it was administered either systematically or on the patients demand. ⋯ Pain during propacetamol infusion was more frequent in the D group than in the S group (30% and 13% respectively, p < 0.05). No other adverse effects were observed during the study. Propacetamol alone is sufficient for pain relief after peripheral surgery; more than 90% of patients need no supplemental analgesic, and adverse effects are rare.
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This review describes the mechanisms of analgesic effect, advantages and risks related to the perioperative use of non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID's). The NSAID's should be used as the first analgesic, around the clock, with a rapid onset of the therapy. Their combination with other NSAID's (acetaminophen) or opioids can have an additive analgesic effect and may limit frequent secondary effects as nausea and vomiting. Their potential toxicity must be remembered and the contra indications, maximum doses and duration of treatment have to be respected.