Journal of the West African College of Surgeons
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J West Afr Coll Surg · Apr 2012
Tramadol effects on perioperative shivering in lower limb orthopaedic surgeries under spinal anaesthesia.
Shivering is one of the common complications of regional technique. Although shivering may have beneficial thermoregulatory effects, it places the patient under increased physiological stress. ⋯ Tramadol abolished shivering promptly when employed as a rescue medication with no recurrence. Also, tramadol reduces the severity of post-anaesthetic shivering.
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J West Afr Coll Surg · Oct 2011
Intra-aortic balloon pump in coronary artery bypass graft - factors affecting outcome.
The management of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients, especially in high risk patients ,can be challenging as the postoperative periods may be characterized by a low cardiac output state. Inotropes used in the perioperative periods to increase cardiac output may be detrimental thus making the use of mechanical devices like intra-aortic Balloon pump (IABP) for circulatory assistance desirable. ⋯ Early institution of intra-aortic balloon pump gives a better outcome even in high risk coronary artery bypass graft patients as it reduces ICU stay and mortality, and elevated post-insertion creatinine levels has been shown to be an indicator of impending mortality and so an early warning for putting in place mitigating protocols.
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Spinal anaesthesia is the preferred regional technique for Caesarean section but failure sometimes occurs. ⋯ Spinal anaesthesia conversion rate is high in this study when compared with reports from developed countries. Adequate training for residents in anaesthesia will decrease the failure rate. Parturients undergoing sterilization during Caesarean section may require supplementary analgesia.
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J West Afr Coll Surg · Jul 2011
Opioid-sparing effect of bupivacaine wound infiltration after lower abdominal operations.
Pain management has traditionally been provided by opioid analgesics. However, the reluctance of some health personnel to prescribe or administer opioids because of the fear of side effects has hindered their use. Local anaesthetic wound infiltration has been shown to improve postoperative pain management. ⋯ Bupicacaine wound infiltration improved pain scores at rest within the first 6 hours and pain scores on coughing within the first 24 hours postoperatively. Although the technique increases the options available for postoperative pain relief after lower abdominal surgery, it cannot be used alone in this type of surgery.
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J West Afr Coll Surg · Jul 2011
Effects of lidocaine and k-y jellies on sore throat, cough, and hoarseness following endotracheal anaesthesia.
Tracheal intubation for general anaesthesia is often associated with postoperative sore throat, hoarseness and cough which can be distressing to patients. We compared the effects of lidocaine and K-Y jellies on postoperative sore throat, cough and hoarseness of voice following endotracheal anaesthesia. ⋯ K-Y jelly is superior to lidocaine jelly in preventing postoperative sore throat, and in reducing the incidence of hoarseness of voice and cough. Postopearive throat complaints are more common in females than males.