Articles: general-anesthesia.
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Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim · Nov 1994
Review[Prevention of cross contamination, patient to anesthesia apparatus to patient, using filters].
Concern for cross infections from patient to patient via apparatus is particularly relevant today. There are several ways to prevent patient contamination through anesthetic devices. Although there is no clinical evidence for using one alternative over another and each hospital establishes its own hygienic protocols, we have introduced the systematic use of filters with patients undergoing general anesthesia. ⋯ We describe three basic physical tests (passage of water, passage of smoke and increase of resistance when applied to the patient) for filters to be classified. The ideal filter is hydrophobic and does not increase circuit resistance over the amount specified. Four principles are emphasized in the protocol: 1) the filter forms a part of the patient, not the apparatus; 2) proper placement of the filter is between the patient and the circuit's "Y" piece; 3) the main purpose of the filter is to prevent contamination of the apparatus, and 4) if a hydrophobic filter is used with each patient, the use of a disposable respiratory circuit is not called for.
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Mechanical hyperventilation may produce hypocapnic apnoea below the carbon dioxide off-switch threshold whereas an increase in arterial PCO2 after post-hyperventilation apnoea causes reappearance of respiratory effort above the carbon dioxide on-switch threshold. To study the effects of surgical stimulation on these two thresholds, we have measured end-tidal PCO2 (PE'CO2) at the two thresholds, before and during surgical stimulation, in 14 patients undergoing mastectomy, anaesthetized with sevoflurane (1.2 MAC). Based on the reproducibility of the results, data from 11 patients were analysed and data from the three other patients were discarded. ⋯ During surgical stimulation, resting PE'CO2' off-switch threshold and on-switch threshold were 4.8 (0.2), 4.1 (0.2) and 4.7 (0.2) kPa, respectively. Although the off-switch threshold was significantly less than resting PE'CO2 (P < 0.01), there were no significant differences between resting PE'CO2 and on-switch threshold. These results indicate that surgical stimulation does not affect equally the carbon dioxide on- and off-switch thresholds.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
[Effect of continuous infusion of flumazenil on unexpected postoperative resedation by midazolam].
Resedation after general anesthesia induced by midazolam is thought to be not an unusual problem for the anesthetists. We investigated the effect of continuous infusion of flumazenil on the patients who had general anesthesia using midazolam as an induction agent and had flumazenil for prolonged recovery after procedure. Fourteen of 54 patients were judged as prolonged recovery and were given 0.25 mg of flumazenil. ⋯ In the second group, 0.25 mg of flumazenil in 250 ml of lactated Ringer's solution was given continuously for 2 hours after the first flumazenil. All the patients were fully awake after the first flumazenil but one case of resedation occurred in the first group and in none of the patients in the second group. We conclude that continuous infusion of 0.25 mg of flumazenil for 2 hours is effective and makes anesthetist free from anxiety of postoperative resedation by midazolam.
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The swallowing reflex is depressed by anesthetics. During recovery from anesthesia the rapid return of laryngeal and upper airway reflexes is important to protect the lower airway from aspiration. This study measures the recovery of the swallowing reflex after propofol anesthesia. ⋯ The EMGi was significantly decreased over the first 12 min and returned to control at 21 min. Propofol depresses the swallowing reflex, but complete recovery is rapid. This study suggests that the oral intake could be allowed early after recovery from anesthesia when propofol is used as the sole anesthetic.