Articles: outcome.
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Int J Obstet Anesth · Oct 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialIntrathecal labor analgesia: can we use the same mixture as is used epidurally?
In a randomized double-blind study, three groups of 25 term parturients received one of the following intrathecal drugs or combinations for relief of labor pain: sufentanil 7.5 microg (1.5 ml), sufentanil 5 microg + bupivacaine 1 mg (1.5 ml) or the combination bupivacaine 1.75 mg, sufentanil 1.05 microg and epinephrine 1.75 microg, that is 1.5 ml of our standard epidural mixture. After the intrathecal injection, patients received a peridural catheter for supplementation of analgesia. Onset and duration of the three regimens were similar. ⋯ More cardiotocographic changes were observed in the plain sufentanil group but this was not related to neonatal outcome. It was concluded that intrathecal injection of the standard epidural mixture offers effective and long-lasting analgesia. This may avoid side-effects and complications, manipulations of drugs with the risk for contamination, spilling of drugs and loss of time.
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Intensive care medicine · Oct 1997
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia: antenatal prognostic factors : Does cardiac ventricular disproportion in utero predict outcome and pulmonary hypoplasia?
Despite regular progress in neonatal intensive care, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) diagnosed antenatally is still associated with up to 80 % mortality. It is impossible to predict which fetus with CDH will survive or not. ⋯ Our study confirmed the factors for a poor prognosis associated with CDH previously described in the literature, but none with a consistent demonstration of accuracy. LV hypoplasia may be a more accurate predictor of outcome and of PH but it has to be assessed by prospective studies with larger samples. Further basic science and Doppler-flow studies may be helpful to understand the natural history and pathophysiology of LV hypoplasia in CDH.
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The authors undertook a review of the literature and analysis of the local surgical experience for lumbar stenosis to define the role of simultaneous arthrodesis in the treatment of patients undergoing decompression for spinal stenosis. The restrained use of spinal fusion is recommended in spinal stenosis surgery because of the coexisting medical problems in the elderly patient population and the higher associated complication rate with spinal fusion and instrumentation. ⋯ Spinal fusion is not recommended for a routine decompressive laminectomy for lumbar stenosis or in the case of stable degenerative deformities. New fusion techniques may improve the outcome and decrease the morbidity associated with contemporary methods of spinal fusion and instrumentation.
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The aim of this study was to identify, in (pre-) clinically obtained data, parameters predicting the outcome of patients with multiple trauma and severe head injury. Fifty-eight patients aged 27±10 years were investigated an average of 5.8 years after the accident. The Hanover Polytrauma Score was 34±11 points, the initially assessed Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was 6.2±3.2 points; and the duration of coma was 15.4±14.4 days. ⋯ Some 42% of all patients had taken up their former profession, 5% were still in training or at college, 32% were retrained to other professions, 16% were unemployed and 5% were completely retired on pension. Age, injury severity, GCS, duration of coma and duration of weaning were suitable predictors in correlation- and regression analysis. The Glasgow Outcome Scale showed good recovery and moderate disability in 53%, severe disability in 33% and persistent vegetative state in 14% of the patients.